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

__________________
When all else fails ,drink more beer !

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/en...&mfgname=Honda

A bunch more user reviews here at epinions:
http://www.epinions.com/search/?subm..._submit=Search

A professional "first impression" of the Rebel:
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...250-15056.html

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

Enjoy!

__________________

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

[HTML][/HTML]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.

__________________

whitty

Hey guys,

Here's my input and consider that I've had my Rebel 250 for all of 3-days.

Two weeks ago I took my rider course and was randomly placed on a Suzuki 250. Everything went well except that I had quite a bit of trouble handling the bike a very low speed and was only able to accomplish the "U-Turn" drill (basically a figure 8 in a limited space) about 3 out of 10-tries on that bike. I passed the course but was very dissatisfied that I couldn't handle that drill. I figured my skills (which were non-existent prior to the course) needed quite a bit of work. I pass by a large parking lot every day and had noticed that the local police use it to train their cycle cops so I went there to work on my own drills. And on my first try on my new Honda Rebel, I nailed the U-turn drill perfectly. Again and again. Turns out, it wasn't me so much as it was the bike! So in short, I find that the Rebel handles at low speed better than all the other bikes out there (as long as they are Suzuki 250's) and feels lighter as well. I did quite a bit of research into what my first cycle was going to be and everything pointed to the Rebel. So if you are looking into your first ride, I can't say enough good things about it. I am so happy with the choice I made, I'm betting you would be too. Thanks and ride on!

__________________

Oldem

08 Rebel 250

I bought my 2008 late last summer with 12 kilometers showing on the odometer. It was the last new bike the dealer could find in Ontario and after breaking it in and getting comfortable with the bike it’s not hard to see why they fly off the dealer’s lots.

I live near some of the best, twisting bike friendly roads known in Canada and the Rebel can stay in the corners with the best of the sport bikes. Harleys and other big cruisers get in the way of enjoying corners on this bike. It really bugs the Harley guys that this little bike can outrun them in the turns. That alone is worth the price of the bike.

My friends with bigger bikes scoffed at me buying a Rebel but their jaws drop when I tell them about the rides I’ve done and the mileage the Rebel gets. It’s averaging 81 mpg US and it’s turned in two tanks at 89 mpg! That being said I’d love to see a sixth gear to drop the rpms on the highway. At speeds over 70 mph it buzzes like a hive of angry hornets, something you get used to after you do it a couple of time and realize it’s not going to grenade it’s engine but Honda if you’re listening a sixth gear please. One could only imagine the mileage with another gear. 90mpg? 100 mpg? Quiet highway speeds?

Ergonomics are a little off on this design, what did Honda use as the average human for this bike? I’m short and have a 28 “ inseam but the pegs and controls are still to close for comfort. It’s 26.6 inches from the seat to the ground but the pegs are set up for someone with a 20” inseam! The seat is another story. It’s comfortable when you first sit on it but after a half hour of riding it can be a pain.

Another miss on Honda’s part in the front tire. I know they build them to a price point but the old school tire is not very confidence inspiring. It follows road irregularities and if you have the misfortune of driving on a road that has been roughed up for repaving you’re going to have a white-knuckle ride. It is good in the gravel.

I plan to get some highway pegs and some modern rubber for my Rebel but the six-speed transmission is just a dream. It is a good investment and it will keep a smile on your face just be aware of some of the flaws. Honda is planning to refresh it lineup of bikes and the little Rebel is the oldest model it offers. Maybe they’ll listen to us Rebels riders and fix some of the flaws and leave the good parts intact. They could give us the other 16cc they owe us to because if it says 250cc it should be 250 cc not 235!

__________________

PhilipJ

I support everyone above in recommending the Rebel. I just did the second oil change on my 2009 Rebel at 330 miles (the first was at 100 miles!) and I had to resist kissing it ... it's GREAT!

It's a simple, very functional bike. As I look at it's structure I can see how it's put together ... simple frame, components etc. I can see already that I'll be able to easily adjust the chain tension, and clutch and brake as needed (almost as easy as a bicycle), changing oil is a doddle, and I'm even gonna try inspecting the valves myself ... we'll see about other maintenance as I build up the miles.

I've only been up to 50 mph, and it seems much the happiest at about 45 mph ... by coincidence so am I. I can't imagine running it at 60+ mph, but others say it's buzzy but okay.

It is WONDERFUL to handle ... I had a similar experience to others at low speeds: tricky to do the slow figure eight until I got on the Rebel. BUY IT!

__________________

cagie

After just getting back from another First Sunday ride where 95% of the bikes are bigger than 750 cc, I gotta say I got a LOT of comments on the Rebel today. Aside from what everyone says above about the Rebel; easy maintenance, relatively inexpensive to operate, easy to handle, etc... Every time I mention getting 70-80 mpg, ALL the big bike owners said they wish they got half that.

One guy liked the bike so much he offered to buy it on the spot for his son to learn on (didn't sell!)

Another asked about the seat and suspension and I offered for him to sit on it. He sat there for a minute with a huge grin on his face and said "You know you got it right when it makes you smile".

I think we should tag the Rebel:

"More smiles per mile, more miles per smile!"

__________________
Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'