Source: Motorcycle Cruiser –
Honda is bringing the Rebel 500 (CMX500 in Europe) back to European markets for 2023. (Honda Europe/)We saw American Honda confirm the return of the Gold Wing series for 2023 just last week, and now comes word that Honda Europe is bringing the Rebel 500 and the Monkey back for 2023 as well. Motorcycle manufacturers’ European branches tend to announce new releases well before their US counterparts, and occasionally we’ll get the same models here in the States, as was the case with the 2023 Gold Wing; Honda Europe announced it a week prior. Does that mean we’ll see the Rebel 500 and Monkey return to the US lineup as well for 2023? The chances look pretty good.The Candy Diesel Red colorway is new for the Rebel 500 platform this year. (Honda Europe/)2023 Honda Rebel 500That’s not to say the bikes will have the same colors or other changes here in the States, but just for kicks, let’s take a look at what the Euro models have in store for 2023. First up is the Rebel 500, one of Honda’s bestselling cruiser-style bikes, both here and in Europe.The 2023 standard Rebel CMX500 model announced across the pond receives no mechanical changes, so we can count on seeing the same liquid-cooled 471cc parallel-twin engine, good for 40.8 hp as tested on the Cruiser dyno, as well as the assist and slipper clutch revised suspension, redesigned lighting, and ergonomic improvements the bike got in 2020.Related: Updated Monkey Swings Into Honda’s 2022 US LineupMatte Gunpowder Metallic will be a color option for 2023 models as well, at least in Europe. (Honda Europe/)But the Euro version will be available this year in three colors that have never been used on the platform before: Matte Gunpowder Metallic, Pearl Smoky Gray, and Candy Diesel Red. It’s a nice step up from the usual ho-hum colorways we’ve seen before, but again, there are no guarantees we’ll see these paints on in the US versions.The Rebel S model gets this sleek new Titanium Metallic treatment, along with a headlight cowl, gaiters, and diamond-stitched saddle. (Honda Europe/)2023 Honda Rebel 500 SAlso carrying over to the Euro lineup for the 2023 model year is the Rebel S edition (known as the Rebel SE in the States), which comes equipped with a sporty headlight cowl, all black fork gaiters, and a brown diamond-stitched saddle. The Rebel S will be available in just one colorway, the sleek Titanium Metallic seen here, but otherwise has the same mechanical spec as its standard trim stablemates.There’s no word on the Rebel 300 or the expected return of the Rebel 1100 model just yet for either Europe or the US, or any further confirmation of a Rebel 500-based scrambler offshoot we’ve been reading about a lot, but there’s a good chance we’ll know soon. If the scrambler version ever comes, it will likely be showcased at Intermot this week, or the EICMA show coming in November.Honda’s 2023 Monkey gets this new Pearl Shining Black color option along with matching frame, fork, and swingarm, and yes, a color-matched plaid seat. So far, the hues are for European models only. (Honda Europe/)2023 Honda Monkey 125Just when you thought Honda’s Monkey couldn’t possibly get any more funky, along comes Honda’s styling department with bucketloads of new paint to make sure the 2023 models really make an impression on unsuspecting passersby. To be fair, those are the only changes; the Monkey’s major updates came in the 2022 model year, when it received an engine upgrade, a five-speed gearbox, a refined chassis, and other improvements. The air-cooled fuel-injected Euro 5–compliant 125cc powerplant, sturdy steel backbone frame, and USD fork under the chromed mini-apes are unchanged, though the dual rear shocks now get two-stage springs for extra comfort.That extra color we’re talking about is now splashed onto the swingarm, fork, and rear damper springs as well as the frame, and you can have it three ways for 2023: red, yellow or black. But get this—all three colorways also get their own color-matched plaid seats! (Note: It’s called “tartan” in the Honda literature.) Along with its proudly high-level fenders and fat block-pattern 12-inch tires, there will now be no way to miss this minimoto out on the road. The only new color this year is a Pearl Shining Black, which gets added to the ever-popular Pearl Nebula Red and Banana Yellow options; all three get color-coordinated frames, forks, swingarms, damper springs, and checked (tartan) seat covers, a move paying homage to the bikes’ 1960s-era appearance as well as some past limited-edition versions.The Monkey’s classic Pearl Nebula Red option returns for 2023 too, this time on the color-matched frame and suspension bits. That seat, though, is next level. (Honda Europe/)So to sum up: For 2023, you can get your Monkey 125 in Banana Yellow (yellow frame, swingarm, damper springs, black-and-white seat cover, and white tank inset); Pearl Nebula Red (with red frame, swingarm, damper springs, black-white-red seat cover, and silver tank inset); or Pearl Shining Black (with black frame, swingarm, damper springs, black-and-white seat cover, and white tank inset).We’re pretty confident the Monkey will be back for the 2023 US lineup as well. We sure as heck hope the new color explosion comes along for the ride.You simply can’t have a true Monkey lineup without the Banana Yellow colorway. (Honda Europe/)Gotta love the Honda marketing for these new bikes. | Tartan or plaid: What’s the difference? (Honda Europe/)
