@@stimsonromano2258 Thanks! It’s been a bit since I threw a leg over that Rebel. But still comfy with my view at the time that if you had $ flexibility, the Scout was the more pleasing choice! If I had to make the choice today with that Rebel vs the 2025 Scout Classic, the Scout is a harder sell. Throttle isn’t what it used to be with the updated electronics!
I love my Rebel 1,100 cc. Got 12,500 miles on i.. I wanted to uy an Indian Rogue but it was very uncomfortable seating sluggish. The. Rebel is 45lbs lighter 86 HP and does 3.5 sec from zero to 60 miles. Got cruise control and phone charger under the seat. Fantastic bike.
You should love it - you have a great bike! When you move up to a bagger you will come to appreciate how light both bikes are, but I hear ya! 🤣 And the Scout has a usb port right to the side of the speedo…but yeah, cruise control would have been nice on my scout! lol
I’m surprised you were disappointed by the ride. But the price is way way too high for sure. I was at my dealer yesterday having work done on the Challenger. Their Scouts were priced at over $16k. As much as I love the Scout, that would be completely disqualifying if I was in the market. I’d get an MT-09 SP for $11k and off I’d go! 🤣
@@DMVSoloRider I liked the ride. It was nimble and light and fast. But it would be 16k after all fees. It's not worth that. I'm most likely just gonna get a rebel 1100 this winter. It's the cheapest. So I can easily upgrade later on if I want to
@@craigbannister7826 No argument there - think I said as much in my video. Supposedly Indian is coming out with a “Scout 101.” My guess is they’ll slap the Chief ride command unit on it, add cruise control, and sell it for $18k. Exactly the wrong direction when a solid bike like the Rebel 1100 is available! 🤣
@@craigbannister7826 Very true. Having owned both, it really is all about the kind of riding you want to do. I learned pretty quick my fav is to be out on my bike all day long, so a bagger makes sense. If I was just cruising to get a beer or head to a restaurant with buddies, a Scout or smaller cruiser is perfect. But we agree - the price of the Scout has just gotten way too high for what you get. Such a pretty bike - very disappointing. I think Indian would kill it if they had the same bikes with a different business mindset. Undercut Harley, don’t price your bikes like they have a Harley badge on them!
Traded my Scout (2015) for a Rebel (DCT). I really love it. In my opinion a good mix of cruiser/custom. Been riding since 1970 and had 3 Harleys before the Scout. Really happy with the smooth Rebel.
But don’t you miss those classic good looks of the Scout?! I’ve put many more miles on baggers at this point, but I still miss just staring at my Scout! 😂
@@DMVSoloRider Not really, the Scout is also 30 kgs (60 lbs) heavier which you can feel. Before the Scout I had the Road King Classic. For an old man the DCT works fine.
That’s fair. I’m amazed at how light they all seem after riding baggers for a while now. I have yet to try a Road King, but it’s at the top of my test ride wish list!
Enjoying riding my new Rebel 1100....traded in my Varadero 1000XL for it but kept my Bandit 650s for when I want to do a circuit around NW Aberdeenshire. I agree with the RBW Throttle comments....a little jerky but by reducing the EB setting to low it mostly irons out the issue....certainly I found it improved the smoothness at low speeds. Thanks for the ride video.
Thanks, glad you liked it and appreciate the throttle confirmation. Just to be clear, while I sensed it and wanted to make note of it, it certainly wouldn’t stop me from enjoying the bike. Sometimes when you’re filming a first impression and you’re talking about what you’re experiencing it can seem like you’re making a big deal, when it’s more that you’re just noticing it/sharing. I have the same experience with my Challenger, but it never interferes with my enjoyment of the bike! 🏍💥💥
I got mine last month and from how hard it was just to get one in my hands you can feel how popular this bike has become. Totally worth it. My first bike too. Also I got to ride both the automatic and the manual and happy to say I went manual.
@@Voltomess the dealership has only sold 7 and only because that's all they could get. The one I got was the last one they were getting this year. 300s and 500s are far easier, but people are snapping these up as soon as they can or at least they are in Ohio. They literally had it on order before I reserved it online. Every other dealership in the 100 mile area told me they either just sold the last one they got or it was going to be January before they got another.
The biggest problem I hear from rebel riders is their year to year compulsion to buy a new bike since once you learn you want something more advanced. The rebel is the “smarter” choice from price and ease but just the vibe of the scout made it feel like a better decision in the long(er) run, even though it was harder for me to ride at first
lol I think that’s a very fair point where a 300 or 500 is concerned. The Scout is the bike that made me get my license, so starting on a smaller Rebel was never really a consideration for me. But someone totally open-minded I think would be real content with a Rebel 1100 - not just as a first bike, but a fun bike that will last until they’re ready for a bagger! 😂
I've had my 1100DCT for 11 months. You figure out pretty quickly how to roll the throttle on without the jerkiness. I'm getting a Corbin Gun Fighter saddle, 12" Apes and a Two Brothers Racing exhaust, with forward pegs. It's all good. And you can adjust the suspension in five minutes to exactly how you would like it.
Yeah, but it’s still a progressive suspension. I’m spoiled by the cushy suspension on my Challenger (and Chieftain before it)! 😂 Still, you have a great bike and seems like you’re making it even better! My Challenger’s throttle takes some getting used to, so I totally agree. It’s just something you tend to notice on a first ride, you know?
Ah man, I wish I'd known about this! That location is only about 2.5 hours from me. I've been itching to see one of these new Rebels in person, to say nothing about getting to ride one. The dealers here in Eastern PA are pretty much out of EVERYTHING. I would have loved to be able to actually ride one. There is much to love about my old 2003 Sportster 883, and with my riding style I really don't need more power, but easier maintenance and less waiting around for it to warm up is definitely appealing.
Well, I can’t speak to maintenance (I mean, it’s a Honda!) or warming up. But if you don’t need more power, I’m assuming you don’t really need cruise control or rider modes either, so to me your Sportster is a cooler ride! I like the way the sportsters look more than a Rebel, and there are so many things you can do with them compared to every other bike! Never having owned a Sportster of course, I still say you’re good! 👍 As for the show, you should keep your eye out and see if it’s heading back east anytime soon. I also Google for like “demo day” events within striking distance just in case I have some free time and they overlap. Riding a touring bike, I don’t mind riding pretty far for a chance to experience new bikes!
I agree the throttle is snatchy. Changing modes is simple so I found rain mode for smooth slow speed riding just too pleasant to ignore. Change to sport when on more open roads
the rebel is a super interesting bike, after watching this after your road glide test, it got me thinking: this, on paper, has more suspension travel than the harley. do you think the road glide is more comfortable because of the setup only, or the seat plays a big part in comfort?
Honestly, I never would have guessed that. I don’t recall how much travel either has. Maybe it’s more about placement - Harley’s have their shocks under the seat, but the Rebel has them on the sides. I can’t imagine the difference is just due to a seat many people swap out anyway! 🤣
By all the reviews it looks like a fun bike to ride. Being an older rider I like to see some chrome bits on it instead of that blacked out look that's seems to be on everything nowadays. And the button for the different "modes" for the performance. Just give me the one performance the engine has, not choices. Common, you know you are only going to ride it in the most powerful mode there is, the sport mode, so leave that way, The one thing that is a good idea is the cruise control.
Absolutely fun, especially given the price tag. Normally, I don't really focus on price too much, but given how much you get in the Rebel compared to others, it's hard not to emphasize it (cruise control baby!)! And I agree - I keep my Challenger in Sport mode 100% of the time. 👍
Quick question from someone who is new to riding. What RPM range do you cruise at? The range of speed for each gear seems pretty crazy. I ask because my evo sportster lugs pretty easily if the RPMs get low.
It really depends on the bike/engine/how it’s tuned, plus your own preferences - some people like cruising where a slight twist of the throttle launches you into your peak power, and others (me) are good just riding along. 🤷♂️I think I cruised on my old Scout around 2500/3000 RPMs. Lugging really only happened if you were below 1500 RPMs. Pretty much the same on my Challenger. Peak power is a different story - scout and challenger, you can get pretty high up into the rev range before needing to shift. On my old Chieftain, there almost wasn’t a point in not shifting once you hit 4500 RPMs. On my current bike - FTR - you cruise around 3500, and that bike will just keep going way up into the rev range - basically rides like a sport bike. 🤷♂️ With respect to the lugging you’re experiencing, it’s just a matter of experience with your bike - knowing what RPM will make it lug, versus how high in the rev range you aren’t really getting more power and an upshift is appropriate. And of course your personal preference. I imagine on a sportster you can be higher up in the rev range and not at peak power, yet shaking/rattling where an upshift would make for a more comfy cruise. Oh, and I would check the owners manual. They usually list the recommended shift points/RPMs from gear to gear, and those are a good starting point for how to ride your bike, which you can adjust to suit your own preferences as you get more experienced on it. That’s what I’ve done with all my bikes.
I was sold on it until I noticed the ride "modes" and ride-by-wire throttle jerk. Why can they just make a cable activated throttle and get rid of that computer crap. Oh ya, and keep that truck muffler and put some kind of after market shorty muffler on it instead. Some chrome would look nice too.
Well, I think the twitchiness of ride by wire is just kind of the way it is. It’s the kind of thing you can notice on a test ride, but something you forget about real quick when it’s your every day driver - at least that’s how it’s been for me so far. 🤷♂️ Won’t argue about the exhaust. lol But honestly, it’s a great bike. I’d never discourage someone from buying one if they liked it. A seriously good deal!
@Gary Rivera Very good point! It took me the better part of my first year riding to discover I need a touring bike as my main ride. And then I came to realize I really need several! 😂
It's a great bike. Specially after riding an Indian scout. The Honda just so much better quality and workmanship. You can see that when parking it next to it. Not to mention the electronics and the DCT technology. You should get one.
I ride an Indian Challenger. 😉 I liked the Rebel - it’s a fine bike. What impressed me the most is the price. Lots of bike for the price compared to the Scout or the new Nightster. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the fit & finish on a Scout - think it’s a beautiful bike, and on that point alone, blows the Rebel out of the water. The Scout was my first bike, so I’ll never pick anything over it. 🤣
Both great bikes, and I’m confident you’ll be happy either way. Best I can say is ride them both (ideally, see if you can rent them for a weekend through one of the various bike rental apps) and see if one wins you over! ✌️
I have the dct the on-off throttle issues your having is mostly due to the EB set too high. Lowest is smoothest. Especially on rain mode. Rain will give you all the power, it's just all how far you twist it...
@@DMVSoloRider Engine Braking causes it to be too choppy. Sport max throttle is about 50-60 percent Standard is 75% Rain requires 85-90 % for max I ride twistys on rain, manual mode 50-60% I have User mode set to P high, traction low, EB low and DCT shift point at medium, max throttle around 50% Excellent video! Watching some more now... Thanks.
@@Gortok1 Ah, got it! I can’t really break down the Challenger’s for each mode, but they’re not nearly that severe. But don’t get me wrong - whatever I felt with the throttle didn’t really take away from the bike. The Rebel is a real nice package - very impressed! And thanks - more are coming! ✌️
Indian Scout. Substantially more power, but manageable power, so a responsible rookie can easily learn on a Scout. And the Scout is 10000000000 x sexier than a Rebel. lol Keep in mind my first bike was a Scout - it’s the motorcycle that made me get my endorsement at 45, so there is really nothing Honda can do with a Rebel that will make me pick the Rebel over a Scout. Setting me aside, the Rebel is an excellent first bike. 🤷♂️
I like it I am in two minds I love the Harley's and the Indians but for 10K can get new one of these the scout comes in at 3K more is the scout worth 3K more and the Harley's are more expensive to. Money is my problem and to be honest I love the cmx1100T in Manuel I am learning more towards this than the Indians and Harley's . Plus on this Price Light Nimble Power to ratio
That’s a completely reasonable perspective. If I was buying a bike and I didn’t have an infatuation with a scout or a Harley, I’d absolutely get a rebel. I wouldn’t even think twice about it! It’s a great bike!
Clinically speaking, it’s on-par in terms of performance, and it definitely offers more at a lower price, if rider modes and cruise control matter to you. But like I said in my open, I’d never choose it over a Scout. The Scout not only has an amazing engine, but it looks phenomenal too! And I had a good throttle lock on my Scout, so the cruise control thing would never sway me. Having said all that if someone out there is looking at a Rebel and $ is a serious point of contention, you will be real happy on a Rebel. 🤷♂️
Scout vs Rebel! If the answer is "looks" - then the scout beats most! WIth the exception of the new sportster s, Harley look great - but based on price and quality - nah! If you want an amazing engine, power to weight - and reliability - then the Rebel wins! The concept of loolks is subjective though... When you said that "I dont know if they have double disks or not" - you lost me - because you should know! You are reviewing after all! It errodes your right to offer an opinion somewhat! What else don't you know?
Dude, you’re watching a video for free of a non-expert giving his thoughts on a motorcycle he didn’t even know he’d be riding more than 5 minutes in advance. My rights are fully reserved. Subjectively, the Scout wins on looks for me, and objectively it wins in the power department. The Rebel is a great package for the price, like I said in the video, but when I bought the Scout as my very first motorcycle it was the perfect choice for me. 🤷♂️
@@DMVSoloRider That's a very good point! I really enjoy your videos! I have Aspergers, so I think that I can appear blunt (I get told that). Much love!
All good - glad you like them! While I’m taking some time away it’s a good chance to go to the beginning and make sure you don’t miss any! 😂😂 Just appreciate when you watch me very first videos and talk about how long I’ve been riding and my actual experience, you’ll realize I really don’t know much. Just how to twist a throttle! 😂😂😂
👍 I admit I do miss the ability to take a windshield off when I know I’m just too long around locally. Baggers are great for long trips, but sometimes you just want to feel all the elements! Glad you’re happy on your Rebel!
The reality of the Honda Rebel 1100 DCT ***BIG SCOOTER W/FEW GEARS***. For people with Arthritis and disabilities. Right to the point. Its really a Female Scooter 🛵. God bless you all. Amén.
