By Ren Withnell
Review Date August 2014
This was the first motorcycle I purchased after a rather uncomfortable accident. I could not bend my left knee very much, I was still a little weak and I was also a little nervous about getting back on two wheels after 7 months. I'd been looking around the bike shops and the CMX 250 caught my eye.
There were many good reasons to purchase this diminutive cruiser. The cruiser riding position did not require me to bend my dodgy knee too much. It was comparatively light and low to the ground. It wasn't too powerful to scare me. The price and the bike were right. To cap it all off I'd had intimate and positive experiences with the motor in a previous incarnation, the Honda Benly 200.
The engine in the CMX comes from the CD 250 U, which came from the CD 200 Benly of which I've owned 2. The CMX has a parallel twin unit of 233ccs making the "250" tag something of an exaggeration. The unit is basic, simple, in a low state of tune and remarkably reliable. The 2 pistons rise and fall together (360 degree crank) which allows a single carburettor to be fitted. This is my favourite feature, the single carb. There is a tiny manifold from the small carb that feeds both pistons which means there's no carb balancing and better fuel economy. Oh I know it's not as fast or as trick but speed and posing are not everything.
Along with the sweet motor the rest of the machine is typical Honda. The build quality is up to standard, the one I purchased had 7k on the clock and looked as good as new. Wire wheels, odd tyre sizes and a broad squidgy seat are mated to soft suspension to complete the cruiser effect. The footpegs are placed forwards but not too ridiculously and the bars are high but again within sensible parameters. Honda didn't push the envelope here, they just moved the rider enough to make them feel like they're on a Harley. The engine does rather lack that Harley tone though, it's more like a little sewing machine.
So there I was, new lid, new bike gear and a stomach filled with both fear and excitement. I set off and thankfully the bike is as easy to ride as a push iron. Snick snick click up and down the gears, the throttle is forgiving and my ass being low to the ground is reassuring. After 2 miles it all fell back into place and I remembered why I love to ride.
For the next 9 months the CMX remained my faithful friend. It transported myself and the gf to a couple of rallies complete with tent, luggage, sleeping bags and ground rolls. It took me to work and back. I took me on ride-outs and off for day trips. It took my son back home. It never missed a beat and ran perfectly. It became like a watch, it just worked and worked so well I stopped noticing it.
It could make me laugh and impress me though, it wasn't boring. The low down looks meant the footpegs could be ground out with sparks aplenty on any roundabout. That big old seat was long distance heaven. As long as though onlookers didn't hear the motor I'd get some "respect dude" kind of looks. And the best part? 90 mpg. 200 miles on the tank was easy peasy and parts were as cheap as chips.
I read someplace that the 250 Rebel is no good for distance work. Nonsense, it's a question of adjusting your expectations. If you want to ride the motorways at a steady 70 mph with the motor put-putting away beneath you then the CMX ain't your bike. If however you're happy to ride at 55 - 60 mph and take in the surroundings the Rebel will give you this with pleasure. And while the Harleys and 750cc plus bikes are fuelling up you'll just keep on riding. You'll save enough to buy a round later that night while you're mates are taking the piss (but quietly admiring your tenacity).
I loved my CMX 250. I purchased it for £1,400 and got £1,400 against it when I traded it in 9 months later and with 14,000 miles on the clock. I still see them around and my heart yearns for another, I want one and to ride one again. I just ain't got the space in the shed.
