The Rebel 1100 is one of the forerunner models produced by Honda, which is the only manufacturer of DC-powered bikes.
We are commemorating the automatic transmission system’s 100th birthday this year. The first automatic transmission, created in 1921 by Canadian steam engineer Alfred Horner Munro, only had four forward gears and employed air pressure. What follows is history. Because to his work, many people now find driving to be enjoyable and uncomplicated.
It almost wouldn’t make sense to operate some of the most well-known automobile manufacturers in the world today, such as McLaren, Subaru, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, with automatic transmissions. This is a clear sign that Alfred Munro’s goal of the Dual Clutch transmission has come true. Honda is the only manufacturer to have successfully used the Dual Clutch powertrain in bikes, and the 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT is a prime example.
After introducing DC-powered bikes in 2010, Honda has since manufactured models like the Rebel 300 and 500, both of which had an automatic transmission as an option. The NC750X Gold Wing and Africa Twin versions from the previous year had a DC in about half of them. The firm has added new models to the lineup for 2021, including the new Rebel 1100, two variations of the Africa Twin, and now three variations of the Gold Wing.
The Rebel 1100, along with the DC-powered Fourtrax ATVs, Talon side-by-side models, and others, are among Honda’s pioneering lineup of DC-powered bikes, which are the industry’s first and only manufacturer. Here are some advantages of the Honda Rebel’s DC transmission system and reasons it is the most popular cruiser bike on the market.
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SLIPPER/ASSIST CLUTCH
Honda’s racing vehicles served as the incubator and testing ground for this technology. By using a slipper/assist clutch, you get a lighter clutch pull when you pull the lever yet a strong lockup when you release the lever and apply power. The clutch effort at the bar is reduced by this technology by around 30%.
SUPERIOR HANDLING
Many modern motorcycles appear fantastic from a standing position but fall short on winding roads. Honda sets high standards for how all of its motorcycles handle and feel, and the Rebel is a prime example of this. We have given the bike’s handling and cornering just as much consideration as its stunning design.
GALLON FUEL TANK
The gasoline tank is a vital component of motorcycle design. The Rebel’s classic fuel tank form, which holds 2.9 gallons, is ageless, but it also serves a practical purpose by working with the bike’s excellent fuel efficiency to give you a lot of range.
DIE-CAST ALUMINUM REAR SUBFRAME
Here’s an opportunity for Honda designers to add some extra stylish style to a motorcycle component that serves a practical purpose. The optional/removable passenger seat is supported by sturdy, discrete, light aluminum subframe/fender mounts.
A passenger on a Rebel 300 is possible.
I’ve noticed that almost all Rebel 250s that I’ve ever seen had passenger pegs. The Rebel 300s have passenger pegs on every single one that I’ve ever seen in Thailand, I’ve also noticed. I also observed that, with the exception of scooters, every bike in Singapore had passenger pegs. However, the latest Rebel 300, 500, and 1100 models sold in the USA do not include pegs. I also noticed that the Rebel 500’s owner’s manual states that passengers are not permitted to ride along. This is fascinating to me. I suppose the legal counsel had some input.
I’ve taken my son on at least three tandem rides, and I’ve come to the conclusion that 500cc is more than enough to handle two bodies (accounting for breaking, acceleration, and low speed handling). My son follows suit with how a good passenger should lean.
An old Rebel 250 is owned by one of the coworkers. Despite the fact that he is roughly 50 pounds overweight and that she is enormous, his bike can easily cruise at 45 mph on the city’s surface streets.