Honda Rebel 1100 Vs Triumph Speedmaster 1200 Comparison

Looking to upgrade to your next motorcycle after successfully transitioning from beginner to expert level, we have two great options for you to choose from, the Honda Rebel 1100 and the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster 1200. These two esteemed motorcycles combine modern performance, unmatched looks, and supreme comfort to make you feel on top of the world and a proud owner. The Rebel 1100 and the Speedmaster 1200 are the type of motorcycles you can flaunt in front of your motorcycle buddies. You can keep riding these bikes forever without feeling the need to replace them with more powerful ones thanks to their superior engine technology and plush rideability. Continue reading this article to learn in detail about the Honda Rebel 1100 vs Triumph Speedmaster 1200 comparison.

To give you an overview of the Honda Rebel 1100 Vs Triumph Speedmaster 1200 Comparison, the former is a trendier option with a transformed look, aggressive vibe, and extremely agile and lightweight build. The Rebel 1100 is a sign of Honda’s transformational engineering design and a motorcycling marvel that brings a revolution in the cruiser category. The automatic DCT feature makes it a more viable option for those riders who prefer to ride a future motorcycle.

On the other hand, we have the Triumph Speedmaster 1200, a classic-looking bobber-style cruiser to compete with the Rebel 1100. Carrying the unique Triumph persona, the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster is the epitome of perfection with its unblemished fit and finish, the iconic Triumph’s vintage construction, and modern performance. It doesn’t matter how many times you have seen this motorbike, you will be awestruck every time you get the chance to cherish this beauty.

The Honda Rebel 1100 utilizes the identical frame and platform as found in the rest of the Rebel series. However, being the most extravagant variant in the family, it carries the most premium hi-tech package. The difference you will immediately notice in the Rebel 1100 compared to its low-powered siblings is its intricately designed engine and machinery assembled in a complicated manner. This bike is all blacked out, promoting a highly modern vibe.

Despite being built with fully-fledged power plant technology and features, the Honda Rebel 1100 boasts a stripped-down design and look. Everything about this motorcycle is simple and nothing adds up to the weight of this bike, which provides several performance benefits.

There is a stylish, slightly raked-out front fork with a dark titanium-oxide coating, adding to the overall appeal of the Rebel 1100. It carries the iconic less-protruding headlamp that is round-shaped and contains four symmetrical LED bulbs and a chrome bezel. The instrument panel installed at the middle of the handlebars is protected by a small cover mounted towards the front.

Unlike the Rebel 300 and the Rebel 500, the Rebel 1100 has a slightly slimmer front tire. However, the rear tire is chunky enough to be identified as a Rebel model. The solo rider sear is a simple and flat piece of equipment. The fuel tank is one of the most stylish elements on the Rebel 1100 as it sits slantwise on the frame’s backbone behind the bars.

The Honda Rebel 1100 is comparatively a more advanced motorcycle in terms of technology and features; however, the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 is way more expensive, costing $4,446 more than the Rebel 1100. The most appropriate reason you can find behind this huge price difference is the Triumph Speedmaster 1200’s premium elite look. Whether you talk about the paint job, fit and finish, chrome bits, metal parts, wire 32-spoke wheels, fat Avon Cobra tires, or seamlessly balanced look, everything about the Speedmaster 1200 is splendid.

The Triumph Speedmaster 1200 is the type of motorbike you will never want to be exposed to dust and harsh conditions. The parallel-twin engine on this bike, along with the fake carburetors and air intake ensures a classic look inspired by the 1960s motorcycles. The stainless steel exhaust system contains two midsize separate chrome pipes originating from each cylinder with slash-cut silencers.

The seating section on the Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 is the most captivating part. The bike has a very stylish separate solo rider seat and a detachable pillion seat, cushioned enough to provide a comfortable riding experience. The rider also has a separate little lumbar support attached to the solo seat and there is a grab rail as well for the passenger with a certain degree of protection and lumbar support for the pillion rider as well.

What makes the Triumph Speedmaster 1200 stand out from the rest of the bikes is its adequately wide and swept-back narrow beach handlebars with further extended round-shaped classic side mirrors. The turn signals and footrests on the Speedmaster 1200 are also quite extended outwards like the side mirrors, providing a distinctive styling element. The small round Triumph’s iconic headlamp and the single-dial instrument cluster are the cherry on top.

The Honda Rebel 1100 is the liveliest bike in the cruiser category thanks to its non-traditional cruiser style with a sporty flair. Regardless of its trendier look, this motorcycle also allows riders to enjoy a remarkably modern experience and performance that can make you fall in love with this bike. Compared to the Triumph Speedmaster 1200, the Rebel 1100 has a slightly smaller engine but thanks to its lightweight design and agile chassis, it feels more smooth and punchier on the road.

The 1,083 cc 22.5° Parallel-Twin engine can leave you fascinated with its 85.8 hp of horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 98 Nm of torque at 4,750 rpm. Being a modern sports-style cruiser, the non-DCT Rebel 1100 is 42.1 kg (93 lbs) lighter than the Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 which ultimately provides more agility and responsiveness. Despite a true sporty nature, the Rebel 1100 is restricted to go above a top speed limit of 100 mph.

Being the most powerful member of the Rebel family, the Rebel 1100 has top-end acceleration, quick throttle response, and tremendously smooth power delivery. The 1,083 cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine technology is designed to deliver abrupt responsiveness as soon as you start twisting its throttle. You will never get bored of how the Rebel 1100 performs. Above all, it is a bullet-proof technology that promises longevity.

The Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 is marketed as a “High-Torque” motorcycle, ensuring a better low-end torque. The Bonneville Speedmaster’s 1200 cc parallel-twin engine is different from the other 1200 cc powerplant fitted in the Triumph Thruxton RS. Being a classic cruiser with a conventional engine vibe and feel, the Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 is not built to perform quicker. It is not as punchier as the Rebel 1100 but one thing which stands out is its consistent power and torque delivery across the whole rev range.

The exceptional low-end torque delivery offered by the Triumph Speedmaster 1200 makes it a capable bike to be comfortably used for touring purposes. Despite having a parallel-twin engine technology, the Speedmaster 1200 only produces a 76.9 hp of horsepower at 6,100 rpm which does not seem to justify the engine displacement size. Meanwhile, 106 Nm of torque produced by the engine is to a certain extent noteworthy.

The power figures produced by the Triumph Speedmaster 1200 may not be extraordinary but it has loads of character and sufficient agility so you can enjoy the ride. However, those who want to buy this motorcycle only by considering the 1200 cc displacement size and expecting a seriously quick performance may be deceived. It is a different sort of motorbike designed for completely different purposes like comfortable cruising and light touring.

One thing that can disappoint you about the Triumph Speedmaster 1200 while cruising is its inability to accelerate abruptly. The engine becomes breathless above 80 mph and it gradually picks up the pace from there. 

Along with several other benefits of being sporty, naked, and lightweight, the Honda Rebel 1100 also handles and maneuvers extremely well. Whether you go canyon carving or turn sharp corners, you can do it confidently while maintaining your speed on the Rebel 1100. The low seat height also ensures that the rider never feels like dropping this bike while maneuvering on twisty roads. The Rebel 1100 has inherent stability and steering control to make riding more enjoyable and safe.

Considering the type of motorcycle the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 is, it is surprisingly nimble and maneuverable around corners. It makes turning corners easier despite being a classic cruiser. The ground clearance is also adequate for the type of motorcycle it is and is better than the Rebel 1100. However, due to being wider and heavier, it is not as easy to steer as the Rebel 1100 and you will scrape the foot pegs while turning corners. If you are considerably new to motorcycling and are a smaller rider, consider slowing down before you enter a corner as managing a 580-lb motorcycle is a big deal.

The suspension technology on the Rebel 1100 is pretty much better compared to its low-powered siblings. There is a preload adjustable 43 mm telescopic front fork having a wheel travel of 4.8 inches and towards the rear, there are dual conventional-style shocks with 12.5 mm shafts and piggyback pressurized reservoirs, providing only 3.7 inches of wheel travel. Considering the Rebel 1100’s suspension setup, it is only good for paved road traveling. The ride becomes uncomfortable when you hit a bump on the road.

Like the Honda Rebel 1100, the suspension setting on the Triumph Speedmaster 1200 is also on the stiffer side and has small wheel travel. Towards the front, you get a long 47 mm non-adjustable Showa cartridge fork offering only 3.5 inches of wheel travel. Meanwhile, the rear mono-shock RSU only has 2.88 inches of wheel travel, making it very uncomfortable for pillion riders to enjoy on a long-haul journey.

The suspension setting on the Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 is only good for riding on smooth roads. Once you accidentally hit a road bump, you will never want to face a road imperfection while riding the Speedmaster 1200 as the front fork completely bottoms out.

Although not comparable to a classic cruiser, the Honda Rebel 1100’s ergonomics are pleasantly comfortable in its class and category for everyday riding, city traveling, and light cruising. You will not feel cramped on this bike doesn’t matter how big or small a rider you are. The rider triangle, including the seat position, handlebars position, and foot pegs position are intelligently placed to ensure a perfect blend and balance of both sporty and cruiser riding position.

Even if you are not a fan of mid-mounted foot controls, you will not be complaining if you sit on the Rebel 1100. The distance between the seat and controls is sufficient to allow riders to adjust their legs comfortably during the ride. Talking about the back position, the Rebel 1100 allows an upright stance if you are a taller or even average-sized rider. However, if you are on the shorter side, you will have to lean a bit forward to grab the naked bike-style handlebars.

According to the reviews and feedback by most riders, the seat on the Rebel 1100 is very basic, less cushioned, and not suitable for long journeys. As you can see, the seat on the Rebel 1100 is small and stiff, making riders feel numb and sore within an hour of riding on it.

The Triumph Speedmaster 1200 is classic, which is why it has received laid-back cruiser ergonomics. The foot controls are forward and the seat is also on the lower side, ensuring a pretty decent riding stance. The wide beach handlebar is decently swept back and the grip position it offers is not perfectly horizontal, making it difficult for riders to grab the bars if you are not used to it.

If you are a taller rider, you must avoid the urge to sit on the Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 in a slouched manner as it can hurt your back on longer rides. If you are a shorter rider, the ergonomics may seem slightly awkward to you as you have forward-mounted foot controls and far-reaching handlebars at the same time. However, you can comfortably sit on this bike flat-footed even if you have a smaller inseam.

Despite being forward-mounted, the foot controls are positioned slightly higher, causing your knees to be slightly up relative to your hip level if you are taller.

To avoid getting uncomfortable on longer rides and ditch the lower back pain, the seat on the Triumph Speedmaster 1200 was upgraded in 2021 with more cushioning and built-in lumbar support for the rider.

The Rebel 1100 is an addictive bike to ride thanks to the ride-enhancing features it comes with. It feels admirably smooth whether it is about flawless gear shifting or light clutch operation. The slipper & assist clutch on the Rebel 1100 are an underrated feature as they play a crucial role in making your experience of riding this bike pleasant and worthwhile. Resultantly, gear shifting also becomes an easier job.

If you are in favor of automatic transmission, the Honda Rebel 1100 is also available in a DCT variant, allowing riders a clutch-less experience for riding uninterruptedly. You can switch between both the automatic and manual transmission modes with just a single push of a button. However, the manual mode functioning on the Rebel 1100 DCT is not the same as the usual manual transmission because there is no clutch and the rider can shift gear using the pedal shifter installed on the handlebars.

The Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 also features a six-speed transmission with every gear shifting promising more power. The torque-assist clutch makes the clutch pull operation and gear shifting light and easy to perform without producing any clunky sound.

Both the Honda Rebel 1100 and the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 are one-of-a-kind motorcycles and if you list down their unique characteristics and features, it will become difficult for you to choose a winner between the two. Both these motorcycles are poles apart from each other in terms of their purpose and performance.

The Rebel 1100 is a modern-day urban commuter, versatile enough to be used comfortably for city traveling, daily commuting, highway cruising, and canyon carving. The Rebel 1100 is branded as a redefined version of contemporary cruisers and it is true in every sense. Despite its incredibly sporty nature and aggressive performance, the Rebel 1100 fits as a perfect choice for long-distance riding due to its reasonably plush ergonomics.

On the contrary, the Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 is an incredible example of a British custom cruiser styling with flawless fit and finish that can hypnotize anybody having a sense of what a masterpiece is. Before you consider buying the Speedmaster 1200, you must know that it is not built for speeding. It is a classic epitome of British engineering built to deliver a smooth and user-friendly riding experience. The ergonomics are carefully designed to allow riders to use the Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 as a touring bike.

It depends on your riding preferences and what you want from your motorcycle. However, based on practical performance, reliability, low maintenance, and affordability, the Rebel 1100 is a better choice than the Triumph Speedmaster 1200. It has everything to be called a perfect commuter for everyday chores and all-day riding to far places.

There probably is nothing that can make a motorcyclist more contented other than a joyful and laidback experience on a long-day motorcycle tour. You can also cherish the best time of your life on an adventure motorcycle trip if your bike supports long-haul journeys. To help you stay comfortable and make your trip more memorable on a motorcycle, Viking Bags has tons of ideas to make your bike perfectly suitable for touring.

At Viking Bags, we have the most in-demand luggage product, called saddlebags for your Honda Rebel 1100 and the Triumph Speedmaster . Other luggage-carrying options specially designed for the cruiser category include tank bags & pouches , backpacks , tour packs , sissy bar bags , tool bags , handlebar bags , and much more.

In the aftermarket parts segment, the company makes the finest-quality add-ons to improve your riding style and experience without interfering with the mechanical parts. These include sissy bars , backrests , fairings , crash bars , seats , and handlebars .