In 2003, Honda released the CMX250 Rebel, an ideal entry-level cruiser machine with a lightweight and nimble package perfect for new or beginner riders with its low seating position.
When it was first launched in 1985, the bike was also known as the Rebel 250 or the Honda Peronist, powered by the same engine as the Honda Nighthawk 250 standard model. It was manufactured on and off for various years.
The Honda CMX was a popular choice for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, which used it as a certified learners machine, and the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, which used it as a replacement for Vespa scooters.
The 2003 Honda CMX250 Rebel packed a semi-double-cradle steel frame with a long wheelbase and a low seating position, wire-spoke wheels with chromed rims, an o-ring sealed chain for more durability, a pulled-back handlebar, a 10-liter teardrop-shaped fuel tank, and a two-piece custom-styled seat.
The 2003 bike had the same suspension system as its predecessors, with a 33 mm telescopic fork handling the front wheel and dual shock absorbers with five-way spring preload adjustability on the rear.
Also, the braking system remained unchanged, with a dual-piston caliper and a 240 mm disc mounted on the front wheel, while on the rear, the stopping power was achieved by a rod-operated 240 mm drum unit.
With the same power on tap, the 2003 Honda CMX250 Rebel boasted 19 hp at 8,250 rpm and 19 Nm (14 lb-ft) torque at 5,500 rpm.