Honda Rebel: Features explained

Sportbikes are loved and desired by most bike enthusiasts. Of course, such motorcycles are visually stunning, sound orgasmic, have lightning speeds, and carry a lot of bhp. But they take a hit when it comes to rider comfort. It is understood that performance is the primary objective and not comfort. This is where power cruisers are well above in the rank list. They are much more comfortable and at the same time are powerful enough to do triple digit speeds easily on highways. Honda Rebel is one such bike. And it comes with a hint of retro look which makes it score better in the aesthetics section as well. Of course, like other motorcycles, it is not perfect but it surely has some features worth mentioning. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do in this story.

Twin-cylinder engine

Let us begin with the heart of the bike, its engine. Honda Rebel specs show a 471 cc, parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine with DOHC setup. It is tuned to churn out close to 50 hp at 8500 rpm and generate a peak torque of 43 Nm at 7000 rpm. These figures might not sound much for an engine of such displacement, but they are more than sufficient for a power cruiser. Honda Rebel hits the ton mark pretty quickly and it can maintain high speeds easily for longer durations without stressing the engine too much.

Fat bobber tire

Honda has clearly put in a lot of effort in the design of the Rebel. The entire look of the bike is of a modern-classic or retro theme. And to make that possible, Honda had to add certain quality elements like fat bobber tires. The front tire measures 130/90 whereas the rear one is 150/80. Both of them are tubeless. The wide contact area of the tires not only help in the handling of the motorcycle but it also enhances the looks of the bike.

Sleek fuel tank

Another striking design element of the Honda Rebel is its sleek fuel tank. The fuel tank of a motorcycle is one of those parts that are easily noticeable and serve as bike’s jewellery. The Rebel has a very sleek fuel tank which fits in perfectly with its overall stance and appearance. It is placed at a crazy angle which gives the bike its cruiser-look. It can hold around 11.2-litre of fuel.

Retro lighting

A classic round headlamp is a must for a retro motorcycle. And that is what you get with the Rebel. It is simple and functional but gets a modern treatment by having an LED and not a halogen. The turn indicators are also very neatly done. And so is the brake light. It is a rectangle unit which fits in perfectly with the other retro elements of the motorcycle.

Low slung exhaust

Matching the rest of the motorcycle, the low slung exhaust of the Honda Rebel is also a nice design element that blends in neatly with the rest of the bike. It looks pleasant to the eyes irrespective of the color of the bike. Honda went ahead and combined the two exhaust pipes of the parallel-twin engine into one. It appears to be a good decision as not only it looks neat but also saves a few kilos.

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

This is the basic safety feature that every bike should have. It really saves lives. It is good to know that Honda didn’t shy off from providing ABS in the Rebel.

Instrument cluster

The instrument cluster of the Rebel is a circular unit but is completely digital. It shows necessary information like time, fuel level, trip meters, etc. but it could have been done better. It is not a deal breaker but not everyone would like it.

Accessories

There are a number of official accessories available for the Rebel which allow customers to slightly modify their bikes. The accessories include wider front foot pegs, new front master cylinder cap, bar end mirrors, tank grips, etc.

So these were some of the features of the Rebel that was worth mentioning. Do let us know which one is your favorite. And if we have missed any interesting feature, don’t hesitate to mention it in the comments. The Honda Rebel price in Malaysia is RM 30,001 and it comes in 3 different colors - Red, Black, and Silver.