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Administrator · 03-29-2012, 12:51 PM

Original Article:
2012 Honda Rebel Review

Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2012 Honda Rebel Review in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

The_AirHawk · 03-29-2012, 03:59 PM

There was a guy at a place I used to work - had one of these polished and chromed to the max, the frame was custom-worked for a little more rake, (and the welds smoothed-off, etc), had the frame and tank painted a canary-yellow, custom leather seat, etc. - then went and put "Harley Davidson" badges on the tank and custom bar-and-shield stitched on the seatcover. Work was immaculate, he absolutely LOVED that bike.

To my knowledge, he was never hassled over it (the H-D logos).

Lucky him.

seruzawa · 03-29-2012, 06:17 PM

Interesting. The Honda 250 Hawk of the 60s would top 80mph. And it was fairly smooth (and the engine was like a Swiss watch). Such is "progress".

trenttheuncatchable · 03-30-2012, 05:23 AM

The Nighthawk 250 is a better "beginner's bike", since it's a standard. It's much less cramped than the Rebel. Too bad they stopped selling it past 2008. But since the CBR 250 is now available, which Honda 250cc bike to buy should be a no-brainer.

And which proof-reader didn't catch mistakes like "solider"?

sarnali2 · 03-30-2012, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seruzawa

Interesting. The Honda 250 Hawk of the 60s would top 80mph. And it was fairly smooth (and the engine was like a Swiss watch). Such is "progress".

Is that the same engine they used in the CL series 160/250/305 etc? that was an excellent motor.

jmdonald · 03-30-2012, 08:44 AM

If this bike had been available when I was a teenager I would most likely have had one. My first bike road bike was a cl175. My first five bikes were Hondas.

Auphliam · 03-30-2012, 09:05 AM

These are actually great little bikes. We had a young lady friend living with us for a bit while house hunting. She rode that thing to hell 'n back. She even took a road trip with us one summer. Turnpike miles wrung it (and her) out pretty good, but the 2 lane travel was a breeze. I think more manufacturers should provide entry level bikes like this.

MOwings · 03-30-2012, 12:40 PM

I am in the process of putting some TLC in to an 88 Kawasaki 250 Eliminator I got a few months ago. That little bike rips for a 250. I have also had several 250 ninjas and this is definitely torquier. It will do freeway speeds all day. My girlfriend is only 5 foot 1 so this will be her first bike and should make a great one. I am 5 foot 7 and can barely squeeze into it so I know what your saying about the Rebels ergos

The Rebel is way overpriced for what it is but will do to learn the ropes. We need more small bikes that are up to date that "little" people can fit on for sure

Kevin_Duke · 03-30-2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trenttheuncatchable

The Nighthawk 250 is a better "beginner's bike", since it's a standard. It's much less cramped than the Rebel. Too bad they stopped selling it past 2008. But since the CBR 250 is now available, which Honda 250cc bike to buy should be a no-brainer.

And which proof-reader didn't catch mistakes like "solider"?

All of them! Edit in the works - thx!

Huss · 03-30-2012, 04:54 PM

While this bike is 'nice' it is waaay over priced.
How can this be $4200? As pointed out, Honda's all new CBR is cheaper and offers so much more.
The tooling for the Rebel was paid off, what, in 1990?
This bike should be about $2999.

Another mfg guilty of the same thing is Yamaha with the TW200.
That bike is $4500! And it's been made for 25 years now, basically unchanged.
I actually want one of those but all the used ones I've seen are hurtin', and no way am I going to be a $ucker and drop that coin on a new one.

03-29-2012, 12:51 PM	#1
Administrator Administrator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: On My Bike Posts: 0	2012 Honda Rebel Review Original Article: 2012 Honda Rebel Review Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2012 Honda Rebel Review in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

03-29-2012, 03:59 PM	#2
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Leanin' Tower O' P-P-P-P-POWAAAAAAAAA!!!! Posts: 11,431	There was a guy at a place I used to work - had one of these polished and chromed to the max, the frame was custom-worked for a little more rake, (and the welds smoothed-off, etc), had the frame and tank painted a canary-yellow, custom leather seat, etc. - then went and put "Harley Davidson" badges on the tank and custom bar-and-shield stitched on the seatcover. Work was immaculate, he absolutely LOVED that bike. To my knowledge, he was never hassled over it (the H-D logos). Lucky him. __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

03-29-2012, 06:17 PM	#3
seruzawa The Toad Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 17,406	Interesting. The Honda 250 Hawk of the 60s would top 80mph. And it was fairly smooth (and the engine was like a Swiss watch). Such is "progress". __________________ http://www.badmovies.org/movies/deadalive/ I kick @ss for the Lord!

03-30-2012, 08:44 AM	#6
jmdonald Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 1,229	Would have had one If this bike had been available when I was a teenager I would most likely have had one. My first bike road bike was a cl175. My first five bikes were Hondas. __________________ Secede.

03-30-2012, 09:05 AM	#7
Auphliam Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 158	These are actually great little bikes. We had a young lady friend living with us for a bit while house hunting. She rode that thing to hell 'n back. She even took a road trip with us one summer. Turnpike miles wrung it (and her) out pretty good, but the 2 lane travel was a breeze. I think more manufacturers should provide entry level bikes like this. __________________ Dream as if you may live forever ~ Live as if you might die tomorrow

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03-30-2012, 05:23 AM	#4
trenttheuncatchable Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 893	The Nighthawk 250 is a better "beginner's bike", since it's a standard. It's much less cramped than the Rebel. Too bad they stopped selling it past 2008. But since the CBR 250 is now available, which Honda 250cc bike to buy should be a no-brainer. And which proof-reader didn't catch mistakes like "solider"?

03-30-2012, 12:40 PM	#8
MOwings Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 47	Kawasaki needs to bring back the 250 Eliminator I am in the process of putting some TLC in to an 88 Kawasaki 250 Eliminator I got a few months ago. That little bike rips for a 250. I have also had several 250 ninjas and this is definitely torquier. It will do freeway speeds all day. My girlfriend is only 5 foot 1 so this will be her first bike and should make a great one. I am 5 foot 7 and can barely squeeze into it so I know what your saying about the Rebels ergos The Rebel is way overpriced for what it is but will do to learn the ropes. We need more small bikes that are up to date that "little" people can fit on for sure

03-30-2012, 04:54 PM	#10
Huss Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 254	While this bike is 'nice' it is waaay over priced. How can this be $4200? As pointed out, Honda's all new CBR is cheaper and offers so much more. The tooling for the Rebel was paid off, what, in 1990? This bike should be about $2999. Another mfg guilty of the same thing is Yamaha with the TW200. That bike is $4500! And it's been made for 25 years now, basically unchanged. I actually want one of those but all the used ones I've seen are hurtin', and no way am I going to be a $ucker and drop that coin on a new one.