Honda Rebel 300 & New 500cc Bikes : To strengthen its premium business through the introduction of various new models, Honda is looking to strengthen its number one motorcycle position in the Indian two-wheeler business. Honda is aiming to introduce the Rebel 300 and other 500cc bikes in India as Autocar Professional learnt from sources.

Rebel 300 will battle RE 350s

500s and electric 500s could be built on CB platform The Honda Rebel 300 is already a very popular motorcycle internationally, sharing its 286cc liquid-cooled single engine with the recently-introduced CB300R. In contrast to the CB, this is a bobber-style cruiser motorcycle that’s based on a unique chassis, which allows for a super-low 690mm seat height. Weighing in at just under 170 kilos, the Rebel 300 also.

We expect this is why the Rs 2.40 lakh price tag is possible, as the CB300R has already been localised to a great extent by Honda India. Globally, the Rebel 300 is positioned below the CB, and that should allow it to achieve a price tag below Rs 2.40 lakh with a similar localisation level as well. If Honda can pull that off, it’ll have the Rebel 300 positioned as a good step up alternative to the Royal Enfield 350s as well as the CB350 family.

Reports also suggest that Honda is developing a new India-specific 500cc project which will also spawn two different motorcycles, codenamed MLHJ and MLWA respectively. Very little is known about these 500cc models currently, but since they are a brand new project, it is likely that this will be an entirely different engine to the existing 471cc, parallel-twin that is found in multiple 500cc models, including the Honda NX500 sold in India.

Good news then, and we have already reported that Honda has registered the name GB500S overseas and that does indicate, this new 500, could use the existing Honda CB350 H’ness platform. If Honda does build the single-cylinder 500, it will find a vacant space in the market that

will be left open by Royal Enfield’s decision to stop making the UCE 500 at the beginning of BS6 emission norms.And the launch of these new 500cc Honda motorcycles, along with the Honda Rebel 300, are still quite a few months, even years away, expected to happen next in 2026-2027