[shortyg83]

So I figured I would post this for people interested. I can't really verify everything I am saying so I will just say these are estimated top speed for the 300 and the 500.

Rebel 300- 85mph
Rebel 500- 105mph

Now like I said, these are estimates and will slightly vary depending on where you live since altitude can change performance.

These bikes have the engines from the cbr300 and cbr500.
CBR300 top speed- 97mph
CBR500 top speed- 116mph

Now the Rebels have the same engine but they are done a bit different. The cam has been changed and the tuning was changed to give the bike more torque. This also resulted in slightly less horsepower. The speeds I posted are from reading the first reviews that finally came out this weekend on the bikes.

Rebel 300- The reviews have said the bike is great in the city. When it gets on freeways that tends to change. It can get to 65mph-70mph with good accelleration if the road is flat. But they have stated that going up any hills caused the bike to bog down and lose speed. The bike also has a lot of vibration at this speed due to it being a single cylinder. So the bike is capable , but it would be better suited if most of your riding was under those speeds.

Rebel 500- The reviews have said the bike is much better built to handle the freeway, as well as still being great in the city. The torque gives the bike much more pulling power. From what I read the added weight actually seems to work better with the braking system on these bikes.

The reviewers all stated that both bikes were really fun to ride, and it really comes down to how much you would be riding on a freeway.
The only negatives I have seen is that most reviews were not to fond of the suspension. The front suspension can be easily fixed by buying adjustable caps. But the rear suspension has no way to adjust dampening so the only way to improve them would be to replace them completely.

Just figured I would post this for those still trying to decide which Rebel to get.

 

[Saint]

Not being knit picky or anything and I appreciate the work you put into this but if the review said that the Rebel 300 could get to 65-70mph in an ideal condition being a flat road, why did you estimate it to be 85mph?

 

[shortyg83]

Not being knit picky or anything and I appreciate the work you put into this but if the review said that the Rebel 300 could get to 65-70mph in an ideal condition being a flat road, why did you estimate it to be 85mph?

Because multiple reviewers posted that they got the bike up to 80mph but it took some time. And one guy said he got it to 85.
It would depend on rider weight and a lot of the guys who posted the reviews were over 200lbs.

 

[chaseyracer]

I'm only 145lbs soaking wet, I wonder what I can get it upto ...

 

[shortyg83]

I'm only 145lbs soaking wet, I wonder what I can get it upto ...

I would assume 80-85 mph may be a limit also because of the gearing on the bike. A lot of people on the CBR forums have had luck with putting different sprockets on the bike if achieving a little better top speed is something that you are interested in.

 

[Saint]

Well you may be capped at that 80-85mph mark but being that light, you should have some much better acceleration and 0-60 time?

 

[st.rebel]

I would assume 80-85 mph may be a limit also because of the gearing on the bike. A lot of people on the CBR forums have had luck with putting different sprockets on the bike if achieving a little better top speed is something that you are interested in.

Couple that up with drafting behind a big truck moving at a fast rate of speed and you'll be able to squeeze out some extra MPH

Seriously though if you're able to draft while commuting or on long distance riding... it helps.

 

[Saint]

But it has to cap out somewhere, so you may not get more mph out of it but you'll get more mpg ?

 

[st.rebel]

But it has to cap out somewhere, so you may not get more mph out of it but you'll get more mpg ?

correct since there's less resistance and less work for the engine to do, its minimal but the point is you do in fact get better mileage and even a higher top speed than you would normally

 

[jsonder]

Honda has traditionally designed their bikes to just make redline in top gear going down hill with a tail wind.

In general, you are not going to improve on the factory design in terms of mpg.

However, if you have a specific goal in mind, changing the gearing is useful. I have a 2009 CRF230 that had it's rear sprocket changed fro 39 to 48 teeth. It climbs steep stuff now!

Recommending drafting trucks to riders with unknown experience is dangerous. Even with experienced riders, a minor day dream as the truck starts braking may make it difficult to avoid the back end. I consider that advice extremely dangerous.

 

[Djdavies]

Recommending drafting trucks to riders with unknown experience is dangerous. Even with experienced riders, a minor day dream as the truck starts braking may make it difficult to avoid the back end. I consider that advice extremely dangerous.

Oh but look at all of the pennies (literally) that can be saved.

 

[Saint]

Yeah... drafting behind trucks to "save gas" just seems so meaningless to me. The whole idea of drafting in real world applications is mind-boggling to me as to why people think it's such a great idea.

 

[01-7700]

Don't draft behind trucks - there is a very real risk and an imaginary benefit.

At 100 feet following distance you have 1.25 seconds to respond if the truck slams on the brakes, and at ten feet you have .124 seconds. The recommended distance at 55 miles per hour is 150 feet.

 

[dollarbill181]

Quick update for everyone. I have a Rebe 300 abs. 5'10" 220lbs. Still in the break in process (180 miles on the clock).

Did a quick speed run and topped out at 79 mph. No tuck, sitting normal. Not great, but hopefully it goes up slightly as it breaks in more...or as I lose a few pounds :|

 

[500]

Quick update for everyone. I have a Rebe 300 abs. 5'10" 220lbs. Still in the break in process (180 miles on the clock).

Did a quick speed run and topped out at 79 mph. No tuck, sitting normal. Not great, but hopefully it goes up slightly as it breaks in more...or as I lose a few pounds :|

You should've waited till after the break in. We still appreciate it for the name of science.

 

[macjosh1]

update on my 300 non-abs.


2000kms - 1243 miles


I weigh in at 153lbs, top speed at 140kms/hr - 90mph.


This was flat out, flat ground, no wind and laying on the gas tank. Doubt she had much more to give. And doubt i'll be hitting that speed again on this bike. Not that it makes me nervous, but its my first bike, bought it to get experience and simply enjoy the ride. Use it mostly for bobbing around town, and the odd zip down the highway with a group.


I am planning a road trip with this bike, average speed be about 100kms/hr - 60mph which the bike will have no problem maintaining.

 

[FLrebel]

Great reviews, good information. Thanks

 

[Kenny G]

I am considering the new 300 Rebel and I have one ride that I do frequently, about once a month on, Interstate 35W where the speed limit is 70 MPH.

I weigh 170 LB. and I am planning on a small Fly Screen and throw over saddlebags.

Is it realistic to think that I will be able to sustain 70 MPH for 20 miles after break in?

Kenny G

 

[shortyg83]

I am considering the new 300 Rebel and I have one ride that I do frequently, about once a month on, Interstate 35W where the speed limit is 70 MPH.

I weigh 170 LB. and I am planning on a small Fly Screen and throw over saddlebags.

Is it realistic to think that I will be able to sustain 70 MPH for 20 miles after break in?

Kenny G

Can you sustain that speed? Sure. But at that speed you won't have much left to pull away if you need to. Accelleration will die out pretty fast over 60mph.

 

[dollarbill181]

My fat ass can't get over 80 mph on the Rebel 300 (220 lbs w/ no gear).
It cruises comfortably 65-70 mph though, and will have zero problems holding that for 20 miles +.
But, as shortyg83 said, you'll have little on tap for passing. And even though the speed limit is 70 mph, I doubt may people actually stay at/below speed limit.

If you only need to do that high of a speed for a 20 mile stretch once a month, you'll be fine. You'd have more fun doing so on the 500, but nonetheless the R300 works.