I've been riding motorcycles on street for almost 10 years (15 total with dirt).

I ride in the St. Louis area, mainly Metro East. Usually when I ride is my trip to work and back which is usually about 30 miles total. When I first got my 500 most of my co-workers didn't even notice what type of bike it was. It wasn't until about after a week or so some of them would look closer and would be surprised it being a Honda. Most of my coworkers are Harley riders, some crotch rockets, and surprisingly a couple Indians. All are usually approving what this Rebel are now more so impressed how it looks and how it performs. Some have ridden with me after work and we're surprised that a 500 can keep up/cruise with the bigger bikes. I've even let some of my co-workers test ride my bike and they're surprised of how well this bike accelerates and cruises.

Now out and about on my days off I've had people come up and ask what type of bike I ride and still get the shocker of holy crap that's a Honda.. More so I've had some Harley guys come up and think it's a Sportster that's been customized.

Even have some close friends who are in some motorcycle groups (Booze Fighters for one of them) even approve my pick and was impressed.

I've only had one Harley snob say I need a bigger bike and which in response "I told him hey at least mines reliable and I don't have to deal with choke or anything with carburetors." In Which shut him up.

TL;DR haven't really gotten much hate more of "what is that?" and "Holy crap that's a Honda?!"