Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 vs Honda Rebel 500: Competition Check

The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 will finally have some competition from a twin-cylinder cruiser, the Honda Rebel 500. Although both motorcycles share the same body type and purpose, they couldn’t be any more different from each other. Here we compare the two to see which one makes more sense if you’re planning on purchasing a cruiser.

Design

The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 has a pure retro design, whereas the Rebel 500 leans more towards a modern one. The Super Meteor 650 stands out with the round LED headlight, the wide handlebars, teardrop-shaped tank, and extensive use of chrome. On the Celestial variant, you get a windscreen, which solidifies the retro looks.

With the Rebel, Honda decided to do something out of the box, giving it a modern design. Cruisers usually feature retro designs, but not the Rebel 500. It gets a round headlight section with projector headlights. The slim tank and blacked-out components add to the modern look. The wide handlebar and low-slung profile make it feel more like a bobber than a cruiser.

For riders looking for a retro experience, the Super Meteor 650’s design might be more appealing. But for those who want something more modern, the Rebel 500 makes sense.

Performance

Powering the Super Meteor 650 is a 648cc, air/oil-cooled, parallel-twin engine producing 43.6bhp and 53.3Nm. The engine is paired to a six-speed gearbox with a slip-and-assist clutch. The Rebel 500, on the other hand, is powered by a 471cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine producing 46bhp and 43.3Nm. The Rebel 500 gets a six-speed transmission with a slip-and-assist clutch, and is also available with Honda’s E-Clutch Technology.

On paper, the Super Meteor 650 has the advantage in terms of power and performance. The Super Meteor’s engine has a strong low- and mid-range torque delivery that suits relaxed cruising.

In contrast, the Rebel 500’s engine is tuned to deliver its peak power higher in the rev range, giving it a sportier character. The riding experience on the Rebel would feel a lot different compared to the Super Meteor 650, with its rev-happy nature, and could also be a lot more engaging on the twisties.

With the E-Clutch system on board, the Honda Rebel 500 will also be a lot more accessible for newer riders. The E-Clutch system uses electronically controlled actuators inside the clutch case to shift gears automatically. It works from the get-go, and riders can just slot in first gear and move from a standstill without using the clutch.

Getting the clutch release right on bigger motorcycles is not easy for newer riders, and it takes a bit of practice. With the E-Clutch system, newer riders can enjoy their motorcycle while they’re learning.

Underpinnings

The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 features an inverted fork and twin rear shock absorbers. It rolls on a 19-inch front and 16-inch alloy wheel at the rear, with braking duties handled by a 320mm front and 300mm rear disc brake setup with dual-channel ABS. It has a kerb weight of 241kg, and the ground clearance comes to 135mm. Seat height comes to 740mm.

The Rebel 500 gets a telescopic fork and twin rear shock absorbers. It rolls on 16-inch alloy wheels at both ends, and features a 296mm front and 240mm rear disc brake setup, with dual-channel ABS. The kerb weight comes to 191kg, and the bike has a ground clearance of 125mm. The seat height is 690mm.

Overall, the Rebel 500 is considerably lighter than the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 and this should make it easier to handle. The lower seat height of 690mm should also make it more accessible to shorter riders as well.

Features

The Rebel 500 features an LCD console, which displays essential information like speed, fuel level, time, and also has tachometer, odometer, and trip meter readouts. The Super Meteor 650, on the other hand, has a semi-digital console with an analogue speedometer and a digital inset for fuel level, time, gear position, trip and odometer readouts.

The Super Meteor 650 also gets the Royal Enfield Tripper navigation module, which offers smartphone connectivity for turn-by-turn navigation. Overall, the Super Meteor 650 has the edge in terms of features thanks to the navigation module.

Verdict

The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 is a traditional retro-cruiser, and even the small details like the analogue speedometer really bring out this character. The air/oil-cooled engine with its good bottom end and mid-range should offer a retro-riding feel. The Super Meteor 650 will be preferred by riders who want the full retro experience.

Honda’s Rebel 500, on the other hand, is a more modern cruiser. With its lightweight and more accessible seat height, it should appeal to riders who want to get into the cruiser space without having to worry about weight.

Honda has not yet revealed what it plans to price the Rebel 500 at, but with localization, the brand should be able to price it competitively.