Honda CMX1100 Rebel – a classic cruiser from the USA in Japanese style

Honda is one of the world leaders in the production of motorcycles. The main market for their most expensive and powerful models is in the USA. Therefore, it is not surprising that they try in every way to please potential buyers.


Honda's motorcycles are excellent. From time to time, the Japanese manufacturer releases some new model that is atypical for its competitors. Sometimes it ends in failure, but often unusual bikes become bestsellers.


The most striking “American” motorcycle was the legendary Honda Gold Wing. This bike is the founder of a whole class. But today we will talk about another model - the atypical cruiser Honda CMX1100 Rebel.

Own way

Chopper is an invention of American bikers. They are trendsetters in this class. It was these comrades that Harley-Davidson adapted to. Other brands have to repeat it.


For example, they released the Magna, which became the ancestor of a whole class of power cruisers. But no one in the 80s believed that local tuning enthusiasts would like such a bike.


The release of the CMX line is another attempt to show the United States how cruisers should be made. Not particularly successful, because these models never became bestsellers. But people buy them, it’s not for nothing that the line is still in production.


But this does not prevent dealers from carrying both used and new bikes of this model. For a Honda Rebel CMX1100 without mileage they are now asking from 1,5 million rubles. Moreover, there are bikes for sale from 2021-2024. Those that are “fresher” are more expensive.

On the used market, such motorcycles are offered from 1 million rubles. The mileage is low, especially considering the engine capacity of 1,1 liters - up to 10 thousand km.

Appearance

The Honda Rebel CMX1100 looks unusual for a cruiser, at least for motorists. Bikers will see references to models from Harley-Davidson, but will definitely catch their eye on the engine.


The engine here is, although a two-cylinder, as befits a “real” cruiser, but not a V-twin. A rower is installed in the frame, but we will return to it later.

The appearance of the Honda Rebel CMX1100 is usually described as "strange". There are features of several types of bikes at once:

✅ Choppers
✅ Power cruisers
✅ Classic road models

It’s as if the manufacturer deliberately tried to make a motorcycle in the style of the 80s. The frame is tubular steel, the fork is telescopic, not even a “shifter”.

It feels like the designers, in cahoots with engineers and managers, were trying to please everyone at once. From retro enthusiasts to do-it-yourselfers who live for quarter-mile racing.

As usual with station wagons, it turned out to be something of a Swiss army knife. Multifunctional, but to fully use it, you will have to get used to it and put up with a number of inconveniences.


But maybe that's a good thing? Classics are always in fashion, even if they are atypical.

Engine and gearbox

The power unit for the Honda Rebel CMX1100 was not developed from scratch. It's hard to say whether this is good or bad. On the one hand, a V-twin would be ideal for such a motorcycle. But the manufacturer didn’t have it.


Power was reduced from 102 to 87 hp. But the traction at low speeds has increased significantly, as befits a motorcycle of this class.

The engine is liquid-cooled; it will not be said as a reproach to the BMW boxer engines, which are still “air-cooled”. Surprisingly, depowering the engine made it possible to use AI-92 gasoline. This is exactly what it says in the manufacturer's manual.


The fuel consumption of the motorcycle is good for its size - on average it is 5,3 liters per 100 km.

As for the gearbox, there are surprisingly two options. The motorcycle is offered with both traditional “mechanics” and “robot” DCT.

It’s difficult to advise which bike to choose. One thing is for sure - a robotic gearbox is much more convenient, but many times more expensive to repair. And they don’t know how to fix it in Russia.

Fit and ergonomics

Experiments with the appearance of the Honda Rebel CMX1100 did not end with the design, engine and gearbox. The seating position here is also atypical for a cruiser. It's rather classic, but not quite. The legs are bent, as if the rider is sitting on a stool. A real one, not a fifty-kopeck scooter.

But the bike is suitable even for short girls. They place their feet on the ground when stopping. And the seating position is unexpectedly comfortable – my knees don’t hurt and my back doesn’t hurt either. You can drive a couple of hundred kilometers without stopping. It could be more, but there won’t be enough gasoline - the tank here is only 13,6 liters.


There is also an unobvious disadvantage with such a landing. It will be difficult to stand up on the footrests when driving over uneven surfaces. Of course, if you set a goal, you can, but you have to be a gymnast. But this is a cruiser, not an enduro.

The second disadvantage of a specific landing is that it is difficult to grasp the tank with your knees. The engine gets in the way, so refined handling is also not about the Honda Rebel CMX1100.

A few words about electronics

Despite its appearance, the bike received the whole package of modern bells and whistles. The rider can choose from three engine operating modes:

✅ Sports
✅Standard
✅ Rain

It is better not to use the latter. This mode can drive experienced motorcyclists into depression. After all, the bike starts to move very slowly, and the acceleration dynamics are not enough even to get ahead of the truck on the highway. Although, it will be useful for beginners.


The dashboard pleases with the traditional design of a round “well”. But only from afar. If you come closer, you can see that this is an electronic device, more like a computer.

How to ride

If you use the motorcycle in Standart and Sport modes, you can move it dynamically. It couldn’t have been otherwise, given the engine capacity of 1 cm100 and power of 3 hp.

If you unscrew the throttle too much, the rear wheel will vigorously grind the asphalt in place. And in Sport mode, the motorcycle will turn from a powerful cruiser into a nervous street bike. Moreover, ABS and traction control will start to work later.


The braking system is puzzling at first glance. I wonder why a motorcycle with such a powerful engine was given one disc at the front? But the four-piston caliper handles the weight of the bike, effectively stopping it at any speed.

Is it worth buying?

Honda Rebel CMX1100 is suitable for those who prefer short trips. And you can ride along the main avenues of the city with pomp.


But with active driving, you shouldn’t count on a mileage of more than 200 km. And the manufacturer did not bother to equip the motorcycle with power reserve data. So you may run out of gas suddenly. Of course, for those who first encountered this bike.

But in the city the motorcycle is almost perfect. The low center of gravity, coupled with the same landing position, ensures balance at minimum speeds. If anything, you can always put both feet on the ground.

It turns out that the Honda Rebel CMX1100 is a specific motorcycle. But it will definitely attract attention, and those who have ridden it at least once usually like it. Unless, of course, you don't mind the money.