2021–2026 · Cruiser · A variant of the CMX1100 Rebel
Differences between the standard CMX1100 Rebel and the DCT
The Bobber That Actually Handles
The CMX1100 Rebel DCT takes the bobber template and fits it with a liquid-cooled 1084 cc parallel twin shared with Honda's Africa Twin. That engine sets its personality. It makes 87 hp at 7,000 rpm and 72 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm, and it likes to rev in a way few cruisers do. It sits in a steel double-cradle frame with the seat just 27.6 in (700 mm) off the ground. This trim adds the dual-clutch transmission to the standard Rebel 1100's equipment, which already includes ABS, traction control, ride modes, wheelie control, cruise control, a TFT display and smartphone connectivity.
Honda built this one to be lived with. It's easy to ride, cheap to run and hard to break, and the aftermarket has plenty of parts to make it yours. It suits riders who want bobber attitude without the fuss: newer riders, shorter riders, returning riders, and anyone who's done working a clutch in traffic. The honest caveat is range and reach. The 3.6 gal (13.6 L) tank keeps fuel stops frequent, there's no luggage system, and on a used bike you should check the steel frame tubes for rust. Water can get in around the seat, and poor drainage lets it sit there.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 87 hp (64 kW) @ 7,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 72 lb-ft (98 Nm) @ 4,750 rpm |
| Displacement | 1084 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 330 mm |
| Front tire | 130/70-18 |
| Rear tire | 180/65-16 |
| Wheelbase | 59.7 in (1516 mm) |
| Seat height | 27.6 in (700 mm) |
| Wet weight | 514 lb (233 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.6 gal (13.6 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Lighting
Safety
The named systems that set this bike apart — and what each one does for you.
Drivetrain
The CMX1100 Rebel DCT (MY2021-DCT) builds on the standard CMX1100 Rebel: the upgraded hardware, the key spec changes and where its character shifts. The full ride, specs, scoring and verdict are all right here on this page.
Equipment the DCT adds vs the standard CMX1100 Rebel
| Spec | Standard CMX1100 Rebel | DCT | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 494 lb | 514 lb | +20 lb |
This isn't my test ride. It's what I've picked up from riders over the years: conversations in the paddock, chats with owners at fuel stops and club nights, and the emails and messages people send me once they've lived with a bike for a while. For the Rebel 1100, the pattern is clear. Riders love the engine and the way it handles, and they value how approachable it is. Their complaints center on comfort on the earlier bikes and a rear end that feels built to a price.
Owners bring up the engine first, and they bring it up often. Riders describe a parallel twin that pulls hard from low revs, carries strong midrange torque and still has a rush left at the top. They call it lively, punchy and playful, with a muscular exhaust note, and many say it feels far more energetic than the V-twins they expected from a cruiser. The chassis gets similar praise. Owners consistently report nimble, composed cornering on twisty roads, with the kind of feedback they'd expect from a standard naked bike rather than a long, low cruiser. Riders keep pointing to the low weight and compact size when they explain why it feels so light on its feet.
Riders consistently mention how low the seat is and how narrow the bike is through the middle. They say that makes reaching the ground easy for shorter riders and gives new riders confidence at stops. The dual-clutch transmission also gets steady praise. Owners describe smooth, seamless shifts with no clutch lever to pull, less work in town and relaxed miles on longer rides, and several say it adapts well to the way they ride. Value comes up too. Owners weigh the price against the electronics package and Honda's reputation for reliability, and they come away feeling they got a lot of bike for the money.
The most common complaint by a clear margin is the seat on pre-2025 bikes. Owners describe it as thin and hard, and many say it gets painful after about an hour. The 2025 refresh brought a thicker, more cushioned seat. Taller riders on earlier bikes also report a tight knee angle from the mid-set pegs and forward-leaning handlebar. The 2025 update moved the pegs forward and brought the bar up and closer, and owners say that freed up room. The rear suspension is the other recurring gripe. Riders describe the twin shocks as short on travel and damping, harsh over bumps and prone to wallowing when pushed. Swapping them is one of the most common modifications. Some owners mention the chain final drive, which needs regular cleaning, lubing and eventual replacement where most cruisers run a belt. A few also say the bare bobber styling leaves you out in the wind, which gets tiring on the highway in bad weather.
Coolant seepage from water pump weep hole
Minor coolant drips from the water pump weep hole are common during break-in and considered normal by the manual, but persistent leaks may indicate a seal issue.
Frame rust and water accumulation
Some owners report rust forming inside the steel frame tubes due to poor drainage, with water entering around the seat area. Can lead to structural concerns if left unchecked.
Where this Honda CMX1100 Rebel pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the CMX1100 Rebel is actually built for.
If Sturgis or Daytona is your yearly ritual, this gets you there with real bobber attitude and Honda calm. Just know it's a parallel twin, so its sound and feel are its own.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
For slow-rhythm runs through small towns and roads like the Kancamagus, it fits beautifully: low, easy, clean-looking and happy at a relaxed pace. Plan fuel stops around the small tank.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
Straight talk: this isn't your two-up cross-country machine. Cruise control helps, but the small tank and lack of luggage make it better for solo park days than loaded trips over Beartooth.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Honda CMX1100 Rebel. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2021
Raw Power, Sportster Reborn
Roughly $3,200 pricier used than this bike at 5 yr
Competitor · 2015–2024
Legendary Name, Real Legs
Roughly $1,500 pricier used than this bike at 4 yr
Competitor · 2023
Blacked-Out Chopper Attitude
About the same used price as this bike at 3 yr
Same Platform · 2023–2026
The Cruiser With A Brain
About the same used price as this bike at 3 yr
Similar Character · 2019–2020
Factory Custom, Built Right
