Reader’s Ride: Shifting Down from a Honda CTX 1300 to a Honda Rebel 1100

Comfortable, stylish, very powerful, light, and well-handling with automatic transmission

By Cynthia Dunbar, Princeton, Massachusetts

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Last Motorcycle Purchase

I am 67 years young and not getting any taller or stronger. I purchased a Honda Rebel 1100 DCT this spring when my previous bike, a 2014 Honda CTX1300, was becoming a chore to handle.

Honda Rebel 1100
This 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT is my fifth and last bike, as it fills most of my desires in a motorcycle.

I started riding at 55 years old. Motorcycling, while lots of fun, is a dangerous sport. I availed myself of all of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) courses, and even took a private Ken Condon “Riding in the Zone” lesson in Western Massachusetts.

Honda Rebel 1100
I find the Rebel 1100’s 509-pound wet weight manageable, the 27.5 inch seat height low enough for my 5 feet 4 inches. I love that it’s got ABS brakes and comes with that well-known Honda reliability. Also, its blacked-out, minimalistic, bobber design with Bordeaux Red fenders and tank is so cool!

The Rebel’s engine and DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) is a proven entity on Honda’s Africa Twin. Having nothing to prove with a clutch (I’ve been riding with one for more than 10 years), I opted for the simplicity of the DCT transmission. There are three riding modes (Sport, Standard, and Rain) and a User mode to fine tune my preferences. There has been a very minor learning curve with the switch to the automatic transmission.

Rebel 1100
My Honda Rebel 1100 has a few upgrades. With the assistance of my wonderful husband, I’ve added about $2,600-worth of accessories, including handlebar risers, a loud Denali horn, engine guards with Kuryakyn highway pegs, a Slipstreamer windshield, Honda heated grips, and a Givi top case with additional lighting.

I am disappointed that Honda didn’t include self-canceling signal lights, so I will be installing a ST2 signal canceling kit. I am also not a fan of the Rebel’s chain drive due to the maintenance requirements, but it was not a deal breaker for me.

I’m very happy with my purchase of this comfortable, stylish, very powerful, light, and well-handling motorcycle. I recommended the Rebel 1100 to all women looking to experience the open road on two wheels. I’m looking forward to several more years of riding the curves.

Specs at a Glance: 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT
Engine Size: 1048cc
Seat Height: 27.5 inches
Fuel Capacity: 3.6 gallons
Wet Weight: 509 pounds
Colors: Pearl Stallion Brown, Metallic Black, Bordeaux Red Metallic
MSRP: $9,999

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