2005 Vento Rebellian
User Reviews
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2004 Vento Rebellian Review
By (I am an Owner) on Aug 17, 2009I purchased my very lightly used (perhaps 1000 miles) 2004 Vento Rebellian in August, 2009. The bike was in fairly good condition mechanically (read below), yet had some cosmetic flaws: partially due to the previous owner's neglectful storage when the bike wasn't being ridden, and the fact that ... thin or brittle plastic is used in exterior components for cost cutting purposes where metal would be a better choice. I put a bit over 120 actual miles on this bike in the first 24 hours of ownership, both in city and highway driving. Pseudo-chrome plastic flash, of which this bike has an abundant amount, may look great on the showroom floor and in 'photo ops', but that doesn't get you "down the road". What every potential owner wants to know is, does this bike run, ride, and handle like one would expect for a bike in its class, and the investment that would be made in it? On the open road, the 2004 Vento Rebellian 150 can be run up to cruising speed through top speed with commendably low vibration through the handgrips and footboards, which otherwise can be a major source of rider irritation. You will notice some mirror shake at higher r.p.m.. My observed top speed by the Vento's speedometer was 65 m.p.h. on a table-flat road with a rider weight of 185 pounds; however, two following companions on different model bikes indicated that speed as 63. At this juncture, it is fair to mention four mechanical flaws in this Rebellian 150's review. Due perhaps to imprecise or faulty gearing mechanisms in the tachometer and odometer housings, both were very far off from actual readings. The tach reads about 800-1000 r.p.m. high; the odometer clicks UP faster than a dropping fuel gauge in a Lamborghini, practically doubling the actual traveled mileage. (Try to explain that at trade-in time!). The gas gauge didn't ever read anything but "full", although with the odometer inaccuracy, you have to open the gas cap and shake the tank to see what you have. Thanks to my buddies following me on one road trip and their mileage distance measurements, I can tell you that real-world fuel consumption on the Rebellian is 85 m.p.g.: that's pretty good on a 325+ pound bike! Except for one other flaw, where the Rebellian 150 really shines is around-town, city driving. It is smooth, comfortable and nimble. The better than class tire-surface contact patch on pavement due to its tire size not only looks good, but inspires confidence on wet surfaces. However, at red lights or extended stops, be prepared to hold in the clutch lever: finding neutral between first and second is an exercise in itself. The bike's brakes (single disk in front, drum in rear) work like they are supposed to. The shock damping both front and rear complement the bike's ride, to an extent that even over railroad track crossings such bumps don't cause bad handling. I hope the management at Vento have a chance to read this review, because even though the seat size is just right as far as 'surface area' is concerned, if they would remove some of those bedazzled studs from the edges and add another 1" of foam beneath the seat-of-the-pants leather instead, they'd have an American-segment winner. For the price, the bike overall is a near-competitor in the Honda-Yamaha-Suzuki-Kawasaki dominated 125-250cc market. Resale value is an indicator. After-sales customer support by dealers (who, it is rumored, MUST take seasonal orders, just like Ford Motor Co. of old Model T days) and parts availability leading to customer satisfaction is more important than any marketing strategy when it comes to success, and it seems there have been many complaints. Maybe, Chinese-imported parts + elsewhere assemblage (Texas?) does not equal Japanese quality. I can't gripe, however, because I paid only $700 for my 2004 Vento Rebellian 150cc. A similarly performing bike, the Kawasaki 125cc Eliminator, goes for twice that much, and a Honda Rebel 250cc for thrice; ditto the Suzuki GZ250 and the venerable Yamaha Virago. If you can get a Vento 150 or 250 anywhere in the price range I paid for mine, you'll get a good deal. Ride it until it breaks down, then save it for spare parts on another new or used one. The US market may well be flooded with Chinese products 5-7 years from now, and future new Vento MSRP's might be even lower!
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