Honda Rebel 1100 In The Pipeline?

Honda may target the big-capacity cruiser segment dominated by Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle

• The larger Rebel could be powered by the same 1,084cc parallel-twin motor seen on the Africa Twin.
• Its underpinnings are likely to be updated as well.
• The concept version could be unveiled by the end of 2020 or early-2021.

The Honda Rebel 500 has been creating waves in the Indian two-wheeler industry ever since the Japanese manufacturer revealed its intentions of entering the mid-displacement segment. While that takes care of the mid-capacity segment, Honda still has a missing link in the big-capacity cruiser space currently dominated by Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle. And the answer might just be a bigger 1100cc rebel.  

Rather than pooling in more resources to engineer a brand new engine, we believe Honda may build the Rebel on the existing Africa Twin CRF1100L platform. The 1,084cc parallel-twin, in its current state of tune, puts out 102PS of power and 105Nm of peak torque. However, this engine’s been built specifically for the Africa Twin, so we won’t be surprised if the company retunes it to suit the cruiser’s character. Which means, help it deliver more torque at lower revs by trading in top-end performance. 

Also Read: Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports Launched

Besides, if Honda manages to keep the bike’s power below 95PS, it could even sell an A2-compliant version. Despite the dip in power, the Rebel 1100 would still make more power compared to the Rebel 500, which puts out 47PS. Furthermore, using the Africa Twin’s engine gives the manufacturer the option to even pitch a DCT variant to customers. Another added advantage of the DCT powertrain is the ability to have a comprehensive electronics package, which could be tweaked to suit the cruiser’s needs.  

Honda may stick to the current design language, which retains the Rebel silhouette with minor design updates. This will help the bike continue with its signature design elements while still having a unique identity. The larger engine would give birth to a new frame, updated suspension, and braking components.

If things go as planned, we can expect to see a concept or an early prototype of the Rebel 1100 at EICMA this year. However, the current COVID-19 situation may upset the schedule and push the unveiling of the bike to 2021.

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