The Honda Rebel 500 has some minor changes for 2020, aimed at meeting emissions regs and delivering more comfort.
The changes are all small, but should make a noticeable difference. The best news is likely the reworked, stiffer suspension, which is supposed to improve handling. In case you’re worried that comfort may be affected, Honda’s also revised the seat to help that issue.
The parallel twin engine appears to be unchanged, but there’s a new exhaust to help with emissions testing. There’s also a new assist/slipper clutch, which has 30 per cent less force required to use, and should smooth out downshifts.
Honda put new gauges on the Rebel, and new LED lighting all-round.
From what we can tell, the Rebel 300 will also get the new gauges, new lights, new suspension and new seat; no word on other changes, or pricing, or availability (but expect it in Canada by next spring).
The 500 engine HAS to go into the CB300r frame.
I was hoping they would have cosmetically fixed that terrible gas tank. They originally marketed this bike as something you could customize, yet they put a distinctive, ugly and weird tank on it.
From what I’ve read elsewhere, the rear frame section has been reworked as well to allow a wider range of seats to be installed.