By: Uday Mohan
September 2, 2025
The Honda Rebel 1100 Touring isn’t just redefining cruising—it’s reinventing it like someone tossed out the mold and built something better from scratch. Slide onto its low-slung seat, feel the relaxed riding posture with gently stretched arms and mid-mounted footpegs, and you’re instantly greeted by ergonomics that could’ve been crafted in a Zen studio. It’s comfort with a confident smirk. At 690 millimetres (27.1 inches), the seat height whispers to most riders, “You got this,” as they put both feet on the ground at a stop without the acrobatics.
Of course, comfort is just the appetizer here. Twist the throttle on a winding road and this bike drops its cruiser persona faster than a politician dodging questions. With its modern handling and precise power delivery, the Rebel leaves those heavy chrome cruisers wobbling in its rearview mirror.
Honda’s decision to use a tweaked version of the 1,084 cc liquid-cooled engine from the Africa Twin means you get 86 horsepower at 7,000RPM and 72 lb-ft. of torque at 4,750RPM. Performance here is more “angry cheetah” than “sleepy housecat.” The engine’s parallel-twin setup and Unicam cylinder head help tuck the weight in low for a planted, secure ride—even when you carve corners like a caffeinated painter.
But Honda didn’t just throw in a beefy engine and call it a day. They went full mad scientist and modified valve timing, ignition timing, and bumped up the flywheel mass by 20 percent to boost inertia. Translation? You get the kind of torque that feels like someone just punched the pavement and propelled you forward.
The 270-degree crankshaft brings uneven firing intervals, creating pulses that give the bike a heartbeat—thumpy, throaty, and unapologetically satisfying, and likely my favourite feature on the Rebel. What truly seals the deal, though, is the sound.
The exhaust note at low speeds is a gentle, confident pulse. It’s like the bike is clearing its throat, subtly announcing its presence. Push it harder and it turns into a deep growl that wakes up both the road and the rider. It’s not obnoxious—it’s articulate. And when you’re slicing down highways or navigating suburban backroads, it sings a tune that makes riding feel cinematic.
Personalization comes with the Rebel 1100 Touring’s suite of riding modes—Standard, Sport, Rain, and User. You’re basically handed your own mood remote. Craving adrenaline? Sport mode is like tapping into your motorcycle’s alter ego. Wet roads? Rain mode keeps things conservative and composed. The User mode is your sandbox, where power delivery, engine braking, torque control, wheelie control, and even the DCT shift pattern all bend to your will, creating a uniquely YOU riding experience.
Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission is the kind of wizardry that makes other cruisers look like they’re sending carrier pigeons while the Rebel is texting you from Mars. It’s like having both worlds—an automated manual that gives you three different automatic settings based on how chill or wild you’re feeling. Want more control? Flick the paddle shifters or drop it into full manual and take the reins like a caffeinated cowboy. That said, I personally feel the DCT on this motorcycle doesn’t quite do it justice. The bike isn’t heavy or finicky enough to really need it (unlike some of Honda’s larger offerings). I would have much rather seen Honda implement the E-Clutch on the Rebel, as it would feel more in line with everything else they’ve done to create an exciting ride.
Now, don’t mistake the Rebel for just a machine with brains and brawn. It’s also got style—the kind that turns heads at stoplights. Forget excessive chrome and swoopy nostalgia. This is clean, fresh, and modern: a minimalist cruiser that doesn’t need loud graphics or extended fenders to prove it’s cool. It looks the part, rides the part, and most importantly, delivers on being a capable cruiser.
The Rebel 1100 Touring has a curb weight of 238 kilograms (524 pounds). NRCan fuel economy is rated at 4.9L/100km highway and 5.6L/100km city, making it one of the more efficient large-displacement cruisers on the market.
So who is this bike for? Frankly, it’s for someone who loves cruising but doesn’t want to sacrifice performance, tech, or personality. It’s for the rider who respects the roots of the cruiser tradition but isn’t interested in being stuck in the past. The 2025 Honda Rebel 1100 Touring isn’t just a good-looking motorcycle—it’s an intelligent, adaptable, and thrilling riding partner that doesn’t need chrome to shine. In short, Honda took a genre often wrapped in tradition and gave it a modern heartbeat. The Rebel 1100 Touring isn’t yelling to get attention—it just shows up and owns the moment. For those ready to experience a cruiser that blends smooth power, versatile riding dynamics, and road-trip-ready comfort, the 2025 Honda Rebel 1100 Touring is the machine that doesn’t ask for permission—it just goes.
