REBEL1100: Suspension Tuning Part 1 - Zip tie test

Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары

Today is Sunday, April 11, 2021, and I'm continuing my maintenance day on the Rebel 1100. I just finished my upgrade to the Coffman's Shorty exhaust, and now it's time to test my rear suspension to see where the limits are. Skip to the end of the description for clickable time indexes.
My biggest complaint about the new Rebel 1100 has been the harsh rear suspension, so today is the day to dig into that problem to figure out why it's so rough. I marked the rear shocks and the front fork with zip ties to check my suspension compression and stroke length. To my surprise, the rear shocks nearly bottomed-out just leaving my driveway! That step at the base of my driveway is only 1.5 inches tall... imagine what a 3-4" pothole or highway ripple does to those shocks!
My camera and phone both died near the end of this video, so I didn't get my closing thoughts and the final pictures of the zip tie embedded into the rear shock's bump stop. I will be editing and posting Part #2 of this series to show the adjustment of the shocks along with the before and after pictures of the zip ties. The Honda owner's manual doesn't specify how many clicks are in the suspension... only that the shocks are set at #3 from the softest. (Spoiler alert: there are 19 adjustment steps!)
Time indexes:
0:00 How to attach the zip ties to your shocks and forks
4:10 The bump leaving my driveway consumed 70% of the rear shock travel!
5:10 Hunting for food
6:39 Most Rebel 1100 owners agree that the rear suspension is harsh
8:32 Another minor pavement ripple used 80% of the rear shock travel
9:50 Checking the zip ties to see where the suspension sits
11:39 Resuming about an hour later after eating dinner
13:23 Chasing the sunset with dead camera & phone batteries
--
QM
quasimotard@gmail.com
#rebel1100 #cmx1100 #hondarebel
2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT
Honda Rebel 1100
Honda Rebel rear suspension
Honda Rebel 1100 rough suspension

Пікірлер: 36

  • @trevorperry3457
    @trevorperry34572 жыл бұрын

    Hey there. I've watched a couple of your videos they've been very helpful. Thanks for the insight. PS. I grew up in that area. Cool to see a KZreadr drive past my high school.

  • @andregrastyan3403
    @andregrastyan34033 жыл бұрын

    Hi. I went up first to the softest settings until it stops, and then gave it 5 clicks down. The factory setting is 3 clicks in the manual. The 2 extra clicks helped me a lot. I'm 183 lbs.

  • @QuasiMotard

    @QuasiMotard

    3 жыл бұрын

    We're not far apart in riding weight, then. I ended up setting my rear shocks at #7, and I bumped up the front preload about 1/2 turn clockwise to balance it out. So far, that seems to work well for my 170 pound riding weight and the roads/speeds that I travel. You can watch my follow-up video here if you're interested: kzread.info/dash/bejne/X2enuNaCZpzPqqg.html . Cheers! 👍 --QM

  • @mrmurphy8609
    @mrmurphy86093 жыл бұрын

    This was outstanding information. Thank you I think you have sold me on the DCT I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get the manual or not but this settles it

  • @MissyMalaprop

    @MissyMalaprop

    3 жыл бұрын

    The DCT runs great... slow speed, high speed, anything.

  • @QuasiMotard

    @QuasiMotard

    3 жыл бұрын

    I haven't ridden the manual Rebel 1100, but I can say that the DCT really suits this engine well. I don't miss shifting on this bike at all... not one tiny little bit. The DCT does everything I would do at almost exactly the same time and manner that I would do it... it's almost telepathic. I've only noticed a couple of minor quirks with the DCT over the past 1500 miles. First is the occasionally-abrupt, unexpected downshift from 3rd to 2nd gear in slower corners; this can be mitigated with different corner entry speeds or manually shifting down with the paddle shift. The second issue is occasional lurching/bucking at the top/bottom of a gear range while cruising slowly in traffic (e.g., around 8-10 MPH between 1st & 2nd gear); I just select a different ride mode or manually shift up/down to prevent that from happening. Otherwise, the DCT is buttery smooth and you completely forget about the need to shift or hunt for gears while riding. Instead, you can focus on the ride... just twist that throttle and go... and boy, does it GO! Cheers! 👍 --QM

  • @mrmurphy8609

    @mrmurphy8609

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@QuasiMotard well I’m sold. As soon as my triumph is out of the shop, I’m getting a DCT Rebel 1100

  • @shawnrojas9716
    @shawnrojas97163 жыл бұрын

    I went 3 clicks and it helped a little but either a spring change or when Ohlins make a shock kit for the 1100 I will go that direction. Coming from the mountain bike world you can only add so much pre-load and then you start having rebound issues.

  • @QuasiMotard

    @QuasiMotard

    3 жыл бұрын

    Agreed! These Showa shocks don't have enough compression damping, IMHO. You can fight insufficient compression damping with increased spring rate (somewhat), but then insufficient rebound damping becomes an issue... you end up with a pogo stick. I'm waiting to see if the Öhlins STX Blackline shocks ( www.ohlinsusa.com/suspension-products/harley-s36-blackline-twin-shocks ) will have a fitment for the Rebel 1100... those are tasty looking, and they match the bike's aesthetics! If/when I upgrade the rear shocks, then I'll probably convert the front forks with a proper cartridge system from Öhlins or cartridge emulators from Race Tech. Cheers! 👍 --QM

  • @jamesthompson7969
    @jamesthompson79692 жыл бұрын

    I bought a CMX Honda Rebel LM (std,) 11 20 21...and now have a seat-cuss/rear seat/sissy w/pad...4Bros. (racEx), and Spit Fire windshield and heated grips, too! SO FAR now is 3/38/22'. I like the Traction turn all-the-way down! when in user mode and very low EB (why brake?)

  • @Saixtanwar
    @Saixtanwar3 жыл бұрын

    Not sure if the Euro Rebels are set up different but my bike seems great straight out of the box, I weigh about 165 pounds.

  • @squidoo.
    @squidoo.3 жыл бұрын

    I weigh 270LBs...probably going to need to adjust shocks.

  • @Gortok1

    @Gortok1

    3 жыл бұрын

    14 maybe

  • @Gortok1
    @Gortok13 жыл бұрын

    I heard there's twenty clicks from lowest to highest. Some were shipped set at 3. I'm thinking for 180-200 lbs. it should be at least 7. That's where I'll start...

  • @QuasiMotard

    @QuasiMotard

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yessir... you are correct! I just posted part #2 of this series today: kzread.info/dash/bejne/X2enuNaCZpzPqqg.html . I actually cranked up my rear collars to #20 and chickened out there... didn't want to accidentally step the threaded collar off of the shock body... that's a bad thing. I rode it around on setting #6, bumped up to #8, and then worked back down to #7 as my final setting for now. I also increased the front fork preload about 3/4 turn to balance out with the rear shocks. Honda REALLY should have the shock and fork specs listed in the owner's manual... that's a glaring omission in my opinion. I'm accustomed to Honda's bikes being shipped out with the suspension with middle settings. I assumed that the factory position of #3 was around middle, so maybe 8-10 clicks? NOPE! Cheers! 😉👍 --QM

  • @Gortok1

    @Gortok1

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@QuasiMotard Just watched. Decided on "black" dct like yours, ships today.

  • @QuasiMotard

    @QuasiMotard

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@Gortok1 ​ @Gortok1 Congrats on your new Rebel 1100! Other owners who have the Rebel 1100 and the service manual have stated that the rear shocks have 18 clicks. So, I might have been spinning the same position on the last 2 clicks. Cheers! 👍 --QM

  • @Pibbmasta
    @Pibbmasta3 жыл бұрын

    If you're in the mood for a sandwich, I highly recommend Jersey Mikes! I picked up a giant from them for lunch today, always an excellent sandwich. Oh hey so an update! My 2021 Honda CB300R is going great! I've gone on mostly city rides, but I've ventured out onto a couple windy long distance roads in southern cali and absolutely loving it. I just got a Puig windscreen to make highway rides a bit more comfortable, so I'm hoping thats going to work out.

  • @QuasiMotard

    @QuasiMotard

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ah... good catch! I don't have a Jerey Mike's very near me, but they do have great sandwiches! There are a couple of them within about 5-6 miles of my house, so I'll keep that at the them at the top of my sandwich list! Congrats again on your CB300R! The windscreen should make a world of difference for highway cruising. Naked bikes that don't have some kind of stubby screen or gatuge spoiler can be very tiring to ride above 50 MPH for long periods... the wind pressure on the chest really takes a toll at higher speeds. I did a 4000-mile cross country trip on a Suzuki GS850 many years ago, and it didn't have any wind protection at all. That was my last LONG road trip on any bike that didn't have wind protection. There were several days where I sat up on the rear seat hump, put my feet on the passenger pegs, and leaned into the wind just to take the pressure off of my chest for a while. 🤣 Cheers! 👍 --QM

  • @evolutionz4706
    @evolutionz47063 жыл бұрын

    Hello. I'm Japanese and use the translation function, so I'm sorry if the words are strange. Although it is a rear suspension, I think that the preload is adjustable, but how many of the 18 stages are set? Excuse me, can you tell me your weight?

  • @QuasiMotard

    @QuasiMotard

    3 жыл бұрын

    Greetings from the USA! The Honda owner's manual doesn't specify how many positions are available on the rear shocks. You can watch my second video here that shows the adjustment of up to 20 clicks: kzread.info/dash/bejne/X2enuNaCZpzPqqg.html . My riding weight is 170 pounds (77 kilograms), so I have set the Rebel 1100's shocks to position #7. I also increased the front spring preload 1/2 turn clockwise to balance it with the rear suspension. Cheers! 👍 --QM アメリカからこんにちは! ホンダのオーナーズマニュアルには、リアショックのポジション数が明記されていません。 ここで、最大 20 回のクリックの調整を示す 2 番目のビデオを見ることができます: kzread.info/dash/bejne/X2enuNaCZpzPqqg.html . 私の乗車重量は 170 ポンド (77 キログラム) なので、Rebel 1100 のショックをポジション #7 に設定しました。 また、フロント スプリングのプリロードを時計回りに 1/2 回転増やし、リア サスペンションとのバランスを取りました。 乾杯! 👍 --QM Amerikakara kon'nichiwa! Honda no ōnāzumanyuaru ni wa, riashokku no pojishon-sū ga meiki sa rete imasen. Koko de, saidai 20-kai no kurikku no chōsei o shimesu 2-banme no bideo o miru koto ga dekimasu: Https: / / Youtu. Be/ - 3 sVtI 69 izE. Watashi no jōsha jūryō wa 170-pondo (77-kiroguramu)nanode, Rebel 1100 no shokku o pojishon# 7 ni settei shimashita. Mata, furonto supuringu no purirōdo o tokei mawari ni 1/ 2 kaiten fuyashi, ria sasupenshon to no baransu o torimashita. Kanpai 👍 -- QM

  • @evolutionz4706

    @evolutionz4706

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the immediate reply. Honda dealer's mechanic said that it is possible to adjust in 18 steps if it is a Japanese domestic specification, but in Japan it is set with # 3 assuming a weight of about 65 to 75 kg. The suspension itself may be different for domestic and overseas, but please refer to it. Have a good Rebel life! * I also like the Rebel 1100 and ordered it at the end of March, but it is also popular in Japan and delivery is likely to be around the end of August at the earliest.

  • @fattywithafirearm
    @fattywithafirearm3 жыл бұрын

    I like to go up to large lifted trucks. Then attach a large zip tie to its drive shaft. That shit is funny.

  • @MotoMuscleChick
    @MotoMuscleChick Жыл бұрын

    Why do you wear ear plugs under your helmet when riding?

  • @QuasiMotard

    @QuasiMotard

    Жыл бұрын

    Huh... can you repeat that? 🤣 Prolonged high-intensity and high-frequency noise from the motorcycle's exhaust and the air rush past the riders helmet is damaging to long-term hearing. Short rides under 15 minutes in duration aren't as much of a problem if the speeds and the subsequent noise levels are lower than typical freeway speeds. Here are a few articles that break down the acceptable noise levels: - www.asha.org/public/hearing/loud-noise-dangers/ - labor.alaska.gov/lss/pads/noise.htm - www.osha.gov/noise#:~:text=OSHA%20sets%20legal%20limits%20on,a%205%20dBA%20exchange%20rate - nasdonline.org/1091/d000882/noise-the-invisible-hazard.html - www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmet-noise/ - www.campaignforbetterhearing.us/how-do-i-protect-my-ears-when-i-ride-a-motorcycle/ In a nutshell, the maximum sustained noise level to avoid permanent and CUMULATIVE hearing damage is only is 85-90 dB. Noise levels inside a motorcycle helmet while riding are commonly 90-100 dB, and the damaging high-frequency components (from air noise) can easily exceed 110 dB while riding on the freeway at 65+ MPH. Those noise levels can cause short-term hearing loss within a few seconds, and more lasting effects within just a few minutes. That's why I wear foam earplugs with a 32-35 dB noise reduction rating (NRR). I can still hear traffic and my hemet communicator for music and spoken GPS directions without difficulty while wearing the earplugs. After a long day of riding, I can still hear without having "concert head" and worrying about if/when my hearing will return to normal. Cheers! 😉👍

  • @MotoMuscleChick

    @MotoMuscleChick

    Жыл бұрын

    @@QuasiMotard very good to know. Thx

  • @jonathan993
    @jonathan9933 жыл бұрын

    I waiting for a drivers backrest that matches the profile go the bike not to crazy about the t rex racing one

  • @QuasiMotard

    @QuasiMotard

    3 жыл бұрын

    The T-Rex accessories are well-built for sure, but they look a bit heavy and square... don't flow well with the lines of the bike. I don't sit back far enough to take advantage of a backrest yet... I'll need some setback bar risers first. The footpeg extenders look promising, though! It's just too bad that these accessories won't be available until October 2021 or later. 👍 --QM

  • @Kr0n1k8
    @Kr0n1k83 жыл бұрын

    The amount of times I’ve yelled “f&$@“ as I’ve hit bumps on my rebel 1100 ! The rear suspension is so jarring.

  • @QuasiMotard

    @QuasiMotard

    3 жыл бұрын

    Man, isn't that the awful truth?! I hit several big dips on the highways here in Houston at 70+ MPH, and the bottoming-out of the rear suspension bounced me completely out of the saddle! That's a pucker factor of 11.0 when you're suddenly flying Superman in busy shoulder-to-shoulder traffic! I have settled with my rear shock preload set at #7 and the front forks increased about 1/2 turn. That has tamed the sudden jolts for me. My riding weight is about 170 pounds, so your ideal settings might vary. Cheers! 😉👍 --QM

  • @richardmclendon8314
    @richardmclendon83143 жыл бұрын

    Looks like someone took your bike for a ride while you were eating. Not only was it facing the opposite direction when you came out, it was in a different parking spot. And you apparently didn't notice. WTF?

  • @QuasiMotard

    @QuasiMotard

    3 жыл бұрын

    LOL! The magic of editing! I didn't like it sitting over on the side of the building where I couldn't see it, so I moved it up front when one of the cars vacated that front spot. 😉👍 --QM

  • @richardmclendon8314

    @richardmclendon8314

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@QuasiMotard Thanks for the useful info. I have the same bike. I hit a bump a couple weeks ago and felt like I had cracked a rib or three. I will definitely be adjusting my suspension before riding again.

  • @QuasiMotard

    @QuasiMotard

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@richardmclendon8314 Yep, I wondered if I had lost a kidney over a few these highway ripples in Houston! 🤣 Increase your rear spring preload a few clicks snd you'll probably notice a huge improvement. Cheers! 👍 --QM

  • @davestraight8219
    @davestraight82193 жыл бұрын

    quasis not a bloater then?? :D (kidding) - excuse for some nice shocks?

  • @QuasiMotard

    @QuasiMotard

    3 жыл бұрын

    You betcha! I'm looking hard at the Öhlins Blackline shocks ( www.ohlinsusa.com/suspension-products/harley-s36-blackline-twin-shocks ). I'm hoping that they make a fitment for the Rebel 1100. Blackline shocks for the rear and a full cartridge kit for the forks! 👍 --QM

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