So I got my hands on this 2007 Honda Rebel 250 last summer. Craigslist find, dude wanted $1500 cash. Looked decent in pics but you know how that goes. Rode my buddy’s truck out to his farm – bike was sitting under a tarp full of bird poop. Fired her up with the kickstand down like an idiot and almost dropped it right there.
First Month Reality Check
Took it straight to my garage and tore her apart. Carbs were dirty as hell – found green gunk in the float bowls. Replaced the plugs, did oil change with 10W-40. Rode daily to my warehouse job 12 miles each way. Noticed three things right away:
- Vibrations make your hands numb after 20 minutes
- Seat feels like sitting on a 2×4 plank
- That tiny fuel gauge lies more than my ex
Hit 600 miles and changed oil again. Filter was surprisingly clean. Checked valves myself – no shims needed, all within spec. Chain started sounding like popcorn so I tore my knuckles up adjusting tension. Forgot gloves like a rookie.
The Great Breakdown
October rainstorm coming home from work. Bike just dies at a stoplight. Won’t restart, no lights even. Push it three blocks soaking wet. Next day traced it to corroded starter switch contacts. Dumbass previous owner didn’t cover terminals properly. Scraped off green crust with a pocket knife – worked fine after.
Only major repair so far? Clutch cable snapped last month. Hondapartsdirect got me a new one for $30. Took me two hours cuz I routed it wrong three times.
Eight Month Update
Odometer just ticked over 7,800 miles since I got it. My brutal verdict? This little bastard won’t die. Changed oil three times total, still on original brakes. Tank rust? Nope. Electrical gremlins? Just that starter switch. Burns zero oil between changes.
It’s ugly as sin, vibrates your fillings loose, and makes you look like a circus bear riding a tricycle. But damn if it doesn’t start every single morning.
