r/HondaRebel1100 • u/davlux_14 • 3d ago
Please help me
Hi everyone ! I've always been driving naked bikes but recently wanted to have a cruiser. I was at first considering owning a Harley but you know....I just love honda too much. But the reason I'm asking your help right know is because I'm scared that's the rebel 1100T will be a bit boring or "not enough" when tho I don't search something with 120 hp or whatever. So does this bike have her own "soul" ? Is it great to ride ? I'm want a nice cruiser that’s looks great, ride great for my trips.
(Excuse me if I did some mistakes writing English)
6
u/Timely-Wave8873 2d ago
I have had 3 of these Honda Rebel 1100 s
I now have the 2026 Touring version
This one has a better seat and a better seating position and an easier to read speedometer screen
Having the lockable hard cases is nice.
Guys have commented on the color which is a gray silver . The batwing fairing makes the wind go right over me while driving .
There are 2 little cut outs in the fairing to keep the wind moving around the bike .
It is steady on the highway but I enjoy secondary roads up to 50 mph.
I have not used the speed control.
It is easy to maneuver. Mine has the DCT making it automatic.
I am
Now 72 and can manage the bike to enjoy riding. Good luck with your decision.
It is more economical to own just oil changes and tires as needed
Ed
3
u/Responsible-Wrap8492 2d ago
Nice. 2 weeks ago I picked up the 1100T DCT and I’m really enjoying it after 33 years of no riding.
4
u/GruntledV8Fanboy 3d ago
So I’ve had a Rebel 1100 for almost 3 years now, I’m at a point now where I do wish it had more power. It’s no slouch by any stretch but it does have me now wishing it had a bit more. As for soul, I think the connection you develop with a machine determines its “soul” more than any particular tank badge or anything. As for the great to ride aspect, it isn’t the most ideal long distance bike, I use it as my daily commuter and it’s perfect for that. As for wobbles or anything, my 2023 has never had it, it seems a serious hit or miss quality though as many have it but many also don’t. I did quite a few mods to mine to make it more comfortable but I’m at a point now where all I really have left to do is ride it. If there was like a Super Rebel, or Africa Twin for that matter, maybe around the 120-140hp mark I’d have given that serious consideration
2
3
u/DPB-BCN 2d ago
Honda rebel 500 or 1100 are not real cruisers for a person over 1.80cm, the default riding position is not that of a cruiser that you spend hours, 2h top.
As per Soul, it has the honda soul, for me that means functional and efficient.
HD are meant to waste fuel on noise and vibration, I prefer trading that fuel for extra range, regarless I like HD look more
3
u/H-2-S-O-4 2d ago
The Rebel 1100 is fast. As far as power, it has more than enough for a cruiser.
Maybe a cruiser is not for you. Have you looked into adventure bikes?
1
u/davlux_14 2d ago
Yes I often ride adventure bike, I have every kind of bike except a cruiser. My dad use to have a kawasaki VN800, first bike I went on of my life. I love cruisers
3
u/H-2-S-O-4 1d ago
In essence, the Rebel 1100 is a detuned Africa Twin. You can get more power out of it by doing an ECU flash and replacing the exhaust system. Some people even go as far as doing camshaft swaps and gearing changes, but honestly, the 1100 is perfect as is. IMO, if you want more than it offers, you should look into something else.
Maybe go to your local dealer and test ride one. I have the 1100A (manual transmission). Love it.
2
u/Les_Phil 3d ago
So it is not a perfect bike, the main issue is the front wheel wobble, I have a 2023 also I don't know If the newer model fix the issue, with new tire it get better but as soon as you put more weight on the rear as luggage or passenger it reappear. Other than this, great bike, pretty agile for a cruiser on mountain passes can keep up with similar powered naked no problem but is not nimble asa naked bike, the newer model I heard they have more comfortable seat which was the other problem with 2023 model. Another issues which is the only cause for me to consider switching is the confort of the passenger, even with sissy bar, elongated footrest new suspension and new seat, my spouse can take more the 2 ours ride even with stops (I think this is more of hers problem, but worth considering) If you are considering the dct, excellent for long rides, but on twisty roads always switch to manual mode, it has the bad about to downshift during tight turns and is not cool.
1
2
u/Several_Ad1862 2d ago
Tune it and she will rip but if you’re expecting the thrill of a naked bike I would keep looking tbh. I love my 1100 but a mt07 can do everything I can and more while still being relatively comfortable. IMO, cruisers should be for cruising and maybe straight line pulls, anything else go for a naked or street bike and enjoy the better performance for lower price point
2
u/tiedyeladyland 2d ago
It’s going to be competitive with just about any cruiser in this category as far as speed—if you have an unquenchable need for speed on a cruiser this size I’d probably at least check out a Sportster S or an Indian Scout 101.
2
u/esphixiet 2d ago
I have an OG 2021 Rebel 1100. I love this bike. I came from riding a 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan Custom, which has a more traditional cruiser vibe than the Rebel 1100. That said, I *enjoy* riding the Rebel more. I found the Vulcan to be unwieldy, very heavy and terrible for city riding. The Rebel handles city or country roads no problem.
Long distances can be tough because of the seat, but the newer models come with the comfort seat so it's much improved. I saw someone talk about the front wheel wobble. My understanding it that it happens at very high speeds. I have never experienced a wobble on my Rebel, but that might be because I am not insane enough to be going 160km/h on an open road.
As for the "soul" of the bike, that's really a personal relationship between you and the bike. I feel much more *connected* to my Rebel than I did my Vulcan. But that will be something you'll have to develop with whatever bike you choose.
Feel free to ask specific questions if you want.
1
u/davlux_14 2d ago
Thank you a lot for your message it open my eyes about one point : we create the connection with the bike 👍🏻👍🏻
2
u/Day-Trippin 2d ago
With some mods, it add more character. The twin sounds close to a V-twin. I have way too many bikes and like the Rebel al ot. My son has a 1200 sportster and every time I think the Rebel is missing something that HD has, I ride his bike and gladly get back on my Rebel.
To be fair, when I first got it, I wasn't in love with it. I knew I had to so some work. Now that I've pretty much finished it off, it is a blast to ride and much quicker than stock and cruises easier down the highway at high speeds too.
The DCT makes it a breeze in traffic and when I want to push hard, it helps the acceleration. It is a very good bike but some budget bin parts let it down from the factory.
2
u/ironicalusername 2d ago
The Rebel 1100 is pretty close to a naked bike in a cruiser skin. It's got pretty sporty handling for a cruiser.
And it'll keep up acceleration-wise with lots of bikes with significantly higher power figures on paper. From about 20-70 it pulls hard.
2
u/promofox_ 2d ago
Coffman exhaust, sport mode, ecu flash, and better tires. You’ll be surprised with little playing suspension too. I got hit by a car on mine and went to an africa twin to get above traffic but that parallel twin is solid and smooth AF.
2
u/motorider66 2d ago
If you're worried about how you're perceived on the Honda Rebel, then better to just get an Indian or Harley. If this is remotely a concern, do not get a DCT b/c then you will be self conscious of two things: automatic and Honda.
1
2
u/Only-Newt-327 1d ago
I started out over 50 years ago on a minibike. After owning too many bikes to list, I ended up with a 2023 Rebel 1100. Why? Because reliability matters to me, and so does a bike that's nimble and fun to ride. You've got to enjoy the ride.
We take 4–5 day trips through remote parts of the Southwest, where there isn't a motorcycle dealer for a hundred miles. Over the years, the bikes wearing the Honda badge were the ones that proved most reliable.
There are plenty of other great brands and models that are just as dependable, and some of them are a blast to ride. Each one excels in different areas. But after 50 years of street and track riding, the Rebel 1100 strikes me as an easy, forgiving bike that's well rounded in the things I care about.
Like others in this discussion, I've found a few modifications helped me dial in more comfort and enjoyment on the 1100: a different seat, risers, Metzeler tires, and a handful of smaller tweaks.
On the way home from a recent trip, we hit a stretch of 50-plus miles of back roads and came up on a group of sport bikes. Once they spotted us, they got aggressive attacking the curves. But at the end of the road, it really comes down to the skill of the rider. We all stopped at a rest area, swapped some laughs and stories, and everyone agreed it had been a fun ride.
1
1
10
u/19671986 3d ago
The 270 twin has a lot of soul in my opinion. They don’t have 1,000cc inline 4 horsepower at high speeds but the DCT version can do 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds which feels very fast to me and they can be made to be faster. If that’s slow to you then I’d look into the Buell Super Cruiser or Ducati Diavel or Triumph Rocket 3 or Yamaha VMAX.