I hope Honda continues to sell and refine this version of the 1100. I think there's a space in the market for a touring-oriented cruiser that's under the 800+ lbs / $20k price level of the Gold Wing, Harley and Indian offerings.
I agree. I have a 2013 Vstar 1300 tourer (factory installed bags and windshield) that's considerably lighter than a gold wing etc... looking to replace soon. The 1100T is the closest thing to that these days, but its not enough of a touring bike for me. Id like to see them make a scrambler height frame (feet under you not out front) for the 1100 Rebel like they did for the 500 Rebel and put a full faring or windshield and bags on that. Something between sport touring and cruiser but not with ADV suspension... Call it a Bronze Wing or something since the Silver Wing is a scooter now...
I personally think Honda should bring back the Shadow 1100 V-Twin to add to their already existing Shadow Lineup that features the 750cc V-Twin. It will give Honda Buyers a choice for Cruiser Offerings in the 1100cc Range. Me personally, I love Cruisers but I didn't like the Rebel 1100's Parallel Twin and I really wanted a V-Twin, so I ended up instead buying an older generation Shadow 1100 that I absolutely love. Nothing against the Rebel, it's just not my cup of tea, and all the electronics and rider-aid mentioned in the review, it just takes away from the most commonly expected Cruiser Feel.
At 71 I'm thinking about selling my 2001 Heritage and getting something lighter. I love the looks of this Rebel and I don't mind getting off any bike every 100 miles or so for some gas or a stretch. Thanks for the review.
I hope I can still walk at 71, being able to ride would be amazing! The 2001 Heridage is a hefty unit, and it's likely served you very well over the years. I don't know how far you ride, but when I went from a Road King to my Sportster it felt incredible with how easy I could maneuver. The turning radius, the low speed turns and stopping for stop signs or red lights was amazing. Sure, the ride wasn't as comfortable but the trade off was well worth it to me! The new Honda 1100 is a really nice bike, I haven't got a chance to ride one with the Touring option, or an automatic model but I have ridden the manual 1100 and it was fantastic!
I am 64 . Neuropathy in feet and RA in twisted hands. Thi king about trading my 03 fxdl. Geougous motorcycle. Its a harley. But hundred pounds lighter, no clutch, and low maintenance. Looking good to me.
I had a 19 softail and took a 02 honda rebel for a cruise recently the rebel rode so much smoother and better and surprisingly more comfortable. The softail was bulletproof and never had to do a tune up in that thing in two years but the rebel was a much nicer ride to my surprise think you’ll enjoy it more with an aftermarket seat.
My comment doesn't seem to have appeared(heavily censored Y/T). I spoke to a fabricator about an underseat auxiliary tank, not a problem, should up the volume to 22-25 litres (300mls +). I'd also put the rear brake on the left bar,just get a matching Nissin clutch master cylinder, great for forward controls, where rear foot braking is awkward!
You explained this bike’s nature perfectly! I’m seriously considering buying it. I would probably get the taller windscreen (I’m six foot one). And I don’t do lots of cross country stuff. But I love day tripping or maybe one or two nights on the road. I’m more about exploring local hideouts and backroads, than screaming down the Interstate at 90 mph. Thanks!
I just viewed and sat on this motorcycle this past weekend. I haven't ridden in 14 years and have had the desire to get back into motorcycling. I had a sportbike previously but knew that I'd be stepping into a cruiser at some point in the future. I wasn't familiar with the DCT feature and the salesman gave my friend and I the summary you essentially gave in this video. I came to the same conclusion you did. DCT is a convenience feature that allows a rider to focus more on the enjoyment of the ride rather than the 'mechanics' of the ride experience. That appeals to me. Purists will probably disagree but it sounds like you can activate a 'manual' mode using buttons. I think Honda made a fair compromise and understood that this new model will not be for every rider, but many will probably enjoy it. I think it's a smart way to bring new riders into the activity by mitigating the intimidation factor of manual shifting. There's nothing wrong with that because Honda is running a business. Increasing their customer base is a positive outcome. I'm now considering the Rebel 1100. Thanks for the video.
Practicaly could not drive clutch anymore due to nerve damage on my left hand, so the DTC brought this old man to bikes again for cheap. Thank you Honda, thank you. " some forward controls, a fairing and a couple of bags and this bike is makijng its mark. I am a change man, as i can be on the satle again.
The chain is terrible for touring, waste bag space just for chain maintenance stuff... and the gas tank is way too small. I don't know how you are getting that type of gas mileage unless you are doing low speeds. If you are doing hundreds of miles at 75+ the entire way, you are lucky to get 100-115 miles before you are out of gas... 160? no way... I just did all interstate trip of 400 miles yesterday and had to stop 4 times for gas, every time it blinking at me about low fuel. You need to be doing more scenic roads at like 55 if you want to pull something like 160. It would have been nice on a touring model if they added a 7th gear in the DCT like an over drive like the Goldwing has (and dump the stupid chain). When zooming at 80 at 5000 rpm, it drinks a lot of gas.
One of the best most honest reviews of a Japanese motorcycle I’ve seen. I think Honda actually did a good job with the 1100t when you compare it to other middleweight cruisers. Cruisers in general have terrible suspension, weak brakes, insufficient lean angle and prioritizes form over function. Honda could have done better but why would they? The cruiser is about style over substance and touring for most is more of a dream than it is a reality.
I've had my 1100T for about a week now and your review confirmed some of my suspension and your user defined settings are exactly what I was looking for. I had a 2019 Rebel and traded to a Can-Am for a couple years, then saw the 1100T and had to go back to two wheels! Excellent review and appreciate the insight. Safe ride and keep it going!
Ciao. Bel video. Si dice che la moto sia instabile oltre i 130 km/h. Tu hai notato il problema ? Dicono si risolvi con Metzeler Cruisetec e stringendo la sospensione posteriore. Cosa dici ?
I agree with you that calling this a Touring model is a stretch with just bags and short fairing. The irony is that Honda has decades of build experience in the Goldwing including customer feedback on what touring folks want. Could be design by price point so perhaps the engineers had no budget to add touring upgrades and had to stick with the most superficial addons. I like your idea of just naming this the Deluxe or some such nomenclature.
Why would Honda want to reduce the amount of sales they get from the gold wing? If they made a gold wing alternative for less money then that would work against their bottom line. This bike fills a middle point that is unrepresented in the motorcycle world.
If you're going to drive in S.Florida just remember. A right turn on a red light is legal. The speed limit, use of turn signals, full stop at stop signs and not crossing solid lines are viewed more as suggestions. And if you're going to drive at the speed limit or 5 to 10 miles above stick to the slow lane! 🤣
For my 2021 1100 DCT for long distance highway cruising, I installed the T-Rex foot peg extenders, Puig New Generation dark smoke touring screen, OEM saddle bags and an Airhawk inflatable cruiser seat cushion. I get your comment about the DCT, but I'm now 70 and find it is the perfect "old man's bike":-)
I've had the 2022 dct for ~8 months and have gotten into the habit of using the rear brake as a "friction zone" replacement. I don't know what magic happens behind all that, but using the rear brake smooths out the downshifts and whatever you do at slow speeds.
Dct constantly searches for the right gear and only has two, one for odd gears and one for even, so it will switch back and forth like it is looking for 1st and 2nd or 2nd and 3rd very rapidly. Slowing down the rpm’s of the engine makes this easier for the dct and may actually keep it in one gear.
physics, you can do same on manual. If you use rear break in tight corner it will make you turn a bit faster (cause it will change a balance of bike a bit), if you use rear break going forward it will work like letting clutch go/adding gas on DCT and put bike upwards, cause friction always work between tires and asphalt and wants to pick your bike up. You can make friction with letting clutch go, adding gas or using rear break lightly. It all depends on speed, but it's funny to see people in US not knowning that. I was taught it on drivers licence course in my country as part of program :D
I've had the 1100T for almost a year now, and this review is pretty accurate . With a few mods like minie floorboards, handlebar risers,and upgraded seats, and you have a comfortable midsized cruiser. The only thing I didn't agree with was the comment on user mode. If you want an experience close to a manual, this is where you'll find it. I hated the preprogrammed modes except for rain mode. The looks sort of grow on you. It definitely stands out in a crowd of Harleys. It may not be flashy as others in its style but makes up for it in pure fun to drive. It's more of a naked bike made to look like a cruiser. Cruiser. If you want a fun bike and are on a budget, it's worth checking out.
Thx for the review! I have the regular DCT and love it, but I'm going to try the User setting u used. Most ppl just automatically decide to dislike/hate it simply because it's different from what they're used to and don't even give themselves a chance to get used to it and learn how to use it. Thx again!
As an experienced motorcycle rider I am so used to working the friction zone especially for low speed parking lot maneuvers and U-turns etc. I think the DCT would mess me up when it comes to that
I found out that Shad now makes the bracket and hard lockable bags for the 1100. They are amazing if you are looking for hard bags. Bracket is about 112 bucks and the bags I got are 2 23 liter bags sh23 and they are only 182 for the pair
With all the experience companies who failed with the variable auto transmissions, that transmissions makes a no go for me until it has got a lot of road miles on it demonstrating it to be reliable. I agree it was misnamed for me. A touring bike has a minimum 300 Mi range . One ride I do frequently is 108 miles between the only two gas stops available. If either one of those stops has a problem and you can't get gas, you're screwed. The fairing needs to be adjustable either in angle or in height so you can tune where that air hits your body. I was forced to ride another person bike the air hitting low on my helmet caused it to pull upward on my helmet all day making it a miserable day. A fearing that is not perfect is terrible.
where on hondas website does it claim it is a touring model? i dont see it and when i search the page for tour, or touring, it doesnt find anything. they call it a bagger im glad you admit your wrong about judging the dct and the bags without even ever trying them. most judge and still wont admit when they are wrong
Send a copy of this Video to {Honda-Headquarters} And let them Rethink there stance on the Rebel-Touring Model. Maybe they'll change their minds and ReName it the{ Rebel-Deluxe-Touring} model. The rebel sounds good, I'm and Old Harley Rider that Suffered an accident, I'm Still Living ! ! !
This bike would be a nice option with a manual. With the dct it’s a hard pass for me. One of my favorite things about motorcycling is getting to use a sequential gearbox.
Clutch and throttle work are an integral part on my riding experience, so DCT-only is a no go. I can appreciate that it works for other riders but I'll look elsewhere
Finally saw one in person as my mate was ripping the Honda service manager a new butthole on Saturday for trying to scam his son out of 4 figure sum because his 360mile old Honda has melted it's wiring loom already (Honda are the Japanese version of the Italians when it comes to electrics). The bike looks tiny. I've already spoken to a guy about making an underseat aux tank,bringing the capacity up to 22-25 litres, not a hard job. Pipe replacement is cheap, already available, and forward controls, and even a sumpguard is available!
The fairing is ok but saddle bags are ugly and useless wide and short they could make it bigger The problem with Honda always that they don’t listen to customers and they do what is in their mind My advice is to keep the look of this bike as it is
I have a Harley Road Glide and I'm actually pondering a trade in. But calling it a "touring" to me, means it should have forward controls, at least 200m range (so slight bigger tank), fork or frame mounted fairing options, and radio - these have to be there. I have apple/android play now, so would love to be able to hook my phone to the main display for google maps and music. But I agree, if they just called it a 1100D or something like that, they might get more folks looking at it. Can't believe the DCT might be doable. Thanks for the review
i wish they made rebels with belt or shaft drive, touring with a chain drive doesn't make sense ... i hate chain maintenance... also make a rebel with a giant fixed head like the indian challenger or harley roadglide
10k in one season on my DCT. I HAD to let that stock seat go lol Bum buns no fun. Albeit the upgraded diamond seat from Honda is only slightly better. When our shop got the Touring model in, the owner was super stoked to show me. I thought it was cool, but kind of a slap in the face as to what the Rebel is supposed to represent; a modern take on a bobber. Not for the bagger scene. Compared to the previous VT1100T, the CMX1100T just doesn't hold up for me. Cool concept, poor execution.
Interesting take. I’d personally never put the Rebel 1100 in the bobber category, so bags and a fairing actually made sense to me. I’ve always seen it more on the performance cruiser/sport cruiser side of things versus bobber. 10k in a season is no joke though! No wonder you had to upgrade the seat! 😳
Not having the manual trans available is THE place Honda went wrong. Nothing wrong with DCT, it works great, and if you want it it's awesome that Honda makes it available. But why try to force it? It's just a fairing and bags anyway so why not just make it available across the lineup? They overthought it way too much.
The fairing and fuel tank are too small for a “tourer.” Plus the bags are a pain in the ass to close/lock. You have to press on the right spot to close them (plus stabilize the bike with your leg. I’ve had mine for almost a year.
Forward controls are horrible for me , sore bum, sore back. Mid controls all day. The bike looks great and it’s great to hear the bags are as good as they look. Cheers
If cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini are using paddle shifters and this technology is right from F1 racing and proven better than manual, why is it strange that it would not be great on bikes. Or is it pride that looks down on others who would prefer to have auto shift and you can keep the extra steps I just want to ride.
Looking at buying Rebel 1100 DCT or manual version ? I have ridden both versions and I liked both. My worry is what if something was to fail and I will not have a clutch to Disengage the power. I did try to press the N on the DCT whilst riding and nothing happened. Any thoughts would be appreciated
@LifeOfBurch almost makes me want to wait until next year to buy one. I'm having a hard time just to find an 1100. A dealership somewhat close to me said they might have one coming in at the end of the month that is not spoken for yet in the red color. I probably should put a deposit to hold it
@@Justin-tp3lr honestly if I were you I’d just jump on whatever you can get! There’s no guarantee they’ll for sure offer it in manual any time soon, and you could always just throw some bags and a fairing on whichever Rebel 1100 you end up with!
It's a touring model simply because of the screen and panniers. They don't actually have a different bike for sports, touring etc. No company does that. Enjoyed your no nonsense review.
I hope that in about 18 months or two years when I am ready to own one of these Honda change a few things but mainly the "Independence Day" alien shaped faring. Cant un see it now can you ;-)
I've always thought there should have been a middleweight touring segment. The closest there's ever been was the vstar 1300 deluxe and this bike. For a touring bike... I feel like there should be self adjusting lifters, 200 mile range, fork or frame mounted fairing, and floorboards. With a radio as an option which I'd be all in for.
It looks good, that's for sure, but I still prefer my own styling and doubt I will ever want automatic on anything for as long as I can avoid it. Although, if I switch to electric on my car I'm SOL ;)
As someone who usually rides a scooter, I can go 3 mph and be stable at slow speeds despite having a CVT by just giving it more throttle than I need and using the rear brake to modulate my speed. It sounds like DCT is pretty similar in that aspect.
I commuted on a moped and was joyous and happy for years! Challenged myself to learn a motorcycle and I HATE SHIFTING! I feel dangerous and distracted. I am in love with the RARE LOW HEIGHT DCT 😊😊😊
I am so glad Honda has automatic for riders who just want to ride. Driving a manual car is a challenge for me so this is perfect for the type of ride I want and need. But I have to say your bike set up sold me on the Honda 1100. I can’t wait to get mine!!
Same for me! I have trouble shifting, which comes more natural with practice... but I just want something I can ride as a hobby and ride along my dad.... I'm SERIOUSLY considering buying this.... I'm also short, and I can sit on this comfortably. I don't feel like it's too big for me.
Call it a bagger. It's for a the person who wants an urban runabout, who is going to love the convenience of the automatic transmission, and the convenience of the saddle bags for running to the store, or packing up for a weekend away. If I lived in a warm-weather state like Florida or California I could see owning this instead of a car.
I've grown to love DCT. I've been driving cars, trucks, buses, vans and tractors and riding bikes with manual transmissions for 40 years at this point, and.. manually shifting stopped being "more satisfying" several decades ago. I know that as a gearhead, especially here in the US, you're almost expected to be aaaall about manual transmissions and look down upon automatic transmissions, but I find that to be a juvenile mentality. Obviously if you like manual transmissions more then by all means that's what you should get, 100%, but the sneering condescension a lot of car and bike guys have towards people who use/like automatic transmissions in general is absolutely moronic.
Agreed! It’s one thing to prefer manual transmissions, it’s another thing to push that on everyone else. Sometimes the convenience of not shifting is where it’s at!
I have the Honda Rebel 1100 DCT and absolutely love it. I got it just before the touring model was out. I added saddle bags myself and got a windscreen for it.
You've got to remember that this bike is designed around the average world rider, not necessarily the average American rider. In many countries around the world you can ride across the whole country in less than a day, and the roads are usually not as mindnumbingly long and straight. About the mid controls: The 1100 has sold so well in part because its so good for shorter riders. With forwards, a short person's legs are locked out nearly straight which is not comfortable, not great for control, and looks dumb.
They may shoot themselves in the foot with this one like they did with the ctx1300. Marketing a something as a touring bike, but lacking in some touring amenities that most if not all touring bikes have these days.
In most every cameo picture I've noticed the pics are of the side with the front disk brake showing lol. I'm a stickler for dual disks on the front tire and because of the lack of duals I'm out! Very sad i know but a bike is not a bike with just one front brake disk. I really want to buy this bike but.... Oh and lol I'm gonna ask for the DELUXE model here at my dealer in 🇨🇦 lol.
Good review. I am thinking about getting one of these. I would definitely go for the dct as there is so much traffic now here in the uk I am becoming gear change weary.
I agree that calling it Deluxe would have made more sense. As far as pegs: I have an Vulcan S, so not sure what would work on the 1100. But, what was a game changer was Kuryakyn #4537 boards which required #8813 adapters. Absolute the best thing I did to the bike. Obviously Honda would be different adapters.
What Honda should have done Is : 1- larger fuel tank 2- forward controls 3- ape hanger 4-new colors But instead they added ugly side bags with a windshield n they called it T version!
The few people I've seen review these dct bikes are all alike. You act like shifting a manual bike is the single most difficult and inconvenient thing to do in life. I don't trust computers because of the planned obsolescence. How many years until it crashes and takes $3-$4,000 to replace? If Honda actually built the computer, I'd trust it. I don't think that's happening.
The closest, and really only, competitor to the Rebel 1100T is the Suzuki C50T, which costs just about the same amount of money. The Rebel is lighter, more powerful, and dripping with modern tech, while the C50 is "classic"...a good thing to be in the looks department, but a bad thing when you're competing in the touring bike segment. IMHO, for a solo rider wanting a bagger, nothing else can touch this bike for the money. If you're not hung up on traditional, Harley-wannabe styling or the it-MUST-be-a-Vtwin thing, this is a no-brainer.
Memphis Shades makes excellent Batwing windshields for Rebel (with quick release). Plenty of larger saddlebags available now for it too... So, I think if you buy Standard 1100 and spend $800-900 for those, you're better of financially and having larger screen and larger saddlebags for much less money.
So Honda dropped the ball because they didn’t tune the windscreen to hit YOU exactly where YOU like it? I’ve owned many many bikes with fairings and just about every one of them required a windscreen replacement to suit my needs. Ive owned 2 DTC bikes. A Honda NM4, with a 2nd gen DTC and an Africa Twin Adventure with a pretty current gen DTC. I’ve also ridden a Goldwing with a DTC but didn’t buy it. The DTC is great but not for me at this point. I could see another one down the road. However, you said it wasn’t good for touring. Touring is exactly where that transmission excels. I wasn’t a fan of tight technical trail riding or congested city riding with the DTC but on open roads and highways, it’s a dream. The rotational mass inside the engine is what makes the bike feel unstable in slow parking lot maneuvers. I have a Zero DSR, which doesn’t have a transmission or clutch and it’s light years more stable at slow speeds.
the bike looks nice until you put the saddlebags on it, that bike does not look right with the saddlebags on it, but if you are using it to tour i can see why people get them,they are ugly lol
It seems to me that you just needed to ride some scooters before, to feel dct or cvt automatic shifters, and to realize faster how practical and convenient they were. I mean, I made a full circle now, so instead of cruisers, I ride maxi scooters... man I don't want to give up automatic gear selector and the amount of storage they have. And the relaxing ride? Uf.. I am not even that old (late 30s), and I just scoot.
I am terrible with a clutch. So I hope in the future we see more automatics. I got turned on to Goldwing when I married my wife, and their family are all goldwing loyal. The first ride was Cadillac smooth. I would like a bobber scout with automatic. Wishful thinking may never happen in my lifetime.
I think you’re too hung up on the name. Common sense and visuals will show this to be a cruiser with hard bags and a fairing. A Honda “tourer” is a Goldwing. I think comparable comparisons would be HD Nightster, Indian Scout. …and as a side note for all those wanting a larger fuel tank, again, look at fuel tank sizes of the Nightster, and Scout (smaller than the 1100t).
You did not mention so I assume it wont take a full face crash helmet. The uderseat storage only looked big enough for disc-locks a chain or two and your phone but at least it does have that In fair weather riding you might like a face full of air, but in wetter countries you really dont want a face full of rain And for protection for yourhands in the cold and wet the neither the fairing or handguard versions do not seem to do the job
Maybe ive been riding my goldwing to long but i dont trust cruise control on the highway and no hands anymore. One to many speed wobbles 😂😂. The Rebel T looks good except the bee jammer fairing. Right under the helmet and up the sleeves. Hahaha. Guess its not riding without the danger of that.
The reason we need a 200+ range is because it's not that you are going to need a stretch after a hundred miles. Rather, it works like this: Suppose you just filled up your tank and called it a day. You wake up and decide your destination is 30 miles away, in the countryside, so you go. When you get back you used up 1/2 of the gas in the tank. You can't really do a similar trip the next day without filling up, and for what reason? A short ride to someplace that was only 30 miles away. Who wants to go to the gas station every single day? I don't. I don't want to have to gas up every day, or every time I want to go somewhere. So what I am thinking about, should I get a new bike that has less than a 200 mile range, is to make a 2 gallon fuel tank, in the shape of a passenger seat, have it covered just like a passenger seat, making it strong enough to actually be used that way if you had to, and run a fuel line from there to the bottom of the lowest part of the main tank, with a shut off valve. Then, when you see the fuel light, you just turn that valve and let gravity put the gas in the main tank as you ride. Then you don't have to visit the gas station every single day.
