Bren’s Pick: Honda Rebel

To be perfectly honest, it should be the motorcycle here writing a review of the rider. But due to the fact that the motorcycle lacks fingers; it is I, with my recently deflowered and ever blossoming riding experience, here to deliver to you a review of my first bike. Despite what I say in my review, this is my pick for bike of the month since it is the only thing with an engine and two wheels I have had between my legs and therefore has no competition. In case you have not kept up with previous posts, my first bike was a loose little tramp that goes by the name: Honda Rebel. With its petite 234cc twins, and its slinky low slung seat, it was a great bike to start with. Now, everyone reads a review to see the awesome power and handling of a bike, and to take note of some issues that might affect one’s purchase of the motorcycle. But alas, I was in the same riding situation as Sven was in his bike review, and was not able to remotely touch the power, nor attempted to test the handling of my little tart of a bike.

I can tell you though, that as a new rider, I would recommend this bike for practicing and commuting short distances. Perhaps if you lived in a smaller community, and not Southern California, I would even say this would be a safe bike to start with, but if like me, you are one of the millions that inhabit the LA basin and must take a freeway to get to the grocery store, this bike would be really useless and a health hazard. Same as the Eliminator that Sven reviewed, the Rebel’s speedo only went to 80 mph, and I imagine the bike would have to be in fifth gear and heading down a 45 degree incline to reach that speed. So needless to say, since Californians take their morning dumps at 80 mph, and plan to spend the rest of their day traveling well above dumping speed, unless the Rebel dispenses toilet paper, it will be hard pressed to meet our speed needs.

Now in regards to the Rebel’s handling and engineering, all I can say is that I never fell over while riding it and I couldn’t find neutral while the engine was running to save my life (this is more than likely due to my inexperienced foot kicking and flailing around with the gear pedal than with any engineering flaws with the bike). Unfortunately my time with this little Rebel was short, sweet, but far too short, and there is little other relevant information I could convey to you about it. It was a good bike, not a great bike, but a good bike. Oh and it still looks cooler to ride than a moped.

2009 Honda Rebel Specifications:

Engine:                                                  2- cylinder, Air cooled, SOHC

Displacement:                                    234cc

Transmission:                                    5 speed

Final Drive:                                         O-ring sealed chain

Frame:                                                  Double cradle, high-tensile steel

Suspension:

Front:                                33mm fork; 4.6-inch travel

Rear:                                  Dual shocks with five-position spring-preload adjustability; 2.9-inch travel

Brakes:

Front:                                Single-disc with twin-piston caliper

Rear:                                  Drum

Tank Capacity:                                   2.6 gallons, including 0.7-gallon reserve

Dimensions:                                        84.6’ L x 30.7’ W x 26.6’ H

Curb Weight:                                      331 lbs

Est MPG:                                              NA

MSRP:                                                   $ 3,999