Contents Vehicle Safety P. 2 Operation Guide P. 20 Maintenance P. 45 Troubleshooting P. 97 Information P. 115 Specifications P. 138 Index P. 142 31MKGA30 2020 Rebel (CMX500/A) MOM 17316 (1909) Welcome Congratulations on your purchase of a new When service is required, remember that Honda vehicle. Your selection of a Honda your Honda dealer knows your vehicle best. makes you part of a worldwide family of If you have the required mechanical “know- satisfied customers who appreciate Honda's how” and tools, you can purchase an official reputation for building quality into every Honda Service Manual to help you perform product. many maintenance and repair tasks. 2 P. 132 To ensure your safety and riding pleasure: Read the warranty information thoroughly so ● Read this owner's manual carefully. that you understand the warranty coverage ● Follow all recommendations and and that you are aware of your rights and procedures contained in this manual. responsibilities. 2 P. 133 ● Pay close attention to safety messages contained in this manual and on the You may also want to visit our website at vehicle. www.powersports.honda.com. Canada www.honda.ca. To protect your investment, we urge you to Happy riding! take responsibility for keeping your vehicle well serviced and maintained. Also, observe the break-in guidelines, and always perform the pre-ride inspection and other periodic checks in this manual. A Few Words About Safety Your safety, and the safety of others, is very 3DANGER important. Operating this vehicle safely is an You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY important responsibility. HURT if you don’t follow instructions. To help you make informed decisions about safety, we have provided operating 3WARNING procedures and other information on safety You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY labels and in this manual. This information HURT if you don’t follow instructions. alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others. 3CAUTION Of course, it is not practical or possible to You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow warn you about all hazards associated with instructions. operating or maintaining a vehicle. You must use your own good judgment. Other important information is provided under the following titles: You will find important safety information in a NOTICE Information to help you avoid variety of forms, including: damage to your vehicle, other ● Safety labels on the vehicle property, or the environment. ● Safety Messages preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION. These signal words mean: Vehicle Safety This section contains important information for safe riding of your vehicle. Please read this section carefully. Safety Guidelines.................................................P. 3 Safety Labels.........................................................P. 7 Safety Precautions...............................................P. 9 Riding Precautions............................................P. 11 Accessories & Modifications...........................P. 15 Loading ................................................................P. 16 Safety Guidelines Safety Guidelines Before Riding Vehicle Safety USA model (Model not equipped with Optional Follow these guidelines to enhance your safety: Passenger Seat Kit) ● Perform all routine and regular inspections Make sure that you are physically fit, mentally specified in this manual. focused and free of alcohol and drugs. Check ● Stop the engine and keep sparks and flame that you are wearing an approved helmet and away before filling the fuel tank. protective apparel. ● Do not run the engine in enclosed or partly Canada model and USA model equipped with Optional enclosed areas. Carbon monoxide in Passenger Seat Kit exhaust gases is toxic and can kill you. Make sure that you are physically fit, mentally focused and free of alcohol and drugs. Check that you and your passenger are both wearing Always Wear a Helmet an approved helmet and protective apparel. It's a proven fact: helmets and protective Instruct your passenger on holding onto the apparel significantly reduce the number and seat strap or your waist, leaning with you in severity of head and other injuries. So always turns, and keeping their feet on the footpegs, wear an approved helmet and protective even when the vehicle is stopped. apparel. 2 P. 9 Continued 3 Safety Guidelines Take Time to Learn & Practice Ride Defensively Vehicle Safety Even if you have ridden other vehicles, practice Always pay attention to other vehicles around riding in a safe area to become familiar with you, and do not assume that other drivers see how this vehicle works and handles, and to you. Be prepared to stop quickly or perform an become accustomed to the vehicle's size and evasive maneuver. weight. We recommend that all riders take a certified Make Yourself Easy to See course approved by the Motorcycle Safety Make yourself more visible, especially at night, Foundation (MSF). New riders should start with by wearing bright reflective clothing, positioning the basic course, and even experienced riders yourself so other drivers can see you, signaling will find the advanced course beneficial. before turning or changing lanes, and using For information about the MSF training course your horn when necessary. nearest you, call the national toll-free number: (800) 446-9227. Ride within Your Limits USA Other riding tips can be found in the You Never ride beyond your personal abilities or and Your Motorcycle Riding Tips booklet that faster than conditions warrant. Fatigue and came with your vehicle. inattention can impair your ability to use good judgment and ride safely. 4 Safety Guidelines Never Carry a passenger Keep Your Honda in Safe Condition Vehicle Safety USA model (Model not equipped with Optional It's important to keep your vehicle properly Passenger Seat Kit) maintained and in safe riding condition. There are no handholds, seat, or footrests to Inspect your vehicle before every ride and carry a passenger. perform all recommended maintenance. Never Do not carry a passenger unless you have exceed load limits (2 P. 16), and do not modify purchased and installed the Honda Genuine your vehicle or install accessories that would Accessory Passenger Seat Kit, or equivalent make your vehicle unsafe (2 P. 15). parts specifically designed for this vehicle, which must include the passenger seat, seat strap, footpegs, and the mounting hardware. If You are Involved in a Crash Personal safety is your first priority. If you or Don't Drink and Ride anyone else has been injured, take time to assess the severity of the injuries and whether it Alcohol and riding don't mix. Even one alcoholic is safe to continue riding. Call for emergency drink can reduce your ability to respond to assistance if needed. Also follow applicable laws changing conditions, and your reaction time and regulations if another person or vehicle is gets worse with every additional drink. Don't involved in the crash. drink and ride, and don't let your friends drink and ride either. Continued 5 Safety Guidelines If you decide to continue riding, first turn the Never run your vehicle inside a garage or other Vehicle Safety ignition switch to the OFF position, and evaluate enclosure. the condition of your vehicle. Inspect for fluid 3 leaks, check the tightness of critical nuts and WARNING bolts, and check the handlebar, control levers, Running the engine of your vehicle brakes, and wheels. Ride slowly and cautiously. while in an enclosed or even partially Your vehicle may have suffered damage that is enclosed area can cause a rapid build- not immediately apparent. Have your vehicle up of toxic carbon monoxide gas. thoroughly checked at a qualified service facility as soon as possible. Breathing this colorless, odorless gas can quickly cause unconsciousness and Carbon Monoxide Hazard lead to death. Exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas. Breathing carbon Only run your vehicle's engine when it monoxide can cause loss of consciousness and is located in a well ventilated area may lead to death. outdoors. If you run the engine in confined or even partly enclosed area, the air you breathe could contain a dangerous amount of carbon monoxide. 6 Safety Labels Safety Labels serious injury. Read these labels carefully and don't remove them. Vehicle Safety Safety and information labels on your vehicle If a label comes off or becomes hard to read, provide important safety information and may contact your dealer for a replacement. warn you of potential hazards that could cause USA model (Model not equipped with Optional Passenger Seat Kit) shown Continued 7 Safety Labels USA model (Model not equipped with Optional Passenger Seat Kit) shown Vehicle Safety 8 Safety Precautions Safety Precautions Protective Apparel Vehicle Safety USA model (Model not equipped with Optional ● Ride cautiously and keep your hands on the Passenger Seat Kit) handlebar and feet on the footpegs. Make sure that you are wearing an approved ● Canada model and USA model equipped with helmet, eye protection, and high-visibility Optional Passenger Seat Kit protective clothing. Ride defensively in response Keep passenger's hands onto the seat strap to weather and road conditions. or your waist, passenger's feet on the Canada model and USA model equipped with Optional footpegs while riding. Passenger Seat Kit ● USA model (Model not equipped with Make sure that you and any passenger are Optional Passenger Seat Kit) wearing an approved helmet, eye protection, Always consider