The Honda CMX250, also called the Rebel 250, is a 234 cc cruiser-style motorcycle made by Honda on and off since 1985. It uses the same 234 cc straight twin as the Honda Nighthawk 250 standard and is part of the CM series of cruisers.
Honda Rebel at a glance
| Maker | Honda |
|---|---|
| Model | CMX250C Rebel 250 |
| Produced since | 1985, on and off |
| Engine | 234 cc straight twin |
| Shared engine | Honda Nighthawk 250 |
| Family | Honda CM cruisers |
| Fuel economy | 52–62.6 mpg US (3.76–4.52 L/100 km) |
| Best result | 62.6 mpg in a 1996 car, top of the 2010 MCN index |
| Top speed | 70 mph (110 km/h) |
| 0–60 mph | 11.86 seconds |
| Quarter mile | 17.86 seconds at 68.55 mph |
| Wet weight | 320 lb (150 kg) |
| Brakes | front disc, rear drum |
| Gearbox | five speeds |
| Last US model year | 2016 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the CMX250C. The CM page itself was not among the articles created for this category.
History of the Honda Rebel
Built for newcomers
When the Rebel was introduced, the September 1985 issue of Motorcyclist wrote that by targeting the bike at a young audience, such as those who watch MTV, Honda hoped to attract newcomers and expand the motorcycle market, and noted that Honda was not marketing it as a woman’s bike. The Rebel is commonly used in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s certified rider-training courses.
Economy and performance
The Rebel’s fuel consumption averages 52 to 62.6 mpg US. The 1996 model recorded 62.6 mpg, the best of the 352 past and current models tested in the 2010 Motorcycle Consumer News Performance Index, though by 2012 several models had beaten it, led by the Yamaha Virago 250 at 66.9 mpg. Maximum speed is 70 mph, 0 to 60 mph takes 11.86 seconds and the quarter mile 17.86 seconds at 68.55 mph. Wet weight is 320 lb. The bike has a single front disc and a rear drum brake, a speedometer with gear recommendations but no tachometer, and a five-speed gearbox with a down-for-first pattern.
Police and the end
The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., began using Rebels in the early 1980s in place of Vespa scooters, but by the mid-2000s was replacing them with Harley-Davidsons. According to American Honda, 2016 was the last model year for the Rebel 250 in the United States; an entirely new model derived from the CBR250R was unveiled at the 2017 Tokyo Motorcycle Show.
Design and features
- Low, light cruiser: 320 lb wet and an easy reach to the ground.
- 234 cc twin: shared with the Nighthawk 250.
- Economy: 52 to 62.6 mpg US.
- Training favourite: used in MSF rider courses.
Honda Rebel versions
- CMX250C Rebel 250 (1985): the original model.
- 1996 model: the most economical version tested.
- Rebel 250 to 2016: the final US model year.
- 2017 Rebel: the CBR250R-derived replacement.
The Rebel shares its engine with the Honda Nighthawk 250 and its small-capacity role with the CG125. More Hondas are in the Honda collection.
Sources
- Honda CMX250C, English Wikipedia: production, engine, economy, police use, replacement
