2025–2026 · Cruiser · A variant of the CMX1100 Rebel
Differences between the standard CMX1100 Rebel and the SE DCT
The Hooligan Twin That Handles
A cruiser with the Africa Twin's engine: that's the starting point of the Rebel 1100. The 1084 cc liquid-cooled Unicam parallel twin makes 88 hp at 7,000 rpm and 72 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm, and it sits in a steel tube frame with chain final drive. This SE DCT trim builds on the standard bike's ABS, traction control, ride modes and cruise control by adding Honda's dual-clutch transmission, a TFT display and navigation. Honda RoadSync connects your phone. The SE styling package brings bar-end mirrors, a headlight cowl, fork boots, a bobbed front fender and bronze wheels. Cruiser stance, Honda logic.
Read the numbers and the target rider is clear. A 27.5 in (698 mm) seat and 522 lb (237 kg) wet weight keep this bike approachable for a 1084 cc cruiser, and the DCT takes the clutch lever out of the equation while paddle shifters leave you a manual override. Adjustable suspension at both ends and a rev ceiling well above the cruiser norm point to a bike that's built to be ridden, not just parked. The 3.6 gal (13.6 L) tank says day rides before continents. It's a cruiser for riders who want things to work. Very Honda!
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 88 hp (65 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 |
| Front tire | 130/70-18 |
| Rear tire | 180/65-16 |
| Seat height | 27.5 in (698 mm) |
| Wet weight | 522 lb (237 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.
Connectivity
Drivetrain
The CMX1100 Rebel SE DCT (MY2021-SEDCT) 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 SE DCT adds vs the standard CMX1100 Rebel
| Spec | Standard CMX1100 Rebel | SE DCT | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 494 lb | 522 lb | +29 lb |
I've spent years listening to what riders tell me about their bikes: in the paddock, at club nights, in owner chats, and in the emails and messages that land in my inbox. For the Rebel 1100, the pattern is clear. Riders praise the engine, the DCT and the easy handling, and their complaints center on comfort over distance and the rear shocks.
The loudest praise goes to the engine. Riders consistently describe the parallel twin as lively and torquey, pulling hard from low revs with a muscular exhaust note, and feeling far more energetic than a traditional cruiser V-twin. Many also point to the pulsing feel of the 270-degree crank, which comes without the vibrations they associate with a V-twin. The DCT gets just as much approval. Owners say it shifts smoothly in the automatic modes, adapts to how you ride, and takes the work out of city traffic and long highway days alike. Switch to manual and the paddles become entertainment: riders report clutch-free upshifts and downshifts even when they're cornering hard. Playful stuff!
A recurring theme is how easy the Rebel is to get along with. Shorter riders in particular report that they can flat-foot it at stops, helped by a narrow midsection that shortens the reach to the ground, and they say that builds confidence. Low-speed maneuvers come up as easy too, from new and experienced riders alike. Then comes the part that catches people off guard: on twisty roads, riders describe composure and feedback they'd expect from a standard naked bike, and they credit the light chassis and balanced weight distribution. Some owners add low running costs and cheap, easy-to-find parts to the list. Confidence comes quickly.
The most repeated complaint concerns the seat on earlier bikes: thinly padded and painful after about an hour. Riders note that Honda fitted a more cushioned seat for 2025, and some owners report the stock seat going numb after around 100 miles (160 km) and swap it for an aftermarket one. The rear shocks come next. Riders consistently call them soft and short on damping, harsh over sharp bumps and prone to wallowing when you push, and upgrading them is a common modification. The chain drive is another regular gripe, because it means cleaning, lubricating and eventually replacing it, where most cruisers run a belt. Some taller riders, above roughly 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m), say the high, forward pegs put pressure on the tailbone after an hour or so. A few mention tiring wind buffeting on the highway without a screen. And two-up riding? The passenger seat and pegs cost extra. Solo by default.
Crankcase sealing bolt oil leak (recall KS2 / NHTSA 25V358)
On certain 2024–2025 Rebel 1100 models, a defective crankcase sealing bolt may have imperfect threads, potentially allowing oil to leak onto the rear tyre. Honda has issued a safety recall to replace the bolt. 1,016 units affected across Africa Twin, Transalp and Rebel. No US injuries reported.
Rust and water inside frame
Water can seep around the seat area and pool inside the steel frame, causing internal rust. Poor drainage is the suspected cause; some owners apply a spray protectant to mitigate corrosion.
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.
You're the closest match of the three, but be honest: this is a liquid-cooled parallel twin with an automatic gearbox. If your ritual needs a heritage badge and its sound, this isn't your bike.
Made for Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
The cruiser look is there, the hardware is modern: TFT, navigation, cruise control. It suits an unhurried small-town pace, but the 3.6 gal (13.6 L) tank will set your fuel-stop rhythm.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
Cruise control and navigation are standard, luggage is optional. With a solo seat and a 3.6 gal (13.6 L) tank, it only partly fits loaded, two-up, coast-to-coast riding.
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.
