Traditional motorcycles are still in use and are still around for a while. Most experienced motorcyclists will always choose a vintage-style motorcycle over a contemporary bike. After all, the riders are smart enough to retain their modern performance without sacrificing their retro look.
Remarkably, there is still a motorcycle company with an exciting history focusing entirely on its selection of ancient yet classic motorcycles. When discussing vintage motorcycles, you immediately consider the iconic Royal Enfield brand. RE motorcycles have no technical features and are retro enough to come with a Kickstarter—other models have a 500cc engine platform. The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is one such classic example. It has been discontinued with all other models with the 500cc engine platform.
2024 Honda Rebel 500 vs 2024 Royal Enfield Classic 500 – Features Comparison
Design & Aesthetics
The simplicity and ruggedness of the 2024 Honda Rebel 500 make it very beautiful. This motorcycle’s unique style and appearance prevent you from classifying it in any category. Honda refers to the Rebel 500 as a cruiser, but it’s a sportier model with some design cues from barebones bikes and bobbers. Just as the appearance of this motorcycle can make it difficult for you to identify what kind of vehicle it is, its applicability features also match its performance potential.
Also Read: 2023 Kawasaki Eliminator SE ABS vs 2023 Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE
Although there are varying opinions about the Rebel 500’s appearance, most are from motorcycle enthusiasts who dislike any changes made to the classic cruiser.
Sadly, the Royal Enfield Classic 500 was withdrawn from production in 2020. Nevertheless, this motorcycle is still easily accessible in second-hand form. In addition to its timeless, rugged look, the RE Classic 500 comes in various delicious flavors that can make the choice difficult. It has an old-fashioned look and minimal hidden technology, and it’s also an old-fashioned bike built in a factory with only the most basic facilities.
The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is the only motorbike produced recently with a post-war look. This vintage bike has been painted in the post-war era, with every component looking new. Up front, a traditional round headlamp with a tall binnacle blends into the 35mm front fork.
2024 Honda Rebel 500 vs 2024 Royal Enfield Classic 500 – Engine & Performance
Besides its unique cruiser styling, the Honda Rebel 500 amazes bike enthusiasts with its incredible parallel twin-engine technology. On a sporty cruiser like the Rebel 500, the 500cc platform proves to be a convenient choice. This 471cc inline twin engine is water-cooled and is incredibly capable of delivering a stable power output while maintaining extremely nimble performance. The addition of a parallel-twin engine plant has allowed the Honda Rebel 500 to shed considerable weight, and when combined with its sleek profile, this makes it an enjoyable bike to ride. The 471cc engine can produce impressive power levels.
A 500cc displacement single-cylinder motorcycle engine manufactured by Royal Enfield is one of the rarer engines. Remember that this was initially a retro classic motorbike with very little safety equipment — not a modern classic bike. You can relive the period when you could feel the engine’s vibration while riding the RE Classic 500.
The Royal Enfield Classic 500’s 499 cc single-cylinder engine creates extreme vibrations on the handlebars and seat that shake every muscle in your body when you drive it on the highway at speeds of around 60 mph. But if you stick to country roads and don’t go 50 mph, you’ll fall in love with how this bike feels.
Ergonomics
The Honda Rebel 500 offers competitively comfortable ergonomics for easy urban commuting and light touring. Although this motorcycle has a sports-inspired cruiser design, riders will feel free as it has room for a riding triangle. Despite the mid-mounted foot control, you can comfortably adjust your legs thanks to the seat posture and legroom. The long front end allows for a slight arm elevation, which forces riders to sit with their backs straight. You’ll need to sit further forward if you’re a short rider with limited arm reach to ensure you can confidently grip the bars, including a slight bend in your elbows.
The ergonomics of the RE Classic 500 are conventional. Even though the riding triangle is a true classic, you should know that it shouldn’t be extensive for a motorcycle trip. Nevertheless, it is good enough for a comfortable ride. The 31-inch long seat of this motorcycle is considered long for the cruiser class. The bike also has minimal legroom, but the foot controls are far enough forward to prevent users from crossing their legs while riding. The Royal Enfield Classic 500’s vintage solo seat is spring-supported, which reduces its stiffness on uneven roads.
Handling & Maneuverability
If you have any issues regarding the bike’s handling or ride characteristics, you must ride the Honda Rebel 500 at least once. It is one of the best motorcycles in the world for maneuverability and handling. The Rebel 500’s lightweight, narrow shape and low seat height make it an incredibly nimble and agile motorcycle. Its smooth corners are the result of all these features. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the Rebel 500 can change course, giving riders complete control. Because of its low center of gravity and low seat height, the Rebel 500 feels lighter than it is.
The handling seems ideal if you drive the Royal Enfield Classic 500 within its recommended riding parameters. It doesn’t resist when you round the curve quickly. The handling and maneuverability of the RE Classic 500 will satisfy you whether you are riding on country roads or carving canyons.
Suspension Setup
Although the Honda Rebel 500’s suspension system is similarly simple, it outshines the Royal Enfield Classic 500 in some ways. It has a 41mm front fork with 5.5 inches of wheel travel that is not adjustable. In contrast, the outside rear shocks have 3.7 inches of wheel travel. The Rebel 500’s suspension system isn’t anything special, yet it performs remarkably well and is worth the money. On paved roads, the ride quality is quite comfortable and makes for a reasonably smooth ride over bumps.
Like other bike parts, the Royal Enfield Classic 500’s suspension system is straightforward. Standard twin gas-charged shocks feature a 35mm telescopic front fork with 3.15 inches of wheel travel and 5.12 inches of wheel travel, providing little support when the rider hits a bump or pothole. Ride quality is limited to paved, smooth roads. Any uneven patches will lead to you bouncing along with the entire vehicle, with the seat springs failing to provide support.
Gear Shifting & Clutch Pull Action
A notable attribute of the Honda Rebel 500, which contributes to its affordability and ease of riding, is its slipper and assist clutch. This clutch guarantees silky smooth gear shifts and clutch pull action. The clutch only requires one finger to engage and has an incredibly soft feel. Due to the clutch movement and smooth gear shifting, it is perfect for beginners.
The clutch has the same pristine, vintage feel as the Royal Enfield Classic 500. You get the impression that you are driving an older piece of equipment. Meanwhile, changing gears seems smooth and accessible. Shifting between gears is easy without fiddling with the gearbox cogs. But since it’s a slow, low-powered bike with a five-speed gearbox, it can sometimes be challenging to match the speed with the proper gear. Also, it would help if you remembered to count because there is no gear indicator.
Cruising Vs. Urban Commuting
The Honda Rebel 500 is a much better alternative for all types of riding, including daily use, interstate commuting, and urban commuting, than the Royal Enfield Classic 500. The Rebel 500’s size and power allow it to cruise the streets comfortably without experiencing an engine asthma attack.
If you’re not looking for something more luxurious, comfortable, or functional, the Royal Enfield Classic 500 can be your fashionable companion for daily use and metropolitan commuting. It’s a slow-moving, low-powered motorcycle that you can ride on the highways if you can tolerate the vibrations and jolts going through your body. The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is unsuitable for touring in light of its high speed. When you ride this bike above 80 mph, the vibration turns to high speed. If you take this ancient device on the road, it can become a nightmare. This bike is meant for riding for up to fifteen minutes.
2024 Honda Rebel 500 vs 2024 Royal Enfield Classic 500 – Fuel Economy
The Royal Enfield Classic 500’s simplicity and entry-level performance can be a turn-off for most young riders. The only remarkable thing about its straightforward design is that it gets over 85 mpg on fuel thanks to Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), one of the few pieces of contemporary equipment on this bike. It is one of The Royal Enfield Classic 500, which has a larger petrol tank than the Rebel 500, holding 3.5 gal.
Faulty Fuel Light Indicator
The lack of a fuel level bar or indicator for the Royal Enfield Classic 500 is straightforward. Its only feature is the fuel warning light indicator, which can occasionally trigger a false alarm when you brake suddenly, lean to turn a corner or accelerate too fast, causing the gasoline tank to empty. The inside splashes violently.
One of the best fuel economy in the 500cc class is provided by the Honda Rebel 500, a modern bike with a sporty look and distinctive features. A claimed fuel efficiency of 67 mpg thanks to Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) is more than enough for a motorbike with outstanding performance capabilities, a sharp throttle response, and unmatched agility. Considering the sacrifices made by the Royal Enfield Classic 500 in almost every other area of performance, it is still quite significant even though it is not as good as the fuel economy offered by the latter.
Instrument Panel
One aspect of the Honda Rebel 500 that some may find annoying is the small size of the instrument panel, which can occasionally make reading information difficult, especially when riding in direct sunlight. The firm uses only 60% of the round dial gauge space for display. The digital display is also quite simple, with only the speedometer, gear position indicator, clock, trip meter, and fuel level indicator displayed. One drawback of the Rebel 500 is that it lacks an inbuilt tachometer.
One of the most essential instruments on a motorcycle is the Royal Enfield Classic 500 instrument panel. When the triple clamp meets the headlight binnacle, the panel is placed directly above it. Only an analog speedometer and odometer are displayed on the main round dial. Another small dial on the right has light indicators, such as the ABS light, engine warning light, and low fuel level warning light.
Speedometer accuracy is limited to slow cycling. The throttle needle vibrates violently as you keep opening it, causing an incorrect speed reading on the meter.
2024 Honda Rebel 500 vs 2024 Royal Enfield Classic 500 – Technical Comparison
| Specs \ Bikes | 2024 Honda Rebel 500 | 2024 Royal Enfiled Classic 500 |
|---|
Engine
| Engine Type | 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin four-stroke | 499cc, Single cylinder, four-stroke, twin spark |
| Bore And Stroke | 67.0mm x 66.8mm | 84mm x 90mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.7:1 | 8.5: 1 |
Drive Train
| Transmission | Six-speed | 5-Speed constant mesh |
Chassis Suspension Brakes
| Front Suspension | 41mm fork; 5.5-inch travel | Telescopic, 35 mm forks, 130 mm travel |
| Rear Suspension | Dual shocks; 3.7-inch travel | Twin gas-charged shock absorbers including 5-step adjustable preload, 80mm travel |
| Front Brake | Single 296mm disc | 280mm Disc, 2-Piston caliper |
| Rear Brake | Single 240mm disc | 240mm Disc, Single piston caliper |
| Front Tire | 130/90-16 | 90/90 – 19” – 52V |
| Rear Tire | 150/80-16 | 110/80 – 18″ – 58V |
Dimensions
| Wheelbase | 58.7-inches | 53.5-inches / 1360 mm |
| Curb Weight | 408 pounds | 195 Kg (with 90% Fuel & Oil) |
| Fuel Capacity | 3.0 gallons | 13.5 Ltr (3.56 gallons) |
2024 Honda Rebel 500 vs 2024 Royal Enfield Classic 500 – Which is Better?
The Royal Enfield Classic 500 and the Honda Rebel 500 come from two separate universes, so it seems less sensible to put them together. Both the intended market and the manufacturing purpose of these motorcycles are entirely different. Rebel 500 is a modern bike with sleek design elements and advanced functionality.
The Rebel 500 is one of the best motorcycles built in recent years in terms of simple construction, ease of use, practicality, reliability, and affordability. On the other hand, the new 2024 Royal Enfield Classic 500 is a vintage motorcycle built in the 21st century with a post-war aesthetic.
