Full disclaimer here, this is my wife’s bike. However, she allows me to ride it whenever I feel the urge to zip around on something small and peppy, and this bike is exactly that! For a long time my wife would listen to my stories of my bike trips…most ladies would likely find them boring and pointless, but she would respond with “sound like fun, I want to do that someday!” I encouraged her to complete the MSF Rider Safety course before deciding on a bike, and she did without hesitation. So against my better judgement, I bought her a motorcycle for Christmas. My stomach was in knots the first time she threw a leg over and took it for a spin…what the hell did I do? After all, an 1100cc motorcycle is a whole lot of bike for a beginner. My anxiety was quickly calmed when she zipped around the big empty parking lot with ease…and I could see that beautiful smile behind her full face helmet…she loved it! When she finally stopped I asked her what she thought…her response sums up the Rebel 1100 perfectly “it’s fun! And it’s super easy!”
The Honda Rebel has always been a popular beginner bike. Historically they were either 300cc or 500cc bikes. They are cruiser style minimalistic bikes and are known for their reliability. Many riders got their start on a Rebel and graduated to larger more capable bikes. The Rebel 1100 is not your traditional Rebel. The only similarity is the name. The 1100 is a bike that if set up properly, there is no need to upgrade. The best part is the price, the Rebel 1100 is an absolute bargain! Kudos to Honda for making a very capable and fun motorcycle surprisingly affordable.
Comfort – The Rebel is a small bike in stature. The seat is low to the ground, and the frame is compact. For someone the size of my wife it is quite comfy (5’7 ft). For me (6ft), it is a little cramped. The seating position is your typical cruiser position. Your feet are slightly forward and you are sit upright. The stock seat is pretty bad (maybe why the bike is priced so low lol). I bought a Corbin solo saddle for it and it completely transformed the ride. The Corbin seat is definitely a game changer! The front fairing is pretty decent and providing wind protection although you will get some wind (not buffeting) at the top of your helmet. I installed heated grips and that makes quite a difference in cool weather. It’s not a touring bike nor is it a sport tourer, it’s a cruiser. I have taken it on 300 mile day rides and was perfectly fine. Anything over 500 miles a day would probably be a little rough.
Engine – This is where the Rebel 1100 shines! The engine is Honda’s robust parallel twin that’s also used in the Africa Twin adventure bike. It’s a powerful and reliable engine that pairs nicely with the DCT (dual clutch transmission). I never thought I would enjoy an automatic motorcycle, yet here we are! The transmission adapts to the rider’s riding style and it works very well. It always seems to be in the right gear, and will quickly downshift when passing a vehicle or simply putting the hammer down. I’ll say this, the Rebel 1100 flat out moves! It’s simple physics, the Rebel is a small and light bike so the engine doesn’t have to work very hard. It will definitely put a smile on your face!
Handling – The Rebel 1100 is a typical cruiser. It’s not designed to hammer through the twisties or to be out on a track. That said, it’s perfectly fine riding around town, country roads, or the interstate. The suspension comes from the factory set towards the softer end. You can firm up the suspension to match the weight of the rider with a few twists of a knob and adjuster screws. Once you get it dialed in it becomes quite compliant for a cruiser. There does seem to be a high speed wobble that I have experienced a couple times. This only occured when I was going around 95mph. It went away as soon as I slowed down. It is my understanding that the wobble is due to the stock tires. I’ll keep everyone posted if the wobble disappears with a new set of shoes!
Lights – The Rebel 1100 comes with LED headlights. They are traditional headlights and nothing fancy. The tail lights and turn signals are about the same. They work but definitely won’t blind anyone.
Brakes – The brakes on the Rebel work okay. They should! The bike is small so it doesn’t take much to stop. In typical cruiser fashion, there is a bit of front end dive during hard braking. It does have ABS which helps.
Tech – This is why I say that the Rebel 1100 is a bargain, there is a lot of tech on this bike for a cruiser! First and foremost, it has cruise control as a standard option…very nice! It also has several ride modes including Sport, Standard, and Rain. It even has a “User” mode where you get to manually adjust settings such as engine power, shift points, engine braking, and traction control. I set the USER mode to my wife’s preferences. Her settings make the bike docile and handle more like the Rebel 500.
The Rebel 1100DCT Tour is a fine bike! The best part is that they are relatively cheap, and you get a lot of value and a lot of bike for the money. She still owns the Rebel and we have had zero issues so far. It really is a fun little bike and I would definitely put it near the top of the list if you’re looking for a beginner bike! I have no regrets, and every time I see her on it I know I made the right choice. Besides…what could possibly be hotter than a motorcycle mama??
Sport Touring Cycle Adventures 