Benelli 502C vs Honda Rebel 500: Image Gallery

The two middleweight cruisers may soon compete in the Indian market, so here’s a closer look at the duo via detailed images

Benelli’s new middleweight cruiser, the 502C, has been launched in India at Rs 4.98 lakh (ex-showroom). For the price, you get a feature-packed motorcycle running a sweet parallel-twin motor. While it doesn’t have a direct rival at the moment, it’ll soon face heat from Honda’s Rebel 500 that’s likely to hit the market by the end of this year. So which one of these cruisers makes more sense?

There’s no denying the 502C looks a lot like the Ducati Diavel. You have a similar hyper-cruiser stance, with a flowing tank design and minimal bodywork. In contrast, the Rebel looks like a proper rugged cruiser. 

That said, Benelli has added little touches to help the 502C standout. The odd-looking headlight, for instance, is an all-LED unit and so are the tail light and turn indicators. Honda’s Rebel takes a simplistic approach with a teardrop fuel tank, a low slug seat, and bobbed fenders. Its lighting, though, is all LED.

Other notable features on the 502C include a TFT instrument cluster with two display modes and adjustable footrests. The Rebel gets a pod-shaped digital console with the usual readouts.  

While both bikes use the same Euro 5/BS6-complaint parallel-twin engine configuration, the 502C’s unit makes a bit more power and torque than its Japanese rival. It’s tuned to produce 47.5PS and 46Nm, whereas the motor powering the Rebel 500 makes 46PS and 43Nm of peak torque. Both bikes use a 6-speed transmission. 

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The 502C’s hardware consists of a trellis frame linked to a USD fork and a rear monoshock, with 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 120-section front and 160-section rear tyres. In comparison, the Rebel employs a simple diamond-type frame, a telescopic fork, and twin rear shocks. Its 16-inch wheels are wrapped with chunky 130 and 150-section tyres at the front and rear respectively.

The biggest differences between the two bikes comes down to the seat height and weight. The Rebel sits surprisingly low at 690mm and hauls a weight of 191kg kerb. The 502C’s seat, at 750mm, is much taller in comparison. It’s also 25kg heavier than the Rebel.

That said, Benelli’s power cruiser does have a trick up its sleeve. It features a massive 21-litre fuel tank which should keep you on the road much longer. The frequent fuel stops thanks to the Rebel’s 11.2-litre fuel tank puts it at a disadvantage.

In the end, it all boils down to the price. At Rs 4.98 lakh (ex-showroom), the 502C is cheaper than the Kawasaki Vulcan 650. And if the Honda CB500X’ Rs 6.87 lakh price tag is anything to go by, we suspect the Rebel will be equally expensive. But, you still get a reliable Japanese motorcycle, if that’s something you’re looking for.