Rebelling

[Troutluck]

Going to look at a Honda Rebel today. Like it for my cross town commute. Anything I should look out for mechanically? The bike only has 250 miles on it, but the dealership tore it down when the current owner brought it in for running rough. They told him it had sat too long. He has the complete service records. $800 worth of work done.

It's amazing what small bikes are going for in Vegas. The new Ninjas are going for $6k out the door new! I see more and more new riders out now, too. Being a "year 'round" riding town makes two wheels a viable option for more people, I guess.

I looked at a new F650GS twin, but the dealer lowballed me on my trade, so the conversation ended. I figure this is an inexpensive option that saves stop-and-go wear on my roadster.

Also, I hear you meet the nicest people on these things?

[godzilla]

I bought an '85 Rebel for Mrs. Godzilla to learn to ride, but due to other circumstances, she really hasn't ridden it much. Seems like a nice, little relaible bike, but too small for my 6'4", 250LB bod. Parts are hard to find; Honda doesn't stock much of anything for it. I had to replace a few things and used Jack's Rebel Salvage. Nice guy! http://www.rebelcatalog.com/ but I had better luck calling him than using the internet.

I have ridden it a few times and it was OK. It'd be great for a beginner, anyway. I think it'd make a fine commuter for a larger rider as long as they didn't have to travel the highways. In town would be good.

There are a few forums. such as http://hondarebelforum.com/

[rcliffor]

I tried to ride a Rebel when a took a rider safety course and they supplied the bikes. ...it just did not fit. I am 6 feet tall and the Rebel was way to small for my legs. If you are serious about buying one, make sure you ride it for a few miles first.

[Pat Carol]

Living in Northeast Michigan's backwoods, I have been looking around for a KLR 650 Kawasaki. My home is 3 miles of gravel road. We have a lot of trail riding ares close to the house.
You'll like that Honda Rebel. That is a perfect commuter bike for city riding. Years ago I noticed that the Detroit Police were using them downtown. That was a long time ago so that little Honda has been around.

PC

[cyclepath]

Nice little motorcycle, but they are small. This is not a bike I would want to take on any type of ride other than around town.

Good luck with your deal!

By the way I ride and have a KLR in my garage. I would much rather have this as a commuter versus the Rebel.:thumb

[osbornk]

I had several older Hondas and found all parts have to be ordered if they are available at all. Unless it is one of their very high volumn bikes, parts are discontinued early.

[nytrashman]

a buddy of mine just won a rebel and sold it on e-bay for $2850, much to the dismay of his wife

[Visian]

Going to look at a Honda Rebel today.

with all the fantastic desert surrounding you, have you considered a small dual-sport bike?

we bought a very lightly used Kawasaki KLR 250 for $1500 a few years ago, to use as a go-for-groceries bike... and at almost 90mpg, it has turned out to be quite a good investment.

ian

[crazydrummerdude]

I tried to ride a Rebel when a took a rider safety course and they supplied the bikes. ...it just did not fit. I am 6 feet tall and the Rebel was way to small for my legs. If you are serious about buying one, make sure you ride it for a few miles first.

+1

I just took the MSF last weekend. The class was on Rebels and Nighthawks (which, in my naivity, seem exactly like Rebels).

Compared to my beat up old BMW, these 2007 models felt absolutely gutless. My knees seemed up in my face, they lunged really bad in 1st, and just wanted to fall over in any turn.

I'd recommend it to a friend who is starting out, but even then only for slow back roads.