2022 Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. 2021 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: A Detailed Comparison

• Table of Contents
• 1. Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Iron 1200
• 2. 2022 Honda Rebel 1100
• 3. 2021 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200
• 4. Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Iron 1200: Engine and Transmission
• 4.1 2022 Honda Rebel 1100’s Engine and Transmission
• 4.2 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s Engine and Transmission
• 4.3 Detailed Specs Comparison: Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200
• 4.4 Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: Performance Comparison
• 5. Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: Looks and Design
• 5.1 2022 Honda Rebel 1100’s Look
• 5.2 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s Look
• 5.3 Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: Design
• 6. Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: Comfort and Ergonomics
• 6.1 Seat
• 6.2 Weight
• 6.3 Legroom
• 6.4 Handlebars Position
• 6.5 Riding Position
• 7. Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: Price
• 8. Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: Colours Available and Cost
• 9. Pros and Cons of Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200
• 9.1 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 Pros and Cons
• 9.2 2021 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 Pros and Cons
• 10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• 10.1 Is the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 a Good Beginner Motorbike?
• 10.2 Is Honda Rebel 1100 Good for Long-Distance Rides and Touring?
• 10.3 Is the Honda Rebel 1100 Good for Beginners?
• 10.4 Does the Honda Rebel 1100 Have a Traction Control System?
• 11. Conclusion

1. Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Iron 1200

The 2021 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 is one of the 2022 Honda Rebel 1100’s closest competitors. Both the 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 and 2021 Harley Sportster Iron 1200 are stylish and reliable cruisers. However, the 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 has several advantages, including more horsepower and speed, a sixth gear, and more lightweight than the Harley Iron 1200.

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 is also cheaper than the 2021 Harley Iron 1200. The Iron 1200 has better looks, quality build, and better holding value than the Rebel 1100. This article provides a detailed comparison between the Honda Rebel 1100 and the Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200.

Key Similarities	Key Differences
Solo rider seat	The Honda Rebel 1100 has an ABS installed as a standard feature
Cruisers	Weight
Both produce similar torques	Cost
Both have the same number of cylinders and valves	Technology and features
Mid-mounted foot control	Horsepower
Upright riding position	Speed

2. 2022 Honda Rebel 1100

Photo Credit: @autocar.co.nz

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 model has not changed or upgraded much from the 2021 model, except for a new colour scheme and a slightly higher price. It has a large engine size and produces horsepower best suited for experienced riders. The Rebel 1100 is installed with the same parallel-twin engine installed on the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L.

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 comes with an ABS, cruise control, and four riding modes, including Sport, Rain, Standard, and User mode. If you want an all-around cruiser that is reliable, affordable, and equipped with advanced rider safety features, then the 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 is an ideal option. Honda launched the Rebel 1100 in two different trims: the Rebel 1100 and the Rebel 1100 DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission).

Key Differences Between 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 and Honda Rebel 1100 DCT
2022 Honda Rebel 1100	Model/Trim	2022 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT
CMX1100	Model ID	CMX1100 DCT
Six-Speed Manual	Transmission	Six-Speed Automatic DCT
Multiplate Wet	Clutch	(2) Multiplate Wet
220.9 kg	Wet Weight	230.88 kg
33.6 kg	Width	32.9 kg

3. 2021 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200

Photo Credit: @vahna

The Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 is an entry-level Harley motorcycle. Despite having a 1202 cc engine, it does not produce much horsepower and torque and is ideal for customization. A narrow design, low seat height, and nimble handling make it a good beginner motorbike. The 2021 Iron 1200’s design draws inspiration from the style and colour schemes of 1970s Harley Davidson motorcycles.

4. Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Iron 1200: Engine and Transmission

4.1 2022 Honda Rebel 1100’s Engine and Transmission

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 is powered by a 1084 cc liquid-cooled Parallel-Twin engine. It can produce a horsepower of 86 hp at 7,000 rpm and a torque of 97.62 Nm at 4,750 rpm. The Rebel 1100 has a smaller engine than the Iron 1200 but can produce almost a similar torque and 30% more horsepower.

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 is fitted with an upgraded flywheel, which has 31% more inertia and enhances its low-speed performance. The Rebel 1100’s ignition and SOHC valve train timing have also been revised.

Honda has previously produced the Rebel in 300 and 500 cc variants, which were excellent beginner motorcycles. But with the Rebel 1100, Honda successfully produced an affordable high-performance cruiser. This motorcycle can easily be used for short- and long-distance trips at highway speeds.

In 2021, Honda also introduced a separate model with a DCT transmission. It offered better safety due to a ride-by-wire throttle and an HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control) filter being installed. This filter balances the spinning of both the rear and front wheels.

Transmission

The Honda Rebel 1100 comes with a stock six-speed transmission. If you are a beginner looking for a simple riding experience, then the Honda Rebel 1100 DCT is the best option. By flipping a switch on the handlebars, the automatic transmission can be turned on and allowing you to twist and go.

4.2 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s Engine and Transmission

The Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 is powered by a 1202 cc air-cooled V-Twin engine. It can produce a torque of 98.97 Nm at 3,500 rpm and a horsepower of 60 hp.

The 2021 Harley Iron 1200 does not have certain safety features, including traction or cruiser control. The Iron 1200 does not have an ABS installed as a standard feature, but can be added with an additional fee of $795.

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200 is better suited for short rides and city travel due to its engine providing a reliable low-end torque. The Harley Iron 1200 is fitted with a five-speed gearbox that delivers power to the rear wheel via a belt drive.

4.3 Detailed Specs Comparison: Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200

Honda Rebel 1100			Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200
Identification
Honda Rebel 1100	Motorcycle		Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200
Rebel	Series		Sportster
Honda	Maker		Harley Davidson
Rebel 1100	Model		Iron 1200
2022	Year Model		2021
Cruiser	Motorcycle   Type		Cruiser
Engine and Performance
1084 cc	Displacement		1,202 cc
Unicam® 22.5° Parallel-Twin	Engine Design and Type		Evolution™, V-Twin
Liquid-Cooling System	Cooling System		Air-Cooling System
Two	No. of Cylinders		Two
Four	Valves Per Cylinder		Four
86 hp at 7,000 rpm	Horsepower		60 hp
97.619 Nm at 4,750 rpm	Torque		98.97 Nm at 3,500 rpm
140 mph	Top Speed		118 mph
3.21 in	Stroke		3.8 in
3.622 in	Bore		3.5 in
PGM-FI Electronic Fuel Injection (Throttle By Wire)	Fuel Injection System		Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
10.1:1	Compression Ratio		10:01
Six-Speed Manual	Transmission		Five-Speed
#525 O-ring-sealed chain	Final Drive		Belt Drive
Wet, Multiplate	Clutch		Wet, Multiplate
41 mpg	Fuel Economy		48 mpg
Single Blacked-Out Muffler	Muffler		Dual Mufflers
Steel Frame	Frame		Mild Steel, Tubular Frame
Dimensions and Weight
4.3 in	Trail		4.6 in
28°	Rake		30°
3.6 gal	Fuel Tank Capacity		3.3 gal
4.7 in	Ground Clearance		4.3 in
33.6 in	Width		36 in
43.9 in	Height		48.8 in
88.3 in	Length		86.6 in
27.5 in	Seat Height		25.7 in
59.8 in	Wheelbase		59.6 in
220.9 kg	Wet Weight		255.83 kg kg
Technology and Features
Standard	ABS		Optional
Yes	Traction Control		No
Yes	Riding Modes		No
Yes	Cruise Control		No
Yes	All LED Lights		LED Tail Light
Yes	Wheelie Control		No
Yes	Throttle-By-Wire		No
Yes	USB-C Terminal (Under the Rider’s Seat)		No
Handlebar-Mounted	Gauges		Handlebar-Mounted
Yes	Digital Display Gauge		No
Yes	Speedometer		Yes
No	Pass Switch		Yes
Yes	Odometer		Yes
Yes	Tachometer		Yes
Yes	Clock		Yes
Yes	Fuel Gauge		Yes
Yes	Fuel Warning		Yes
Yes	Gear Indicator		Yes

4.4 Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: Performance Comparison

Top Speed

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 can attain a top speed of 140 mph thanks to its low weight and powerful specs. Meanwhile, the Harley Iron 1200 can attain a top speed of 118 mph.

Handling

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 and 2021 Harley Sportster Iron 1200 provide smooth riding experiences and nimble handling. The Harley Iron 1200 has a narrower design and its engine is capable of producing low-end torque. A rider can easily manoeuvre this motorcycle on straight or curvy roads.

The Honda Rebel 1100 has far better handling thanks to its low weight, low centre of gravity, and compact engine design. The Rebel 1100 is also 34.93 kg lighter than the Iron 1100.

Gear Shifting

2022 Honda Rebel 1100’s Gear Shifting

The standard Honda Rebel 1100 has smooth gear shifts. However, the DCT version has clunky and mistimed downshifting. The Honda DCT is a proven and reliable system, but most motorcycle riders are used to a manual transmission. Not being able to control the transmission is not an appealing feature to expert riders. At highway speeds, the DCT does not allow riders to shift to higher gears to increase speed as it is programmed to stay within a safe speed range.

However, it is possible for riders to switch to manual transmission mode, allowing them to shift gears manually. The soft clutch operation also makes the Honda Rebel 1100 DCT beginner-friendly.

2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s Gear Shifting

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200 provides smooth gear shifting but lacks the sixth gear necessary to tour at highway speeds.

Fuel Economy and Fuel Tank Capacity

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 and the 2021 Harley Sportster Iron 1200 have small fuel tanks not ideal for touring and longer rides. The Honda Rebel 1100 has a slightly bigger fuel tank capacity of 3.6 gals. Meanwhile, the Harley Iron 1200 has a fuel tank capacity of 3.3 gals. However, the 2021 Harley Iron 1200 has a better fuel economy of 48 mpg, while the 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 has a mileage of 41 mpg.

Suspension

2022 Honda Rebel 1100

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 comes with a 43 mm front fork towards the front and dual Showa shocks along with piggyback pressurized reservoirs towards the rear. The front suspension provides a wheel travel of 4.8 inches, while the rear suspension provides a wheel travel of 3.7 inches.

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100’s springs offer a comfortable riding experience and farther wheel travel than the Iron 1200. However, the seat, mid-mounted foot control, and forward riding position offer little comfort over long distances. Riding the 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 for more than an hour will cause lower back pain.

2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200 is fitted with 39 mm inverted forks towards the front and an adjustable spring towards the rear. The front suspension provides a wheel travel of 3.6 inches, while the rear suspension provides a wheel travel of 1.6 inches.

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s shorter wheel travel offers smooth rides only on paved roads due to the emulsion shock technology.

Braking

2022 Honda Rebel 1100

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 is fitted with a 330 mm full-floating disc with a radial-mounted four-piston calliper towards the front and a 256 mm disc with a single calliper towards the rear. The Honda Rebel 1100 also comes with ABS and traction control to ensure better safety.

2021 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200

The Harley Davidson Iron is fitted with a 300 mm single disc with a dual-piston calliper towards the front and a 260 mm disc with a dual-piston calliper towards the rear. The ABS is an optional feature that can be added to the Harley Iron 1200.

Despite being built with ABS, traction control, cruise control, and the latest safety features, the 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 is still more affordable than the 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200.

5. Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: Looks and Design

5.1 2022 Honda Rebel 1100’s Look

The Honda Rebel 1100 has a naked and sporty look. According to various reviews, its design is not as appealing as the Harley Iron 1200. The Rebel 1100’s appearance has been compared to a cruiser combined with a street bike. The Honda Rebel 1100 may not be the most stylish motorcycle but it makes up for that with good performance, comfortability, and price.

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 comes with all LED lights. Meanwhile, the Iron 1200 only has an LED tail light. The Rebel 1100 has a small bobber-style front fender and a classic average-sized rear fender where the tail light, rear turn signals, and licence plate bracket are mounted.

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 can be customised with aftermarket accessories to improve the cruiser’s comfortability and touring capabilities.

5.2 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s Look

The 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200 has a classic cruiser look with a narrow design, a small nose fairing, and a solo rider seat. Its colour schemes draw inspiration from the 1970s bobber looks. Most of the Iron 1200’s parts, including the engine, wheels, nose fairing, and mufflers, are blacked out.

5.3 Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: Design

Handlebars and Side Mirrors

2022 Honda Rebel 1100

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 has round handlebar-mounted side mirrors. The handlebars do not come with high-risers and are not swept-back which ensures a forward riding position.

2021 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200

The 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200 has modified teardrop-shaped handlebar-mounted side mirrors. The Harley Iron 1200 is fitted with tall mini-ape handlebars.

Exhaust/Mufflers

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 is fitted with modern stylish exhaust pipes. This motorcycle has two exhaust pipes enclosed in a single blacked-out muffler. Meanwhile, the 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200 has blacked-out staggered headers and exhaust with slash-cut mufflers.

Tires and Wheels

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 has stylish blacked-out wheels covered in a 130/70-18 front tire and a wider 16-inch rear tire. Meanwhile, the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 is fitted with blacked-out nine-spoked wheels covered in a 100/90B19 57H front tire and a 150/80B16 77H rear tire.

Fuel Tank

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 has a teardrop-shaped fuel tank in metallic colour schemes installed at an elevated angle to better fit the motorcycle’s frame. Meanwhile, the 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200 has a narrow peanut-shaped fuel tank with a paint scheme that draws inspiration from the 1970s fuel tank graphics.

6. Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: Comfort and Ergonomics

6.1 Seat

2022 Honda Rebel 1100’s Seat

As far as padding and comfort, the Honda Rebel 1100’s seat does not offer much comfort during long-distance travel. The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 has a seat height of 27.5 inches, which can accommodate all kinds of riders.

2021 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200’s seat

The Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s solo rider seat is a little flat and offers little back support. It has a seat height of 25.7 inches which makes it ideal for shorter riders.

6.2 Weight

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 is a powerful lightweight motorcycle. The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 has a wet weight of 220.9 kg. Meanwhile, the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 has a wet weight of 255.83 kg.

The Rebel 1100’s low overall weight and centre of gravity make the Rebel 1100 easy to handle, especially for beginners. Despite its narrow design, the Iron 1200 is a heavyweight motorcycle due to the heavy metal parts used in its construction.

6.3 Legroom

2022 Honda Rebel 1100’s Legroom

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 comes with mid-mounted foot controls, which puts the rider’s shin and thighs perpendicularly to each other. This leg position is not ideal for a cruiser because it offers little comfort for taller riders. However, because of the high arm position, there is enough legroom available for taller riders.

2021 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200’s Legroom

The 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s leg position is best suited for shorter riders because of its mid-mounted foot control and limited legroom. However, the handlebars are positioned high enough to provide space for taller riders to adjust their knees.

A rider with an inseam of 32 inches can enjoy a comfortable, continuous ride travelling through the city. However, for longer rides, the rider will have to take frequent breaks to relax and stretch his/her knees.

6.4 Handlebars Position

2022 Honda Rebel 1100’s Handlebars Position

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100’s handlebars are at a low height because of the short handlebar risers and non-swept back design. The rider has to extend his/her arms and lean slightly forward to reach the handlebars, but its low height puts the arms below shoulder level.

2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s Handlebars Position

The 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s handlebars are high-mounted thanks to its tall handlebar risers. However, the rider can comfortably reach the swept back-angle handlebars with his/her arms resting below shoulder level.

6.5 Riding Position

2022 Honda Rebel 1100’s Riding Position

The Honda Rebel 1100’s mid-mounted foot control and low-mounted handlebars ensure a relaxed riding position, especially for average riders. The Rebel 1100 offers an upright back position for average riders, but shorter riders will have to lean slightly forward. The spacious rider triangle ensures a balance between sporty ergonomics and laidback cruiser comfort.

2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200’s Riding Position

The 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200 also has an upright riding position with its mid-mounted foot controls, high-mounted handlebars, and low seat height. When riding the Iron 1200, your arms are positioned slightly higher than the Rebel 1100.

7. Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: Price

The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 is more technologically advanced than the 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200. The Rebel 1100 has ABS, traction control, throttle by wire, and all LED lights that come to a base price of $9,399. The Honda Rebel 1100 DCT model comes at a base price of $9,999.

Meanwhile, the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 comes at a base price of $10,249. To include an ABS requires paying an additional $795. Colour schemes other than black requires paying an additional $350.

Overall, with the ABS included, the 2021 Harley Iron 1200 costs $1,645 more than the 2022 Honda Rebel 1100.

8. Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200: Colours and Cost

9. Pros and Cons of Honda Rebel 1100 Vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200

9.1 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 Pros and Cons

Honda Rebel 1100 Pros

Honda Rebel 1100 Cons

Technologically advanced Equipped with rider safety and assist features Four different rider modes, including sports, standard, rain, and user mode ABS Cruiser control Lightweight Produces more horsepower Easy to handle Can easily switch between manual and automatic transmission/gear shifting Affordable Sporty design Nimble handling All LED lights Digital gauge Storage space under the seat and a USB charger Reliable Smooth power delivery Low centre of gravity Low vibrations

Uncomfortable stock seat Unattractive design Small fuel tank capacity Low fuel economy Tall seat height Foot controls and leg position are not comfortable for long rides Not suited for taller riders

9.2 2021 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 Pros and Cons

Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 Pros	Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 Cons
Narrow design Nimble handling Good for short rides Affordable Customizable Reliable Quality parts Stylish look Unique cruiser design Beginner-friendly	Heavyweight Optional ABS Shorter wheel travel Uncomfortable on longer rides Not an ideal touring motorcycle Vibrates at highway speeds No rider safety features

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

10.1 Is the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 a Good Beginner Motorbike?

The Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 is an ideal beginner motorcycle. This lightweight motorcycle does not produce much horsepower which makes it easy for beginners to handle. Also, it is one of the cheapest motorcycles in the Harley Davidson lineup.

10.2 Is Honda Rebel 1100 Good for Long-Distance Rides and Touring?

The Honda Rebel 1100’s engine size and performance are suited for long-distance rides and touring. However, the level of comfort can be improved by attaching aftermarket parts available at Viking Bags. The stock seat is uncomfortable on longer rides and can be replaced with a more comfortable seat with extra cushioning along with rider and passenger backrests.  

10.3 Is the Honda Rebel 1100 Good for Beginners?

The Honda Rebel 1100 is an intermediate and expert-level motorcycle capable of producing high torque and horsepower. Its 1084 cc engine is too powerful for beginners to handle. Beginners should preferably ride motorcycles with 125-500 cc engines.

10.4 Does the Honda Rebel 1100 Have a Traction Control System?

Yes, the 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 has a traction control system, along with four different riding modes. Other than the Sports, Rain, and Standard modes, the Honda Rebel 1100 also has a User mode that allows the rider to manually set riding preferences, including power output, braking, gear shifts, and intervention by the traction control system.

11. Conclusion

Both the 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 and the 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200 have sporty designs, mid-mounted foot controls, and upright riding positions. The 2022 Honda Rebel 1100 has better overall performance, safety features, more reliable, and cheaper than the 2021 Harley Davidson Iron 1200.

Meanwhile, the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 is a very popular motorbike among beginners and women riders. It has unique and aggressive cruiser ergonomics and vintage colour schemes. Both the Honda Rebel 1100 and the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 offer good handling and are comfortable during shorter rides and city travel. However, both motorcycles lack comfort on tours and longer rides.

To transform the Honda Rebel 1100 and the Harley Davidson Iron 1200 into touring motorbikes, Viking Bags has different aftermarket parts available. To improve carrying capacity, Viking Bags has different LUGGAGE options, including SADDLEBAGS and SISSY BAR BAGS. If you want to completely change the look and feel of your Harley Iron 1200, Viking Bags has specially designed SADDLEBAGS, CRASH BARS, FAIRINGS, SEATS, HANDLEBARS, and SISSY BARS.