2021 Honda Rebel 1100 Breaks Cover

The flagship cruiser from the Rebel family will come to India next year

• Powered by a 1,084cc parallel-twin motor.
• DCT transmission offered as an option.
• It will rival the Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight and the Indian Scout. 

After months of speculations and rumours, Honda has finally unveiled the new Rebel 1100. Understandably, it’s the flagship cruiser offering in the Rebel family and has been priced at $9,299 (Rs 6.87 lakh). It undercuts the Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 and the Forty-Eight by Rs 59,000 and Rs 1.48 lakh respectively in international markets. Since Honda does have a few bikes from its international portfolio on sale in India, we expect the Honda Rebel 1100 to make its India debut by mid-2020. 

The styling of the new bike is similar to that of the Rebel family and the bobber design influence is clearly visible. It features all-LED lighting and a single-pod LCD digital instrument console. The Honda Rebel 1100 is powered by a 1,084cc motor sourced from the Honda Africa Twin. The parallel-twin engine produces 87PS at 7000rpm and 98Nm at 4750rpm. In comparison, the Africa Twin’s engine is rated at 102PS and 105Nm, however, peak torque is made available 1500rpm earlier. The Honda Rebel 1100 will also be offered with a 6-speed DCT transmission as an optional extra, which is quite unique for cruisers. 

Since the Honda cruiser features ride-by-wire, the Rebel 1100 gets electronic aids such as riding modes, 3-level traction control, cruise control, and even wheelie control! The tubular steel frame rests on a telescopic fork and a monoshock unit. The seat height is pretty low, at 700mm, and the bike weighs 223kg (kerb weight).  

While the Honda Rebel 500 is expected to be launched in India in the first half of 2020, the Rebel 1100 could go on sale by mid-2020. It will compete against the Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight and the Indian Scout.