The Rebel Review

[cTc]

I am asking for help from the members here again.

I am looking to get rider reviews of the rebel. Be it your own reviews of the rebel you ride/rode. Or if you find any reviews, rider comments, or other info about the rebel. Post it here, I am looking to increase the outside pages of the forum.

If you happen to write your own review of your rebel, make sure to put personal review in the post. I will put it on the main pages outside of the forum.

Thanks.

[GearJammer]

250 Rebel

Bought a used 1985 Honda Rebel 250cc for $1000 with the full intention of modifying it. Rode it in it's stock form for a bit & thoroughly enjoyed it! Looks good, handles very well & was pleasantly surprised to find out that it would do 75 mph without working up a sweat. It's relatively low weight is also a plus when jockeying it around while standing next to it. The low seat heigth is another plus as it's easy to "flat-foot".

The 250 Rebel really lends itself to fairly easy & low-budget modifications. Had cut the pipes & installed EMGO 12" Shorty mufflers on it. Also removed the stock airbox & completely eliminated the EPA gear. Found thru personal experience as well as from others that the '85, '86 & '87 250's can be modified in this way without having to re-jet the carbs. Apparently, this is not the case with the newer 250 Rebels & re-jetting is pretty much required.

Downsides ?

I found that the stock seat is a bit uncomfortable & can be hard on the lower back for some. This seems to be attributed to a metal plate under the foam of the stock seat & once that plate is removed, the comfort level is reportedly increased.

If I had to choose the ONE flaw on the 250 Rebel that gave me no shortage of problems, it would have to be the extremely weak exhaust flange studs. I had 3 of the 4 either pull out from the head or snap off at the head & to rectify that flaw would require some machine work that can run into some outlay of bucks.

But overall, I was (and still am) very impressed with the 250 Rebel & would HIGHLY recommend it as either a starter bike or a legitimate bike for seasoned riders to put some fun miles on.

On a scale of 1-5 Stars, I'd rate it at 4 1/2 Stars...Excellent bike!

[cTc]

That was quick.

Thats also a good example of the type info I am looking for.

Thanks

[GearJammer]

450 Rebel

Bought a 1986 Honda Rebel 450cc for $800. This bike was in rough shape cosmetically, but ran very well during the test ride. Cleaned it up & modified it with relative ease & on a low-budget.

The 450 Rebel is one of the MOST comfortable bikes I've ever ridden & the 6th gear makes it an EXCELLENT long distance runner. Have had it up to 85 mph thus far, but have little doubt that it'll do better than that & at 85 mph, it wasn't struggling or "winding out" one bit.

The bike seems a bit "weighty" with a high center of gravity & I have dropped it while jockeying it around while standing next to it. The seat heigth is also j-u-s-t a bit high, so I lowered it by swapping out the stock 450 shocks for shocks from a 250 Rebel. It lowered the bike so "flat footing" isn't any problem & this modification didn't adversely affect the handling at all. The shock change-out was also very straightforward with no problems whatsoever. It also lowered the aesthetic profile & looks great!

Have cut the pipes & installed EMGO 12" Shorty mufflers. The exhaust flange studs have held up very well & the sound has been much improved. I'd describe it as an "angry b-r-a-a-p!!!" & it has a legitimate "chopper sound". Have left the stock airbox on thus far & the plug reads seem to indicate that by opening up the pipes but leaving the stock airbox on, no re-jetting is required. If the airbox were to be removed, a re-jetting of the carbs would probably have to be done.

The styling is classic & it handles very well. It's definitely got the power band to run with most other bikes.

If I had to choose ONE flaw that appears to be a common complaint among some other 450 Rebel owners, it would be an apparent venting problem that can cause stumbling and/or backfiring. Different owners may find different remedies for this problem (if they even experience such problems) In the case of this 450, I've found that keeping the fuel level to just above the tunnel on the inside of the gas tank & removing the stock crankcase vent hose plug & leaving it out has allowed the bike to "breathe" & run a bit better.

Am thoroughly impressed with this 450 overall & would consider it a viable runner for most street applications (meaning anything short of flat-out drag racing, LOL!) HIGHLY recommended!

On a scale of 1-5 Stars, I'd rate it at 4 1/2 Stars. Excellent bike!

[GearJammer]

Both of these Rebels are the first & only Japanese bikes that I've ever owned, cTc & they rock! :wink:

[brooksallenc]

The 250 has alot of pep in it and when in 2nd can take out from under you if yuo are a smaller guy.

[boggs74]

I ride an 87 450 rebel and it is plenty of bike for me. G.J is right on when he says they are the most comfortable bike to ride, they are well ballanced and easy to control. I'd take my 450 over a harley any day.

[Shadow Shack]

Here's my reviews for the Rebel at www.beginnerandbeyond.com

250 Rebel:
http://www.beginnerandbeyond.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=13

Rebel vs Shadow VLX:
http://www.beginnerandbeyond.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=17

The latter is the most hit review there...

[Scott58]

05 Rebel 250

I purchased this bike in Dec 04 and now have 14001 miles on it (as of tonight). I originally bought it just for back and forth to work, but before I purchased it I came to forums and asked the typical newbie questions, how fast how reliable etc. The bike has certainly been reliable, but the pleasant surprise was it was quicker then expected and does everything i've asked it to do so far. Since I purchased this bike I have barely put 2000 miles on my car (that thing will probably last forever now) and I ride it as long as there isn't ice and snow on the roads. i've ridden it in 8 degree weather and 100 degree weather. I've ridden in summy weather and rain so bad you had to stop cause you couldn't see. I've ridden it at 75mph for hours on end. The bike just doesn't care. It always starts within 1 second of pushing the starter button and goes without flaw until I turn it off. It is my 14th bike in 31 years and has been the most dependable one that I have owned. It also rates high in fun factor and has excellent quality fit and finish for the price (better in some cases then my S50 at twice the price). To date I have had all the services performed that the manual calls for and have replaced 1 set of tires (i stayed with stock) and ordered replacement foot pegs (I tend to stand on them a bit). At 14,000 miles this is acceptable to me.

Having said all that it is still a 250 and at highway speeds you have to plan your moves a bit differently and depend on your brakes to get you out of situations. acceleration just isn't much of an option. That isn't necessarily a bad thing but you do have to ride it differently. I can't really address wind that much for a stock bike as I had a flyscreen installed within 2 weeks of getting the bike, but I can tell you that a flyscreen will make the Rebel alot more areodynamic and I haven't had any serious problem with wind at interstate speeds. you don't get the protection of a full sheild, but you don't get any sail effect either. In town the Rebel is really at home. Pretty decent excelleration from a stop sign (better then any standard car), excellant handling characteristics, very lite and nimmble. Full geared I weigh just under 150lbs, about 5'8 and have a 32" inseam and am pretty comfortable on it. I do wish the foot controls were a little forward and I think about forward controls on occassion, but It would be more akward standing up and that something I normally do if i'm in gravel or manuvering tight obsticals. (just my riding style from my enduro days). I'll probably get a set of highway pegs and that will solve that. For my weight the rebel is about perfect. It's happy carrying me anywhere. When I was in W virginia on it it actually accelerated up a grade I thought it would have trouble with and I got it up to almost 80mph. That was one of the many times I was really impressed by this bike. The other great thing about my 05 is it's mileage. I average about 80mpg with it. The vast majority of my riding is at highway speeds around 75mph. I'm real happy with the MPG. Over all I'd rate the 05 Rebel a 9 out of 10 for a person my size and weight. I've had alot of fun on this bike.

[Ronin35777]

I'm sorry to make this so boring but this bike runs good, no problems. This bike has opened me to new windows. if started out on something else I might not fill the same. It is all about getting use to the bike. If I jumped the gun I do not think me and motorcycles would be the same.

Thanks,
Ronin

[Larry]

Great bike....Good price....Good gas milage....but I read the forms and for the riding im doing ,Im going to try a 30T back sprocket...Im always thinking i need to shift up one more gear even though im allready in 5th gear

[txsizzler]

Here are some more links to Rebel reviews:

This one has a bunch of user reviews on the various years of the Rebel, among other Honda bikes:
http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/review_list_mfg.asp?mfg=1&cat=1&catdesc=Motorcycles&mfgname=Honda

A bunch more user reviews here at epinions:
http://www.epinions.com/search/?submitted_form=searchbar&search_string=honda+rebel&tax_name=&dyn_nav=0&dyn_nav_id=&search_vertical=all&searchbar_submit=Search

A professional "first impression" of the Rebel:
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/honda/first-impression-1996-honda-rebel-250-15056.html

Another professional article detailing the best 250cc cruiser bikes, including the Rebel:
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/250cc_cruiser_comparison/

Enjoy! :D

[Guba]

It's an excellent city bike! I've had my bike ('07) up to 75 mph with and without a wind screen. The throttle was maxxed. Between 50 and 55 mph I hear a different sound from the engine(?). I'm not sure if it's the valves or the plastic battery cover vibrating. 45 mph seems to be its best speed performance, right in the speed zone that I prefer. Center of gravity is low for excellent "swerve" performance( needed that more than once). I wouldn't call the stock bike a good highway bike, but if I need to get on the highway for short periods it will do the job( it's just not good to run anything at max speed/power all the time).

[jme01]

I purchased my 2008 Rebel 250 new in August of this year when gas was bumping $4.00 per gallon. Let me say that I have ridden motorcycles since 1967. My first ride was a 1964 Trail 90 with an auto-clutch. I have moved up to a Gold Wing over the years and am back down to simple-is-better.

When choosing the Rebel, I looked for reliability, cost effectiveness and fuel mileage. As the Rebel has been in production for over 20 years and is sold in over 100 countries, I believe this to be the most bullet proof machine on the market. The initial cost was quite reasonable and I experience about 72 mpg while commuting (if I keep the speed down).

I ride this bike 18 miles to work and the same home daily. As I work afternoons, half of my riding is after dark. The Rebel performs well and handles as expected. I have put it on the freeway and it will maintain 75, but it is much happier around 45-50.

With one carburetor, dual exhaust and electronic ignition, this is one of the simplest bikes on the market. At 5’10 and 250 pounds, I share many of the complaints of others:

1. Seat can be a bit rough on the butt on long rides.
2. Legs need to be out a bit more (highway bars are on order and should solve this)
3. Lighting to the rear is inferior. The tail light is too far forward to be easily seen, especially with my lunch pail on the luggage rack and the brake light is hard to see.

I thought I would miss a tachometer, but I do not. One less thing to go wrong. The headlight is adequate and instruments easy to read. I have a luggage rack on the back and a milk crate t hold my junk. I do not notice any difference in handling.

This bike is ideal for surface street commuters that ride very little freeway, beginners that want a very easy to use machine and smaller people that want a bike that is easy to hold up at a stop and easy to control. It is also a good bike for the ladies, providing they do not want to run the freeways. As a commuter and errand runner, this may be the perfect machine. It was designed in the era of the UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) and has survived to this day.

[jhconner]

Great bike....Good price....Good gas milage....but I read the forms and for the riding im doing ,Im going to try a 30T back sprocket...Im always thinking i need to shift up one more gear even though im allready in 5th gear

I do the same thing all the time.

[fastpakr]

The 15 tooth front sprocket is not quite as jarring a step up in gearing (about 75% of what the 30 tooth rear gets you), is the same price or cheaper, and actually decreases the shear angle as the chain comes around the sprocket rather than increases it. No need to shorten the chain, either. Had mine installed in less than an hour.