this is also good for senior riders who can't handle the Big Bikes anymore but can still ride a smaller Bike. that's what I am doing. I am 76 years old and I have been on motorcycles for over 55 years but now it's time to gear down so that I may continue to ride until death do me part from my Bike!
For me the choice was easy. Im a new rider and wanted a bike that would be easy to utilize and not overpowered. But also something that would force me to trade up to something bigger in a couple years and a little cheaper now. The 300 is great, and I'm finding areas I need to work without having the power to be impulsive with my riding.
@@heatherbennett3136 can you tell me some differences between grom and 500? Handling, acceleration .. highway speeding. Thank you 🙏 I am considering buying my first bike.
@@rolexcrd8622 Acceleration is completely different. I could do 60 mph in 3rd gear where I’m in 4th on the Grom and barely pushing 55. Handling is a big adjustment since it’s a wider handle bar, I’m also only 5’2 so that plays a role lol. Overall I’m happy to have both. I can cruise and just have fun on the Grom whenever I want to have a quick little ride on side roads or back roads. And when I need the power and need to keep up with a big group I can with the Rebel. I absolutely love both bikes and I have always said I’d keep my Grom. If you’re just starting out you could always start with the 300!
@@rolexcrd8622 Forgot to mention too, highway travel is great only downside is when you’re pushing 60-70 your helmet catches in the wind since there isn’t a shield. And I wasn’t used to that with the Grom since I never came close to those speeds lol. So just a heads up, otherwise overall I have zero issues with highway!
I've never ridden a 300cc, only practiced on a 125 and 500cc. I think 500 feels great it has enough power for urban and outside the city rides. And rebel 500 is so easy to ride and the compression ratio and torque engineering makes it so smooth to control.
Well this is how all bike reviews and options should sound ! I`m a new rider looking for my first bike and this guy explained in 10 minutes more then the hundreds of videos i've watched so far. ! Thank you good Sir.
ex-owner of a Rebel 300, I will tell everyone who greeted me at parking lot to get a 500 instead 300 is way under powered. I overgrew it after 1 month of riding. It was a purchase mistake as I listened to people who didn't know much about riding and bought 300 instead of 500 Now waiting to get a Rebel 1100
Still trying to decide between 300 vs 500 for very first bike…no experience. I’m only 5’8”, 185#. Does it matter your body type? Also, did u have riding experience before? Thanks man.
I’m a late 40s returning rider. 2 years ago started with a rebel 300. Wrapped the tank, fender delete, LED taillight, shorty exhaust, and end bar mirrors. Out grew it very quickly. Got a Indian scout bobber for my group rides. Also own a baby BMW GS310 (I enjoy the low displacement bikes) that’s my daily commuter. Also own a Ducati monster 797 for the twisties. Till this day I still own my 300 and love. It turns heads no one knows what it is with all the mods. Plus we have long winters in Canada so when it’s riding season again I start off on my rebel 300 since riding is a perishable skill.
I own a 2018 Rebel 300 and I totally agree with most of his comments on the bike. Lightweight, but tons of shifting in the city, top speed on a flat freeway is about 85, (I’m 145 lbs) and it takes awkwardly long to accelerate. I will say though that at full throttle the bike does feel like it can go 10-15mph faster if it wasn’t governed, so it does not feel like it’s straining at full throttle. I bought mine with a TBR exhaust already on it, and it was so inappropriately loud that I bought a stock exhaust within a couple weeks of owning the bike. Another thing you should consider is the culture of drivers in your area. I’m in Minneapolis where most drivers are slow and lazy, so I can whiz by them on just a 300. But if you are somewhere like LA or Atlanta you should skip considering the 300 and go straight to 500. The ability to accelerate is definitely something to consider as a safety feature for when you need to evade careless drivers on the freeway. I still love my 300 dearly but because I want more power and the ability to accelerate, I’m considering getting a 500.
I think the 300 and the 500 are both temporary bikes for most people. So why spend more? Get the cheaper one unless you're going to be on the freeway a lot.
My first bike was a 95 savage 650 just last year at 53 years old. I don’t do any highway riding and I’m not super excited about working on a 30 year old bike on a regular basis. I feel that the 300 will meet my needs in performance and handling but am more drawn to it for its price tag. I think it will be perfect for bombing around rural Maine backroads!
Haven't been on a bike in years, but I decided to have some fun with the midlife crisis and one. I've narrowed my search down to the Honda Rebel, 300 or 500, based on price and all, but can't decide which. This video helped a bunch, thanks.
I am 77 years old. I currently ride a 2000 Triumph Thunderbird 900 S. My problem is that bike is very heavy and I have trouble moving it around in the driveway for example. I have been riding since 1961 so I am not a new rider, I am just an old rider. I have been thinking about selling the Triumph and going to something like this bike, primarily for the lower weight. Also, I am 5'7" tall so the lower seat appeals to me as well. At 77 years of age 0-60 is 4 seconds no longer has the appeal it once had and I don't mind lower performance in my motorcycle. We will see what we will see I guess.
I'm kinda late seeing this but... my fiancé and I both want to get motorcycle licenses, and the Rebel has been a point of focus. Great pricing, features and they aren't huge (fiancé is 5'4") so that's a plus. This video was quite informative and I'll definitely take this into consideration as I'll be doing more highway riding for my job. I'm thinking the 500 will be the way to go for both of us. Be safe and have fun.
Greetings LifeOf Burch you are spot on with your review of the rebel 300 and 500, I own the 2021 Honda rebel 300 and I'm going to add to your review with pros and cons, lets start with the price, the sticker price for 2021 Rebel 300 is $4,599 once you add tax, insurance reg, dealer fees it comes to $5,634 which I paid for a brand new rebel now if you go for the 500cc add about $2,000 more, I had a choice ..buy a used bike like a ninja or some other used bike with tons of miles and who knows what it needs for $3,400 -$4000 I went new rebel 300 for $4,500 with one year warrantee and a new bike that nobody beat up and abused, and you are right about noise at highway speed, very loud!!! but I hear expensive sport bikes with high horsepower screaming so loud on highway I can here them in my house blocks away, so those are loud too and also I see tons of folks buying Honda Groms, which cost $3,399 $-4000 for that bike whos top speed is only 54 MPH,.lol the Honda dealer can't keep those Groms in stock they sell so fast, happy with my rebel 300 purchase because it was right in my Budget, would I love a rebel 500? YES!!!!! , but I had to be sensible with my budget and didn't want to pay $2,000 more , love the review you gave and everything is true, I had this baby up to 80MPH but didn't go faster because the speed limit was 65 but she didn't let me down and kept that speed, will probably wear ear plugs on highways next time, but other than that Love this little bike just right for my 150 LB frame, they don't come with rear seats and passenger foot pegs, its optional and cost , that's why this bike is priced low. but I got a spanking brand new bike for the price of a used Higher CC bike. subbed your channel because your review was EXCELLENT and gave viewers inadept choices with good analyst. I added a windshield on mine which helps increase your speed because it deflects the wind resistance at highway speeds and makes your highway ride a little more comfortable, may even help with the noise because the bike aint working so hard against the wind resistance. love my purchase but those are the pros and cons to this review,
When I test rode the rebel 300, I was surprised how much I disliked it. I owned a cbr125r, then a cbr300r, which both have pretty high redlines. The rebel 300 has a lower tune, and much smaller rev range. I didn't like that feel at all. I would heavily recommend a rebel 500, or a cb300, or cbr300r, if you're set on a 300. I think the cbr300r is a fantastic bike. Revving out the bike is a huge part of the experience for me, so something for you to consider, that you might not otherwise.
Nice seeing someone in Annapolis, thats actually where I spend a lot of time. I was looking at the 300 but you convinced me to get the 500. Thanks my dude
Cool video. I agree with you. One thing you could mention about the 300. You said the gears are spaced rather close, so you are shifting more frequently. That also is beneficial to a new rider precisely so they can practice their shifting. The other thing is, Rebel seems to have good aftermarket support. Instead of the exhaust, why not upgrade something that would have made it perform much better? Thanks!
I am an old school biker that rode Honda to start . I went Harley - Davidson all the way and rode in a few clubs in my days . Today I am and older , beat up Veteran that retired from the clubs and can't pick up my 684 pound Bagger ( I put 86,980 miles on this one ). It shipped today to my son as he can make it run and ride it . The Honda 300 looks right up my alley right now . Weight is good , I don't need speed either . My right hand is messed up also so braking with foot would be easier to slow down . Been riding motorcycles for for 44 years here . I will look into the 300 for sure to put around town .
I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2018 300 for $3500. I know it doesn't have the shift indicator, but I still think this is the perfect starter bike for me. I'm going to be cruising around country roads with 45-55 mph speed limits, and I'm ok downshifting for power. CAN'T WAIT.
You kinda convinced me to get the 500. It will be my first bike and i always knew i wanted a rebel but i just assumed the 300 would be better and less intimidating for a beginner. I don’t way a lot im a skinny guy like 6 foot 130 pounds. So i didn’t want to get a heavy bike. But if you say the 500 isn’t that much heavier then i think I’d rather have that one so i don’t get blown away on the highway
Me personally a 'lack of power' is desirable. I just don't have interest in a particularly powerful bike. More power isn't just a list of 'pros' there are tradeoffs for scale.
@@MrBlaze256 yeah, no. You can’t ride that on any major highway. The only time you want to start on 300cc bike is if it’s a sports bike. A cruiser with 250-300cc’s lacks power, and weight. Being thrown around by passing vehicles, and high winds isn’t fun.
@@MrBlaze256 which isn’t good for the engine. I ride a 250 myself, but strictly in town. Top speed is like 75mph, and that’s full throttle. I use my 1200cc bike for highway riding. I can easily get out of trouble with a fast bike on the freeway, which is exactly what you want. To each their own though.
Roberto Cerrato I have a Suzuki TU250X that I take on 300+ mile trips. It sees highway, my girlfriend rides on the back, and mountains here in New Hampshire and it does fine, I’m never asking for more power and I’ve ridden a lot of fast bikes. I’m a nut tho.
I started on a older rebel 250. I loved it. I don't currently have a bike but I wanna be getting back into it soon here, so I'm looking at the 500 now. A lot of people call rebels "beginners bikes" or even "girl's bikes", but I honestly love the rebels. I like their look, I like their sound (with a good aftermarket exhaust) and I like how they feel on the road. And they're cheap! Great bikes imo.
I have the 2023 rebel 250 Japanese version, and I think you would want to get 500 if you can afford it. I only chose the 250 because it was just a lot cheaper, in my city the import tax is insane, what I paid for my 250 is enough to get the 500se In America and then some. But tbh their top speed isnt much different, the difference is in the characteristics. Like you can get to a higher speed quicker with the 500, which is useful in alot of situation
This is exactly the review/comparison video I was looking for. I'm looking to get my first bike, I want to start small and slow and I don't have to go on the highway much for my commutes. I want a cruiser, and I've been looking into rebels for a while. I even took the msf course and got my full endorsement recently. That class was my first time ever riding. I definitely plan on upgrading after a year. My end goal is an Indian scout bobber, but this video has me considering a rebel 1100 down the line as well. I definitely like the rebel 500s look, but I think the 300 would suit me best to begin with. I also want to give my family peace of mind, and my mom doesn't want me on the highway at all when I start riding.
Great review! I'm considering finally getting a motorcycle (once I get my license lol) and the 500 sounds like I would enjoy the experience much more. I drive a manual in midtown and downtown Toronto and stop and go traffic is pretty annoying so I imagine it would be worse with a 300.
Great review. In some circumstances, like you mentioned, I think the 300 is a good long term bike. I've got a Harley that I take on trips and when I'm going to be doing highway riding, but got the 300 to ride to commute to work (nothing over 55 mph). Love the 300 and will be keeping it a long time, but then I've got something else when I want to do highway riding. If the rebel was my only bike I would want something bigger than the 300, but for what I use it for , it is perfect.
No motorcycle experience whatsoever. Knows how to drive manual car, went to MSF and got the 500. It is so much fun. Wouldn’t say it is too much nor not enough. Probably wont even use that power as you will lean towards learning and improving your skill more than speeding...for now😅
It all comes down to the buyer asking themselves hard questions. Do you have any experience on motorcycles? Did you ride dirt bikes as a kid? Can you drive a stick shift automobile? Do you plan on doing a MSF course? If they answer no to these then the 300 all day long and twice on Sunday's. If they answer yes to most of these, then yes 500 Reb , hell maybe even a SV650 for there first , if yes to all. But they have to answer honestly.
Exactly! Being honest with yourself is huge here. Never start out on a bike that’s too much for you just because other people say you should. And at the same time, don’t start out on a bike that’s not enough for you just because people recommend a different bike. It’s all about going after what you’ll be safest and most comfortable on!
Half joke half question... can an electric bike fill the knowledge gap of a dirt bike? In regards to doing just enough speed that if you fall on the asphalt you'll be pretty hurt (legally the electric bikes can do 20mph, more than that and it's considered a motorcycle if memory is correct, however there are guides out there on how to do above 20mph) , also talking about counter-steering at faster speeds than pedaling, etc. Legit question, can the electric bike fill the knowledge gap that a dirt bike traditionally provides? while they don't "shift" quite the same that might be the biggest difference (excluding legal speeds)
@@MrCODEmaster00 No, like you mentioned. Dirt bikes gain you the experience of shifting, clutch use, applying rear and front brakes when necessary. Your better off taking the MSF course and starting with a 300. You live to buy a 500 or bigger when your ready.
Excellent video. I bought a 300 2 months ago and I do love it, but yup, considering I've been riding for 4 years and I weigh 215 lbs, I do wish I'd gone with the 500.
I have a 2011 honda Shadow Phantom. I've been learning so much about it. I've never ridden a bike before, and I'm really loving my bike. I've tried to get my wife into riding it, but I think she's intimidated by the size. I think the rebel 300/500 would be perfect for her. Thanks for the video.
I bought a 2018 Rebel 300. My first motorcycle. It was great to learn on. (I had ZERO experience) But the single cylinder engine felt like it was going to vibrate apart at high rpm's. REAL bad. It felt like I was riding a power sander, or one of those paint mixers you see at the hardware store. If you're going to ride the bike in suburban/urban places for short periods, it's fine, if you're going to ride aggressively and on highways or country roads, this is not the bike for you. My hands and butt were numb within just a few minutes of country road riding. Also the seat hurt. It felt like I was sitting on a 2x4. Between the vibrations and the seat, it had to go. I didn't mind the low horsepower at all. Being my first bike, I had no idea if all motorcycles vibrated that much. (I knew singles/thumpers vibrated more, but I didn't know by how much) Dealership let me test ride a parallel twin, and it was SO smooth! The Rebel 300 HAD to go. I also wanted to sit more upright with feet back, so I ended up with a Kawasaki Versys 650. But at the end of the day, the 300 served it's purpose as a great bike to learn on.
did you trade in that honda 300? I wonder how much dealers pay for them is it like 3k at least or only 500 ( I heard they like to go really low with trade-in so I wonder if I buy a bike for 7k today and next year use him as a trade-in would they give me like 5k for him or they going to say ok we can give you 2k max)
You did a great job with this video. If you have a bigger displacement bike for touring then the 300 makes a nice companion to it for hopping and back roads exploring. If you have to have only one bike for everything then the 500 is the better all-rounder. My 300 is a Suzuki S40. Love the belt drive unique in its class. I'm older and don't want to dick around with chains.
Rate this so much man. Cheers. I'm a new rider and I've been looking at the rebel 500 after my 125, had no idea they did a 300 but you've confirmed that the 500 is definitely right for me. Cheers man!
@@LifeOfBurch I’m sorry but griping about having to shift while riding in town is a mute point. Also, why are you trying to down shift while riding in the city to get more torque? Did you go from the Honda VFR750 to the Rebel 300? If so, that’s your issue not the bike’s. You’re wanting the off the line, low end torque like a 750 has but in a 300 package. Not gonna happen.
I went with the 300 as my first ride - solely because I found a great deal on it. A 2018, single owner with 131 miles on it. Great pricing. I couldn’t pass it up. The 500 would kick ass. But I think my next step will be the Grom. After that the Z650RS is the step up.
Thanks for the advise. I will be a first time rider. Never owned one and never ridden one. But I dong plan to keep changing so I will go for the 500 and keep it as long as I can and get use to riding.
I don't understand when people are always talking about outgrowing motorcycles. I'm not always out riding for maximum performance, I ride for the destination as much as the ride. I've ridden a small bike for years and I'm not bored !
I'm a first time rider, and I fell in love with the Rebel 500, but I did not KNOW that a Rebel 300 exist, I changed my preference from 500 to 300 because obviously, I'm a newbie rider, and of course, the PRICE, because I'm a little bit stingy, never mind the motor sound of the 300, which is like a sewing machine, LOL! BIG, Thanx for the informative video...from the Philippines with love.
@@LifeOfBurch I’m a total newbie here.. no experience but enrolled in safety class in August. Is the purpose of the loud sound also for safety? to create awareness? Thanks man, ‘preciate it.
I've owned 5 bikes, and love my Vulcan 900 cruiser - BUT this is a great review, because my son is going to get his 1st bike and I think he will start with the 300 - thanks
Nice video man! I think it’s not about the bike it’s more about ur target. If u have the money for 500 then 500, if not, 300 it’s perfect for the price
Thanks man! I totally agree! They’re both great bikes, you just need to be aware of each of their strong suits and compare that to your needs. I had a blast with both!
I RESPECT YOUR OPINION BECAUSE IAM A RIDER AS WELL, BUT SINCE AGE HAS REACH ME I NEED TO GET A LIGTHER BIKE, I HAVE A 2012 STREET GLIDE HARLEY DAVISON FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, ITS TO HEAVY FOR ME TO HANDLE SO IAM LOOKIG FOWEARD TO TRADE IT IN FOR SOMETHING LIKE A 500 OR 300 HONDA REBEL IT WILL BE MUCH BETTER FOR ME TO RIDE IT, BECAUSE MY HARLEY IS TO HEAVY I BEARLY HOP ON IT TO TAKE A SPIN, AND SEEING THIS VIDEO MAKES ME TAKE A DECISION TO BUY A HONDA REBEL IF I GET A DEAL FOR MY HD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ADVICE, PAUL R. FORM MIAMI FLORIDA.
I have a Rebel 250. I put a big bore kit on it essentially making it a rebel 300 with 60-70lbs less weight. Jetted the Carb a few sizes up and added a pod filter. im pushing around 25-30hp. Changed the rear sprocket to a 30 from a 33 and front to a 14 to a 15. Ive topped out at 94 mph but i cruise comfortably at 65-75 with no excessive vibration or shaking. That being said im 6ft and 210lbs. Rebels are underrated
I was definitely planning on getting one of them as my first bike a year ago when I got the Idea about riding. However with the 1100 coming out im gonna go with that. I want a bike that i will want to ride for years to come after getting more riding experience. Plus the 1100 with its changeable modes will give me the power in increments as i gain more riding experience
I want either one. I was in a wreck and got hurt bad. This year is my first year back on a bike..sounds like I need a rebel 500 but other one .I'm on a grom now..it leaves a little to be desired but atleast is 2 wheels..so good to be back..
@@Alex-lc1bv 125's can hit 130kmh, there is no reason a motor over double the size can't, unless it produces the same amount of power and has the same gearing. I've heard of ktm390's going 160kmh
I live in Kentucky, and my 300 rebel does well on moutain hills, actually for a 300 i was very surprised, these mountains didn't slow my bike down at all, don't get me wrong you do shift down a little, but an excellent bike on moutain hills, and valleys.
Great vid, good topic. The CB300R is 103 lbs lighter than the CB500F. I still love my CB300R after two years. You're right about the light weight getting blown around at higher speeds. I will probably upgrade to a twin, triple, or four but I'm in no hurry. I'm afraid I won't like the bigger bike as much as the CB300R!
I also have a CB300R. It's not that I wouldn't accept a little more power, it's more that there is no inbetweener in the neo sports café lineup. I am not allowed to drive a 650, i don't want a 4 cylinder bike, I don't want to lose the efficiency where the honda singles and twins deliver so well. I would accept a twin neo sports or a bigger single cylinder also. But for me, the CB300R is the best compromise.
Great review! Nothing worse than not having enough power on the freeway! That was my main concern about the 500. I'm a pretty safe rider, so if it can cruise at 80 mph I'm good to go. How comfortable is it on a long ride? What's the longest you've ridden it in a day?
I have seen forums saying you can mod this motorcycle pretty easily, change the seat to a much comfortable one and yes 500 can handle the highway pretty good not the best but it will feel ok. I have seen people commenting on throwing 7000 miles on that thing and not s problem. Mechanical wise I have even seen someone post thst he did it on a 250 course that is stretching to it's limits but yes as you can see it's pretty good.
very helpful, ive been looking to buy my first bike and this helps alot, the footage is great we live in the same area so this channel is perfect for me lol
Thank you for your review and comparison. I live in Viet Nam, where traffic is a little different - people tend to pull onto the road, then look to see who's coming. Additionally, speeds rarely break above 60kph/37mph. I also prefer small displacement bikes, simply because I think the fun is in their light weight and the ability to toss them around. The 300 would be more than adequate, but your comment regarding the constant shifting is the city is a little concerning.
Thanks!, that’s the opinion I was looking for. Do I get a 300 or a 500?. I’m a new driver at 65, I drove tractors , heavy construction equipment and just about everything but a motorcycle. So purchase a beautiful little Rebel 250 , 2009 with 3,600 miles like new, not a scratch on it . I got y motorcycle endorsement and ready to hit the road. I was thinking to get a bigger one, but I love my little Rebel so I’m faithful to who’s good to me, so after hearing your opinion, I agree it’s about individual taste, I’m getting the 300 because I’m it for the joy of the ride on open air. My wife doesn’t like it, but I assured her that I’m not growing my beard, get tattooed , join a gang and get me a gringa on the road of freedom! So she’s fine with it!, thanks again!… God bless you!
i'm personally looking at the 300 for 2 reasons, A: i'm living in Thailand for about half a year now and 2-3 Years ago (somewhere in 2020) they made a new Law that you had to get/make an extra "Big-Bike" licence for bikes over 400cc, since i'm quite new to riding a motorcycle or in fact driving anything at all (just made my car and motorcycle licence back to back in 2 weeks, 1 week each) i don't wanted to overkill it from the beginning since the biggest bike yet was the Honda PCX 160. And B: on top of that 400cc limit without the extra licence the maximum speed around here (unless on certain Highways where the limit is higher) the fastest you can go is 90 kph or 55/56 mph, so not that fast and within city limits it's 80 kph or 49/50 mph max. (even tho everyone sticks to the 90 kph anyways) and for that i think going for the extra licence would be unecessary, sure you get about double the amount on power with the 500 compared to the 300 with barely no increase on weight. But on the other hand i usually don't ride on the Highways anyway around here and even so don't ride downtown as well, most of the time i'm sticking to countryside/villages and low traffic roads to cruise around with nice views and no stressful environments. So i think the 300 is gonna be more than enough for that job. I don't wanna overdo it but at least have some sort of Chopper/Bobber Bike to ride with, that has been a dream of mine for a long time now and hopefully towards the end of the year i'll turn that into a reality. xD
Sold my 78 Honda hawk 400 back in 1984 .(!got married 😵) . I used to take my 400 everywhere.. rode along with my dad.. on a couple of long trips no problem... he had a Suzuki 500 twin 2 STROKE ! ..Iam NOW . ready to get back into motorcycles.. 500 rebel would be a great bike.. because I definitely would want to do some highway Riding.. to get from CT to upstate NY ..VT ..NH etc
The only reason to buy the 300 over the 500 is price. If you can afford the 500 get the 500. The difference in size, weight and power between the two bikes should not be an issue even for a new rider. I'm 5'6" and 160 lbs. I've ridden everything from 175cc to 1600cc bikes. You will not notice the difference between a 300 and 500 until you're at highway speeds and wishing you had a little more power.
I haven't ridden in 20 yrs. In my 40s now and want a bike again. Don't need speed (cage is damn fast) but literally want to cruise, comute to work and maybe doordash lol. Looking at this and a fury (new is fine) texas highways though. Saw your old 300 vid. Wold get a 500 since lot of highway driving here in tx. I so love the looks of both the rebel and fury. Either way, have to wait for money to free up.
Eh. I've had my 300 since 2017. It has little difficulty powering my 200 pound bulk up hills at 80 mph on the highway. My previous bike was a Rebel 250, so this is a monster compared to that. That said, the 250 would cruise at a top speed of around 75 mph without much difficulty. I actually liked it better....it was more stylish, got slightly better gas mileage, felt much lighter, and was simpler to fix.
I'm going to start learning in the next month or two. I live in a semi-rural area and main street speeds are 50+ in a lot of spots so I need to get comfortable with being at that speed quickly. I'm leaning heavily towards the 500 as my first bike for that reason.
Seems like the 300 would be just fine for most real-world commuting then- (70mph and below). Of course we all want more power, but the jump in price from the 300 to the 500 wouldn't sway me. I did time on a "streetified" SL350 for a few years that didn't like to maintain anything over 65 mph, and as long as I wasn't looking to race, it was fine.
5:00 we have traffic lights now. Which is a good thing, b/c ppl used to wreck at this intersection. I even picked up the guy who crashed his BMW into the guard rail to your right one night. He said he was a little intoxicated while driving home a short distance.
I have literally zero desire to ever go on the highway so I went with 300. Most will probably be happier with the 500 and perhaps even outgrow that quickly.
I got a 300 and and i am upgrading, all said here is true and power is not there, too much chifting, now the wait is an issue for me, so will see if i can handle the 500. The 1100 is ideal but too heavy for me.
Oh boy! First spring day today. Look a long ride in the sun and went to my girlfriends for lunch and some 103k subscribers cake ;) (44 degrees counts as spring, right?)
Even though I’m an owner operator at a dealership, I’m still watching this to decide if I want the 300 and 500. It’s nice hearing someone else’s point of view.
@@beingbaylee6816 how do you like it?? I’m getting my first bike and still debating on the 300 or 500. I don’t see myself ever going top speed but I don’t wanna have a limitation on what I can do
@@Jremo. I would do the 500. This week alone, I’ve had 2 customers come in wanting to trade their 300 for a 500. Too many people outgrow that 300 too quickly. I did buy the 500 and honestly love it so far. The weather hasn’t been the nicest since she arrived, so I haven’t been out too much. But the little I have has been great!
Just got my license! I practiced on a Yamaha V Star, so the Rebel 300 seems like a good bike that wouldn't feel too different. But you may have sold me on the 500 lol
I really think the 1100 dts rebel would be the best new rider bike just because they don't have to shift, that is the hardest part for new riders. A lot of people can't drive a manual car. I got the 500 just to save on gas going to work, and it is the slowest bike I have ever rode outside of motorcycle drivers Ed 25 years ago on a rebel 250. I think the 500 struggles on the highway passing people going 70 miles per hour. Ps I would have bought the 300 if it was available just to go to work to save even more on gas, I was considering a scooter . I got a VMAX for a fun bike already, but that only gets 37mpg
looking forward to when everyone starts selling their 500's to go get the 1100... that is when i will grab my 500
Smart move man! Im sure you’ll see more of that come Spring/Summer too.
Same here
2the rebelwight
5 is40 more tell use can figer
I thought the same thing but I still don't see many used 500s for sale near me 🥺
this is also good for senior riders who can't handle the Big Bikes anymore but can still ride a smaller Bike. that's what I am doing. I am 76 years old and I have been on motorcycles for over 55 years but now it's time to gear down so that I may continue to ride until death do me part from my Bike!
Saw a guy in his 80s on youtube with the 1100 dct and just cruising around vlogging the places he used to live.
For me the choice was easy. Im a new rider and wanted a bike that would be easy to utilize and not overpowered. But also something that would force me to trade up to something bigger in a couple years and a little cheaper now. The 300 is great, and I'm finding areas I need to work without having the power to be impulsive with my riding.
I was considering the 300 as a move up from my Grom. This was super educational and now I think I’ll be going with the 500. Thank you so much!
*Update* ended up with The 500 and I am OBSESSED!
@@heatherbennett3136 can you tell me some differences between grom and 500? Handling, acceleration .. highway speeding. Thank you 🙏 I am considering buying my first bike.
@@rolexcrd8622 Acceleration is completely different. I could do 60 mph in 3rd gear where I’m in 4th on the Grom and barely pushing 55. Handling is a big adjustment since it’s a wider handle bar, I’m also only 5’2 so that plays a role lol. Overall I’m happy to have both. I can cruise and just have fun on the Grom whenever I want to have a quick little ride on side roads or back roads. And when I need the power and need to keep up with a big group I can with the Rebel. I absolutely love both bikes and I have always said I’d keep my Grom. If you’re just starting out you could always start with the 300!
@@rolexcrd8622 Forgot to mention too, highway travel is great only downside is when you’re pushing 60-70 your helmet catches in the wind since there isn’t a shield. And I wasn’t used to that with the Grom since I never came close to those speeds lol. So just a heads up, otherwise overall I have zero issues with highway!
Same here
I've never ridden a 300cc, only practiced on a 125 and 500cc. I think 500 feels great it has enough power for urban and outside the city rides. And rebel 500 is so easy to ride and the compression ratio and torque engineering makes it so smooth to control.
Well this is how all bike reviews and options should sound ! I`m a new rider looking for my first bike and this guy explained in 10 minutes more then the hundreds of videos i've watched so far. ! Thank you good Sir.
Ayyy glad the video helped dude! Check out the rest of the channel, I have tons of videos with my Rebel 300, Rebel 500, and now my Rebel 1100! 🤘🏻
ex-owner of a Rebel 300, I will tell everyone who greeted me at parking lot to get a 500 instead
300 is way under powered. I overgrew it after 1 month of riding. It was a purchase mistake as I listened to people who didn't know much about riding and bought 300 instead of 500
Now waiting to get a Rebel 1100
The 300 is shit good choice
Just bought the 2021 500 a couple days ago as my first bike and I’m loving every second of it
Dude you’re gonna love it! Such a great bike!
@@LifeOfBurch I already ordered the levers and shorty exhaust for future modifications! 😃
Still trying to decide between 300 vs 500 for very first bike…no experience.
I’m only 5’8”, 185#.
Does it matter your body type?
Also, did u have riding experience before?
Thanks man.
@@ajv7575 300 is a chick bike, 500 is a legit starter bike, but honestly they're both pretty great.
@@ajv7575 get the 500. Honestly
I am a returning rider after 40 years. Thank you for your unbiased honest opinion Sir. Based on my riding choices, I have chosen to get the Rebel 500.
I’m a late 40s returning rider. 2 years ago started with a rebel 300. Wrapped the tank, fender delete, LED taillight, shorty exhaust, and end bar mirrors. Out grew it very quickly. Got a Indian scout bobber for my group rides. Also own a baby BMW GS310 (I enjoy the low displacement bikes) that’s my daily commuter. Also own a Ducati monster 797 for the twisties. Till this day I still own my 300 and love. It turns heads no one knows what it is with all the mods. Plus we have long winters in Canada so when it’s riding season again I start off on my rebel 300 since riding is a perishable skill.
just looking at a tank shape and engine I can tell from 5 miles its rebel 😂
I own a 2018 Rebel 300 and I totally agree with most of his comments on the bike. Lightweight, but tons of shifting in the city, top speed on a flat freeway is about 85, (I’m 145 lbs) and it takes awkwardly long to accelerate. I will say though that at full throttle the bike does feel like it can go 10-15mph faster if it wasn’t governed, so it does not feel like it’s straining at full throttle.
I bought mine with a TBR exhaust already on it, and it was so inappropriately loud that I bought a stock exhaust within a couple weeks of owning the bike.
Another thing you should consider is the culture of drivers in your area. I’m in Minneapolis where most drivers are slow and lazy, so I can whiz by them on just a 300. But if you are somewhere like LA or Atlanta you should skip considering the 300 and go straight to 500. The ability to accelerate is definitely something to consider as a safety feature for when you need to evade careless drivers on the freeway.
I still love my 300 dearly but because I want more power and the ability to accelerate, I’m considering getting a 500.
I think the 300 and the 500 are both temporary bikes for most people. So why spend more? Get the cheaper one unless you're going to be on the freeway a lot.
You can say....agreed..!!😉
My first bike was a 95 savage 650 just last year at 53 years old. I don’t do any highway riding and I’m not super excited about working on a 30 year old bike on a regular basis. I feel that the 300 will meet my needs in performance and handling but am more drawn to it for its price tag. I think it will be perfect for bombing around rural Maine backroads!
Haven't been on a bike in years, but I decided to have some fun with the midlife crisis and one. I've narrowed my search down to the Honda Rebel, 300 or 500, based on price and all, but can't decide which. This video helped a bunch, thanks.
I am 77 years old. I currently ride a 2000 Triumph Thunderbird 900 S. My problem is that bike is very heavy and I have trouble moving it around in the driveway for example. I have been riding since 1961 so I am not a new rider, I am just an old rider. I have been thinking about selling the Triumph and going to something like this bike, primarily for the lower weight. Also, I am 5'7" tall so the lower seat appeals to me as well. At 77 years of age 0-60 is 4 seconds no longer has the appeal it once had and I don't mind lower performance in my motorcycle. We will see what we will see I guess.
You’re a fucking legend! 77 on a bike still bravo man 👏
I'm kinda late seeing this but... my fiancé and I both want to get motorcycle licenses, and the Rebel has been a point of focus. Great pricing, features and they aren't huge (fiancé is 5'4") so that's a plus. This video was quite informative and I'll definitely take this into consideration as I'll be doing more highway riding for my job. I'm thinking the 500 will be the way to go for both of us. Be safe and have fun.
Greetings LifeOf Burch you are spot on with your review of the rebel 300 and 500, I own the 2021 Honda rebel 300 and I'm going to add to your review with pros and cons, lets start with the price, the sticker price for 2021 Rebel 300 is $4,599 once you add tax, insurance reg, dealer fees it comes to $5,634 which I paid for a brand new rebel now if you go for the 500cc add about
$2,000 more, I had a choice ..buy a used bike like a ninja or some other used bike with tons of miles and who knows what it needs for $3,400 -$4000 I went new rebel 300 for $4,500 with one year warrantee and a new bike that nobody beat up and abused, and you are right about noise at highway speed, very loud!!! but I hear expensive sport bikes with high horsepower screaming so loud on highway I can here them in my house blocks away, so those are loud too and also I see tons of folks buying Honda Groms, which cost $3,399 $-4000 for that bike whos top speed is only 54 MPH,.lol the Honda dealer can't keep those Groms in stock they sell so fast, happy with my rebel 300 purchase because it was right in my Budget, would I love a rebel 500? YES!!!!! , but I had to be sensible with my budget and didn't want to pay $2,000 more , love the review you gave and everything is true, I had this baby up to 80MPH but didn't go faster because the speed limit was 65 but she didn't let me down and kept that speed, will probably wear ear plugs on highways next time, but other than that Love this little bike just right for my 150 LB frame, they don't come with rear seats and passenger foot pegs, its optional and cost , that's why this bike is priced low. but I got a spanking brand new bike for the price of a used Higher CC bike. subbed your channel because your review was EXCELLENT and gave viewers inadept choices with good analyst. I added a windshield on mine which helps increase your speed because it deflects the wind resistance at highway speeds and makes your highway ride a little more comfortable, may even help with the noise because the bike aint working so hard against the wind resistance. love my purchase but those are the pros and cons to this review,
When I test rode the rebel 300, I was surprised how much I disliked it. I owned a cbr125r, then a cbr300r, which both have pretty high redlines. The rebel 300 has a lower tune, and much smaller rev range.
I didn't like that feel at all. I would heavily recommend a rebel 500, or a cb300, or cbr300r, if you're set on a 300. I think the cbr300r is a fantastic bike. Revving out the bike is a huge part of the experience for me, so something for you to consider, that you might not otherwise.
Nice seeing someone in Annapolis, thats actually where I spend a lot of time. I was looking at the 300 but you convinced me to get the 500. Thanks my dude
Cool video. I agree with you. One thing you could mention about the 300. You said the gears are spaced rather close, so you are shifting more frequently. That also is beneficial to a new rider precisely so they can practice their shifting. The other thing is, Rebel seems to have good aftermarket support. Instead of the exhaust, why not upgrade something that would have made it perform much better? Thanks!
I am an old school biker that rode Honda to start . I went Harley - Davidson all the way and rode in a few clubs in my days . Today I am and older , beat up Veteran that retired from the clubs and can't pick up my 684 pound Bagger ( I put 86,980 miles on this one ). It shipped today to my son as he can make it run and ride it . The Honda 300 looks right up my alley right now . Weight is good , I don't need speed either . My right hand is messed up also so braking with foot would be easier to slow down . Been riding motorcycles for for 44 years here . I will look into the 300 for sure to put around town .
Sounds like the 300 would be perfect for you! They’re so much fun that I just picked up another one a couple weeks ago! 🤘🏻
I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2018 300 for $3500. I know it doesn't have the shift indicator, but I still think this is the perfect starter bike for me. I'm going to be cruising around country roads with 45-55 mph speed limits, and I'm ok downshifting for power. CAN'T WAIT.
You will regret it
Awesome. Ignore comments that you shouldn’t be super excited. 55 years old and having a blast with my CB300R.
Ignore anyone who says a 300 rebel isn't for you or a great bike. I have one and I've been riding for 30 years. Enjoy your bike
Just buy new, not much savings and you will know what oil was in it
You kinda convinced me to get the 500. It will be my first bike and i always knew i wanted a rebel but i just assumed the 300 would be better and less intimidating for a beginner. I don’t way a lot im a skinny guy like 6 foot 130 pounds. So i didn’t want to get a heavy bike. But if you say the 500 isn’t that much heavier then i think I’d rather have that one so i don’t get blown away on the highway
You might be too cramped on a Honda Rebel.
Me personally a 'lack of power' is desirable. I just don't have interest in a particularly powerful bike. More power isn't just a list of 'pros' there are tradeoffs for scale.
Today is my birthday, finally 18 years old. But now I can buy a bike:)
Dude that’s awesome! Happy birthday!! 🎉🎂 🏍
you got money?
BUY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD
i can't afford anything? xds
don't yell at me!
Public transport gotcha 😭🤣🤣
I’m very seriously considering getting my motorcycle license and buying a used 300. Thanks for the info man!
Look up vstar 250 vtwin. Put pipes on it and will sound like a big one
@@MrBlaze256 yeah, no. You can’t ride that on any major highway. The only time you want to start on 300cc bike is if it’s a sports bike. A cruiser with 250-300cc’s lacks power, and weight. Being thrown around by passing vehicles, and high winds isn’t fun.
@@2wheelife878 I ride a crf250l dirt bike on the highway. Only thing that bothers me is it's revved high
@@MrBlaze256 which isn’t good for the engine. I ride a 250 myself, but strictly in town. Top speed is like 75mph, and that’s full throttle. I use my 1200cc bike for highway riding. I can easily get out of trouble with a fast bike on the freeway, which is exactly what you want. To each their own though.
Roberto Cerrato I have a Suzuki TU250X that I take on 300+ mile trips. It sees highway, my girlfriend rides on the back, and mountains here in New Hampshire and it does fine, I’m never asking for more power and I’ve ridden a lot of fast bikes. I’m a nut tho.
Progress like this, bicycle, lightest motorcycle with clutch, 500, liter, pro track. I learned on a 750. Worth it.
I started on a older rebel 250. I loved it. I don't currently have a bike but I wanna be getting back into it soon here, so I'm looking at the 500 now. A lot of people call rebels "beginners bikes" or even "girl's bikes", but I honestly love the rebels. I like their look, I like their sound (with a good aftermarket exhaust) and I like how they feel on the road. And they're cheap! Great bikes imo.
I have the 2023 rebel 250 Japanese version, and I think you would want to get 500 if you can afford it.
I only chose the 250 because it was just a lot cheaper, in my city the import tax is insane, what I paid for my 250 is enough to get the 500se In America and then some.
But tbh their top speed isnt much different, the difference is in the characteristics. Like you can get to a higher speed quicker with the 500, which is useful in alot of situation
This is exactly the review/comparison video I was looking for. I'm looking to get my first bike, I want to start small and slow and I don't have to go on the highway much for my commutes. I want a cruiser, and I've been looking into rebels for a while. I even took the msf course and got my full endorsement recently. That class was my first time ever riding. I definitely plan on upgrading after a year. My end goal is an Indian scout bobber, but this video has me considering a rebel 1100 down the line as well. I definitely like the rebel 500s look, but I think the 300 would suit me best to begin with. I also want to give my family peace of mind, and my mom doesn't want me on the highway at all when I start riding.
Save like $1500 on the 300 too
Great review! I'm considering finally getting a motorcycle (once I get my license lol) and the 500 sounds like I would enjoy the experience much more. I drive a manual in midtown and downtown Toronto and stop and go traffic is pretty annoying so I imagine it would be worse with a 300.
Also in midtown looking at the 500 😀👍
Did you ever end up getting the 500?
Thanks for this video! I’m a new motorcycle rider, but grew up riding dirt bikes. I think you’ve convinced me to forego a 300 entirely.
Good points, every time I’m asked I always say 500 lol.
... sitting here impatiently waiting for your 1100 review lol
Dude I know! The wait is killing me! 😭
Great review. In some circumstances, like you mentioned, I think the 300 is a good long term bike. I've got a Harley that I take on trips and when I'm going to be doing highway riding, but got the 300 to ride to commute to work (nothing over 55 mph). Love the 300 and will be keeping it a long time, but then I've got something else when I want to do highway riding. If the rebel was my only bike I would want something bigger than the 300, but for what I use it for , it is perfect.
No motorcycle experience whatsoever. Knows how to drive manual car, went to MSF and got the 500. It is so much fun. Wouldn’t say it is too much nor not enough. Probably wont even use that power as you will lean towards learning and improving your skill more than speeding...for now😅
Exactly! Either way, your main priority should be learning and improving when you’re a new rider. Well said!
Can two people ride on the bike?
I own the 300 and the 500. I also own a few dirtbikes. Nothing wrong with owning a collection of different tools.
It all comes down to the buyer asking themselves hard questions. Do you have any experience on motorcycles? Did you ride dirt bikes as a kid? Can you drive a stick shift automobile? Do you plan on doing a MSF course? If they answer no to these then the 300 all day long and twice on Sunday's. If they answer yes to most of these, then yes 500 Reb , hell maybe even a SV650 for there first , if yes to all. But they have to answer honestly.
Exactly! Being honest with yourself is huge here. Never start out on a bike that’s too much for you just because other people say you should. And at the same time, don’t start out on a bike that’s not enough for you just because people recommend a different bike. It’s all about going after what you’ll be safest and most comfortable on!
Half joke half question... can an electric bike fill the knowledge gap of a dirt bike? In regards to doing just enough speed that if you fall on the asphalt you'll be pretty hurt (legally the electric bikes can do 20mph, more than that and it's considered a motorcycle if memory is correct, however there are guides out there on how to do above 20mph) , also talking about counter-steering at faster speeds than pedaling, etc.
Legit question, can the electric bike fill the knowledge gap that a dirt bike traditionally provides? while they don't "shift" quite the same that might be the biggest difference (excluding legal speeds)
@@MrCODEmaster00 No, like you mentioned. Dirt bikes gain you the experience of shifting, clutch use, applying rear and front brakes when necessary. Your better off taking the MSF course and starting with a 300. You live to buy a 500 or bigger when your ready.
Excellent video. I bought a 300 2 months ago and I do love it, but yup, considering I've been riding for 4 years and I weigh 215 lbs, I do wish I'd gone with the 500.
I have a 2011 honda Shadow Phantom. I've been learning so much about it. I've never ridden a bike before, and I'm really loving my bike. I've tried to get my wife into riding it, but I think she's intimidated by the size. I think the rebel 300/500 would be perfect for her. Thanks for the video.
I bought a 2018 Rebel 300. My first motorcycle. It was great to learn on. (I had ZERO experience) But the single cylinder engine felt like it was going to vibrate apart at high rpm's. REAL bad. It felt like I was riding a power sander, or one of those paint mixers you see at the hardware store. If you're going to ride the bike in suburban/urban places for short periods, it's fine, if you're going to ride aggressively and on highways or country roads, this is not the bike for you. My hands and butt were numb within just a few minutes of country road riding. Also the seat hurt. It felt like I was sitting on a 2x4. Between the vibrations and the seat, it had to go. I didn't mind the low horsepower at all. Being my first bike, I had no idea if all motorcycles vibrated that much. (I knew singles/thumpers vibrated more, but I didn't know by how much) Dealership let me test ride a parallel twin, and it was SO smooth! The Rebel 300 HAD to go. I also wanted to sit more upright with feet back, so I ended up with a Kawasaki Versys 650. But at the end of the day, the 300 served it's purpose as a great bike to learn on.
did you trade in that honda 300? I wonder how much dealers pay for them is it like 3k at least or only 500 ( I heard they like to go really low with trade-in so I wonder if I buy a bike for 7k today and next year use him as a trade-in would they give me like 5k for him or they going to say ok we can give you 2k max)
@@Voltomess ...I sold it to someone. I did not trade it.
This was very helpful as I was looking at the 300 I just want to ride backroads and such but the xtra power on the 500 just makes sense. Thank you.
I live in an apartment right now but when I get a house and am more settled in, I might get the Honda rebel 500 as my first bike
You did a great job with this video. If you have a bigger displacement bike for touring then the 300 makes a nice companion to it for hopping and back roads exploring. If you have to have only one bike for everything then the 500 is the better all-rounder. My 300 is a Suzuki S40. Love the belt drive unique in its class. I'm older and don't want to dick around with chains.
Rate this so much man. Cheers. I'm a new rider and I've been looking at the rebel 500 after my 125, had no idea they did a 300 but you've confirmed that the 500 is definitely right for me. Cheers man!
The 1100...
I can’t wait for mine 😭
@@LifeOfBurch
I’m sorry but griping about having to shift while riding in town is a mute point. Also, why are you trying to down shift while riding in the city to get more torque? Did you go from the Honda VFR750 to the Rebel 300? If so, that’s your issue not the bike’s. You’re wanting the off the line, low end torque like a 750 has but in a 300 package. Not gonna happen.
I went with the 300 as my first ride - solely because I found a great deal on it. A 2018, single owner with 131 miles on it.
Great pricing. I couldn’t pass it up.
The 500 would kick ass. But I think my next step will be the Grom.
After that the Z650RS is the step up.
Thanks for the advise. I will be a first time rider. Never owned one and never ridden one. But I dong plan to keep changing so I will go for the 500 and keep it as long as I can and get use to riding.
I don't understand when people are always talking about outgrowing motorcycles. I'm not always out riding for maximum performance, I ride for the destination as much as the ride. I've ridden a small bike for years and I'm not bored !
I'm a first time rider, and I fell in love with the Rebel 500, but I did not KNOW that a Rebel 300 exist, I changed my preference from 500 to 300 because obviously, I'm a newbie rider, and of course, the PRICE, because I'm a little bit stingy, never mind the motor sound of the 300, which is like a sewing machine, LOL! BIG, Thanx for the informative video...from the Philippines with love.
Glad I could help you decide! The 300 is such a fun little bike and would be perfect for a new rider. Thanks for watching brotha! 🙏🏻
@@LifeOfBurch I’m a total newbie here.. no experience but enrolled in safety class in August. Is the purpose of the loud sound also for safety? to create awareness?
Thanks man, ‘preciate it.
There’s a 400 too
I got my first motorcycle like 3 weeks ago and it’s been snowing just often enough to keep my driveway icy as hell. All I want to do is ride
what did you get?
I've owned 5 bikes, and love my Vulcan 900 cruiser - BUT this is a great review, because my son is going to get his 1st bike and I think he will start with the 300 - thanks
Nice video man! I think it’s not about the bike it’s more about ur target. If u have the money for 500 then 500, if not, 300 it’s perfect for the price
Thanks man! I totally agree! They’re both great bikes, you just need to be aware of each of their strong suits and compare that to your needs. I had a blast with both!
Great video! I own the CB300r and will be loving this bike for the next 1.5 years. Always cool to see how the same engine performs in multiple bikes.
I LOVE down shifting and shifting overall - Feels like you are actually 'ridding" rather then a passenger
I RESPECT YOUR OPINION BECAUSE IAM A RIDER AS WELL, BUT SINCE AGE HAS REACH ME I NEED TO GET A LIGTHER BIKE, I HAVE A 2012 STREET GLIDE HARLEY DAVISON FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, ITS TO HEAVY FOR ME TO HANDLE SO IAM LOOKIG FOWEARD TO TRADE IT IN FOR SOMETHING LIKE A 500 OR 300 HONDA REBEL IT WILL BE MUCH BETTER FOR ME TO RIDE IT, BECAUSE MY HARLEY IS TO HEAVY I BEARLY HOP ON IT TO TAKE A SPIN, AND SEEING THIS VIDEO MAKES ME TAKE A DECISION TO BUY A HONDA REBEL IF I GET A DEAL FOR MY HD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ADVICE, PAUL R. FORM MIAMI FLORIDA.
I like the 500 for the same reasons you give, but I'd defo take the 300 if one fell into my lap :)
I have a Rebel 250. I put a big bore kit on it essentially making it a rebel 300 with 60-70lbs less weight. Jetted the Carb a few sizes up and added a pod filter. im pushing around 25-30hp. Changed the rear sprocket to a 30 from a 33 and front to a 14 to a 15. Ive topped out at 94 mph but i cruise comfortably at 65-75 with no excessive vibration or shaking. That being said im 6ft and 210lbs. Rebels are underrated
Sounds like what I'll be doing
Thanks for a great review of both bikes i am looking for my first bike and you sold me on the 500 very informative and insightful thanks!!
I live out in the open desert so highway cruising is the main purpose for riding motorcycle, and for that I'm going with the Honda Shadow.
I was definitely planning on getting one of them as my first bike a year ago when I got the Idea about riding. However with the 1100 coming out im gonna go with that. I want a bike that i will want to ride for years to come after getting more riding experience. Plus the 1100 with its changeable modes will give me the power in increments as i gain more riding experience
I want either one. I was in a wreck and got hurt bad. This year is my first year back on a bike..sounds like I need a rebel 500 but other one .I'm on a grom now..it leaves a little to be desired but atleast is 2 wheels..so good to be back..
I'm looking for a beginner bike. and man it looks sooo fun! I dont need to go 130 km/hr!
130kmh is no fun anyway
The 300 can hit 130 km/h
@@Alex-lc1bv 125's can hit 130kmh, there is no reason a motor over double the size can't, unless it produces the same amount of power and has the same gearing.
I've heard of ktm390's going 160kmh
@@Alex-lc1bv also it doesn't make 130kmh any more fun because 300's can do it
I live in Kentucky, and my 300 rebel does well on moutain hills, actually for a 300 i was very surprised, these mountains didn't slow my bike down at all, don't get me wrong you do shift down a little, but an excellent bike on moutain hills, and valleys.
Just ordered my Rebel 500 S Edition today. 40 hours until I pick her up! Yew!
Great vid, good topic. The CB300R is 103 lbs lighter than the CB500F. I still love my CB300R after two years. You're right about the light weight getting blown around at higher speeds. I will probably upgrade to a twin, triple, or four but I'm in no hurry. I'm afraid I won't like the bigger bike as much as the CB300R!
I also have a CB300R. It's not that I wouldn't accept a little more power, it's more that there is no inbetweener in the neo sports café lineup. I am not allowed to drive a 650, i don't want a 4 cylinder bike, I don't want to lose the efficiency where the honda singles and twins deliver so well. I would accept a twin neo sports or a bigger single cylinder also. But for me, the CB300R is the best compromise.
Great review! Nothing worse than not having enough power on the freeway! That was my main concern about the 500. I'm a pretty safe rider, so if it can cruise at 80 mph I'm good to go. How comfortable is it on a long ride? What's the longest you've ridden it in a day?
I have seen forums saying you can mod this motorcycle pretty easily, change the seat to a much comfortable one and yes 500 can handle the highway pretty good not the best but it will feel ok. I have seen people commenting on throwing 7000 miles on that thing and not s problem. Mechanical wise I have even seen someone post thst he did it on a 250 course that is stretching to it's limits but yes as you can see it's pretty good.
very helpful, ive been looking to buy my first bike and this helps alot, the footage is great we live in the same area so this channel is perfect for me lol
The way the 500 engine fills the frame looks so much better, it is the only option lol.
Thank you for your review and comparison. I live in Viet Nam, where traffic is a little different - people tend to pull onto the road, then look to see who's coming. Additionally, speeds rarely break above 60kph/37mph. I also prefer small displacement bikes, simply because I think the fun is in their light weight and the ability to toss them around. The 300 would be more than adequate, but your comment regarding the constant shifting is the city is a little concerning.
Thanks for the input on the same different types of the Hondas
Thanks!, that’s the opinion I was looking for. Do I get a 300 or a 500?. I’m a new driver at 65, I drove tractors , heavy construction equipment and just about everything but a motorcycle. So purchase a beautiful little Rebel 250 , 2009 with 3,600 miles like new, not a scratch on it . I got y motorcycle endorsement and ready to hit the road. I was thinking to get a bigger one, but I love my little Rebel so I’m faithful to who’s good to me, so after hearing your opinion, I agree it’s about individual taste, I’m getting the 300 because I’m it for the joy of the ride on open air. My wife doesn’t like it, but I assured her that I’m not growing my beard, get tattooed , join a gang and get me a gringa on the road of freedom! So she’s fine with it!, thanks again!… God bless you!
i'm personally looking at the 300 for 2 reasons, A: i'm living in Thailand for about half a year now and 2-3 Years ago (somewhere in 2020) they made a new Law that you had to get/make an extra "Big-Bike" licence for bikes over 400cc, since i'm quite new to riding a motorcycle or in fact driving anything at all (just made my car and motorcycle licence back to back in 2 weeks, 1 week each) i don't wanted to overkill it from the beginning since the biggest bike yet was the Honda PCX 160. And B: on top of that 400cc limit without the extra licence the maximum speed around here (unless on certain Highways where the limit is higher) the fastest you can go is 90 kph or 55/56 mph, so not that fast and within city limits it's 80 kph or 49/50 mph max. (even tho everyone sticks to the 90 kph anyways) and for that i think going for the extra licence would be unecessary, sure you get about double the amount on power with the 500 compared to the 300 with barely no increase on weight. But on the other hand i usually don't ride on the Highways anyway around here and even so don't ride downtown as well, most of the time i'm sticking to countryside/villages and low traffic roads to cruise around with nice views and no stressful environments. So i think the 300 is gonna be more than enough for that job. I don't wanna overdo it but at least have some sort of Chopper/Bobber Bike to ride with, that has been a dream of mine for a long time now and hopefully towards the end of the year i'll turn that into a reality. xD
Sold my 78 Honda hawk 400 back in 1984 .(!got married 😵) . I used to take my 400 everywhere.. rode along with my dad.. on a couple of long trips no problem... he had a Suzuki 500 twin 2 STROKE ! ..Iam NOW . ready to get back into motorcycles.. 500 rebel would be a great bike.. because I definitely would want to do some highway Riding.. to get from CT to upstate NY ..VT ..NH etc
I love how he does another one a year later with the 1100.
I have a 02 Honda rebel 250 i had it since 2019 I'm going to get the Honda rebel 500 for my next motorcycle.
The only reason to buy the 300 over the 500 is price. If you can afford the 500 get the 500. The difference in size, weight and power between the two bikes should not be an issue even for a new rider. I'm 5'6" and 160 lbs. I've ridden everything from 175cc to 1600cc bikes. You will not notice the difference between a 300 and 500 until you're at highway speeds and wishing you had a little more power.
I haven't ridden in 20 yrs. In my 40s now and want a bike again. Don't need speed (cage is damn fast) but literally want to cruise, comute to work and maybe doordash lol. Looking at this and a fury (new is fine) texas highways though. Saw your old 300 vid. Wold get a 500 since lot of highway driving here in tx. I so love the looks of both the rebel and fury. Either way, have to wait for money to free up.
Eh. I've had my 300 since 2017. It has little difficulty powering my 200 pound bulk up hills at 80 mph on the highway. My previous bike was a Rebel 250, so this is a monster compared to that. That said, the 250 would cruise at a top speed of around 75 mph without much difficulty. I actually liked it better....it was more stylish, got slightly better gas mileage, felt much lighter, and was simpler to fix.
I'm going to start learning in the next month or two. I live in a semi-rural area and main street speeds are 50+ in a lot of spots so I need to get comfortable with being at that speed quickly. I'm leaning heavily towards the 500 as my first bike for that reason.
@LifeOfBurch your intro is the shit! PERFECT
Ayyy thanks dude!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Seems like the 300 would be just fine for most real-world commuting then- (70mph and below). Of course we all want more power, but the jump in price from the 300 to the 500 wouldn't sway me. I did time on a "streetified" SL350 for a few years that didn't like to maintain anything over 65 mph, and as long as I wasn't looking to race, it was fine.
I loved my 300, but I never went out of the city on the highway. I only rode my bike around town.
5:00 we have traffic lights now. Which is a good thing, b/c ppl used to wreck at this intersection. I even picked up the guy who crashed his BMW into the guard rail to your right one night. He said he was a little intoxicated while driving home a short distance.
Hey nice name! My moms thinking about getting a rebel so I’m trying to help her choose between a 300 and 500. Thanks for making the video
I have literally zero desire to ever go on the highway so I went with 300. Most will probably be happier with the 500 and perhaps even outgrow that quickly.
The 300 is horrible compared to the 500 in terms of vibes and overall performance . The 300 is a glorified dirt bike
The one thing I don't like is that it's chain-driven instead of a belt.
Ty for your advice! Just got my license today doing lots of research. Probably go with the 500 :)
both bikes are great all around bikes. the 300 is awesome for city/back roads cruisin
Good video, I think you did a good job explaining the differences.
I got a 300 and and i am upgrading, all said here is true and power is not there, too much chifting, now the wait is an issue for me, so will see if i can handle the 500. The 1100 is ideal but too heavy for me.
I have a 1985 Rebel 250 and love it
Oh boy! First spring day today. Look a long ride in the sun and went to my girlfriends for lunch and some 103k subscribers cake ;)
(44 degrees counts as spring, right?)
44 degrees sounds plenty like Spring when I’m here with a 28 degree windchill and everything covered in ice for the past week! 😂
@@LifeOfBurch It's been down to about 14 degrees the last month. Lots of snow and ice, but today the sun was out and it will be again tomorrow :D
only counts if you are wearing shorts :D
@@ricardoa1661 Are your springs like summer?
@@MrCODEmaster00 here in Canada there is always a fool in shorts in mid February " ohh look spring is coming " :P
Even though I’m an owner operator at a dealership, I’m still watching this to decide if I want the 300 and 500. It’s nice hearing someone else’s point of view.
500 is the better option overall the 300 is a piece of shot people defend that couldn’t afford the 500
@@aarondowler5035 thanks for that! I’ve already ordered a special edition Rebel 500.
Your very welcome 👍🏻👍🏻
@@beingbaylee6816 how do you like it?? I’m getting my first bike and still debating on the 300 or 500. I don’t see myself ever going top speed but I don’t wanna have a limitation on what I can do
@@Jremo. I would do the 500. This week alone, I’ve had 2 customers come in wanting to trade their 300 for a 500. Too many people outgrow that 300 too quickly. I did buy the 500 and honestly love it so far. The weather hasn’t been the nicest since she arrived, so I haven’t been out too much. But the little I have has been great!
I've been going back and forth as my first bike.. don't want to out grow it too quick
Great video review! Loved comparison details and super informational! We here at Viking Bags really appreciate your content! Keep it up!
Just got my license! I practiced on a Yamaha V Star, so the Rebel 300 seems like a good bike that wouldn't feel too different. But you may have sold me on the 500 lol
Did you notice a big difference in fuel economy between the 300 and the 500?
I'm considering picking up one of these for commuter bike.
I really think the 1100 dts rebel would be the best new rider bike just because they don't have to shift, that is the hardest part for new riders. A lot of people can't drive a manual car.
I got the 500 just to save on gas going to work, and it is the slowest bike I have ever rode outside of motorcycle drivers Ed 25 years ago on a rebel 250.
I think the 500 struggles on the highway passing people going 70 miles per hour.
Ps I would have bought the 300 if it was available just to go to work to save even more on gas, I was considering a scooter .
I got a VMAX for a fun bike already, but that only gets 37mpg
City riding the 300 is perfect. Especially for beginners.
I bought the 2023 Honda rebel cmx 500 and from day one I fail in ❤️ with it .