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Speaking of the 250 class, does anyone know why the Nighthawk is $500 more than the Rebel? They share the same engine and both have bare bones suspension. I've ridden them both and they seem to be pretty much the same except for styling.

flynrider wrote:Speaking of the 250 class, does anyone know why the Nighthawk is $500 more than the Rebel? They share the same engine and both have bare bones suspension. I've ridden them both and they seem to be pretty much the same except for styling.

It's that awesome front drum brake that only the Nighthawk has. That's worth $500 right there

I know the Rebles are pretty bullet proof. One of my schoolmates in AZ borrowed one from his neighbor to ride to school one day. We are on the highway doing 70mph, then I noticed he was way back in my mirror. I slowed down so he could catch up. He was doing about 45mph. We pulled of the road because something was obviously wrong.
Well, I went on to class and he waited for a tow truck. After school I caught up with him.
When he borrowed the bike he did not check it over. It had NO OIL whatsoever in the thing. And it was about 116 degrees that day. I can't believe it lasted as long as it did. No telling how long the neighbor had been riding it like that! He had the head off of it and the only thing you could see in the cylinder was the wrist pin! The freakin' piston turned to dust! But it still ran on Highway 17 at 45 mph...I thought that was pretty wild.
Not sure why I shared that story.
Back to the subject, when I go for a test ride on the Rebel, I have to sit on the passenger seat...I'm 6'1". And my knees get in the way of the handlebars. If you are going to be commuting everyday on this bike at 70 + mph, it is going to take its toll on the motor. Remember, it has no oil filter at all so the oil will need to be changed more often.
If anyone gets tired of my ramblings, just drop me a line.