My 2021 Rebel CMX500A started stalling while I try to maintain a steady speed at around 1.2k miles. Despite me holding the throttle steady the bike erratically speeds and slows when I reach 2nd gear before eventually stalling out. All electronics keep working and no warning lights on the dashboard came on until the engine would stall at which point the oil light comes on because the engine is no longer running. Once the bike stalls out it will sputter but not turn over if I try to turn it on. I can only turn it on by revving but then it will keep stalling even if with the clutch pulled in unless I consistently keep revving which is very dangerous in traffic. After about 5 minutes of constant revving while riding the problem goes away and won’t happen again until the bike sits for approx. over 12 hours. I tried taking the bike to the dealer when it first happened but they had a 2 month waiting list and as my only vehicle at the time I couldn’t afford to bring it in. After finding many others online with a very similar problem who said shops weren’t able to find a problem when they took their bikes in they recommended I use seafoam. I used just a capful in a full tank of gas and the problem stopped for that full gas tank and one full gas tank after without seafoam. But by the second gas tank I filled without seafoam the problem started again. Afterwards I started putting one capful of seafoam every other gas tank and the problem went away for the time being. Once I finished the bottle of seafoam at around 2.5k miles I tried running the bike without it and it was working until around 4k miles when again the problem came back. At this point I took it to the dealership despite the waiting list since I now have another car but they’re warning me that, since the bike is currently running because of the seafoam, even though they believe it is the throttle body, if they cannot find a problem or Honda refuses to cover the work under warranty I will be stuck with the bill.
The worst 2021 Honda CMX500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
Recalls 2
Steering: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2023, 2025 CMX500, 2017-2023, 2025-2026 CMX300, and 2025 Honda SCL500 motorcycles. The handlebar lock screw may loosen and detach.
- Risk
- A detached screw may lodge between the frame and stem, interfering with steering and increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the lock screw and apply thread lock, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 29, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1‑866‑784‑1870. Honda's number for this recall is KU8. This recall expands previous the federal safety agency recall number 26V146. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning August 4, 2026.
Recall number 26V500000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Super Cub C125, CB500X, CB650R, CBR300R, CBR500R, CBR650R, Rebel 300, Rebel 500, Monkey, 2020 CRF250L, GROM, 2021 CRF300L, and CB500F motorcycles. The rear reflector lens may not reflect brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- A dim rear reflector may reduce the visibility of the motorcycle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear reflector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑866‑784‑1870. Honda's number for this recall is KM3.
Recall number 21V382000 · Recall details
What 2021 Honda CMX500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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Questions about the 2021 Honda CMX500
Is the 2021 Honda CMX500 reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2021 Honda CMX500, close to a typical CMX500 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Honda CMX500?
Engine and cooling, with 1 complaint. Next is fuel system (1).
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda CMX500 have?
2 recalls, covering steering and exterior lighting.
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