First Look: 2023 Honda Rebel 1100T

[Hugh Janus]

For 2023, Honda has released the new Rebel 1100T DCT bagger. The “T” apparently stands for “travel” or “touring.” (American Honda/)

If you’re like us, the past year has left you wondering just how many iterations Honda’s workhorse parallel-twin Unicam engine could possibly have. The Unicam engine/frame platform is now in its fourth iteration and we’ve already seen several variations on the original CRF1100L ADV model, the NT1100 sport-tourer, more recently the Hawk 11 cafe racer. And who can forget the unexpected shoehorning of the Unicam mill into a cruiser chassis, creating the Rebel 1100 cruiser? Welp, Honda’s now rolling out yet another variant of the Unicam engine, this one also based on a cruiser theme. Meet the 2023 Honda Rebel 1100T DCT.

The 1100T retains the standard 1100’s underpinnings, and adds a fairing and hard saddlebags. It’s available only with a DCT transmission. (American Honda/)

If Honda meant to time this release to coincide with the official opening of the EICMA show in Italy, it’s done a good job. Opening day is today, and the firm’s new bagger comes less than two years after the debut of its Africa Twin–based cruiser predecessor.

The 1100T is more a trim level of that standard Rebel 1100 than a revision or even an evolution thereof, but no matter; the new bodywork and added cargo capacity give it an entirely different visual identity. You won’t find any mechanical surprises or refinements under the new plastic—nor did we expect any—with this new “bagger” variant using an identical 1,083cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine, supplemented with electronic fuel injection and throttle-by-wire.

Which means we’d expect similar performance characteristics on the new bagger, though it’s worth noting that all the new plastic does add some 16 pounds (compared to the standard 1100 DCT trim). Suspension components carry over as well, with a 43mm nonadjustable conventional fork and preload-adjustable dual Showa shocks supporting the rear.

Related: 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 First Ride Review

Honda is sure milking the Unicam parallel-twin engine these days. On the 1100T, it’s unchanged from the standard Rebel 1100’s tune. (American Honda/)

Using the same steel trellis frame, the new Rebel 1100T is also dimensionally unchanged, with an identical 59.8-inch wheelbase, 28-degree rake, and 27.5-inch seat height as the base Rebel 1100. A larger fuel tank on a touring-oriented model would’ve been a nice upgrade, but it likely would’ve raised the price point, so the 1100T’s tank stays 3.6 gallons, just like its standard 1100 siblings. Given that we measured the Rebel 1100 DCT’s as having 37.1 mpg in a recent test, that’ll probably suffice for some.

The handlebar-mounted fairing gets a sliver of a “shield” at the top. LCD Instrumentation and electronics carry over from the standard 1100 as well. (American Honda/)

We’re also happy to see that much of the tech from its 1100cc stablemates appears on the 1100T, with adjustable power (three selectable power modes and four levels of traction control), ABS, cruise control, and six-speed DCT all making the jump to the new model. It appears the LCD dash carries over, with the round dial serving as speedometer, tachometer, gear-position indicator, and fuel indicator display. An all-LED lighting package is standard as well.

The stuff that puts the “T” at the end of this Rebel’s name is a step up in amenities and comfort, but style is a big part of the equation too, with the familiar batwing-style fairing being a-not-so-subtle nod to modern “bagger” cues. The 1100T’s fairing (which is handlebar mounted) integrates an oh-so short shield along the upper edge, and the bike also includes a pair of top-opening, lockable hard saddlebags that offer a combined 35 liters of space. The 1100T plays up current trends with a raft of blacked-out engine pieces, and black on the frame and fork; even the exhaust is black.

The weather-resistant saddlebags are top loading and lockable, and provide 35 liters of capacity (combined). (American Honda/)

For 2023, the new Rebel 1100T is only available with Honda’s dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and will be wearing Metallic Black or Bordeaux Red Metallic. Honda’s stated MSRP is $11,299.

The 2023 Honda Rebel 1100T in Bordeaux Red Metallic. (American Honda/)
The standard Rebel 1100 returns to the lineup for 2023 unchanged, and is still available with either manual or DCT transmission. (American Honda/)

The two standard Rebel 1100 models, the Rebel 1100 and the Rebel 1100 DCT, are returning to the 2023 lineup unchanged. All three Rebel 1100 versions feature the same water-cooled parallel-twin engine mounted in a steel frame, plus ABS, cruise control, and three ride modes. For the two standard Rebel 1100 models, both are available in Iridium Gray Metallic or Green Metallic. Price starts at $9,499 for the non-DCT model.

2023 Honda Rebel 1100T DCT Specs

MSRP:	$11.299
Engine:	1,083cc, SOHC, liquid-cooled Unicam parallel twin; 4 valves/cyl.
Bore x Stroke:	92.0 x 81.5mm
Compression Ratio:	10.1:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	6-speed/chain
Fuel Delivery:	PGM-FI electronic fuel injection w/ 46mm throttle bodies
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate
Engine Management/Ignition:	Ride-by-wire/full transistorized ignition
Frame:	Steel-tube trellis construction
Front Suspension:	43mm conventional telescopic fork w/ dark titanium oxide coating, spring preload adjustable; 5.5 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Dual Showa shocks w/ piggyback pressurized reservoirs, spring preload adjustable; 3.7 in. travel
Front Brake:	4-piston radial-mount caliper, floating 330mm disc w/ ABS
Rear Brake:	1-piston caliper, 256mm disc w/ ABS
Wheels, Front/Rear:	Cast; 18 in. / 16 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	Dunlop D428; 130/70-18 / 180/65-16
Rake/Trail:	28.0°/4.3 in.
Wheelbase:	59.8 in.
Ground Clearance:	4.7 in.
Seat Height:	27.5 in.
Fuel Capacity:	3.6 gal.
Wet Weight:	542 lb.
Contact:	powersports.honda.com

Source

[Pedro]

40 minutes ago, Hugh Janus said:

The “T” apparently stands for “travel” or “touring.” (American Honda/)

Stands for Tour Pack

 

clueless, can’t even copy properly…

[Sofia]

12 hours ago, Pedro said:

Stands for Tour Pack

 

clueless, can’t even copy properly…

To the point as usual

[busabeast]

It's a heavy beast too at 54,200lbs......almost the same weight as a harley