CMX1100 Rebel (25YM)

The CMX1100 Rebel has a dual personality. It’s been designed for a leisurely laidback cruise, but also to offer an exciting riding experience when a twisty road presents itself. Riders moving up from smaller bikes will appreciate the manageable dimensions and weight while more experienced riders will find instant, accessible enjoyment from the chassis’ handling potential, thanks to its stiff tubular steel frame, quality naked bike-spec suspension and high-powered braking.

A more relaxed riding position is a key 25YM update: the handlebars move rearward and up, the footpegs forward and the seat is now 10mm thicker with overall seat height a very manageable 710mm. All-comers will love the character and performance of the 1,084cc parallel twin-cylinder engine (as used by the CRF1100L Africa Twin). Especially for 25YM because, like its adventure-ready sibling, it has been re-tuned with a higher compression ratio to give even stronger low- and mid-range punch, with characterful delivery plus an enhanced, evocative exhaust note.

Throttle By Wire (TBW) management brings with it sophisticated rider aids: there are three default riding modes and two user defined options that allows control over a number of different parameters to suit riding conditions or rider mood, including engine power delivery, engine braking, the level of Honda Selectable Torque Control (with integrated Wheelie Control), and the shift schedule of the optional Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), which is itself updated for smoother low-speed response.

As a 21st century bobber, the big Rebel’s stripped-back style speaks volumes with its minimalism. Steel mudguards front and rear sit atop fat tyres; the circular headlight mixes old school looks with new school LED technology. A new five-inch TFT display features customisable screens and the smartphone connectivity of Honda RoadSync. The USB-C socket also now locates on the left of the unit.

Styling & Equipment

The CMX1100 Rebel offers a simple, raw and ‘unprocessed’ look created by the same US-based Honda R&D studio that laid down the style of the CMX500 Rebel. Long and low, with narrow body crowned by the sculpted 13.6L flangeless fuel tank, its minimalist presence has real depth, with proportions that are complemented naturally with a rider on board.

Both front and rear mudguards are drawn from 1mm-thick steel and mounted on die-cast aluminium brackets. The low set 175mm diameter headlight has a classic form but houses four LED bulbs with thick inner lenses for a well-defined frontal signature. The small 55mm circular indicators, too, have classic looks but the oval, clear-lensed LED taillight strikes a contemporary note and chimes with other Rebel details.

Replacing the circular instrument display of the previous design is a new, five-inch full colour TFT screen which uses optical bonding to improve visibility in bright sunlight. By sealing the gap between the cover glass and TFT screen with resin, glare is reduced, and backlight transmittance improved. It’s customisable between Bar, Circle and Simple display patterns and offers the IOS/Android smartphone connectivity of Honda RoadSync.

This feature – alongside a simplified, easy-to-use, backlit 4-way toggle-switch on the left handlebar – allows straightforward, on-screen turn-by-turn navigation as well as the option (via a Bluetooth helmet headset) for the rider to make calls or listen to music using Honda RoadSync. All an owner has to do is download the Honda RoadSync app from either the Play Store or the App Store, connect to the CMX1100 Rebel, and go. Relocating from under the seat the USB-C port is now sited on the left side of the display for convenience and ease of connection.

As before, the Rebel rider can go solo or carry a passenger (the rear seat pad quickly and easily unbolts) and under the seat there’s a handy 3L storage compartment. The ignition key locates on the left side of the frame and opens the seat without having to be removed from the ignition. For long highway days, cruise control is fitted as standard.

Accessories

As a motorcycle born to be accessorised, customized and tailored to personal tastes, there is a wide range of Genuine Honda Accessories ready to bolt straight on to the CMX1100 Rebel. For 25YM the rider and pillion Comfort Seats have been redesigned, with the passenger enjoying a flatter, 30mm deeper profile and the Back Rest is also taller and available with brown pad.