Evaluate: The 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 is an superb motorcycle, but only for more compact riders

I hated the Honda Rebel 1100 the minute I sat on it. Really, to be specific, it was the upcoming moment, when I 1st set each my boots on the footpegs.

The bicycle by itself was effortless to sit on with a seat that’s just 27.5 inches (70 cm) from the ground. That is all element of the attraction for shorter riders, and for riders who want to really feel secure when they plant their ft solidly on the asphalt. It’s why the lineup of Honda Rebel 300cc and 500cc bikes is preferred with new riders, but those proprietors tend to sell their bikes in just a yr or so for the reason that they want extra power. Now the new 1100 gives them that and keeps them in the Honda family.

But that seating situation – oh my. I’m just a shade less than 6 ft tall, with a 32-inch inseam, and when I pulled my feet up on to the footpegs to experience away, it was like staying on a doctor’s desk and getting asked to lie on your side and pull your knees way up for the medical doctor to investigate your most personal anatomy. You get the image.

It’s also bad, simply because the bike by itself is a incredibly clever, really completed device. It uses the tried using-and-true parallel-twin engine from the former technology of the Africa Twin adventure tourer, hung reduced and retuned with a heavier flywheel for far more of a cruiser lope. Its electronics incorporate 4 trip modes, cruise regulate, Ab muscles brakes and traction handle. There is even an optional twin clutch transmission (DCT) that operates the six gears routinely without a clutch lever.

I rode the bicycle 130 kilometres dwelling on state roadways, halting just about every 20 minutes to stretch my legs, and parked it in the garage for a number of times though I recovered. In that time, I even went for a lengthy journey on my possess bike, a Harley-Davidson Lower Rider that has an even lessen seat peak of 26.8 inches (68.1 cm), but with better positioned, mid-mounted pegs that fit me easily. The Rebel’s footpegs are better for better cornering clearance and are not able to be moved.

Evidently, I was the wrong man or woman to overview this bicycle so I rode it about to pay a visit to my mate Wayne, who purchased himself a DCT-geared up Rebel 1100 a several months ago.

Wayne is about the exact same top as me and has a 30-inch inseam. “I sat on it in the showroom and I considered, this is very good!” he claimed. “Then I picked it up and I set the two ft up on the pegs, and before I received even out of the whole lot, I believed, what the hell have I done? Was this a great notion?”

Right after all, his other motorcycle is a massive 2018 Honda Goldwing. He purchased the Rebel as a town bicycle, and he opted to pay out the excess $1,000 for the DCT.

“I was not comfy on it, but around time, I have started off to get much more cozy with it,” he claimed. “It truly depends on how a great deal yoga you do.”

I took Wayne’s bicycle out for a journey to consider the DCT. It flicked efficiently through the gears and the unique journey modes altered the quickness of the shifts. I could also shift myself with finger-and-thumb triggers on the remaining handlebar, and it was as straightforward and clever as the DCTs I have made use of on the Africa Twin and the Goldwing.

If I owned a Rebel 1100, even so, I would not acquire the DCT possibility. For one particular point, I like a cruiser which is simple and stripped back again, but primarily, the extra width of the clutch mechanism beside my correct ankle pushed my foot out farther on the peg. It would choose even additional yoga to be comfortable.

Neither of the two Rebels, the tester and Wayne’s bicycle, appeared as cramped that working day as I remembered from the to start with trip. Perhaps I was growing additional limber. However, when I returned it to Honda, I manufactured sure to sit on a unique waffle seat pad that I have owned for yrs and not often use, which adds about another inch to the seat height.

The journey to Honda was about 90 mins, the first 3rd on a pleasant state road and the remaining hour on busy three-lane highway. The region road was a satisfaction, but after a fifty percent-hour on the most important freeway, my crotch was wholly numb and began to ache. I dragged my ft along the asphalt each time possible to minimize the sensation, grateful only that I’ve currently experienced my young children. By the time I attained Honda, I was nearly in tears, but I get rid of none when I handed back the crucial.

Tech specs

2021 Honda Rebel 1100

Base selling price/As examined: $12,999 / $12,999

Engine: 1,084 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin

Transmission/Travel: Six-pace handbook or DCT, chain drive

Options: Harley-Davidson Iron 1200, Triumph Bonneville T100, Yamaha Bolt, Kawasaki Vulcan 900, Suzuki Boulevard C50

Appears

The Rebel 1100 seems wonderful, and it can be accessorized with all kinds of manufacturing unit or aftermarket choices. The scaled-down Rebels look, nicely, modest, with narrow tires and lots of air seen by the engine, but the 1100 appears to be like muscular and limited.

Consolation

Let’s not communicate about the consolation, okay? It may perhaps in shape you perfectly, but if it doesn’t, the footpegs just can’t be repositioned. It’ll be ideal to just search elsewhere.

Functionality

The engine is detuned from the unique Africa Twin and revs lessen, though it would make 86 hp and 72 lbs.-ft. of torque for pulling away with panache. Individuals pegs are put where by they are to produce a comprehensive 35 degrees of lean on both aspect, and the bicycle will tip in excess of that significantly with self-confidence by way of corner just after corner.

Technological know-how

There is far extra up-to-day technological know-how on the greater Rebel than made available by most cruisers. It contains successful LED lighting, throttle-by-wire, a USB-C outlet below the seat, traction and cruise control, and those people four journey modes. The monochromatic one dial is entire of data that is straightforward to read, but what’s with the critical on the left facet, behind the motor? This placement is pretty uncluttered for the handlebar yoke, but it means you cannot hold the crucial on any kind of a ring or chain without the need of it remaining troublesome towards your leg.

Verdict

The Rebel 1100 is extra costly than its Japanese cruiser competition, but it is considerably far better equipped and extra powerful and well-balanced. It is an outstanding bike for more compact riders, or for yoga practitioners. For anybody else, make positive you trip it prior to you choose to obtain.

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