Beefier alternative to Rebel 500?

Gravisman

Gravisman

Aspiring Racer
I'm trying to thread a delicate needle with my next bike. I want a commuter for myself that has just enough horsepower to make me feel like I'm riding a real bike and passing cars with ease on the freeway. I'm coming from a background as a long-time sport bike rider and avid track-day rider, but I want the commute bike to be decidedly street-oriented, with comfortable ergonomics and all. The extra challenging wrinkle is that I want my wife to be able to ride this bike if she wants, so it has to be reasonably beginner friendly at the same time, and definitely come with a seat height that inspires confidence for a 5'4" rider.

I've long been intrigued by the aesthetics of the rebel 500, and in some ways it seems like just what I'm looking for - I love that it's so different from the sport bikes I usually ride, because that just feels like a breath of fresh air and a chance to maybe learn something new about myself and what I like. The only thing about the Rebel 500 that gives me pause is it's still under 50 HP - basically a Ninja 400 with a bit more torque, I guess. I'd love to have the Rebel 500 but with the engine of an SV650 or MT07 - just a bit more to get me to a sweet spot that feels right for an experienced rider without blowing away the new rider.

Anyone have bike suggestions to thread this particular needle?
 
Lucytriple

Lucytriple

Wrrrench
While reading your requirements I was thinking MT07, but sounds like you really just need to get out and ride that cutie rebel. I think MotoJava might have one now.

Have you looked at the Yamaha Bolt? They are a blast, but I'm not a fan of the narrow handlebar version. 950cc doesn't feel like too much on this bike, although I do mostly ride an SV1000 these days.
 
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motomania2007

TC/MSF/CMSP/ Instructor
The CBR500x has the same engine as the rebel 500.

I rode a cbr500x 300 miles in an evening at 80-100 mph most of the way. It did just fine.
 
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SF_Hawk

Member
In somewhat a different vain, although the Yamaha bolt is on par I’d recommend checking out a Harley Davidson Sportster 1200. Although heavy and vibey. Just a thought.
 
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ViperThreat

Well-known member
I rode a CBR500R for abut 500 miles myself. Yes, it will do 90-100, but much past 60mph, the acceleration performance is pretty dismal. The term "passing power" doesn't exactly come to mind when you're downshifting two gears just to keep up with a 1990 toyota van.


Admittedly, I'm a bit biased as somebody who mainly runs around on litrebikes with enough power to turn the world backwards.

Still, honda's current 500cc power plant does not impress me. It's probably reliable as hell, but I certainly wouldn't own one myself.

I'd take a look at something else, or see if you can get a test-ride on one of the 500s to see if that amount of power is going to be adequate for your needs.

Edit: I should add that I drag raced a R3 on the CBR500R. The R3 won.
 
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sckego

sckego

doesn't like crashing
Yeah, the Honda 500 twin is exceedingly docile, easy to ride, beginner friendly, reliable, and basically boring as shit. As a commuter, even on the freeway, it does fine - it's not going to blow the doors off of anything, but it's fully capable of cruising at 90 for as long as you want... but you're sure not going to find yourself going that speed on accident. Mine is faster in a straight line than the Ninja 250 I swapped from, but only just. I totally believe that a sport 300 would walk on it. I've really enjoyed commuting on mine for the past few years though - the pure ease of riding it makes up for its boring lack of character and power... at least when you're just trying to get to work and back.

Also, if you're looking for something beginner friendly, I have trouble tying that back to >50hp. I'd think a 500 twin / N400 / maybe low-powered 650 cruiser(?) would be the ticket...
 
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ViperThreat

Well-known member
ksandvik said:
I rather stay below 80 on highways, not a fan of tickets. So the 500cc engine is just fine then.
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Just becuase you have more horsepower doesn't mean you are required to use it at all times.

Having some passing power is pretty helpful at times. Being able to get away from traffic or make that larger gap a few car lengths up instead of fighting for space to change lanes, it adds up as being more useful than people give it credit for. It doesn't mean you need to yank the throttle either - just being able to dig into the throttle a bit instead of having to kick it down 2 gears is worth having in my book.

On smaller CC bikes I feel at the mercy of traffic, on a faster bike, I have more confidence and less stress.
 
HadesOmega

HadesOmega

Well-known member
Why not the MT-07? I think it ticks all the boxes, might not be the fastest but it's got plenty of get up and go. Most of my bikes are 650cc with not a lot of horsepower and I feel they have plenty of passing power, I'm used to riding slow bikes. I wish they had more power at higher altitudes though =P
 
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CrumpetRocket

Well-known member
It really depends on the commute. I went from Windsor to Novato on Ninja 500 for a good while. It had plenty of "power" for commuting purposes but I don't know how it stacks up to the Rebel.

I can only recommend you test ride a few things. I've been deeply disappointed in bikes with larger engines than my 675, and you may fall prey to that as well. It can be hard to "step down" off a rice rocket. But its your ride, so long as you're happy that's all that matters. Test ride.

I did test ride an MT09 and I rather loved it.

Honestly when I think commuter bike I think adventure bike. I know two guys that commuted on sv650's and sing praise of that ugly ass bike, it's pure utility.
 
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rcb78

Well-known member
My wife recently got a Kawi Vulcan S (650), I'd say it's pretty close to what you're asking for. Smaller bike feel with the 650 out of the Versys/Ninja 650's. It's an ergo platform of sorts with three different seats, bars and foot pegs for short/med/tall riders. When bought new, you request your combo of parts and they're supposed to be a no charge swap. My wife is 5'3" and I'm 6'. I have no issues riding it in her setup of std seat and closer pegs/bars. I'm not really a fan of cruisers, but it's a fun bike to ride, more of a sport cruiser.
 
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davidji

bike curious
CrumpetRocket said:
Honestly when I think commuter bike I think adventure bike.
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I don't. And I've done plenty of commuting on an adventure bike. They'd be ideal if it were all moving with traffic, but they're wide for lane splitting, and a 21" front wheel (for the ones that have that) reduces low speed agility. Plenty of people commute on 21" wheel adventure bikes & cruisers, and plenty lane split on very wide bikes, but that doesn't make them the best tools for the task.

Adventure-style street bikes are a lot different. I commuted for a while on a 2011 Versys 650. While I could have used more range (which was added to the next model), and wouldn't have minded better brakes (also added to a later version), it was a great commute bike. Tall for what the OP is asking for though.

I expect similar for the adventure-style Honda NC750X DCT.

If the NC750X DCT is too tall--which is probably is--there's a CTX700 DCT cruiser which might work. DCT is awesome for commuting in traffic.

The CTX, or the Vulcan 650 seem like good ways to move up a little from a Rebel 500.
 
VicTim

VicTim

VMCSF
The Indian Scout 60 may be what you're looking for. You could even test ride one at a dealership or find a used one.
 
Maddevill

Maddevill

KNGKAW
I agree with the Vulcan 650. Big enough motor to be fun but very low seat height. And it's adjustable. My wife is 5'3" and found it comfortable.

Mad
 
HadesOmega

HadesOmega

Well-known member
The Tenere 700 would make a great commuter bike. Gots plenty of power and comfortable. The windscreen was pretty good for me when I test rode it. It has a 200 mile range also so you won't be filling it up all the time.
 
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