When I tell people I have a motorcycle, I get one of three responses. The first is that motorcycles are very dangerous and not worth the risk. The second is that the Honda Rebel 250 is not a “real” motorcycle. The third reply – and my favorite by far – was submitted as a story about someone’s trusty first bike that they will never forget.
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I have heard macabre stories of life-changing accidents. These stories I can respect. They come from a place of concern, sometimes a place of loss. They are not fun stories, but they are stories worth hearing.
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As for the second response, I’ve lost patience with people saying the Rebel isn’t a real motorcycle. Rebel 250 is small, it’s true. You won’t find it in the list of 10 most powerful motorcycles. You won’t find it on anyone’s list of dream bikes. But if the people who told me the Rebel 250 wasn’t a real motorcycle could hear some sort of third-party feedback, they might have a different opinion.
The third answer is my favorite as it is the answer that best fits my own experience. It comes from riders who already own a Rebel 250, usually the first bike. When I told these people which motorcycle I had, they lit up. They told me about how they learned to ride a Rebel. Or how they left their jobs on a Rebel when their spouse was about to go into labor or taught their son and daughter to ride on a Rebel. I can relate to these stories because they are motivated by the first joy of riding a bicycle.
When I decided I wanted a motorbike, I searched everywhere. I printed the Craigslist posts and asked friends and family what they thought of them. I take pictures of motorbikes with a “For Sale” sign on the side of the road. I really didn’t know what I was looking for until I saw a post about a 2014 Honda Rebel 250.
I took my dad to see it right away next week. It’s the least intimidating motorcycle I’ve seen so far. It is gorgeous with its glossy black paintwork and stylish “Rebel” sticker on the fuel tank. I admit, my enthusiasm for finally finding an affordable motorcycle that is small enough for me to sit comfortably and in good condition may have clouded my judgment, but I still think it’s a nice motorcycle.
Some things are beautiful not because of their complexity but because of their simplicity. Rebel isn’t trying to be anything it isn’t. Likewise, I’m not trying to impress anyone with a roaring exhaust or cutting-edge technology. I just wanted to be myself: a new racer feeling comfortable and happy on my first motorcycle.
Before I sat on a motorcycle, I rode a horse. My horse’s name is Chief. I still have him, although now he spends his days grazing cattle until he retires. He is a gentle, calm and steadfast giant. He stuck with me through thorn bushes and winding trails in the woods. We even have the same hair color. One thing I learned from Chief is how to trust what carries you. I developed a similar belief with Rebel.
My Rebel has been my loyal mount for six years. It took me from Dover, Tennessee, to Grand Rivers, Kentucky, a town of about 400 people between the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers with a wonderful restaurant called Patti’s. To get there, I walked up the Trace through the Land between the Lakes. I stopped to rest in front of the old iron furnace. I rode along the line of elk and bison. I swing by the planetarium and watch the Beatles laser show. Before long, I was dining at Patti’s, munching on toast in a clay flowerpot and a 2-inch-thick pork chop.
My Rebels also took me to Aurora, Kentucky, home of Hot August Blues Festival and Belew’s Dairy Bar. The memory of Belew’s double cheeseburger with crispy pieces with a barbecue flavor still makes my mouth water. At the Hot August Blues Festival, people from all walks of life stretch out on the waterfront and catch up while bands tune in to it. You never meet a stranger in Aurora, even if you’ve never seen one there before. Through all these experiences, my Rebel has been with me.
I’m not trying to convince you to buy yourself a Rebel 250. If you’re new to motorcycles and want something that’s easy to ride, reliable, and inexpensive, the Rebel is a good choice. It’s not flashy or impressive, but it has a character of its own. Nor am I trying to convince myself that I made the right choice. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. All I want is that the new riders will cherish their time with their first bike and the experienced riders will take a moment and remember what that feels like.
Allison Parker joins horseman staff as assistant editor in August 2022. This is her first story for the magazine and it appeared in the December 2022 issue. -Editor.
