By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic vs Cruiser
Suzuki TU250X (MY2009) vs Honda Rebel 300 (CMX300)
Suzuki TU250X vs Honda Rebel 300: style matters. So does everything underneath.
You'll feel the Suzuki TU250X fold into a turn the moment you press the bar, and it doesn't ask for muscle. On the bar, the Honda Rebel 300 rolls in low and steady.
So which one do you buy?
The TU250X has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
By a nose: TU250X
Your daily ride leans slightly toward the TU250X. The reason: a smaller footprint and lighter steering. Fit and price can easily outweigh that.
Keeping running costs low
A touch ahead: TU250X
On running costs, the TU250X edges it. Not by enough to bank on.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Inches ahead: TU250X
For a learner on a small bike, the TU250X is a touch easier to get along with. It's down to more comfort.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: TU250X
On a winding road, the TU250X comes out a touch ahead. Thank a sportier chassis and more feel through the bars for that. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
Which one's the smarter buy
Different bikes, different deals
The TU250X and Rebel 300 sit in different classes, so value is a trade-off. Neither is the obvious better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
TU250X
At walking pace through a crowded lot, the TU250X's 328 lb (149 kg) doesn't push back at the bar. There's a plain telescopic fork waiting for the bumps, and the chrome and spokes around it look lifted from another decade. Every upshift clicks home clean.
Rebel 300
From a 27.2 in (690 mm) seat, the Rebel 300 puts both boots flat while it's threading tight city blocks. A crack of throttle and the liquid-cooled single's awake right off the bottom. At highway pace it's short of breath, and passing takes another downshift. The fat tires look custom.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Rebel 300 has the lower seat: 27.2 in (690 mm) vs 30.3 in (770 mm).
- The TU250X has the lower wet weight: 328 lb (149 kg) vs 364 lb (165 kg).
- The Rebel 300 makes more peak power: 27 hp (20 kW) vs 20 hp (15 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not their thing
Long-haul comfort is a weak spot for both. If you tour, shop with that in mind.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
TU250X
What owners say
Strengths
- Timeless Retro Styling
- Lightweight and Nimble Handling
- Bulletproof Reliability and Durability
- Buttery Smooth Transmission
Rebel 300
What owners say
Strengths
- Approachable for all riders
- Customizable, modern bobber style
- Low maintenance, Honda reliability
- Peppy, fuel-efficient engine
Trade-offs
- Seat becomes uncomfortable on longer rides
- Underwhelming highway performance
- Soft suspension limits cornering
Known problems to check before you buy
TU250X
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Rebel 300
- Right crankcase cover plug may leak (recall 23V-261) Recall 23V261000 On certain 2023 models, improper painting of the press-fit plug hole can cause the plug to dislodge when the engine heats up, leading to oil spraying onto the exhaust or rear tire.
- Honda accessory tank pads peeling The adhesive-backed accessory tank pads can lift or peel from the fuel tank in hot weather.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 7-year-old TU250X with a 7-year-old Rebel 300.
- TU250X
- about $3,000
- Rebel 300
- about $4,000
At seven years old, the Suzuki TU250X sits around $3,000 while the Honda Rebel 300 runs about $4,000. That's a $1,000 gap in the TU250X's favor. These are estimates from past US market data, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Telescopic
Where the spec sheets split
| TU250X | Rebel 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 30.3 in (770 mm) | 27.2 in (690 mm) |
| Wet weight | 328 lb (149 kg) | 364 lb (165 kg) |
| TU250X | Rebel 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 249 cc | 286 cc |
| Cooling | Air-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 20 hp (15 kW) | 27 hp (20 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,200 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| Torque | 13 lb-ft (17 Nm) | 20 lb-ft (27 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 4,500 rpm | 6,000 rpm |
| TU250X | Rebel 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.2 US gal (12 L) | 3.0 US gal (11.2 L) |
| TU250X | Rebel 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Front tire | 90/90-18 | 130/90-16 |
| Rear tire | 110/90-18 | 150/80-16 |
| Wheelbase | 54.1 in (1375 mm) | 58.7 in (1491 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| TU250X | Rebel 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Option |
| Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| LED Headlight | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
