1996 Honda Rebel 250 A Rebellious Spirit
The Honda Rebel 250 likely holds a place in many of our hearts as the first bike we rode during our Basic Rider Course. Even as a novice, I could tell that the bike was not in the best shape, though I couldn’t quite pinpoint why – perhaps it was due to being passed around among numerous beginner riders.
The Rebel 250 has intermittently been a part of Honda’s offerings over the years. In 1996, it’s back on the roster, though you might not have noticed it while admiring the CBR900RR or the Valkyrie.
Indeed, the Rebel has returned to cater to a small yet steady market segment of novice riders looking for a lightweight bike with a low seat. To put it simply, this bike was designed with shorter individuals in mind.
In fact, it’s ideal for those who are quite short. Our most petite tester, standing at a modest 5’6″, was just about the right size to fit on the bike. Although the suspension didn’t sag and his knees didn’t knock his elbows, he would have been more comfortable if the bars, foot pegs, and seat were spaced an inch further apart.
The one feature of the Rebel that feels standard-sized is its handlebar. The broad, flat bar positions your hands at a distance, somewhat complicating lane-splitting. However, if the bar were slightly narrower, this 250 model could be the perfect city commuting bike. The wide handlebar also aids in maneuvering the bike’s front end, making it highly agile at low speeds.
This agility makes the Rebel a joy to ride. With more ground clearance than most cruisers and its lightweight design, it’s a blast navigating through local canyons. There’s a certain guilty pleasure in pushing this little bike to its limits in corners, with the foot peg scraping the ground.
For more seasoned riders, the limited power output from the air-cooled twin engine might be problematic. Despite our best efforts to tuck in, we could only reach 80 mph on the speedometer. To the bike’s credit, it handled this level of strain quite well, exhibiting no alarming behaviors. This bike is not aimed at experienced riders, and beginners will find the power output manageable.
As expected, this 250 model is built to be affordable. Regrettably, this is evident. While most of the bike’s construction is of high quality, small details, such as a missing oil light, low-end OEM tires, and a dim non-halogen headlight, are noticeable drawbacks. Moreover, the transmission was consistently stubborn, making it difficult to shift into neutral when stationary and causing occasional false neutrals while shifting gears.
Despite these minor issues, the only significant concern is that Honda didn’t price this motorcycle as competitively as we would have liked. At $3999, it’s a hundred dollars pricier than a Yamaha Virago 250 and only a hundred dollars cheaper than Suzuki’s GS500E. So, who is the Rebel for? If you’re a beginner seeking a motorcycle and can’t find another model that suits you, the little Honda could be a perfect fit.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Honda
- Model: 1996 CMX250C
- Engine: sohc, 2-valve Twin
- Bore x stroke: 53mm x 53mm
- Displacement: 234cc
- Carburetion: 26mm Keihin
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Wheelbase: 57.1 in.
- Seat height: 26.6 in.
- Fuel capacity: 2.6 gal.
- Claimed dry weight: 306 lbs.
- Price: $3,999