2009-2010 Honda Rebel
The Honda Rebel is known far and wide as a terrific small-scale bike that nonetheless has pep, is comfortable for long distances, and looks great with its classic cruiser styling. The design has been around for a long time, which makes it seem "dated" to detractors and "classic" to its fans. But nobody could argue with the fact that Honda has pretty much perfected every aspect of this design, making it one of the most popular small bikes of all time.
A lot of people learn to ride on a Honda Rebel - they're very common at motorcycle training courses. It's a great beginner bike because it's small and easy to ride. But it's also very satisfying to ride. As an entry level cruiser, it appeals to the more practical rider who doesn't want or need to deal with lots of horsepower under the engine cover or having a physically large and intimidating bike.
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The Honda Rebel has an air-cooled 234 cc parallel twin that provides enough power to get up and go, but allows beginners to focus on the basics, like remaining upright and alive. The valve train is a single overhead cam type with two valves per cylinder. It has a 26 mm carburetor and a 5 speed transmission. The front suspension is a telescopic fork type suspension, and in back it has a twin sided swing arm suspension. The Rebel is the ultimate in simple elegant design. It weighs 331 lbs. with a full gas tank (which holds 2.6 gallons), and the seat is 26.6 inches, making the bike low to the ground and easy to handle. The proportions are quite comfortable for female riders.
Some other features of this bike are the screw-type valve adjusters that make maintenance easy, a constant velocity carburetor, twin muffler exhaust system, and easy shifting 5 speed transmission. The dual rear shocks have a five position spring preload adjustment and the front brake is a disc brake with a twin piston caliper.
The fact that it's nice looking helps, too. It is inspired by the big boy cruisers, but adds its own touches, with chrome on the headlight, taillight, signal lights, instrument housing, rims, exhaust, rear springs, and fender ornaments. It comes in ultra blue metallic or black, with standard spoked wheels and classic lines. Though some people don't think it's a cruiser unless it has a V-twin, the Rebel puts that assertion to rest. it is most definitely a cruiser.
The Honda Rebel 250 is a great beginner bike for those who want the cruiser type of motorcycle rather than a sportsbike. The Rebel is light, easy to handle, and puts you in a relaxed riding position for long term comfort. The air cooled 234 cc engine has been around forever. While some people consider that fact to make the bike "old and dated," others consider it "classic." It depends on your perspective. Compared to other 250s, the Rebel is quick out of the starting gate and still has some power at highway cruising speeds.
The Honda Rebel is just about perfect as a beginner's motorcycle. And it's designed beautifully enough that it would not be out of place with a bow around the handlebars on your sweetie's birthday.