The mid-size cruiser that beats the big names without the high price

Cruisers are big, chrome-laden beasts that require a certain skill – and muscle – to operate. However, this has changed in recent decades as cruisers cater to all kinds of riders, including beginners. All brands want a piece of the cruiser pie because it’s profitable, so it can get overwhelming choosing the right cruiser for you.

So the sweet spot is in the middle. Middleweight cruisers aren’t so slow that you outgrow them very quickly. They’re also not thirsty, heavy pieces of metal, so running and ownership costs are reasonable, they’re fun around the corner and they’re not a pain in the legs in a parking lot. There’s one midsize cruiser that goes above and beyond its brief and beats big names without the high price. Here it is.

The Honda Rebel 1100 is the mid-size cruiser that beats the big names without the high price

Honda may not be the first name that comes to mind when looking for a cruiser, but it has always been a force to be reckoned with, even in this segment. It had products like the Magna and Valkyrie Rune in its history, and only now has it favored logic products that pull equally on your logic. The Rebel series is a good example with engine capacities from 300 cc, and the Rebel 1100 is the top of the range.

Prices start from $9,699

Despite being a flagship product, the Rebel 1100 doesn’t come at a very premium price. Honda has achieved this by making smart use of components that were otherwise already available in the portfolio. This has made the Rebel 1100 one of the price champions of the two-wheeler world. That’s why it’s the midsize cruiser that beats big names without the high price.

Honda Rebel 1100 engine

The Rebel 1100 powertrain was first seen in the Africa Twin. Since then it has also found its way into the Rebel 1100 and the NT1100. This is a parallel twin engine with a 270-degree crankshaft and Honda’s signature Unicam SOHC head that shortens the engine. This helps lower the seat height and provides better ground clearance. In the Rebel 1100 it is detuned for better torque, ensuring top class reliability.

There is even an automatic option

The Rebel 1100 is available with a choice of two gearboxes: one is a six-speed manual and the other is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. This automatic gearbox is the only one of its kind available in the Rebel segment and is available for an additional $700. You also get manual control over gear changes via buttons on the steering wheel, should you wish. Both gearboxes use a chain as final drive.

Honda Rebel 1100 chassis

The Rebel 1100 has a trellis frame, which reduces weight but is not a traditional cruiser setup. This makes the Rebel light and a good handler. The front forks are cartridge forks, while the twin rear shocks have piggyback reservoirs. The suspension has adjustable spring preload at both ends. There’s only one disc brake up front, but it has a four-piston monobloc caliper, so braking is sufficient. The rear disc has a single-piston caliper and ABS is standard but cannot be switched off. Wheel sizes are 18/16 inches, and these are alloys.

Honda Rebel 1100 Dimensions

The Rebel 1100’s fuel tank is relatively small in relation to the engine capacity, but it is a very efficient powertrain, especially with the automatic gearbox. It also has a very low curb weight, which not only contributes to fuel consumption, but also to drivability. Finally, the good ground clearance, low seat height and reasonable weight all provide confidence to the rider, especially those who are not tall or experienced.

Honda Rebel 1100 Features

A recent update has given the Rebel 1100 some much-needed features that make it a much more useful product. The biggest visual change is the addition of the 5-inch TFT color display. This is a display that is known and present on other Hondas. This sharing of components also means that it is reliable and easy to obtain. It is equipped with Bluetooth and navigation. Despite the low seat, it also has storage space under the seat. We should also mention that the Rebel 1100 has an ‘SE’ variant, which has bright, attractive colors and a few cosmetic improvements that set it apart from the other Rebel 1100s.

Honda Rebel 1100 Competition

Before we get into the big names that the Rebel 1100 beats, we should briefly touch on the other Japanese cruisers that exist in the Rebel 1100’s price range. The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec ($8,999) is a Sportster throwback, but with Japanese reliability added. It’s a similar story with the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic ($9,599) and Suzuki Boulevard C50 ($9,299), both midsize cruisers built to compete with a traditional Harley-Davidson. None of these have modern features like ABS and TFT screens.

The big names the Rebel 1100 competes with are the Harley-Davidson Nightster and Indian Scout Sixty Bobber, both priced at $9,999. The Harley-Davidson offers a decent set of features, with ABS, traction control and slip torque control, and the Revolution Max engine has variable valve timing on the intake valves.

The Scout Sixty Bobber has a traditional cradle frame and a five-speed transmission, but only has ABS. You can also opt for the Limited trim, which gives you a great feature set, but the price puts it right up against the Harley-Davidson Nightster Special, and a few thousand dollars more than the Rebel 1100.

Honda Rebel 1100 vs Rivals

Sources: Honda Powersports