We like the Honda Rebel 500. It’s got that quintessential retro-bike aesthetic, and it’s packaged in a relatively easy-to-ride big bike with a punchy twin-cylinder engine. It sits somewhere between a bobber and a cruiser, so we understand why it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
If you’re looking for something more roadster-like, then this other retro bike from Honda might be it. This is the Honda CB500, the brand’s newest two-wheeler that’s just been launched in India.
It looks raw, as a retro bike should be. A round headlight is mounted up front, matched with a round instrument cluster. There}s a beefy-looking tailpipe stretching towards the rear, and the bike can be spec’d with alloy or spoke wheels.
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Now, if you take a closer look, you might notice the size of that engine. Unlike the 500 models we have in Honda’s local lineup, the CB500 will be powered by a thumper, not a twin. You’re looking at a 501cc air- and oil-cooled single-cylinder engine with 27.76hp and 43.3Nm of torque with a five-speed gearbox and, surprisingly, an assist/slipper clutch.
But despite the engine being different from what we’re used to, the CB500 still gets Honda Selectable Torque Control and front and rear disc brakes with dual-channel ABS. It also comes equipped with telescopic front forks and twin shock absorbers at the rear.
Plenty of color options for the Honda CB500 are available, and over in India, the bike retails for around P200,000 or less. No word yet on whether or not this will make it to markets outside of India, but we sure would love to see this one reach the Philippines. Because we can’t have too many retro bikes, can we? What do you guys think?
