This Honda Is The Perfect Cruiser For Solo Riders

Riding solo hits differently, and it also comes with added perks when compared to two-up motorcycles. Most bikes out there are designed for two people. But if those are ridden by the rider alone, then all the elements related to a pillion, like the rear seat, footpegs, and backrest, are just visual hindrances that add weight. This is where single-seater cruiser bikes score high by blending style and riding experience. There are a handful of solo cruiser bikes out there, but none of them offer the amount of value and versatility that a particular metric cruiser from Honda does.

It is powered by a liter-class engine, which is also used on an ADV and a sporty touring bike. Also, this is the only cruiser bike out there with an automatic gearbox. Furthermore, the technology suite on this Honda cruiser bike will make your jaw drop, because it’s that loaded. The sweet cherry on top of this enticing cake is its affordable price tag of under $11,000. None of its immediate rivals, or even a segment above, for that matter, match the value-for-money proposition this single-seater Honda offers, and that’s its ace card.

The Honda Rebel 1100 DCT Is The Perfect Cruiser Bike For Solo Riders

Price: $10,299

Honda

This is the most unique and value-packed cruiser bike available today. The $10,299 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT excels at being a do-it-all cruiser bike, thanks to its shared components with various other Honda offerings. The crux of its versatility is the engine and main frame, which are taken right off the dune-bashing Africa Twin ADV. Honda has done its due diligence in tweaking the engine parameters, the sub-frame, and other hardware components, to cater to the Rebel 1100 DCT’s cruiser bike nature. Making its solo-seater layout a lot more desirable is the Rebel 1100’s gorgeous neo-retro design language.

Honda has seamlessly stitched together a custom American-inspired cruiser bike styling with modern elements like a four-pot LED headlamp, a fully digital instrument cluster, and many sportsbike-grade assistive technology features. Everything is neatly put together into a relatively compact package for a cruiser bike with a 1,000+ cc engine. The scooped solo saddle is integrated well and complements the laid-back and relaxed rider triangle. Also, a slew of cool accessories (more on that below) makes sure that the ’empty’ space behind the rider is put to good use.

Features That Make The Honda Rebel 1100 DCT The Perfect Solo Cruiser Bike

• Cool neo-retro cruiser bike design
• Highly accessible with a low seat height; great for new riders
• Low center of gravity and relatively wide tires offer a great mix of nimble and stable riding dynamics.
• Sole cruiser bike in its segment with an automatic gearbox, which also offers an easy twist-and-go throttle mode.
• Deeply integrated electronic features offer various levels of power, throttle response, and traction control settings to dial up the riding experience.

There’s A More Stylish Version For A Custom Vibe

Price: $11,099

Honda

For those who crave a more head-turning solo-seater cruiser bike, Honda also has a custom-styled trim of the Rebel 1100 DCT, called the SE. It builds upon the standard DCT trim level with cool and vibrant elements for an additional $800. Notable differences include an exclusive bright Flare Orange Metallic paint job, bar-end mirrors, a body-colored headlight cowling, bronze wheels, and a custom seat design. Apart from these visual tweaks, the Rebel 1100 DCT SE is identical to the standard trim in powertrain and chassis components.

Powered By A Versatile Parallel-Twin Engine

That Is Also Found On An ADV, A Touring Bike, And A Cafe Racer

Honda

The 1,083 cc parallel-twin engine on the Rebel 1100 DCT is a familiar mill, because it also takes care of firepower on the dune-bashing Africa Twin ADV, the all-new NT1100 touring bike, and even the forbidden corner-carving Hawk 11 café racer. This engine is highly versatile, and Honda has given it a thorough makeover to cater to the Rebel 1100’s cruiser character. Compared to the mill on the Africa Twin, the Rebel’s twin gets a 32 percent heavier flywheel, tweaked valve timings, revised ignition settings, and notable modifications to ride mode settings.

Honda Rebel 1100 DCT Engine Features

• Individual camshaft profiles and ignition timings
• Fuel-injected engine with throttle-by-wire technology
• A 270-degree crank layout gives the Rebel 1100 a unique tune.
• The parallel-twin engine is derived from the Honda Africa Twin unit.
• Two counterbalancers to cancel out primary and coupling vibrations from the engine

This is a short-stroke mill with an eager nature, producing 87 horsepower and 72.3 pound-feet of torque. The low-down performance is meaty with an early torque surge that peaks at 4,750 RPM. About eighty percent of the torque is available at 3,000 RPM, which helps cater to this Honda cruiser bike’s peppy nature and a claimed 0-60 mph time of under four seconds.

Engine And Gearbox Specs

But the show-stopper here is its 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission that unlocks a whole new level of ease of rideability when compared to manual-gearbox-equipped cruiser bikes. The added convenience the automatic gearbox offers is unparalleled, as this transmission eliminates the need for a clutch lever and left-foot shifting. In simple words, the Rebel 1100 DCT cruiser bike can be ridden as a scooter with its straightforward twist-and-go throttle system. Honda also adds paddle-like “+” and “-” shifters on the left side of the handlebar for a more engaging ride.

Perks Of The Honda Rebel 1100 DCT Gearbox

• No stalling
• Reduced fatigue during long riding sessions
• Provides better MPG figures in certain riding conditions
• Elevated low-speed maneuverability, handy in steep hill situations

Underpinnings That Add Sportiness To This Low-Slung Cruiser Bike

Chassis: Semi-double Cradle Frame

Honda

The Rebel 1100 DCT shares its main frame with the Africa Twin ADV, which contributes to its adaptive capabilities. The chassis is suspended on 43 mm forks up front and preload-adjustable dual shocks at the rear. While the adjustability is limited, Honda claims that the springs are balanced for a well-rounded riding appeal.

Hardware Specs

Braking duties are handled by a single 330 mm disc at the front and a 256 mm disc at the rear. A dual-channel ABS is standard here. Contributing to its traction and visual appeal are relatively chunky 130-section front and 180-section rear tires wrapped around lightweight alloy wheels.

Surprisingly Compact For A Liter-Class Cruiser Bike

Wheelbase: 59.8 inches

Honda

Despite packing a 1,000+ cc engine and producing 87 horsepower, the Rebel 1100 DCT is compact enough to be confused for a small entry-level cruiser bike. In fact, if the Rebel 500 and the Rebel 1100 are placed right next to each other, common folks will have a hard time telling which one is which.

Dimensions, Curb Weight, And Fuel Capacity

With a wheelbase of 59.8 inches and a seat height of just 27.5 inches, the Rebel 1100 DCT is a very accessible motorcycle that will feel at home even on tight urban roads. Its curb weight of 509 pounds is also very impressive for a cruiser bike. The only bummer here is that the compact and slim design is achieved by sacrificing fuel capacity. The Rebel 1100 DCT has a puny 3.6-gallon fuel tank.

The Technology Suite Is Off The Charts

Race-derived Features For Under $10,500

Honda

This year, Honda has equipped the Rebel 1100 with some impressive technological features that have truly put it in the spotlight. It gets an all-new 5-inch TFT that runs the Honda RoadSync software, which embeds many Bluetooth-enabled hands-free connectivity features like making phone calls, sending and receiving text messages, controlling music, and accessing the navigation system. The assistive features are unreal, with features like wheelie control also coming in as a standard feature. Honda offers five ride modes, which help give the Rebel 1100 DCT five distinct riding experiences.

Notable Standard Technology Features

• 5-inch TFT
• Ride-by-wire
• Cruise Control
• Traction Control
• Wheelie Control
• Engine Braking Control
• RoadSync Infotainment
• Five Ride Modes—Standard, Sport, Rain, And 2 User-defined Modes

Accessories On Offer To Make This An Even Cooler Solo Cruiser Bike

Honda

This single-seater Honda comes with a host of cool accessories to add practicality, convenience, style, luggage space, and even a pillion seat. Yup! For those who want to dabble between a solo and a two-up cruiser bike, the Rebel 1100 DCT can be equipped with a passenger seat kit. The accessory list also includes a range of touring-focused components, such as windscreens, comfort seats, protection, and saddlebags.

2025 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT Accessories On Offer