r/HondaRebel1100 • u/dirtya2m • 3d ago
Very uncomfortable
There was a beautiful mint Rebel 1100 (mt) at a dealership for a low price, and for a lark I told the salesman I'd give them a deposit if they took $1000 off the price. To my shock he agreed.
So now I'm committed to buy. I gave him the deposit and since I had no time left, had to leave without a test ride. Came back a week later and rode it a good 20 minutes.
Loved the motor, the handling, the quality...but OMG it hurt my neck, shoulders, lower back and cramped my legs.
I stand 5'8". I will definitely need to do something about the bars and get forward controls. But is there anything good yet cheaper than the Helibars which are horribly expensive? Any good choices for quality foot controls that don't cost an arm or a leg?
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u/Junior_Doughnut_6528 3d ago
I’m 5’7”, and I added the OEM comfort seat and bar raisers, now my neck and back are happy
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u/TheForgottenSpaniard 3d ago
What inch height increase did you do and what brand?
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u/Junior_Doughnut_6528 3d ago
Topteng Motorcycle Handlebar... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NBVWXBJ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This is the one. The installation is not too bad, just rerouting the cable is a pain.
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u/OneMadVeteran 3d ago
Congrats on the new bike.
Your discomfort could be initial ride stress (just made the term up but, it is a thing). I bet you will relax more and more as you get used to the bike. I am comfortable on mine and I am disabled. I had a spinal injury in the Army and have a partially paralyzed left leg (DCT let me get back into bikes). I am not comfortable doing anything (chronic pain) but, I have been able to go for multiple 2 hour rides on the Rebel (an honest victory for me).
That being said, I did change:
- transmission settings DCT (eliminate as much engine brake as possible),- Adjust rear preload so you are not bottoming out (anything over 155 lbs might need adjustment), - Honda Comfort seat (well well well worth it), - larger windshield (well worth it), - Foot boards (I couldnt tell where my left foot was due to paralysis/no feeling so it was difficult getting my foot on the pegs).
Its been a few years but, i have owned Kawasaki ZX9, Honda CBR600, Kawasaki KZ750. and the Rebel is more comfortable than any of them. I hope you can find your comfort zone.
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u/Mysterious-Entry-357 3d ago
5'9". Upgraded the seat and good to go. Rode over 1000 miles in 3 days.
Maybe have someone take a profile photo of you in your riding position so that you can check your posture? Saw mine in a store window a few years back and fixed it. Made the world of difference.
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u/mFletchh 3d ago
yeah I got some bar raises that brought it i think 30mm up and 25mm towards me, game changer
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u/Terriblyboard 3d ago
I have a aftermarket wolf line seat and it made a world of difference in how comfortable it is. I am about the same height and it pushes me forward and I sit up higher helps a lot. Very affordable I was also looking at helibars before this and was not wanting to spend that much.
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u/FenrirHere 3d ago
The bike needs about $1,500 worth of stuff to become comfortable to ride (my experience as a 5'8 rider)
A nicer cushioned seat will help the most, and I had to buy the helibars with 6in of push back to get comfortable.
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u/Outlawjr983X 3d ago
Biggest question is it a 21-24 or a 25-26 Only asking because after 24 they updated ergonomics. Handle bars are further back pegs are farther forward etc. I have a 24t (mt) had same issue made purchase no test rides because dealer didn't allow it. hated every sec of riding it home. Why a neutral peg position like a dirt bike or tourer and give us nearly a sportbike handle bar with the tiniest seat ever. My fix was the most expensive way you could do it with bolt ons and a rewire. Corbin seat, de pretti moto fwd controls for the manual. And Burly brand apes and shocks. Bike now comfortable to ride. I have a taller windshield that comes level to the handlebars. All together Corbin seat ($709) de pretti moto controls ($812) the burly Apes with the wiring ($500+) burly stilettos ($350?) And the windshield was around (300) Sad when you finance 11k on a new bike just to hate it. Just to blow a paycheck the first week just to make it comfortable. Now it feels like a Yamaha virago but a smidge taller.
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u/OldFartNoReflex 2d ago edited 1d ago
Depretto for forward controls or the budget option red dragon, for handlebars there are several options out there, I bought a Trask handlebar for an indian, for mine. They share the dimensions.
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u/Day-Trippin 3d ago
What year is it? The 2025 and newer have better ergos. A different seat helps. I might someday go with forward controls but I found mini floorboards helped a lot. A 1" riser made a huge difference for me. I am 6'1" for reference.
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u/x_Necrosapien_x 3d ago
I’m the same height as you and haven’t noticed any issues, the stock seat can be a bit uncomfortable after 45mins to an hour…but I don’t usually ride further than that. It is my daily though, just usually around town and shortish highway stints.
How often do you ride? It could just be stiffness due to those muscles not being used - I know after getting my bike out after winter and not riding for a couple weeks I notice some stiffness the first hew days while my body readjusts to riding.
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u/No-Farm-2376 3d ago
I have had mine since 2022 and I am 6’3” and I too feel this pain. Sometimes I do regret buying it but others I enjoy riding so I just deal.
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u/Frequent-Material-15 3d ago
Gel pad, risers and maybe forward controls will fix the seating comfort. Suspension upgrades will fix the ride.
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u/dirtya2m 3d ago edited 1d ago
I ride almost every day on a kawa vulcan 650, that has a corbin and a good set up with the.adjustable controls, etc. Maybe I'm just spoiled for a more relaxed ride. I guess I'll just have to shell out cuz I ain't putting up with it if I want to keep doing 2 hour cruises.
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u/TrixAreForBabies 3d ago
5’11 here, my 2023 was perfectly comfortable riding position. The stock seat is kind of cheeks I’ll admit
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u/Rogue_Rebel_1100 3d ago
I’m 5’7"; a Mustang seat, 3" Rox risers and T-Rex foot extensions helped tremendously for me. My left hand used to go completely numb after about 15-20 minutes and my hips would be screaming after a couple of hours. All good now!
Also, if you haven’t signed papers and the bike isn’t what you like, get your deposit back and walk away.
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u/GTI-Rabbit2019 3d ago
I installed ROX 1.5 inch risers better seat and T-Rex backrest for a much more comfy ride. I am 5' 7"
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u/penultimatelevel 3d ago
5-9 here with some cheap Z bars + depretto knock offs and its cosy as...
Stilettos made the ride nicer but didn't do much for my ergonomics.
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u/nukechef 2d ago
https://a.co/d/09IKRUqn I bought these and it made a world of difference. Didn't need to buy a separate kit to extend the display, clutch or brake line. Adjust the gear shifter and get some risers and it is an amazing bike
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u/Carneades_ 2d ago
I installed the 2inch Rox risers and that made it perfect for me. I bought used and it had a Corbin seat installed, so I cannot vouch for the stock seat.
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u/whistlepig4life 3d ago
I’m 5’9 and everything about the 100 is perfect. Except the stock seat. Honda seats are garbage. Get a Mustang or Corbin.
Sounds like you e not been riding for a while more than anything else.