The New Honda Rebel 1100 Wants To Attract a Different Breed Of Cruiser Riders

When you think of cruiser riders, chances are a lot of you think of the stereotypical Harley rider. Perhaps an older, formerly jacked gentleman decked out in tattoos, rocking a leather chaleco with matching assless chaps, and wearing a brain bucket that’s really just a sorry excuse for a helmet. All this while screaming “Brotherrrr!” to everyone he rides past.

But these days, cruisers are very much different. Heck, even those from Harley have become very different, with bikes like the Sportster S and Nighster being bikes I could actually see myself riding. But of course, given this evolution, other brands have started catching some serious attention in the cruiser scene, too.

Case in point would be Honda and its Rebel 1100, a retro-styled cruiser which beneath the surface, is actually a refined, touring-capable machine. The first time I swung a leg over it, I was thoroughly surprised. Its Africa Twin-derived parallel-twin was smooth, had loads of torque, and delivered a linear powerband capable of lifting the front wheel up at a moment’s notice. It was also very pleasant to ride at both low and high speeds.

Yeah, cruisers don’t need to be heavy, clunky, and vibrate themselves to bits. Who would’ve thought?

For starters, the bike’s ergonomics have been tweaked slightly for an improved riding position on longer trips. The instrument cluster has also been relocated for better visibility, and the bike now gets a charging port for your accessories—no more worrying about your phone running out of juice on long trips or having to pack a bulky power bank.

But it isn’t just in the comfort and convenience section that Honda tweaked the Rebel 1100. In terms of tech, the cruiser now boasts RoadSync, and is the first in Honda’s US lineup to do so. It’s essentially smartphone pairing tech that allows you to access hands-free navigation, music controls, and even other features like checking the weather forecast.

So yeah, Honda’s definitely not trying to steal market share from Harley or Indian with this one. Instead, it’s looking to attract a different breed of riders into the mix. Perhaps younger, tech-minded folks who aren’t after thrilling performance, but rather, a comfy, confident ride both in and out of the city.

Best of all, the Rebel 1100 won’t cost you an arm and a leg. With a starting price of $9,599 USD, it’s one of the most affordable bikes north of 1,000cc, and trust me, it’s quite a lot of bike for that money—especially now given the added tech features. But of course, none of this is gonna stop boomers from saying that this thing isn't a real motorcycle.