America, has a thing or two to learn about best first bikes. I so often read sale adds saying " great first bike, 900cc blar, blar, blar.." It's good to see people being everyday realistic about learning to ride.
100% agree! This 250 was Virginia's first bike. She rode it for a few years, eventually got a 1200 Sportster, and STILL chooses to ride the 250 on occasion because it works great and is less intimidating.
The Rebel 250 can do a lot of things. I'm 6' 240, and I have put over 80,000 miles on 4 different Rebel 250s, mostly on interstate highways. I have ridden from coast to coast twice, I have ridden in Canada and Mexico on Rebel 250s. They are quite capable of being ridden at full throttle all day, for as long as you want. I have hit 85 mph+ GPS on the Rebel 250 on the highway at full throttle. The engine is overbuilt and understressed. It dates back to the '70s. It was designed before everything was designed with computers, so they built it extra strong to make sure it didn't break. SAVE THE PLANET!!!!!!!!! CRUSH A TESLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I two up with my wife on my '85 all the time, and we aren't super fit people, so It can be done! It chugs along just fine as long as you are okay dropping below the speed limit for steep hills
+Caveman USA I got red lights out the ass where I live there's hardly any high speed roads here so when get in a 40mph intersection I open 3 rd and coast at 45mph
Also this a great suburban, city bike it's speed has gone to 80 with ease don't k ow why people can't get past 70 . For men and women beginner and pros who just want chill cruising around town the millage .I'm 6'0, 235lbs and no problem got an 87
My '18 Yamaha V Star 250 is a bit bigger than the Rebel. 21HP to start with. V-Twin vs Parallel Twin. Modded it here and there, the Raven Black metallic with all the chrome, silver/gun metal painted parts and the like that just make it look good. These Honda and Yamaha 250's are great bikes that look bigger than they are. My V Star was designed to compete with, and resemble the mid-80's Sportster.
+Ray Pena Great! We probably won't end up going full bobber with this bike (this bike happens to be one of those rare projects where I am compelled to solicit the opinion and *gasp* approval of my girl, since I grabbed it for her use), but will be doing small modifications along the way. I have piles of as-yet unedited project videos for other bikes, cars, etc. that will also eventually end up on this channel. Anyway, thanks for watching, Ray. :)
As a motorcycle mechanic, who has seen way to many seized examples...PLEASE change the oil regularly with a decent oil. There is NO filter, so the oil contaminants build up quickly. If the oil is very dirty or worse, low, they starve the cam and wrist pins of oil. Finding a good, used engine is hard. Oil changes are simple and the cheapest form of insurance.
The Rebel is styled very directly after the 1972 Harley Superglide. I had one back around '88, and loved it; no, it's not a large-displacement cross-country cruiser, and doesn't like being treated as such. But she's faster than you'd expect, for longer than you'd expect. So I was delighted when my sister flat-out gave me one that had been sitting in her garage forever. Some completely deranged doofus had fancied himself to be a motorcycle repairman, so I'm having to sort out a lot of really weird stuff, but she's getting there. It'll be a fun little bike to putter around town with! (For the record, I'm 6 feet tall and could use some forward pegs, but not having 'em won't kill me; and I've been riding since '72, having owned Honda 350 twin, Harley, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Moto Guzzi, Honda 550/4, Suzuki Savage, and BMW R90.)
They are a blast to ride.I modified my 87 250 on a bugget and it's even more fun than my busa because survey says ********* it's light weight and very maneuverable.
I love it when I get a chance to take it out and buzz around a bit. Being fairly tall, I am a bit cramped on it, though. My girl is 5'10" and she is uncomfortable after riding it for about an hour.
I know this is old but I'm busting the passenger myth! The bike stops on a dime and goes fast wether a passenger on it or not. I have had 4 passenger that love riding around on it.#RebelStrongerThanPeopleThink
I believe it. Alone Im wishin for another gear. Had mine a week so no try dual yet. I am impressed with the bike/handling. Had a Suzuki 250 absolutely hated the handling. I warned anyone who rode it especially if they had experience since they should call it a widow maker. Still have not checked my Rebels mpg. It has 30k mi from CA and rides beautifully. Getting near 80 mpg.
Its a underdog but only do to new bikes(250 category). Glad I tried one, a car accident makes weight a problem, not to mention cops and my luck/attitude. Actually for the year it had good peg placement and weight for a 250 and holds the road nice vs lighter faster 250s. Get waves smiles nods, but then it could be my padded tank riding pup...Rascal..? Acceleration is 250cc, but takes all hills and I don't have to park on a hill in case my battery dies. They have a hell of a easy to use choke.
I have a 2000 honda rebel I bought it used im wondering if the last owner did something to the exhaust mine is not as quiet as the one in the video lol.
Possibly... Does the exhaust look the same, or at least similar? The baffles in the stock exhaust can be pulled out, opened up... that would make it louder, for sure.
As far as I know, this is a stock Rebel seat. It mounts properly to the provisions on the frame. I have seen Rebels with longer seats meant for 2 riders, but I believe the rear portion is a separate piece. I'll take a look at the seat when I am near the bike again (it is 1000 miles away, at present) and see if it happens to be aftermarket.
Sorry to be so offtopic but does any of you know a way to get back into an Instagram account..? I stupidly lost my password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me!
@Porter Cooper thanks for your reply. I got to the site on google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
That't the bike I recommended that my brother get as a first bike. I used to own a 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 900N, but I got rid of it. After a few years of riding I realized it wasn't really for me. As much as I enjoyed it on country roads, I do a lot of city and highway driving and traffic makes me nervous.
+Chris Newman (Fat Libertarian Dude) Yep, it is a great bike to learn on. Nikki took the rider safety course and they used a bunch of 250cc bikes, mostly by Suzuki. I tried to start her out on a Harley Sportster -- big mistake, way too top-heavy for her (it is a 883-turned-1200 before leaving the factory... I ended up keeping it to ride around while I rebuild my other bike). Safety is a concern, for sure. I ride mostly mountain roads, but occasionally you'll find me riding in the canyons of Manhattan. In 22 years of riding, I've had one serious mishap.
Doesn't chopping pipes cause flat spots due to no reverse exhaust pressure? I wanted to remove the muffler on my ZX6R but that's what the mechanics said lol
should do a video. Like the sound my fac-pipes have at low rpm. Was thinking a mod would sound great....but I have a SUPER clean 85 with 30k mi original and hate to touch it. It sleeps with a blanket.
Might wanna do a valve adjustment on that thing...... those things are ticking very much badly. And IF you ever rode in Florida or the Gulf Coast during Love Big season you'd KNOW why people put windshields on a Rebel 250.
Hi, Joseph. I can't tell you exactly which bars they are, only that they are from a Japanese motorcross bike. That's all I was told when I bought them second-hand. As long as you buy bars of the same diameter, everything will fit just fine, and there are LOTS of aftermarket bars on the market to choose from.
My Nighthawk 250 is pretty maxed out with my 120 lb daughter on the back as I keep the rear shocks preloaded to five (there's no higher setting). I weigh 208. Yes the bike, well maintained, will go well over 75 on flat good road, takes longer with a passenger. I don't think the brakes are sufficient with 330lbs of passengers at speeds above 55. Those bikes have simple brakes for 18hp. I think the bike will go 85 as I have cruised at 70 and still have throttle left, but I've never cared to find out. The rest of the bike is not built for speed past 65mph or 100km. Oh the bug shield does help get the speed and pep past 50mph for bigger chest riders. Not needed for a smaller rider(s).
Heh, yeah, it's a little bike. But even though Virginia has moved on to a 1200 Sportster, we still have this little Rebel. Maybe we'll keep it to help friends learn to ride, maybe even teach our kids to ride one day.
America, has a thing or two to learn about best first bikes. I so often read sale adds saying " great first bike, 900cc blar, blar, blar.."
It's good to see people being everyday realistic about learning to ride.
100% agree! This 250 was Virginia's first bike. She rode it for a few years, eventually got a 1200 Sportster, and STILL chooses to ride the 250 on occasion because it works great and is less intimidating.
The Rebel 250 can do a lot of things. I'm 6' 240, and I have put over 80,000 miles on 4 different Rebel 250s, mostly on interstate highways. I have ridden from coast to coast twice, I have ridden in Canada and Mexico on Rebel 250s. They are quite capable of being ridden at full throttle all day, for as long as you want. I have hit 85 mph+ GPS on the Rebel 250 on the highway at full throttle. The engine is overbuilt and understressed. It dates back to the '70s. It was designed before everything was designed with computers, so they built it extra strong to make sure it didn't break. SAVE THE PLANET!!!!!!!!! CRUSH A TESLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I appreciate your long comment. You must have had quite the adventure crisscrossing the continent!
Don't get me started on electric vehicles...
I two up with my wife on my '85 all the time, and we aren't super fit people, so It can be done! It chugs along just fine as long as you are okay dropping below the speed limit for steep hills
We recently moved our Rebel (and all of our other bikes... LOTS of projects) to Florida... not a lot of hills there! :)
I used to carry passengers on my 85 250 as well....not the fastest but fast enough to get us out of a few dodgy situations!
Love the Rebel forever.
Got my 04 rebel for 500 bucks best 500 bucks I have ever spent in my life
Right? They are great little bikes!
Honestly the bobbed out look on the reble is sweet!
I love the idea of stripping a bike dosn and making it as basic as possible!
Yep, for a small bike, a stripped Rebel is pretty cool.
got a 87 , love the damn thing
They are great bikes!
+Caveman USA
I got red lights out the ass where I live there's hardly any high speed roads here so when get in a 40mph intersection I open 3 rd and coast at 45mph
Also this a great suburban, city bike it's speed has gone to 80 with ease don't k ow why people can't get past 70 . For men and women beginner and pros who just want chill cruising around town the millage .I'm 6'0, 235lbs and no problem got an 87
Yep, I have seen your videos. The bike is a great little vehicle!
Thanks bro you gave me motivation to take pride in my bike lol I’m 6’2 190lbs it’s my first bike too.
@@9LIVES_DIY i wish i never sold it😭
That gold model was a limited production model that lasted 1 year in production. Since 1985 the rear shocks were always chrome.
Now that is an interesting bit of history. Thank you for that!
Drove mine with my sister on it had no problem!!!!! You have no idea what you are talking about!!!!!!
LOL of course, it CAN handle a passenger (assuming you have more than just the single saddle we have). It is just not exactly a powerful bike.
My '18 Yamaha V Star 250 is a bit bigger than the Rebel. 21HP to start with. V-Twin vs Parallel Twin. Modded it here and there, the Raven Black metallic with all the chrome, silver/gun metal painted parts and the like that just make it look good. These Honda and Yamaha 250's are great bikes that look bigger than they are. My V Star was designed to compete with, and resemble the mid-80's Sportster.
I can see that about a V Star, the Sportster similarities. These little bikes punch above their weight.
@@9LIVES_DIY Yes they do! Fun bike and dead-on reliable.
my first bike was a rebel 250. I bobbed it, it was great. I'm following this series
+Ray Pena
Great! We probably won't end up going full bobber with this bike (this bike happens to be one of those rare projects where I am compelled to solicit the opinion and *gasp* approval of my girl, since I grabbed it for her use), but will be doing small modifications along the way. I have piles of as-yet unedited project videos for other bikes, cars, etc. that will also eventually end up on this channel.
Anyway, thanks for watching, Ray. :)
That's too bad, the rebel is a great bobber platform. I ended putting up my video on mine...just before I sold it.
+Ray Pena
I saw that. Awesome bike!
I might be the king of low-powered vehicles. I owned a 50HP car and still own a 16HP 250-Rebel. I wish I still had my 50 MPG car.
Low-power vehicles make sense, in a way... once you get up to speed, it doesn't take much power to maintain.
@@9LIVES_DIY We drove our 50HP VW Rabbit all over the United States and all around Germany. To this day I still wish I had never sold it.
As a motorcycle mechanic, who has seen way to many seized examples...PLEASE change the oil regularly with a decent oil. There is NO filter, so the oil contaminants build up quickly. If the oil is very dirty or worse, low, they starve the cam and wrist pins of oil. Finding a good, used engine is hard. Oil changes are simple and the cheapest form of insurance.
Damn good advice! Thank you!
Love your bike. I have an 86 250 limited. The gold edition or whatever. And I want to bad to customize it. But it’s so clean I want to keep it stock.
I think they look so beautiful stock
They are great bikes, and are actually starting to appreciate in value as collectibles.
They do! This one was a bit of a hack job when we got it, so we made some minor customizations to make it... presentable. :)
The Rebel is styled very directly after the 1972 Harley Superglide. I had one back around '88, and loved it; no, it's not a large-displacement cross-country cruiser, and doesn't like being treated as such. But she's faster than you'd expect, for longer than you'd expect. So I was delighted when my sister flat-out gave me one that had been sitting in her garage forever. Some completely deranged doofus had fancied himself to be a motorcycle repairman, so I'm having to sort out a lot of really weird stuff, but she's getting there. It'll be a fun little bike to putter around town with! (For the record, I'm 6 feet tall and could use some forward pegs, but not having 'em won't kill me; and I've been riding since '72, having owned Honda 350 twin, Harley, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Moto Guzzi, Honda 550/4, Suzuki Savage, and BMW R90.)
Actually it's not, it's designed after the late 60's- early 70's Triumph T-120R.
@@stephaniebraun2910 Sorry Stephanie, but.no. Imagine a V twin in that bike, and it's an obvious Superglide.
I enjoy the healthy debate, here. :)
They are a blast to ride.I modified my 87 250 on a bugget and it's even more fun than my busa because survey says ********* it's light weight and very maneuverable.
I love it when I get a chance to take it out and buzz around a bit. Being fairly tall, I am a bit cramped on it, though. My girl is 5'10" and she is uncomfortable after riding it for about an hour.
5:40 had me dying 🤣
Ya' gotta' have fun...
Perfect color.
Thanks, we like it. :)
You damn right you need a windshield.
Wuss! ;) Goggles and a scarf work for me. Or get a helmet with a face shield.
beautiful motorbike, I have an honda but it's 125
Similar bike, I believe
I know this is old but I'm busting the passenger myth! The bike stops on a dime and goes fast wether a passenger on it or not. I have had 4 passenger that love riding around on it.#RebelStrongerThanPeopleThink
I believe it. Alone Im wishin for another gear. Had mine a week so no try dual yet. I am impressed with the bike/handling. Had a Suzuki 250 absolutely hated the handling. I warned anyone who rode it especially if they had experience since they should call it a widow maker. Still have not checked my Rebels mpg. It has 30k mi from CA and rides beautifully. Getting near 80 mpg.
Nate Silva 4 people, REALLY, sure you could get 4 people on the bike if you Lay it on its Side & piled on. Bet you could get more than 4 on that moped
putheflamesou keep that moped in the parking lot where it belongs
Its a underdog but only do to new bikes(250 category). Glad I tried one, a car accident makes weight a problem, not to mention cops and my luck/attitude. Actually for the year it had good peg placement and weight for a 250 and holds the road nice vs lighter faster 250s. Get waves smiles nods, but then it could be my padded tank riding pup...Rascal..? Acceleration is 250cc, but takes all hills and I don't have to park on a hill in case my battery dies. They have a hell of a easy to use choke.
Agreed, I'm 230, and my wife is 100, hauls us both with ease. Fun little bike
I have a 2000 honda rebel I bought it used im wondering if the last owner did something to the exhaust mine is not as quiet as the one in the video lol.
Possibly... Does the exhaust look the same, or at least similar? The baffles in the stock exhaust can be pulled out, opened up... that would make it louder, for sure.
Can any tell me what type of seat is on this bike?? Or where to get on similar??
As far as I know, this is a stock Rebel seat. It mounts properly to the provisions on the frame. I have seen Rebels with longer seats meant for 2 riders, but I believe the rear portion is a separate piece. I'll take a look at the seat when I am near the bike again (it is 1000 miles away, at present) and see if it happens to be aftermarket.
Ive just purchased a Rebel 250 to customise, was in a poor state
I know this comment is a few years old (I am just now catching up). Did you make any progress on that Rebel?
@@9LIVES_DIY Haha Ive done the same :D Im actually still working on the Rebel on my Channel its been a long process lol
@@dtaylo4517 I'll check it out!
My stock rebel 250 will do 83 on flat ... I would do 70 on the highway for miles at a time
Sorry to be so offtopic but does any of you know a way to get back into an Instagram account..?
I stupidly lost my password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me!
@Daniel Lance Instablaster :)
@Porter Cooper thanks for your reply. I got to the site on google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm.
Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Porter Cooper It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy!
Thanks so much you saved my account !
@Daniel Lance glad I could help =)
Lolz Wrapping the exhausted headers is good for the engine
It can be... it is especially good for a turbocharger.
The Cmx 450 made from 86 to 87 had the squared off top the 250 has the rounded top
Yes, I believe that is true!
That't the bike I recommended that my brother get as a first bike. I used to own a 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 900N, but I got rid of it. After a few years of riding I realized it wasn't really for me. As much as I enjoyed it on country roads, I do a lot of city and highway driving and traffic makes me nervous.
+Chris Newman (Fat Libertarian Dude)
Yep, it is a great bike to learn on. Nikki took the rider safety course and they used a bunch of 250cc bikes, mostly by Suzuki. I tried to start her out on a Harley Sportster -- big mistake, way too top-heavy for her (it is a 883-turned-1200 before leaving the factory... I ended up keeping it to ride around while I rebuild my other bike).
Safety is a concern, for sure. I ride mostly mountain roads, but occasionally you'll find me riding in the canyons of Manhattan. In 22 years of riding, I've had one serious mishap.
Vai chegar no Brasil Essa moto Rebel 500 a honda estar devendo motos custom
I diagonal cut 6 inches off the pipes on mine and it sounds awesome
I've been trying to convince Nikki to let me chop her pipes. She's not on board with that... yet.
The fenders are getting a nice chop this Spring.
Doesn't chopping pipes cause flat spots due to no reverse exhaust pressure? I wanted to remove the muffler on my ZX6R but that's what the mechanics said lol
I don't know it did not in my bike
should do a video. Like the sound my fac-pipes have at low rpm. Was thinking a mod would sound great....but I have a SUPER clean 85 with 30k mi original and hate to touch it. It sleeps with a blanket.
I have one.Its a great machine.It hauls my fat ass pretty good.
They are a lot of fun!
Might wanna do a valve adjustment on that thing...... those things are ticking very much badly. And IF you ever rode in Florida or the Gulf Coast during Love Big season you'd KNOW why people put windshields on a Rebel 250.
You are right, that bike definitely needed a valve adjustment.
I have a 86 rebel 250 got it to 100 not to bad for a small bike
Not bad at all. I weigh too much to achieve that kind of speed, but Virginia might be able to do it...
It's just fast enough to outrun godzilla
Yeah, but then along comes Rodan flying by and you're DONE.
Can you PLEASE send me a link on where to buy those handle bars?? Just picked up a Rebel.. love the bike HATE the bars.. Thanks!!
Hi, Joseph. I can't tell you exactly which bars they are, only that they are from a Japanese motorcross bike. That's all I was told when I bought them second-hand. As long as you buy bars of the same diameter, everything will fit just fine, and there are LOTS of aftermarket bars on the market to choose from.
Joseph Freitas DUMP the bike now & get a 750, you will be very happy you did
Your wrong it handles passengers well and Great for first timers abd zooms well past 80
The 250 does not go faster than 80
I got it to 85 going down hill on the interstate.
My Nighthawk 250 is pretty maxed out with my 120 lb daughter on the back as I keep the rear shocks preloaded to five (there's no higher setting). I weigh 208. Yes the bike, well maintained, will go well over 75 on flat good road, takes longer with a passenger. I don't think the brakes are sufficient with 330lbs of passengers at speeds above 55. Those bikes have simple brakes for 18hp.
I think the bike will go 85 as I have cruised at 70 and still have throttle left, but I've never cared to find out. The rest of the bike is not built for speed past 65mph or 100km.
Oh the bug shield does help get the speed and pep past 50mph for bigger chest riders. Not needed for a smaller rider(s).
Nate Silva your wrong, the 250 is a moped actually, & those don't belong on the street at all
My 1985 goes 85
Been around since 83 I got a 03
Been around since 85
They are sort of a timeless little cruiser.
@@9LIVES_DIY indeed they are mine will forever be with me
Ilmao but i wosh i had one.👍
Heh, yeah, it's a little bike. But even though Virginia has moved on to a 1200 Sportster, we still have this little Rebel. Maybe we'll keep it to help friends learn to ride, maybe even teach our kids to ride one day.
Idk why you're complaining a out a passenger ger or carrying luggage. There's giu who have taken these coast to coast just fine
Not complaining, just pointing it out. These bikes are plenty capable of going long distances. :)