2025 Honda CMX500 Rebel Globally Unveiled with Cosmetic and Chassis Upgrades

The CMX500 Rebel, Honda’s widely favoured compact cruiser with a 500cc parallel twin-cylinder engine suitable for A2 license holders, has been refreshed for the MY25 model year. These updates focus on improving ride comfort, enhancing visual appeal, and upgrading the LCD display. Other enhancements comprise revised ECU settings, an OBD-2 exhaust sensor, new seat material, a better handlebar position, and reshaped bump stop rubbers for the rear shock. Moreover, it has a tubular steel frame, integrating sleek, contemporary lines into a minimalist, fat-tyred 'bobber' aesthetic. With a mostly blacked-out finish and minimal paint, it can be easily converted from a solo configuration to one that allows for a passenger with just two bolts.

The CMX500 Rebel gets a new Mat Dim Gray Metallic paint job, alongside the already available Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic. On the other hand, the CMX500 S Rebel introduces Candy Energy Orange, which is offered alongside the Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic colour scheme.

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The bike is equipped entirely with all-LED lighting, featuring an elegant round headlight with a compact 175mm lens and a die-cast aluminum mount. Its sleek oval tail light and license plate light enhance the Rebel's low profile, while the mini circular LED indicators, at just 55mm in diameter, come with a position light integrated into the front indicators. The 100mm speedometer boasts a negative LCD with a white backlight, providing a striking and practical view of crucial information, such as gear position and fuel consumption. The ignition switch is conveniently placed beneath the left side of the fuel tank.

To improve rider comfort for the new-gen model, a new urethane foam material has been introduced for the seat. Both the pillion pad and rear footpegs can be easily detached, allowing for swift transitions between solo and two-up riding configurations and accommodating a variety of accessories from the extensive collection. Optional features include a rear rack, backrest, tank pads, flyscreen, and nylon/leather saddlebags. The ‘S’ edition boasts a factory-installed headlight cowl with a smoke screen, retro-style front fork covers, and gaiters, as well as a unique brown diamond-stitch seat and bronze wheels.

2025 Honda CMX500 Rebel: Engine Specs

The 471cc, 8-valve, liquid-cooled parallel twin-cylinder engine is featured across Honda's diverse lineup of A2 license motorcycles. Tailored for cruising, it boasts revised PGM-FI fuel injection mapping and specialised valve and ignition timing. It puts out a maximum torque of 43.3Nm at 6,000rpm and a peak power of 45.5bhp at 8,500rpm. An assist/slipper clutch contributes to lighter, smoother shifting while reducing rear wheel "hop" during quick downshifts.

This setup strikes an impressive balance between compact dimensions and flexible performance. With a bore and stroke of 67mm and 66.8mm, respectively, and a compression ratio of 10.7:1, it is efficient. The cylinder head incorporates roller rocker arms, and the shim-type valve adjustment minimises weight, resulting in lower spring loads and reduced friction. A silent (SV Chain) cam chain, treated with Vanadium on its pins, further decreases friction and enhances protection against dust. The inlet valve has a diameter of 26.0mm, while the exhaust valve measures 21.5mm. Exhaust is managed through a 120mm diameter "shotgun" muffler, and compliance with EURO5+ standards is achieved through a Linear Air Flow (LAF) sensor, updated ECU settings, and a new OBD2-2 exhaust sensor.

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2025 Honda CMX500 Rebel: Chassis Updates

The bike’s sleek, low profile is accentuated by an eye-catching tubular steel frame that securely supports the engine in three key areas. Crafted to be as narrow as possible around the rider's inseam, the frame features a unique rear loop that separates the plush seat from the textured metal mudguard. The rear also includes a bolt-on cast aluminum subframe, allowing additional customisation options. The Rebel has a trail of 110mm and a rake angle of 28 degrees. Combined with a 30-degree fork offset and a 1490mm wheelbase, this setup results in a low seat height of just 690mm.

For the MY25 version, the handlebar position has been fine-tuned to enhance rider comfort. The 41mm front fork stanchions are spaced 230mm apart, contributing to increased handling stability, comfort, and visual appeal; their spring rates and oil volume are optimised to ensure smooth damping and a comfortable ride. The tubular steel swingarm, with a diameter of 45mm, works with twin nitrogen-charged shock absorbers that feature five preload settings and upgraded bump stop rubbers for improved ride quality. Dunlop tyres are standard, with a front size of 130/90-16 and a rear size of 150/80-16. The 16-inch cast aluminum wheels complement the bike's clean, simple design, while the 296mm front disc echoes the spoke pattern. A twin-piston calliper is used at the front, paired with a single-piston calliper at the rear.