450 information quest

[mmwood_1]

I have a 1986 rebel 250 and I'm ready to get a bigger bike. I'm really interested in the 450 rebel, but I have some qualms. It was only produced for 2 years. Why? Was it lack of demand, or inherent problems with the bike? I know there are some parts available if you search, but how easy has it been for other 450 owners to get basic parts such as brakes, etc.? Are they interchangeable with those on other models? And not least of all, what kind of mpg could I reasonably expect from a 450 in decent running order? One more thing...blue book value on them is around $900, yet the ones I see for sale are all around $2000. Is that a reasonable asking price, all things considered? Thanks for any input anyone cares to give me on this.

[Snorebaby]

Hey mmwood_1! You have some very good questions and I will try to answer them to the best of my knowledge.

I'm really interested in the 450 rebel, but I have some qualms. It was only produced for 2 years. Why? Was it lack of demand, or inherent problems with the bike?

I have an '86 450 that I bought new. I have stored it for 15 years after riding it for 5. I have done minimal amounts of work to get it back on the road mechanically. I ride now as often as I can (too much if you ask the wife :) ). The power is more than plentiful (and I am not a small guy at 250+ pounds). The reason (at least the talk...can't find anything official) is that Harley Davidson had a fit and sued when Honda came out with the 450 Rebel. At the time, the Sportster was the top dog in entry mid-level cycles and they seen the 450 as a serious threat. They made all kinds of Trademark claims about copying the Sportsters look.

To make along story short, Honda stopped production in 87 and even stopped the 250 Rebel in 88. They sold the 250 over in Europe and even produced a 125 Rebel version for Europe only. They re-introduced the Rebel 250 in America in 95.

It is a Honda, and Honda means reliability. I have not had any trouble with mine and I love it. They also are very choppable, as you can probably tell by the vast 450 choppers for sale.

I know there are some parts available if you search, but how easy has it been for other 450 owners to get basic parts such as brakes, etc.? Are they interchangeable with those on other models?

Most basic mechanicals are pretty easy to find. I think some of the "innards" like the clutch and engine parts are interchangeable as they built it on a proven 450 engine. I don't know as I have not had to do any major mechanical work to mine. Now some of the major electricals may be more difficult and if you find something at a reasonable price, it might be wise to get it for a "spare".

And not least of all, what kind of mpg could I reasonably expect from a 450 in decent running order?

Prior to storage I was getting around 60mpg. I was also about 35 pounds lighter :wink: and the tank was not dirty. Since putting her back on the road I have gotten 57mpg. But I have gained weight and the tank is not clean as it used to be because I left gas in the tank when I put her in storage (didn't know any better at the time and it wasn't supposed to be in storage that long LOL!!).

One more thing...blue book value on them is around $900, yet the ones I see for sale are all around $2000. Is that a reasonable asking price, all things considered?

I think it is if it is in good shape. It has become a sort of collectable since it was only produced for 2 years.

The funny thing is...I bought mine for $2100 brand new and with the shape it is in now I probably could get about that back or a little more. I have seen them as high as $2800.

Of course you would want to test drive it and take it to a mechanic as you would any used vehicle. But it doesn't matter what price you pay...as long as you are happy with the purchase.

I hope this helps...and if I have mistakenly (my wife said that I am never "wrong" LOL!!) put some incorrect information in this post, PLEASE correct the error!!!!

If you do decide to buy one, I can say that you will be very pleased with the 450.

Ride Safe!!

[GearJammer]

If you can find a 450 in good shape (and most seem to be), you'll never regret the purchase. These 450 Rebs just keep on cookin'!

I lucked out & got mine for $800 & if it went belly up tomorrow, couldn't possibly lose one cent after all of the riding it's been thru. A price of $2000-$2500 is worth the price of admission, LOL!

Not being one to pay real close attention to mpg, the one time we checked it out at the pump after a ride, it was somewhere around 60-65 mpg.

The discontinuation of the 450 Reb ? Here's my theory: Harley tried to sue Honda, saying that Honda copied the Harley styling. How H-D could compare a vertical twin to a parallel twin is beyond me, LMAO! BUT, ultimately, Harley LOST the lawsuit, which would indicate that Honda would have been allowed to continue the production of the 450 had they chosen to. Now, there's stories out there (which may be true) that during the stand-down, Honda tore down the assembly line for the 450 & decided not to set 'em back up again. The 250 Rebel is the bike that Honda uses to lure new customers, banking on the very real possibility that those customers will eventually up-grade to a larger model. While the 450 was being offerred, I'm guessing that many 450 Rebel owners who may have bought the 450 as their "starter bike", didn't feel any need to up-grade at all, thereby negating Honda's "reel 'em in" ploy. Solution ? Don't offer the 450 Rebel anymore. That's my theory & I'm stickin' to it, ROTFLMAO!!!

[uneasyrider]

What Gearjammer & Snorbaby said. 1800 to 2200 is a good buy, the $900 book price is what dealers like to use for trade in telling you thats all they can sell it for. Thats bull crap, just try to buy one from a stealership and they will want 2000 to 3500 depending on condition, I saw one at a Honda stealership in Gulfport Ms. it WAS nice, asking price $3295, I played dumb (which I may be,just not that dumb) and ask why so much for an old 87 450 when you have a 2000 shadow 600 for $3495 and he said " oh those 450s are bullit proof and very rare, a much sought after bike, we get 600s in every week".
Re. mpg I took a ride from the Al. gulf coast up thru the north Ga. mountains, Smokey mts., BRP, Skyline drive to Front Royal Va. and returned, total miles 2624 and avgd 68 mpg. that ain't too shabby, even tho most of the mountain roads have a 45 mph speed limit.

YMMV
Howard

[GearJammer]

Excellent point, Howard, the $900 being trade-in value, but not the actual potential resale value of considerably higher $$$.

The one weak spot that I've read about more than once for the 450 Rebel is a questionable starter clutch, which if it goes south, would require pulling the motor & splitting the cases, along with the relative expen$e of that repair. But the 450 is such a great bike otherwise, I'm willing to take my chances & hope for the best.

[boggs74]

I agree you'd be better off staying away from the stealerships, a person would be lucky to get half of what it would actually sell for.If you do end up with a 450, holding on to it would be the thing to do even if you choose to ride a bigger model because they are getting harder to come by every year. Another 5 years or so it will be practiclly impossible to get one in decent condition.

[mmwood_1]

Thanks to those of you who have replied to my query. These are the basic truths, straight from the owners mouths, which I had sought. My 60 mpg would be hard to part with if it were much of a reduction, but it sounds as though that's not an issue at all. Interesting info on the HD conflict, too. Thanks a bunch!