The Rebel 500 is Honda’s mid-size cruiser: a 471cc parallel twin in a low, narrow frame, with ABS standard on every 2026 model according to Honda Powersports. There are two versions, the Rebel 500 and the Rebel 500 SE, which Honda calls its factory-custom option. This is a spec-based overview rather than a ride review: figures come from Honda’s 2026 model page and Honda’s official 2026 Rebel 500 specifications press release, checked on 22 October 2026.
2026 Honda Rebel 500 at a glance
| US MSRP | Rebel 500 $6,799; Rebel 500 SE $6,999 (base MSRP as listed by Honda on 22 Oct 2026; destination charge $600.00 extra) |
| Engine | 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin four-stroke |
| Seat height | 27.2 in. |
| Curb weight | 414 pounds (Rebel 500); 419 pounds (Rebel 500 SE) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.0 gallons |
| Source | Honda 2026 Rebel 500 specifications; price: Honda Powersports |
Honda doesn’t publish a horsepower or torque figure for the Rebel 500 in either source, so we don’t quote one.
2026 Honda Rebel 500 price
Honda lists the 2026 Rebel 500 at $6,799 base MSRP and the Rebel 500 SE at $6,999, with a $600.00 destination charge (MSRP as listed by Honda on 22 Oct 2026). For the extra $200, Honda’s press material says the SE gets a brown diamond-stitch seat, black fork boots and a color-matched headlight cowl. Colors listed for 2026: Pearl Black and Pearl Smoky Gray (Rebel 500), Pearl Blue (SE).
2026 Honda Rebel 500 specs
Engine and drivetrain
| Type | 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin four-stroke |
| Valve train | DOHC; four valves per cylinder |
| Bore x stroke | 67.0mm x 66.8mm |
| Compression ratio | 10.7:1 |
| Induction | Programmed electronic fuel injection (PGM-FI); 34mm throttle bodies |
| Ignition | Full transistorized |
| Starter | Push-button electric starter |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual |
| Clutch | Multiplate wet |
| Final drive | #520 chain; 15T/40T |
Chassis
| Suspension, front | 41mm telescopic fork; 5.5-inch travel |
| Suspension, rear | Dual shocks; 3.7-inch travel |
| Brakes, front | Single hydraulic caliper w/ 296mm disc; ABS |
| Brakes, rear | Single hydraulic caliper w/ 240mm disc; ABS |
| Tires, front | 130/90-16 |
| Tires, rear | 150/80-16 |
Dimensions and weight
| Rake | 28º |
| Trail | 4.3 inches (110mm) |
| Length | 86.9 in. |
| Width | 32.4 in. |
| Height | 43.0 in. |
| Seat height | 27.2 in. |
| Ground clearance | 5.4 in. |
| Wheelbase | 58.7 in. |
| Fuel capacity | 3.0 gallons |
| Curb weight | 414 pounds (Rebel 500); 419 pounds (Rebel 500 SE) |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Honda’s curb weight includes all standard equipment, required fluids and a full tank of fuel. Honda also notes that models sold in California meet CARB standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment.
Who the Rebel 500 suits
The number that defines this bike is the seat: 27.2 in. is lower than every bike in our seat height comparison, where the lowest published figure is 30.7 in. Honda’s feature release says the frame is designed to be as narrow as possible around the rider’s inseam, which also helps reach. Add a manual six-speed, ABS and an assist/slipper clutch (listed in Honda’s features release) and it’s an obvious shortlist bike for shorter riders, new riders who have done their training, and anyone who wants a relaxed cruiser position without a heavyweight V-twin. Honda says it’s designed for a single rider with a solo seat; a passenger seat and pegs are available as Honda accessories. See our beginner motorcycle guide if this would be your first bike.
Strengths and trade-offs (from the spec sheet)
- Very low seat and moderate weight. 27.2 in. and 414 pounds curb, with a full tank.
- Shared engine. The bore, stroke and compression ratio are the same as Honda’s 2026 CBR500R sportbike, a well-established 471cc twin.
- Limited suspension travel at the back. 3.7 inches of rear travel from dual shocks with two-step preload adjusters (per Honda) is typical of a low cruiser, but it’s less than the 5.5-inch fork and well short of a standard or sport bike.
- Small tank. 3.0 gallons is the smallest in the comparison below.
- Solo seat as standard. Two-up riding needs accessories.
Rebel 500 vs Kawasaki Eliminator vs Honda CBR500R
The Kawasaki Eliminator is the most direct cruiser rival in the US. We’ve included the CBR500R to show how the same Honda engine is packaged as a sportbike.
| Model (model year) | US MSRP (as listed 22 Oct 2026) | Engine | Seat height | Weight (as published) | Fuel capacity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Rebel 500 (2026) | $6,799 (SE $6,999) | 471cc parallel twin | 27.2 in. | 414 pounds curb | 3.0 gallons | Honda |
| Kawasaki Eliminator ABS (2027) | from $6,799 ($6,999 for some colors) | 451cc parallel twin; 51 hp @ 10,000 rpm (ISO 4106) | 28.9 in | 388.1 lb curb | 3.4 gal | Kawasaki |
| Honda CBR500R (2026) | $6,399 | 471cc parallel twin | 31.1 inches | 421 pounds curb | 4.5 gallons | Honda / price |
- Kawasaki Eliminator: the same starting price, a slightly higher 28.9 in seat and a lighter 388.1 lb curb weight (Kawasaki’s curb figure is with more than 90 percent of a full tank). Kawasaki publishes 51 hp, measured to ISO 4106. Its 18-inch front wheel (130/70-18) and 59.8 in wheelbase compare with the Rebel’s 16-inch front and 58.7 in.
- Honda CBR500R: cheaper and with a bigger 4.5-gallon tank, but a 31.1-inch seat and a sport riding position. Pick on riding style rather than engine.
Honda Rebel 500 FAQ
How much is the 2026 Honda Rebel 500?
$6,799 base MSRP, or $6,999 for the Rebel 500 SE, plus $600.00 destination (as listed by Honda on 22 Oct 2026).
What is the seat height of the Rebel 500?
27.2 in., per Honda’s 2026 specifications.
How much does the Rebel 500 weigh?
Honda lists a curb weight of 414 pounds for the Rebel 500 and 419 pounds for the SE, including a full tank of fuel.
Does the 2026 Rebel 500 have ABS?
Yes. Honda says ABS is standard on all 2026 trims.
What’s the difference between the Rebel 500 and Rebel 500 SE?
According to Honda, the SE adds a brown diamond-stitch seat, black fork boots and a color-matched headlight cowl, and weighs 5 pounds more. The engine and chassis specs are listed as the same.
Before you buy
Licensing rules are set by each state, so check your state DMV (or equivalent) for the motorcycle license or endorsement you need, and consider a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. You can look up any open safety recalls by VIN with NHTSA before buying a used example.
Sources
All figures were checked on the manufacturer pages on 22 October 2026. Manufacturers can change prices and specifications without notice, so check the linked page, and confirm with a dealer, before you buy.
- Honda (hondanews.com), 2026 Honda Rebel 500 Specifications
- Honda (hondanews.com), 2026 Honda Rebel 500 Features & Benefits
- Honda Powersports, 2026 Rebel 500 (MSRP, destination, standard ABS)
- Kawasaki USA, 2027 Eliminator ABS
- Honda (hondanews.com), 2026 Honda CBR500R Specifications; price from Honda Powersports