[Rebold]

I took delivery of my 2017 Honda Rebel 500 ABS on the 20th of April in Breda, The Netherlands.
I had been waiting all winter for this motorcycle to arrive in the shops.
After reading the first American reviews from the Venice Beach introduction, I just went into the dealership and ordered one without being able to test drive the one they had in the showroom.
The seller told me it would be in in 1 or 2 weeks, but a week later he got back to me, could be end of May, beginning of June…
Somehow he managed to find one earlier, so here I am, telling you about it after the first 200 miles.
First things first, I’m 5’34 ft, weight 148 lbs and 53 years old. This bike is perfect for my length, and for the build of a lot of Thai’s and other Asians, and it wouldn’t surprise me if sales success over there might have something to do with the delivery issues.
I got my motorcycle driver’s license on a driving school 250 rebel in the eighties, it was the only bike then that I could fit on. I remember well thinking that I was killing the engine at 75 mph on the freeway the first time!
The first bike I owned myself was a Yamaha XV535, which on paper has several similarities with my new Honda. The Yamaha was followed by a 2000 BMW F650GS, 2010 Kawasaki ER6F, 2012 Honda Integra NC700D, that’s the one I traded in. He, this is a guy going backwards, I hear you think! Well, after so many years I got a little tired of always having to alter the ride height of bikes, and certainly the bulk of the Integra got to me. I was longing for a bike in the style that was common in the thirties, compact, sturdy and go anywhere, nobody in those days needed a trail bike to go exploring dirt roads in the wild.

First impressions; fits like a glove, goes where you point it, suspension not soft with my weight,
turns on a dime, more than enough power, stable at 80 mph on the freeway. What more do you need to enjoy motorcycling? I think it’s definitely worth the wait.

I’ll be popping into the forum more in the future, but I’m not a constantly online type of person, ask questions if you like, but don’t expect immediate answers!

 

[Jet noise]

Welcome, Rebold. Apart from the reviews posted on the internet by motojournalists, yours is the first owner review I've read. Enjoy the bike!

 

[01-7700]

Welcome! Congrats on your new bike.

 

[Rebellion]

Congrats on taking delivery! How comfortable is the Rebel 3 and rider ergonomics?

 

[Rebold]

Don’t want to aggravate your waiting ordeal or anything, but here’s a few more glimpses of pure happiness. Today I went on a 130 mile rural and industrial sightseeing trip, with lots of stops on the way. Average speeds between 40 and 70 mph, nothing outrageous, I’m still in break-in phase.
I was on the road for about 5 hours, so what does that tell you about comfort?
I even did a short stretch of gravel road with potholes, no problemo, you can stand on the pegs, now try that with a forward control cruiser.
Fuel consumption? Today 68 miles per gallon.
One peculiarity, after parking in neutral, a few times reluctant to shift into one, solution; just release clutch once in neutral, and then it takes a feather touch to go into first gear, nothing to worry about.
I’ve got two original accessories on the bike, the power socket and the (yes I know, overly expensive) small screen. Screen is tiny, but it works for me, no buffeting or anything, mind you, I always wear a full face helmet, the supposedly “cool looks” of a jet helmet do not outweigh the added comfort.
By the way, about the screen, heard someone say “Plexi”, mind you, it isn’t. Plexi is a trade name for acrylic, which breaks if you hit it. The screen is made of polycarbonate, which doesn’t, but is a whole lot more difficult to get into shape. Watch that when shopping for cheap aftermarket screens.
Someone was asking for the handlebar diameter? Mine is 1”.
Plans for near future: although I love the minimalism of the bike, I have to plan how to mount my navigation in the least obtrusive way. And have to attach a battery loader connector to the battery, always put my bikes on a trickle charger.

 

[shortyg83]

Don’t want to aggravate your waiting ordeal or anything, but here’s a few more glimpses of pure happiness. Today I went on a 130 mile rural and industrial sightseeing trip, with lots of stops on the way. Average speeds between 40 and 70 mph, nothing outrageous, I’m still in break-in phase.
I was on the road for about 5 hours, so what does that tell you about comfort?
I even did a short stretch of gravel road with potholes, no problemo, you can stand on the pegs, now try that with a forward control cruiser.
Fuel consumption? Today 68 miles per gallon.
One peculiarity, after parking in neutral, a few times reluctant to shift into one, solution; just release clutch once in neutral, and then it takes a feather touch to go into first gear, nothing to worry about.
I’ve got two original accessories on the bike, the power socket and the (yes I know, overly expensive) small screen. Screen is tiny, but it works for me, no buffeting or anything, mind you, I always wear a full face helmet, the supposedly “cool looks” of a jet helmet do not outweigh the added comfort.
By the way, about the screen, heard someone say “Plexi”, mind you, it isn’t. Plexi is a trade name for acrylic, which breaks if you hit it. The screen is made of polycarbonate, which doesn’t, but is a whole lot more difficult to get into shape. Watch that when shopping for cheap aftermarket screens.
Someone was asking for the handlebar diameter? Mine is 1”.
Plans for near future: although I love the minimalism of the bike, I have to plan how to mount my navigation in the least obtrusive way. And have to attach a battery loader connector to the battery, always put my bikes on a trickle charger.

Thanks for the information on the handlebars. I was looking for that for a while.

Have you run into any problems outside of the shifting into first when parking?

 

[Rising Sun]

Don’t want to aggravate your waiting ordeal or anything, but here’s a few more glimpses of pure happiness. Today I went on a 130 mile rural and industrial sightseeing trip, with lots of stops on the way. Average speeds between 40 and 70 mph, nothing outrageous, I’m still in break-in phase.
I was on the road for about 5 hours, so what does that tell you about comfort?
I even did a short stretch of gravel road with potholes, no problemo, you can stand on the pegs, now try that with a forward control cruiser.
Fuel consumption? Today 68 miles per gallon.
One peculiarity, after parking in neutral, a few times reluctant to shift into one, solution; just release clutch once in neutral, and then it takes a feather touch to go into first gear, nothing to worry about.
I’ve got two original accessories on the bike, the power socket and the (yes I know, overly expensive) small screen. Screen is tiny, but it works for me, no buffeting or anything, mind you, I always wear a full face helmet, the supposedly “cool looks” of a jet helmet do not outweigh the added comfort.
By the way, about the screen, heard someone say “Plexi”, mind you, it isn’t. Plexi is a trade name for acrylic, which breaks if you hit it. The screen is made of polycarbonate, which doesn’t, but is a whole lot more difficult to get into shape. Watch that when shopping for cheap aftermarket screens.
Someone was asking for the handlebar diameter? Mine is 1”.
Plans for near future: although I love the minimalism of the bike, I have to plan how to mount my navigation in the least obtrusive way. And have to attach a battery loader connector to the battery, always put my bikes on a trickle charger.

How is the suspension? All the video reviews kept stating on spongy suspension. How big of a concern is this? I weigh about 170 lbs

 

[shortyg83]

Don’t want to aggravate your waiting ordeal or anything, but here’s a few more glimpses of pure happiness. Today I went on a 130 mile rural and industrial sightseeing trip, with lots of stops on the way. Average speeds between 40 and 70 mph, nothing outrageous, I’m still in break-in phase.
I was on the road for about 5 hours, so what does that tell you about comfort?
I even did a short stretch of gravel road with potholes, no problemo, you can stand on the pegs, now try that with a forward control cruiser.
Fuel consumption? Today 68 miles per gallon.
One peculiarity, after parking in neutral, a few times reluctant to shift into one, solution; just release clutch once in neutral, and then it takes a feather touch to go into first gear, nothing to worry about.
I’ve got two original accessories on the bike, the power socket and the (yes I know, overly expensive) small screen. Screen is tiny, but it works for me, no buffeting or anything, mind you, I always wear a full face helmet, the supposedly “cool looks” of a jet helmet do not outweigh the added comfort.
By the way, about the screen, heard someone say “Plexi”, mind you, it isn’t. Plexi is a trade name for acrylic, which breaks if you hit it. The screen is made of polycarbonate, which doesn’t, but is a whole lot more difficult to get into shape. Watch that when shopping for cheap aftermarket screens.
Someone was asking for the handlebar diameter? Mine is 1”.
Plans for near future: although I love the minimalism of the bike, I have to plan how to mount my navigation in the least obtrusive way. And have to attach a battery loader connector to the battery, always put my bikes on a trickle charger.

Curious if you can do one more favor for me. Can you measure the length of the upper fork area? I want to get a black fork cover for the upper fork and I just need to know the length to get.

 

[Rebold]

Rising Sun, I also saw that, but I don't experience that at all, for my weight it's stiff and stable enough.
Before I got it I was somewhat concerned about it being bouncy, with those balloon tires on such a compact bike, and that they might try to conceal that with soft suspension, but I found none of that, just great to drive!
ShortyG83, you mean you're planning to install fork gators? I measure 5,315 in (on sidestand, no one aboard) between the fork seal and the lower triple clamp.

 

[sx3surf]

@Rebold

Are you able to flat foot? I'm 5'6" and was also concerned about seat height...

 

[fred0666]

@Rebold

Are you able to flat foot? I'm 5'6" and was also concerned about seat height...

Rebold will answer with his experience but I can say (being 5'8'') that the seat is very low.
It will be surprising you won't touch the foot flat on the ground.

Regards.

 

[shortyg83]

Rising Sun, I also saw that, but I don't experience that at all, for my weight it's stiff and stable enough.
Before I got it I was somewhat concerned about it being bouncy, with those balloon tires on such a compact bike, and that they might try to conceal that with soft suspension, but I found none of that, just great to drive!
ShortyG83, you mean you're planning to install fork gators? I measure 5,315 in (on sidestand, no one aboard) between the fork seal and the lower triple clamp.

Not fork gaiters actually. I was looking for the upper part of the fork. I want to put a fork cover on the chrome tube so that it is all black. I will be getting fork gaiters as well on the bottom fork.

 

[sx3surf]

@fred0666

Thanks!

 

[Rebold]

sx3surf, as stated in my intro, I'm only 5.34 ft, and I can put my feet flat on the ground, when I stand up there's even room between the seat and my bum. Of course your inseam is the most important factor in this, but with the length you stated, I don't think there should be a problem.
For me being able to flat foot is really important, I get so tired of reporters claiming that bike so and so is accessible to almost all and tiptoeing around is adequate. Try that when you drive up or down a slope and then find out that it's a deadend. Have fun turning your rig around.
shortyg83, I've got some more measurements for you, between lower triple clamp and indicator molding 5.787 in, between lower and upper triple clamp 7.323 in, headlight outer rim 6.889 in.

 

[shortyg83]

sx3surf, as stated in my intro, I'm only 5.34 ft, and I can put my feet flat on the ground, when I stand up there's even room between the seat and my bum. Of course your inseam is the most important factor in this, but with the length you stated, I don't think there should be a problem.
For me being able to flat foot is really important, I get so tired of reporters claiming that bike so and so is accessible to almost all and tiptoeing around is adequate. Try that when you drive up or down a slope and then find out that it's a deadend. Have fun turning your rig around.
shortyg83, I've got some more measurements for you, between lower triple clamp and indicator molding 5.787 in, between lower and upper triple clamp 7.323 in, headlight outer rim 6.889 in.

Thank you for that information. Helps me out a lot.