Honda’s BIG Rebel is here Factory reveals new CMX1100

The Japanese factory has just added another bike to its 2021 line-up: the CMX1100 Rebel.

We’ve been talking about this bike for ages. There have been whispers that a big brother to the A2 licence 500cc twin-cylinder CMX500 Rebel was on the way – and here it is.

Honda hasn’t reinvented the wheel. It’s taken heed of the success of the middleweight Rebel and stuck to a similar formula. It looks much the same, and with a 700mm seat height and 223kg wet weight it’s not that much bigger and heavier either.

It’s more powerful though, thanks to its 1,084cc, parallel twin-cylinder engine – the same lump as the latest Africa Twin. It’s been tuned to deliver strong bottom end and mid-range punch, and provides an ample, but not earth-shattering 85bhp (64kW) and 72 ft-lb (98Nm) of torque to play with.

The chassis blends a stiff tubular steel frame, 43mm cartridge-style front forks, twin rear shocks and radial-mount four-piston front brakes – and if it handles anything like the CMX500, it’ll be a hoot to ride.

The stripped back machine does hide some clever technological trickery underneath, including a Throttle By Wire (TBW) management system (with three default rider modes and one user-customisable mode); three levels of Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC); Wheelie Control and cruise control. Plus, the CMX1100 will also be available with Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission system.

No news yet on pricing or availability, but chances are we won’t have to wait too much longer for the big Rebel to land on British shores.