LONG-TERMER – FIRST MODS/DRESS-UP BITS FOR THE 1100 REBEL

WE’RE THREE MONTHS INTO OUR LOAN OF THE NEW CMX1100 REBEL FROM HONDA, AND IT’S TIME FOR THE FIRST REAL LONG TRIP ABOARD THE LITTLE BIG BIKE…

Before we set off, though, there were a couple of little things to do. Firstly, there was the small matter of its first 600-mile service (which was actually done at about 1100 miles… oops), and then there was a rack to be procured and fitted to make life on the road a little easier.

Looking through the absolutely massive catalogue of accessories that Honda have for the 1100 Rebel, there are a couple of offerings in the way of racks, and I opted for the low, two-bolt one that goes in place of the rear seat. It’s simplicity itself to fit – just undo the rearmost Allen bolt, put the key into the ignition, turn it one click to release the rider’s seat, and then undo

the other Allen bolt to lift the rear seat off. To fit the new rack, just offer it up to the now removed seat’s mounting holes, do the Allen bolts up, and replace the rider’s seat – simple as that.

It is a low affair though, and sits very close to the rear ‘guard, and there isn’t a huge amount of room under it to get bungees attached, and you’ll find you’ll need thin

THE HONDA CMX1100 REBEL COSTS FROM £8,999, AND YOU CAN GET MORE INFO’ FROM YOUR LOCAL HONDA DEALER OR WWW.HONDA.CO.UK/ MOTORCYCLES

straps that’ll fit between the ‘guard and the rack. There aren’t really any places to attach bungees either as the back end, although solidly built, has no sharp edges to hook hooks around, so the taller of the two racks may suit those who need to carry a lot of luggage better.

With the rack mounted, meself and the good lady, aboard a loan Triumph Bobber, set off for the south-west to test the two low-seat cruisers against each other, stopping for lunch in the very picturesque Oxford town of Burford, and on for an overnight stop at Glastonbury. The following day, the heavens opened, and the next two, and then the sun came out and we could really give the bikes a little more throttle…

Below the Tor at Glastonbury

The beautiful Oxfordshire town of Burford

TOP LEFT: The stock rear seat as it comes… LEFT: … and with it removed… ABOVE: …and with the new rack fitted

The start of the Cornish trip, packing light

NEXT ISSUE: REBEL VERSUS BOBBER, THE SHOWDOWN!