2023 Honda Rebel 500 revealed; India launch likely?

- Honda Rebel 500 updated 

- Gets cosmetic enhancements

- No word about its India launch

Honda has unveiled the 2023 Rebel 500 for European markets and has adorned the cruiser-style motorcycle with cosmetic enhancements to help it stand out from the previous iterations.

The Rebel 500 now comes in three new paint options. There is Mat Gunpowder Black Metallic, Candy Diesel Red and Smoky Gray to spoil European customers with choice. However, the interesting bit for 2023 is the new Rebel S. Now this is a special edition that has been kitted with accessories like black fork gaiters, a brown diamond-stitched seat and a headlamp cowl. 

Even the wheels on the S variant are different and sport a bronzed finish. That said, Honda is offering the new edition in a single, Titanium Metallic colour scheme. Well, the mechanicals on the 2023 Honda Rebel 500 have remained untouched and it continues to come with a 471cc, parallel-twin engine that is capable of producing a respectable 47bhp. 

While the Rebel 500 is an interesting propostion especially if you are looking to upgrade from, let’s say, a Royal Enfield Classic 350 or Honda CB350, it is unlikely to be launched in India anytime soon. As we have seen in recent times, the brand’s approach to the Indian market is driven by products specifically catered to the country- like the CB300F. However, if Honda does decide to bring in the Rebel 500 here, we can expect a pricing of close to Rs 5.2 lakh, given that the CB500X, which shares the same engine costs Rs 5.79 lakh, ex-showroom.