The CMX500 Rebel, Honda’s hugely popular A2 licence-friendly 500cc parallel twin-cylinder compact cruiser, receives updates to ride comfort, visual impact and LCD display for 25YM. Standard specification includes assist/slipper clutch, LED lighting and gear position indicator. As in 24YM, the ‘S’ version with factory-fitted accessories (headlight cowl, all-black fork covers and gaiters plus a diamond-stitch style seat) remains available.

1. Introduction 
For many riders in their early 20s – Generation Z, who have grown up through the digital age – motorcycles mean so much more than just transport. They need to represent a lifestyle, an attitude, and allow them to express their own individual identity.

These riders’ expectations are different to those of the motorcycling mainstream and the machines that speak to them reflect this. They must fit in with their life but also contain the potential for further individualisation. Fusing tradition and ground-breaking new ideas and perspectives, the CMX500 Rebel set out to be that motorcycle.

Showcasing a classic, timeless look but imbued with a forward-looking, contemporary style all its own, the CMX500 Rebel was an instant hit on its introduction in 2017 and has been popular ever since, becoming the best-selling European model in the ‘custom’ category in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

For 20YM, its ergonomics and practicality were boosted thanks to a revised seat and suspension settings, and the introduction of a gear position indicator. Both the headlight and taillight were new, and the addition of LED indicators meant all lighting became LED. A revised exhaust system, including new exhaust sensor, ensured EURO5 compliance. 21YM saw the Rebel family expand across Europe with the introduction of the CMX1100.

Learn more about the 2025 CMX1100 Rebel here

Accessible, easy to ride and easy to live with, the CMX500 Rebel goes its own way but also acts as blank canvas, ready for whatever its owner’s imagination has in store. It receives further updates for 25YM to keep it fresh, plus a revised palette of standard paint choices, as well as super-cool exclusive colour for the ‘S’ Edition.

2. Model Overview 
Development of the Rebel began in North America, with an outlook geared toward firing the imagination of a younger generation of riders in a different way to traditional cruiser motorcycles. Powered by a 471cc parallel twin-cylinder engine, with strong bottom end torque and a smooth, linear power delivery, the Rebel is A2 licence friendly. For 25YM the engine has been updated with new ECU settings and OBD2-2 exhaust sensor.

The Rebel has been designed to be a slim motorcycle with a low seat height making it easy, and unintimidating to manage at low speeds. The riding position is relaxed and neutral, with gently outstretched arms matched to mid-mounted footpegs. Alongside visual paint upgrades, updates for 25YM focus on rider comfort: the seat material is new, whilst the handlebar position has been optimised, and the rear shock bump stop rubbers re-shaped. Also, the LCD display is now more visible in bright light.

The CMX500 Rebel’s tubular steel frame draws fresh, contemporary lines into stripped-back, fat-tyred ‘bobber’ style. Blacked out to the maximum, with the minimum of paint, it switches from solo-only to pillion-possible via two bolts.

The 25YM CMX500 Rebel will be available in the following colour options:

• Mat Dim Gray Metallic **NEW**
• Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic

The 25YM CMX500 Rebel ‘S’ Edition will be available in the following colour option:

• Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic
• Candy Energy Orange **NEW**

3. Key Features
    3.1 Styling & Equipment

• Lean and low ‘bobber’ styling an exercise in minimalist design
• Negative LCD display with even stronger visibility in bright light
• Rider’s seat now more comfortable; pillion pad and rear pegs easily removed for customisation
• Factory-fitted Genuine Honda Accessories ‘S’ option remains available

Two key words ran throughout the Rebel’s development programme: ‘Simple’ and ‘Raw’. But to do so much with so little is an art form in itself, an exercise in minimalist design where every detail matters.

And the 25YM Rebel does not disappoint; rolling on fat tyres, a low and lean ‘bobber’ silhouette crowned by the signature steeply raked 11.2L fuel tank, and newly optimised for comfort fat handlebars. From every angle of its stripped back form, it expresses an off-beat individuality.

Everything that can be is blacked out, accentuating the Rebel’s lithe design as well as underlining the subtle paintwork. All lighting is LED, and the evocative round headlight features a compact 175mm diameter lens and die-cast aluminium mount. The ultra-thin oval tail-light and licence plate light match the Rebel’s low-down stance; mini circular LED indicators measure only 55mm in diameter, with a circular position light included in the front indicators.

The speedo is a compact 100mm dial with negative LCD display and white backlight – now more readable in bright light conditions – and is both striking and effective. Relaying key data, the unit features a gear position indicator and fuel consumption display. The ignition is housed below the left side of the fuel tank.

Rider comfort has been improved for the 25YM through the use of a new urethane foam material for the seat. Both pillion pad and rear footpegs are easily removed to help transition between pillion and single occupancy, as well as allowing a range of accessories from the comprehensive line-up to be fitted. Optional extras include a rear rack, backrest, tank pads, flyscreen, nylon or leather saddlebags and much more.

The ‘S’ edition continues for 25YM and comes complete with factory-fit headlight cowl with smoke screen, retro front fork covers and gaiters and a special brown diamond-stitch style seat and bronze wheels.