Honda Rebel 1100! What do you think?

25133 Views 75 Replies 23 Participants Last post by Joel_The_Mole, 7 d ago

sadudu

Discussion Starter · Apr 15, 2020

So here are some rumours on the "Honda Rebel 1100". Rumours say it comes with the same engine as the Africa Twin. Price 12k USD! What do you think?

Source:
Honda Rebel 1100 Could Hit the Market Next Year!

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mike721

· #2 · Apr 15, 2020

100HP 1100cc engine, that would sure take the Rebel line out of the ' small bikes, perfect for beginners' into a whole new realm.
It looks like a lot of fun but I would hope the seat height is a LOT lower than the Africa twin, I love the look of that bike but I couldn't even sit on it at a show without feeling like I was going to fall over, it's SO tall!

vito

· #3 · Apr 15, 2020

Honda used to make an 1100 Shadow, which seemed to make very little power out of a good sized engine. The current 1300cc cruiser, which I have never ridden, is, I am told, also quite underpowered. So I would not expect much out of this new bike. I'm sure it will have decent torque and be pretty quick from a stop, but will poop out pretty quickly like most cruisers. But it does look like it might be a great bike for short riders who want something other than a beginner's bike. REALLY short riders though, might find themselves staring right into the top of the gas tank. Looks a bit severe in design to me.

Reactions: 1

hogcowboy

· #4 · Apr 15, 2020

Looks a little like a Sportster to me. You know, an older one with a peanut tank.

Reactions: 1

vito

· #5 · Apr 15, 2020

You just gave it the "kiss of death" with that comparison. Maybe Honda will change the name from "Rebel" to "Asian Sportster".

Reactions: 1

CRracer712

· #6 · Nov 25, 2020

Honda Pulls The Cover Off The All-New Rebel 1100

Porky

· #7 · Nov 26, 2020

Vito, this Rebel 1100, will leave your Goldwing in it's dust as will the Africa Twin like myself and some others on this forum own. The GW will pull away 'maybe' from 110 mph+- but really who cares. My past 2012 Goldwing was wonderful but could hardly be called 'fast.'

I don't like the design nor capacity of the gas tank, it reminds me of a 'Dromedary,' the single-humped camel, Camelus dromedarius, of Arabia and northern Africa.

Sam

Reactions: 1

Unkle Krusty

· #8 · Nov 26, 2020

I always thought referring to the engine, as a stressed member sounded exciting. 100 HP should make it a nice scoot, if the weight is reasonable. I have given up referring to any new bikes as light weight. Too heavy is the new norm. UK

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Rollin'

· #9 · Nov 26, 2020

87 horsepower, 487 pounds, cruise control and you can get the DCT. Sounds like a fun bike.

Reactions: 3

Herrick

· #10 · Nov 27, 2020

I'd rather they made an 1100 or 1300 Shadow with six gears, shaft drive, ABS, & a bigger gas tank.

Something about the new Rebels look off to me...maybe it's the tank. It's cool though. I'm sure lots of riders are going to have a lot of fun with this new Rebel. I was surprised to see cruise control comes standard with manual & automatic versions.

Danny Linguini

· #11 · Feb 27, 2021 (Edited)

Just decided to drop in and join the forum to throw in my two cents here, and to start what’s sure to be a colorful discussion about DCT vs manual. Why would I do such a thing? Cos I just quite unexpectedly picked up a new Rebel 1100 DCT yesterday. Freezing friggin cold and lots of snow still on the ground, but it was either brave the cold, or wait who knows how long for the next dry day above freezing. I had originally intended to put down the deposit and wait, right up until they called me yesterday morning to say it’s ready to pick up. I mean, who in their right mind would want to put it off!

Anyway, about the bike ... pictures don’t do it justice. Videos don’t do it justice. I admit, I was a little concerned at first about the humpy gas tank, as I pave always preferred the low, swooping lines of something like the VTX’s. But you really have to see it in person before you decide if it’s hideous or beautiful. Or somewhere in between. My first reaction to seeing it up close - definitely not hideous. One look at the paint in the sunlight, and it starts looking downright beautiful.

Now I’ve only had one 40-minute ride on mine, and most if that was spent trying to keep the blood circulating in my fingertips. But I still have a first impression, which is - I love this bike. The 1100 has lots of power for a bike this size, certainly plenty enough for this old fart. It feels much lighter than it really is, and the suspension absorbs every bump in the road, really one of the smoothest and comfortable bikes I’ve been on. The nice rumbly exhaust note is also something no video I’ve seen yet has been able to capture - as soon as you turn the key it just sucks you in.

And the DCT - clearly about as polarizing a subject as which weight oil or octane gas to use if there ever was one. Well, I love that, too. After riding for over 30 years, I’m no stranger to shifting, and yes, there was definitely a concern about whether not having to shift would take away from the riding experience. I can say without hesitation, it does not. In fact it adds to the experience, especially if you’re more of a relaxed kind of rider than a thrill-junkie. You really must try it for yourself before passing judgment. Of course not everyone will like it, but I promise there would be a lot of people who will like it who think they won’t.

Just before I left the dealer yesterday, my sales guy said he thinks Honda knocked it out of the park with this bike. So far I’m very much inclined to agree.

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Retired Guy

· #12 · Feb 27, 2021

I like it. At a glance it does kind of remind me of a Sportster. I don't ride like my hair is on fire so I'm sure the 1100 cc engine would have plenty of power for me.

Reactions: 2

Zebraranger

· #13 · Mar 1, 2021

I like its looks, kinda looks like a Sportster, but that tank looks way to small, low fuel capacity would eliminate it for me.

350Four

· #14 · Mar 1, 2021

Danny Linguini said:
Just decided to drop in and join the forum to throw in my two cents here, and to start what’s sure to be a colorful discussion about DCT vs manual. Why would I do such a thing? Cos I just quite unexpectedly picked up a new Rebel 1100 DCT yesterday. Freezing friggin cold and lots of snow still on the ground, but it was either brave the cold, or wait who knows how long for the next dry day above freezing. I had originally intended to put down the deposit and wait, right up until they called me yesterday morning to say it’s ready to pick up. I mean, who in their right mind would want to put it off!

Anyway, about the bike ... pictures don’t do it justice. Videos don’t do it justice. I admit, I was a little concerned at first about the humpy gas tank, as I pave always preferred the low, swooping lines of something like the VTX’s. But you really have to see it in person before you decide if it’s hideous or beautiful. Or somewhere in between. My first reaction to seeing it up close - definitely not hideous. One look at the paint in the sunlight, and it starts looking downright beautiful.

Now I’ve only had one 40-minute ride on mine, and most if that was spent trying to keep the blood circulating in my fingertips. But I still have a first impression, which is - I love this bike. The 1100 has lots of power for a bike this size, certainly plenty enough for this old fart. It feels much lighter than it really is, and the suspension absorbs every bump in the road, really one of the smoothest and comfortable bikes I’ve been on. The nice rumbly exhaust note is also something no video I’ve seen yet has been able to capture - as soon as you turn the key it just sucks you in.

And the DCT - clearly about as polarizing a subject as which weight oil or octane gas to use if there ever was one. Well, I love that, too. After riding for over 30 years, I’m no stranger to shifting, and yes, there was definitely a concern about whether not having to shift would take away from the riding experience. I can say without hesitation, it does not. In fact it adds to the experience, especially if you’re more of a relaxed kind of rider than a thrill-junkie. You really must try it for yourself before passing judgment. Of course not everyone will like it, but I promise there would be a lot of people who will like it who think they won’t.

Just before I left the dealer yesterday, my sales guy said he thinks Honda knocked it out of the park with this bike. So far I’m very much inclined to agree.

Ditto about the DCT. With the intro of the '14 CTX/DCT, I was intrigued...bought mine in '17 & became hooked. As for aesthetics; I'm a bit more for function over form. I bought a new 1st generation CX500 & loved it! LOL! And my CTX700 is beautiful to me.

Now, again intrigued with this Rebel 1100

.

Danny Linguini

· #15 · Mar 1, 2021

350Four said:
Ditto about the DCT. With the intro of the '14 CTX/DCT, I was intrigued...bought mine in '17 & became hooked. As for aesthetics; I'm a bit more for function over form. I bought a new 1st generation CX500 & loved it! LOL! And my CTX700 is beautiful to me. Now, again intrigued with this Rebel 1100.

I think both of those bikes are fine looking machines. I saw the CTX700 at the dealers last year, and the guy riding it loved it. Really nice lines. I’ll definitely report back as soon as I get to put the Rebel through it’s paces.

Reactions: 1

Intruder8

· #16 · Mar 2, 2021

It is not a girls/beginners bike anymore, but if have one, you cannot just say "I have Rebel", you have to say "I have Rebel 1100"
It has uneven "Harley" style working cylinders. They are not 360 degrees apart, they are 180+540, I think.

Danny Linguini

· #17 · Mar 2, 2021

Intruder8 said:
It is not a girls/beginners bike anymore, but if have one, you cannot just say "I have Rebel", you have to say "I have Rebel 1100"
It has uneven "Harley" style working cylinders. They are not 360 degrees apart, they are 180+540, I think.

It’s 270°. And it has a really nice rumbly cadence.

RockportDave

· #18 · Mar 20, 2021

I ride a 1999 GL1500 and when the wife decided after many years she wanted to ride her own, we went shopping. She fell in love with the Rebel 1100, metallic black, DCT and it’s in the stable now. First automatic I’ve ridden and I like it. We’re both 50+ and we like to cruise the back roads with some highways mixed in. The automatic makes it easier to pay attention to surroundings. It is powerful for what I would call a smaller bike. Just right for her and 5’.
The cam is configured different than the Africa Twin, designed for one cylinder to have torque below 4,000 rpm and the other has torque above 4,000 rpm. It pulls strong through all 6 gears if you keep the throttle twisted.
The throttle is very responsive, but being throttle by wire, it’s touchy and easy to twist.
We have the fairing and windshield coming to cut down on the wind.
The cruise holds it within 1-2 mph on hills at 55.
Impressed so far.
Dave

Reactions: 2

vito

· #19 · Mar 21, 2021

Maybe this 1100 will be the right balance for many riders. I demo rode a Rebel 500 two years back and did not like the exaggerated (to me) cruiser seating position. And I am assuming it is spunkier than the Shadow 1100 which was somewhat anemic in my opinion. I was hoping for Honda to come out with an 1100 standard, like an updated Nighthawk. Since they haven't, right now I am looking to try a Triumph T120.

Reactions: 1

RockportDave

· #20 · Mar 21, 2021

We’re adding the windshield when it’s available and already looking to raise and extend the handlebars. She sat on a 750 Shadow, but the forward controls had her legs stretched out straight and hard for her to keep her feet on the pegs. The Rebel has mid pegs which she likes.
We’re setting the Rebel up for comfortable cruising with short highway runs. Here in South Texas we have some 75 mph runs to get to the hills and curves.
Our reasoning to go with the 1100 over the 300 or 500 was 3 times the bike for twice the price, she wanted the DTC and it has cruise.
Dave

Reactions: 2

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