For the 2025 model year, Honda’s Rebel cruiser line-up has improved ergonomics, updated technology and another new member. The new addition, the CMX1100SE Rebel, Honda describes as a ‘ready-to-go’ factory custom special.
It features a colour-matched nose cowl, specially designed fork leg gaiters, and a short, sporty front mudguard. The SE is also the first factory Honda since the RC213V-S MotoGP replica to feature bar-end mirrors.
The rest of the CMX1100 range also comes in for new handlebar siting (rearward and upwards) and improved seat thickness (+10mm) for added rider comfort. The Rebel 500 also gets the seat foam upgrade.
Read our review of Honda CMX1100
Rounding out the 1100 Rebel updates is an engine retune (higher compression ratio). That results in stronger low- and mid-range punch and a raunchier sound. Three fixed and one user configurable rider mode are part of the CMX1100 set-up while a new five-inch TFT display features customisable screens and the smartphone connectivity of Honda RoadSync. There’s also a USB-C connector. New colours keep things fresh.
The Rebel 500, which has been the best-selling custom motorcycle in Europe for the past three years gains several subtle upgrades. A new rear bump stop design improves the ride quality over rougher surfaces, the seat not only gets better foam but has also been reprofiled. Height remains at 690mm suiting a wide variety of body sizes. The handlebar position is also slightly different, offering a more relaxed ‘natural’ riding position.
The pillion pad and pegs are now easy to remove, allowing fitment of accessories, such as packs, or a rear rack. Other items include tank pads and a flyscreen, while saddlebags come in nylon or leather varieties.
The CMX500 Rebel ‘S’ edition continues for next year, complete with factory-fit headlight cowl and smoke screen, retro-style front fork covers and gaiters and a brown diamond-stitch style seat along with bronze wheels. This comes in a new orange colour along with matte black. The Rebel 500 gains a new matte grey colour. For the 1100 new blue and grey colours are available, while the SE model comes in orange or matte black.
