Why did you buy a Rebel

[ago-o4]

Out of curiosity, why did you pick a Honda Rebel? I don’t presume to
have an exhaustive list of reasons but will try to hit the major points in
a purchase decision. The key issues I want addressed before I choose
a vehicle are; Reliability, Cost, Performance, and Service after the sale.
I’ll throw in Brand recognition as an add on, however had this been a
major factor for me I would be riding a Suzuki Boulevard S40.

Anyway, as I normally do when making a large decision like buying a vehicle,
I consulted the experts. I went to a few close friends who ride and got
their opinions on make and model. I suppose I shuld note that they also
told me not to get anything smaller than a 600cc because I wouldn’t
be happy with it and would pay more in a year WHEN I decided to trade it
in.

Step two was independent research. I went online and looked at what
folks said about their own product. In the end after establishing
the reliability of the product, because lets face it a great deal isn’t great
if you have to push your new bike to a station because it died mid ride,
my determining faqctor was price.

The price of the Honda Rebel was better than any other small bike made
by the other reputable companies. As a bonus they were great with
a newbie like me and took care of me like I was the Managers nephew.

Now I know most of you had to move the Bentley over to park your new
bike, so we aren’t in the same financial bracket. Having said that I would
like to know which influinced you most in your purchase.

1. Reliability
2. Cost
3. Performance
4. Service after the Sale.
5. Brand recognition

[Big_J]

Mainly because the wife wanted to learn how to ride, and she needed something small, light weight and easy to handle. So we found her a 2001 model in 2003 for $1600, bought it, she put 6000 miles on it in 2 years, we added saddle bags, red LEDs, I shimmed the carb needle, added mac right side exhaust and modified the airbox to make the fastest rebel on the road. in 2005 we sold her bike for $2300, so it was a good learning investment and the bike actually appreciated in value.

[ctrider]

For a while I had been driving a 50 cc moped around to get to school and work. The moped was great but I wanted something a little more real than a vehicle that can't even top 45. I took the MSF course and had gotten my license, but I did not have a lot of money and the 250 class was in my price range.

I had picked out two bikes that I had liked. One was a Kawasaki Ninja 250 and a 2005 Honda rebel. I had loved the ninja and I love the sport bike style. However, I knew that I would out grow either bike.

I chose that Rebel because the resell value on the ninjas will go down. Kawasaki totally changed the look on the 2008 bike and come next spring, nobody is going to want the years before 2008.

I also chose the rebel because it came with the crash bars. If I somehow dropped the ninja the fiberglass faring would be scratched like hell and would cost too much to replace. If I crashed the rebel I might get some scratches and lose a turn signal, but it would not cost nearly as much as the ninja to refurbish. After I popped the clutch when I was riding the rebel and knew I had made a good choice (I didn't fall but if it had been a ninja the bike would have come up from underneath me)

The Honda is a great starter bike and there are not many choices in the 250 class. Honda is known for making reliable and efficient bikes. Realistically, the 250 class is something that most people outgrow and move on to bigger high performance bikes. Sooner or later maybe I'll move up to a shadow or CBR, but until then I practice on my rebel. I don't plan to drop the bike, but the thing with a motorcycle is that even experienced rider can fall.

[lnlmarter]

Price, Price, Price, And Gas Mileage