So Honda did something very surprising by unveiling upgrades to its cruiser motorcycles. What was even more surprising was the fact that both cruisers are 300cc and 500cc each, I thought Honda only made minor sticker upgrades to these mid and low capacity engines but not this time.
Also known as Rebel 300 and 500, they come with engines borrowed from CBR’s that are at the same level. The Rebel 300 receives its 286cc single cylinder water cooled engine from Honda CBR 300 whereas the Rebel 500 receives its 471cc liquid cooled parallel twin engine from the Honda CBR 500. Interesting.
Personally, I don’t like heavy, chrome house cruisers and neither do I like those ugly, matte Black ones with ferocious dog decals on it. They make too much noise, they’re bulky, their personality shouts out frustration all the time and what not. The only aspect I prefer about cruisers is the seat height and comfort, highly ideal for short and lazy bums like me.
But with the Honda Rebel, I like the fact that the cruisers don’t scream too much about themselves. They look pretty calm and simple without flashing too much. I love the way they’ve fitted the motorcycle so well around a trellis frame and the way in which the tank ascends up to the handlebar.
What I don’t like though is the fact that there are minute differences between the Rebel 300 and 500. Only if one focuses on the engine’s size, would they know the difference, which to a layman would seem like rocket science. Still, these are simple looking motorcycles, which to me is a unique selling point for a cruiser. How many cruisers do you know that don’t have flashy things on them?
But Honda’s got smart with a lot of things, they haven’t had to break their heads behind an expensive and fancy cruiser. The weight of the cruisers too is around 160 and 180 kg respectively. They both come with ABS as standard and they both have 16 inch wheels. Twin rear shocks and 41 mm telescopic forks should make things a lot more comfy.
I wish Honda got smarter and brought this to India. The beginner level cruiser market is just gaining spark while the adventure touring motorcycle segment gets loads of attention. I mean, this is another boost motorcycling in India would receive because all these beginner level motorcycles would be put across a large variety of motorcycles to people. I really wish the Rebel, and a lot of other motorcycle manufacturers get their machines to India, just to give us more options to choose from while the companies fight each other constantly.
Not only that! I’m bloody bored of looking at Royal Enfields and Harley Davidsons around, there are too many of those noisy machines. Speak of cruisers in India and anybody would tell you the same thing- Harleys or REs! Indian Motorcycles have arrived but that’s a different class altogether.
I think I’ve said enough, we need more motorcycles with different personalities here that help in breaking a lot of stereotypes. I think the Rebel is one such motorcycle. If only, Honda considered the Indian market to be potent enough to launch new versions of motorcycles and not old, outdated, sticker upgraded stuff. Considering the rate at which the changes are happening around and within me, I might consider buying one too. Na, don’t take me seriously all the time, I don’t do it too. I just got the heebie jeebies when I mentioned about buying a cruiser.
Nonetheless, I want motorcycles like the Rebel to show brands like Royal Enfield and Harley Davidson a mirror, especially when RE plans to roll out a 750cc cruiser, which most probably should lack a lot of power. All I know is though, that the motorcycle scene in the near future won’t just be a smooth cruise on a 6 lane blacktop. Such interesting times we live in, eh?
By: Ssaajan Manoj Jogia
Also known as Rebel 300 and 500, they come with engines borrowed from CBR’s that are at the same level. The Rebel 300 receives its 286cc single cylinder water cooled engine from Honda CBR 300 whereas the Rebel 500 receives its 471cc liquid cooled parallel twin engine from the Honda CBR 500. Interesting.
Personally, I don’t like heavy, chrome house cruisers and neither do I like those ugly, matte Black ones with ferocious dog decals on it. They make too much noise, they’re bulky, their personality shouts out frustration all the time and what not. The only aspect I prefer about cruisers is the seat height and comfort, highly ideal for short and lazy bums like me.But with the Honda Rebel, I like the fact that the cruisers don’t scream too much about themselves. They look pretty calm and simple without flashing too much. I love the way they’ve fitted the motorcycle so well around a trellis frame and the way in which the tank ascends up to the handlebar.
What I don’t like though is the fact that there are minute differences between the Rebel 300 and 500. Only if one focuses on the engine’s size, would they know the difference, which to a layman would seem like rocket science. Still, these are simple looking motorcycles, which to me is a unique selling point for a cruiser. How many cruisers do you know that don’t have flashy things on them?But Honda’s got smart with a lot of things, they haven’t had to break their heads behind an expensive and fancy cruiser. The weight of the cruisers too is around 160 and 180 kg respectively. They both come with ABS as standard and they both have 16 inch wheels. Twin rear shocks and 41 mm telescopic forks should make things a lot more comfy.
I wish Honda got smarter and brought this to India. The beginner level cruiser market is just gaining spark while the adventure touring motorcycle segment gets loads of attention. I mean, this is another boost motorcycling in India would receive because all these beginner level motorcycles would be put across a large variety of motorcycles to people. I really wish the Rebel, and a lot of other motorcycle manufacturers get their machines to India, just to give us more options to choose from while the companies fight each other constantly.
Not only that! I’m bloody bored of looking at Royal Enfields and Harley Davidsons around, there are too many of those noisy machines. Speak of cruisers in India and anybody would tell you the same thing- Harleys or REs! Indian Motorcycles have arrived but that’s a different class altogether.I think I’ve said enough, we need more motorcycles with different personalities here that help in breaking a lot of stereotypes. I think the Rebel is one such motorcycle. If only, Honda considered the Indian market to be potent enough to launch new versions of motorcycles and not old, outdated, sticker upgraded stuff. Considering the rate at which the changes are happening around and within me, I might consider buying one too. Na, don’t take me seriously all the time, I don’t do it too. I just got the heebie jeebies when I mentioned about buying a cruiser.
Nonetheless, I want motorcycles like the Rebel to show brands like Royal Enfield and Harley Davidson a mirror, especially when RE plans to roll out a 750cc cruiser, which most probably should lack a lot of power. All I know is though, that the motorcycle scene in the near future won’t just be a smooth cruise on a 6 lane blacktop. Such interesting times we live in, eh?By: Ssaajan Manoj Jogia