HONDA CMX250 (1996 - 2000) Review

Version: VIN# 0034, one of the earliest re-release models in North America

Year: 1996

Incredible bike for what it is. As long as you realize it's NOT a crotch rocket, it's a real treat to ride. Excellent in town commuter for the thick and heavy traffic grind!

Buying experience: Bought used from a dealer, original owner traded it in at 45K miles. $2600 in 2002 was a great price for a bike that went 100K more before any hiccups.

Year: 1999

Annual servicing cost: £200

Not my first bike but by far the smallest. I commute 40 miles a day on it but I stay off the highways. Bike is too small, light, quiet and slow for busy interstates. It handles very well and sets the bar for reliability and fuel efficiency. Clean smooth operations and a joy to scoot down back roads. I bounced mine off the pavement at 65 mph, picked up unharmed, fired it right up and rode out of there with only a broken mirror and a scar on my eye.

I think this bike is brilliant. I enjoy being a bit of a cheapskate/economiser, so it's the perfect balance of power with mpg. It's got enough pull to get you away at the front of the traffic light queues (this always bugged me on my 125!) yet is still amazingly economical - 77mpg! I have no idea how much more powerful a bigger bike is, but the step up to the Rebel 250 from my GN125 was phenomenal. Even if it's only 17bhp, I finally feel like I'm riding a real motorbike. I suppose it would be nice if it could go that tiny, tiny, tiny bit faster on the motorway, but to be honest I don't care - it can hit 75 on a good day, and that's fast enough for me anyway. I'm a young rider but have no desire to go hurtling along at breakneck sportsbike speeds. I had to replace the clutch about a week after I bought the bike, but I guess this is just down to the previous owner, or old age, or something. The bike makes a funny noise when the gears are engaged, but I've been assured this is nothing. In general, great bike, I won't be changing to a new one anytime soon that's for sure. It's great on fuel and powerful enough to ride on any road, including the motorway, easily. Super easy to balance as well.

Had a Rebel as my first bike for a couple of years. Never let me down mechanically in over 10,000 miles riding. It is a great town bike but it's also highly capable on longer trips on country roads thanks to easy steering and decent torque. Only limited on long motorway runs as you'd expect, but even then it will run wide open throttle all day without overheating or burning oil. Great bike for a learner mechanic too -- air-cooled, only four valves, easy access to everything. Tank is small but then again you'll easily get 70mpg+ out of it. Obviously most riders will want more power eventually, as I did, but I'm glad I chose the Rebel as a first bike. I'd certainly recommend it over most other mini-cruisers. Note: There's a CA250T Rebel too, made for Japanese and other eastern markets. Virtually identical to the CMX but with staggered pipes and twin carbs, making about 21hp. The CMX's finish is probably better though.