Honda Rebel 1100

It is immediately noticeable that the Honda Rebel 1100 closely resembles its smaller sibling, the Rebel 500. Apart from the 1100’s increased dimensions and bulkier fuel tank, there’s not much separation between the two cruisers in terms of design. At night, the 1100 features an imposing flare, courtesy of its round LED headlight assembly with a four-bulb design, giving it a distinct look on the road. It also comes with a pair of round signal lights at the front.

Furthermore, its predominantly-black naked side profile is complemented by a pair of tubeless wheels (18-inch at the front, 16-inch at the rear). Its bulky high-mounted fuel tank also gives its silhouette a more macho feel. And, to complete its sideview, it gets a two-toned exhaust pipe with a silver tip. Meanwhile, at the back, it also comes with an LED tail light and round signal lights. Its extended rear fender adds more detail to its back end.

Upfront, the rider gets a curved handlebar with well-positioned grips, 5-inch TFT instrument screen with Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity, and a universal USB-C port underneath. 

With its low, curved seat design, the Rebel 1100 helps the average Filipino rider achieve a comfortable riding stance, whether on the expressway or filtering through traffic. It also comes with a small rear-mounted pillion seat for your passenger. However, since these seats are quite narrow and lightly padded, both rider and pillion comfort tend to decrease on longer rides.

In terms of dimensions, the Honda Rebel 1100 measures 2,240 mm in length, 835 mm in width, 1,125 mm in overall height, and 709 mm in seat height. This cruiser comes with a 1,518-mm wheelbase and a 120-mm ground clearance.

In terms of suspension, the Honda Rebel 1100 comes with a 43-mm Cartridge Style Telescopic Fork at the front and Twin Piggyback Shocks at the rear. Its whole suspension setup is preload adjustable. It absorbs minor road imperfections inside the city quite decently. However, this cruiser’s heavy weight can be felt when you are hitting sharp corners or filtering through tight traffic at low speeds. That said, the Honda Rebel 1100 thrives more on wide and long open roads like the expressway.  

The Honda Rebel 1100 is powered by a 1,084-cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 8-valve parallel-twin engine that delivers a maximum power output of 65 kW (88 PS) and a maximum torque of 98 Nm. This cruiser’s motor is mated to a 6-speed dual clutch transmission gearbox. 

The Rebel 1100 can deliver a nice, torquey pull off the line, while remaining in a refined state even at higher RPMs. You can really feel the increase in its displacement when cruising at high speeds on the expressway. Its smooth DCT also makes stop-and-go traffic more manageable and, at the same time, enhances the rider’s overall performance on the road. Additionally, its fuel consumption is decent for its displacement. Overall, this cruiser would definitely be an enjoyable weekend ride.

In terms of safety, the Rebel 1100 is equipped with a Honda Ignition Security System (HISS) and a 2-channel anti-lock braking system. Meanwhile, in terms of braking, this cruiser comes with a 330-mm floating single disc brake with a radial-mounted monoblock four-piston caliper at the front and a 256-mm single disc brake with a single-piston caliper at the rear.

The Honda Rebel 1100 presents itself as an appealing option for discerning buyers seeking a neo-retro cruiser that can offer an impressive modern performance on the highway.