Honda Rebel CMX 250 Saddlebag and Saddlebag Guard Installation

Locating and finding acceptable accessories for the Honda Rebel is sometimes difficult. I searched for a month or more and read dozens of reviews about a variety of saddlebags that might fit properly and look good. Cost is always a factor so I was also searching for the best value. I finally settled on the Willie and Max Raptor Compact Slant SB 801 ($90.99). I found the plain look suited my taste, but there are a variety of slant saddlebags available from Willie and Max with a multitude of looks that should satisfy most. Willie and Max bags are handled by a variety of motorcycle suppliers, but take the time to shop as the prices vary by as much as $25.

This slant saddlebag fits the Honda Rebel CMX 250 well. The dimensions of 12" wide x 9.5" tall x 5.5" deep are the largest that the Honda Rebel will accommodate without having to reposition the turn signals.

It would be extremely unwise to use these saddlebags without first installing saddlebag guards. So that must be accomplished first. The best price I found for chrome saddlebag guards is Jacks Rebel Warehouse ($54.95). Jack's also has plain black guards available. ($39.95) The chrome saddlebag guards are manufactured by MC Enterprises which makes numerous motorcycle accessories.

When you order the MC enterprises chrome saddlebag guard it will come with hardware, however, if you have a sissy bar and luggage rack on your Honda Rebel, the hardware mounting bolts will not be long enough. Ace Hardware had the right longer bolts that I required in stock.

The saddlebag guards are easy to install, but have an sunken bolt mount which requires two different size a metric allen wrenches. If you don't have set for your Honda Rebel, you will probably need them for any future repairs so it would be wise to include them in your tool set. Once the saddlebag guards are installed, you can proceed with installation of the saddlebags.

Again, installation is relatively easy. One can mount the saddlebags over the passenger seat if the intent is to only use the saddlebags occasionally. Since I intend to leave the saddlebags on permanently, I chose to mount the saddlebags under the passenger seat. The seat must first be removed. This is accomplished by unscrewing the seat mounting bolts that are immediately to the rear of the seat( almost underneath it). These are 11 mm bolts that are best removed with a socket wrench with an extension. Once these bolts are taken out, the seat is removed by pulling upwards and to the rear. Be careful not to scratch the chrome on the tail light. One will note then that the seat has a plastic piece on the front of it that slides underneath a mounting bracket. Remember that this piece has to slide back into position when reinstalling. Note also that the brake light wiring is easily accessible should you desire to add any additional lighting in the future.

With the seat removed you can then adjust and connect the leather-like mounting yolk that connects the left and right saddlebags. The bags come with a small rope (shoestring) to enable them to be tied securely together. As I recall for the Honda Rebel this should be adjusted so that it is the shortest possible. Once your bags are adjusted, you can then reinstall the seat. This is the most difficult part of the process as the bolts are not easily accessible and it may take a minute or two to get them aligned properly. It is slightly more difficult if you have a luggage rack as that uses these same mounting bolts and holes.

I've included a few pictures of my Honda Rebel CMX 250 to show the how the saddlebags look. Since I intend to leave them on permanently, I decided to use some plastic ties to insure the saddlebags have little chance to move about or get caught in the rear wheel. The advertisement for the Willie and Max bags said these plastic ties were included. That was not the case with me. Using the plastic ties negates the zipper feature that is on these bags for easy removal, but I decided at least for the short term, I was most interested in the security of the saddlebags.