Articles from the web

**Big_J** · 02-01-2006, 01:05 PM

This is a article I found on the web. Pretty good example here of what I can use if any ever runs across something.

Thanks

Quote:

Since they're based on the same motor and aimed at the same target market, be prepared for the inevitable comparisons to Honda's other 250cc model available in the US -- the Nighthawk.
The ergonomics of the Rebel are interesting, to say the least. With a seat height of 26.6 inches, it would seem that it is ideally suited for those with shorter inseams. However, the slightly forward controls can make the foot pegs a bit of a stretch for someone under five feet tall. The riders that will be the most comfortable on this bike are probably going to be between about 5' and 5'9" or so. Anyone much taller runs the risk of the stylish buckhorn-styled handlebars bumping into their knees when they're turned fully in either direction. I have a 6'4" friend that's an MSF Rider Coach. When he demonstrates exercises on a Rebel, he literally has to sit on the passenger seat.

Power: What can I say? It's the Honda 250 motor that's been around since way before this year's crop of graduating college students were born. It's not going to win many drag races against anything else on two wheels (with the possible exception of the Kawasaki Eliminator 125), while it can still pull away from most four wheeled traffic at a stop light.

Brakes: This is where the little Rebel really outshines its taller sibling, the Nighthawk. The combination of a front disc brake and the low-slung cruiser chassis, allows this motorcycle to routinely stop in about 2/3 of the distance of the drum brake equipped Nighthawk. While you're in little danger of doing an accidental stoppie, it is possible to lock the front brake with an overexuberant application.

Handling: In this category, the cruiser styling of the Rebel takes its toll. While the Rebel has a comfortable laid-back ride, the forward controls make it a trivial matter to scrape pegs or heels when you get into a corner a little hot. While the pegs scrape much sooner than they do on a Nighthawk, you've still got a lot of lean angle left before you start dragging hard parts that will upset the handling. However, the front forks are much firmer than those of the Nighthawk, leading to much better cornering stability.

Overall riding: Simply put, if it fits you, the Rebel is an absolute joy to ride. Many people buy these as a first bike/learner bike, then can't bear to part with them. As well as being very forgiving in the areas of clutch and brake operation, this motorcycle, along with the Nighthawk, can teach some things that are much more difficult to learn on larger and more powerful bikes. If you do much riding on the twisties, especially hilly ones, the little Honda 250s (or just about any smaller bike, for that matter) will teach you how to conserve momentum, pick smooth lines through the turns, and carry as much corner speed as possible. Again, for long highway stretches or touring, this is the wrong machine.

With good looks, good manners, good brakes, great gas mileage, and proven reliability, it's no wonder that so many people who bought a Rebel to learn on (before "outgrowing it" and moving on to a larger bike) still have it tucked away and still ride it when they think no one is looking.

**Big_J** · 02-01-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Just because Motorcyclist Magazine picked the Rebel Â*"Best Entry-Level Motorcycle," don't think this bike is short on performance or streetwise style. This is one motorcycle anyone would be proud to own.

**Big_J** · 02-01-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

I just bought my wife a 2002 Rebel and she loves it. Besides looking great, the bike is built very well. It runs perfectly, just don't go over 55mph. It will do it but you won't feel too safe. One nice touch is that the idiot lights are large and right up at the bars. You cannot help but notice them. This is especially nice when you forget to turn off the turn signals, You won't with this setup. Mileage is unreal! For 3 grand it just cannot get any better.

Quote:

I really love riding this motorcycle. I find the bike can do 60 mph with out any problems, I just do not have the courage (as a brand new rider) to take it on a major interstate highway at much over 60! The fit and finish is excellent and the engine runs very smoothly. I just wish I could buy a tachometer for it. Other than that this motorcycle is a lot of fun to ride and would recommend it to anyone.

Quote:

This was a great bike to learn the basics of motorcycling. At 40 years old I was a little apprehensive of driving my own bike. I have been riding on the back of my husband's bike but wanted my own independence. This bike was just the right size to get used to the shifting and steering. I've had some great times on this bike in just one year. I have recently purchased a bigger bike so that it is easier to keep up in a pack but I will always have great feelings for the Rebel.

Quote:

I have always been fond of the rebel but, I am now older and need to keep up with the pack just like Barbara in Virginia. I am selling my rebel and going to graduate to a 2003 Yamaha V-star 650(beautiful bike from Harbor Sports Plug, Plug). I would encourage anyone to start out on a rebel because it's light and easy to ride. Happy riding

Quote:

I'm 56. I have nothing to prove, other than just enjoying the ride! I love my Honda Rebel! It gets 77.7MPG! I can run all day at any speed limit! This machine, and I have owned many, does everything that I expect of it and then some! My rating? Five stars!

Quote:

I bought my Rebel in September 2003 after not having ridden in 32 years. It is the perfect beginner bike and a great daily commuter. I have safely and comfortably ridden at 65 on the interstate on my less than 10-mile journey to work. I highly recommend it. I haven't dropped it yet and hope I don't, but I figure it's a lot easier to lift 310 pounds than 500 or more. I will always treasure my Rebel and will simply add to the collection rather than replacing it. When I move up in power and size, I think I'll skip the usual steps and head straight for the incredibly beautiful custom VTX 1800. Wow!!

**Big_J** · 02-01-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

I love riding this little cruiser. It's my first bike and because of my aerodynamic height I had trouble finding something that fit me but was fun to ride. There she is... my 2005 candy orange rebel! It's sturdy and tough but not intimidating. Rides great all around town and gets you noticed. I adore this bike and definitely recommended it to anyone starting out. Women and men alike, it's a cruiser you'll enjoy and not grow out of too quickly.

Quote:

This is my first motorcycle in 20 years. The 234cc engine gets me and this bike down a city street or an urban expressway with ease. You would think that this bike would be too small for a guy my height, but I find it quite acceptable and very comfortable. It has all the power that I need to ride to work or just have fun. Inexpensive to maintain and operate in that it gets great gas mileage and it was inexpensive to insure.

Quote:

This is my first bike in 20 years. The biggest I have had before was 500cc, which I toured Colorado with. The Rebel is great for around town up to 50 MPH, I would feel under powered on I-80 where traffic averages 75 mph bumper to bumper, but on a 2 lane country road at 55 mph it would be nice. I love this bike for in-town here and there jaunts. It is so light and easy to get in and out of the garage. I think it is most suitable for smaller people (under 5'11" and under 180lbs). If you are not a freak about status symbols and you want a good old fashioned motorcycle experience, this is the best value around.

Quote:

My husband bought this bike for me for my birthday 9 months ago. I have put 600 hundred miles on it. Have not had any problems with the bike at all, perfect size for me. Has plenty of power, could be because of my weight and size. Best present I ever received. I have considered getting larger pipes on the bike just for looks.

Quote:

With today's gas prices, this bike gets better gas mileage than some of those hybrids. I get about 50-60 mpg depending on how I'm riding it.
Somebody mentioned that it is hard to find saddlebags, but I found some on eBay cheap that fit perfectly. They are selling them on there all the time and it is an easy installation. As for top speed, I was only able to get it up to around 65 mph at first but now that it has broken in I can go faster.

Also this bike is small enough and light enough that after I take off the mirrors I can fit it into the back of the minivan to take with on trips.

Quote:

I have had the bike now for about a week. I like the performance of the bike but for my hieght I would like to find a saddle without the ridge in the back so I can sit towards the back of the seat comfortably. The bike handles great around town and out on the highway. I have read other reviews that say after it is broken in a little it will do 70-80mph. I was a little concerned before I read those reviews because I have only been able to get it up to about 60-65mph but I have only had it 6 days and only put about 200 miles on it. I have not had to gas it up yet so I know I am getting great gas mileage for less than a 3 gallon tank.

Quote:

This bike is first class, reliable, and great to look at. When I got this bike last week, I had a sadle bag and windshield installed. I had no problem finding a sadle bag, the dealer had and installed these items. I have not broken the bike in yet, however she rides like a superstar.

Quote:

Ok so I'm a big guy but I wanted something to put to the store and such on. I chose the Honda Rebel 250 that every one said would be to small well guess what ? It's awsome it gets up to 80 mpg which is awesome on gas.. and I can even give other rides ok yes this does slow it down a little but 70 is still ok for my need and even some of the Harley guys gave me a thumbs up so yeah, I'm very happy.

Quote:

I bought a brand new white 2006 Honda Rebel. It is a beauty. She rides nice, and is not too heavy. This bike is light enough that my sister who is shorter than me can even ride her. The only problem that I have with my bike is there is not a storage compartment under the seat, like on other bikes. Other than that, my baby gets me where I need to go when I need to be there. I cruise along comfortably at any speed between 55 and 70 mph. I will keep this bike for a long while, and then I will buy a brand new Kawasaki Ninja 250... if I feel like this bike is not enough for me.

Quote:

great cruiser. Plenty of power to keep up with hiway traffic. Comfort and style all in one great bike.. Love it.

Quote:

I took my first big ride and put 200 miles on it. It was enjoyable and reliable. I kept up with my husband's Yamaha on the highway. I had it up to 65 - 70mph. It was a delight to ride. Thank you Honda!

**Big_J** · 02-01-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

First and foremost, the Rebel has everything that the beginner needs to learn about riding a motorcycle. It does everything that I expected it to do. It's a great looking bike with good performance. Even at my size, I have plenty of power for city driving/commuting. I can easily stay ahead of traffic. To date, I have not taken it on the highway and donâ€™t' plan on it any time soon. The bike is very easy to handle. I am busy practicing my turns, counter-steering, etc. and I am steadily gaining more and more confidence in my abilities. I plan to MASTER this bike before I even think about moving up to a bigger one. Personally, I can't buy into the idea of getting a bigger bike because I will outgrow the smaller bike. When I was growing up, I bought shoes and sneakers that fit my current foot size, not shoes that would fit in a year or two. If you do that, shouldn't you better expect to trip over your own feet, at least a few times. The only negative I have is that my keester gets a bit sore after about a half hour of riding. I hope that dropping 20 or 30 lbs. will help solve that problem. Ride Safe and Know Your Limits!

Quote:

A nice looking shiny bike which is easy to handle.

The seat is low and with the forward peg position and high handlebars gives a sit up arms out riding position.

The bike is really quite heavy for a 250cc and strains a bit going up hill at anything over 50mph. Which is fine for city driving but means you'll have large pick-ups riding your tail on the highway.

The California emissions control system is over complex and a pain in the rear end. There is a web of hoses between the carb. crank case and the gas tank.

There is a plastic tube to collect liquid under the bike which is pretty small and seems to fill up very quickly. I had to drain it twice in 300 miles. The plastic plug is a pain to remove and even more difficult to replace.

Also one of the chrome do-hickies dropped off the end of the handlebars. Makes wonder how well other more essential parts are attached.

Not really too `special' for a brand new bike.

(update)

Put 1500 miles on the bike and no other parts have dropped off. The speedo cable did break though ($20 for a replacement)

Got to the root of the stalling problem: There is a carbon filter on the intake for the fuel tank which becomes clogged stopping air getting into the tank. The patial vacume stops fuel from reaching the carb. (no fuel pump) and stalls the bike. Specially when the tank is les than 3/4 full.

Blowing out the carbon filter with compressed air will fix the problem for a few hundred miles.

Flooding will also occour if you have a full tank and the crank case breather collection tube gets full so this needs to be checked regularly.

The problems seem to be due to EPA modifications retro-fitted to an old but otherwise reliable engine design.

Honda really need to consider adding a fuel pump.

More up to date engines designed to meet EPA standards from the get go seem to suffer less from these type of problems.

Our Communities

Automotive Communities

RV & Travel Trailer Communities

Marine Communities

Honda Rebel News Delivered to your Email!