Honda Launches its Rebel + Aviator Nation Motorcycle at SXSW

This year’s SXSW festival-goers will get an up-close and personal look at the ultimate motorcycle for the next generation of rider – the 2017 Honda Rebel & the Honda Rebel + Aviator Nation limited edition cruiser. The mainstream launch of this unique collaboration kicks off at the Waterloo Records Day Parties taking place in Austin, TX from March 15th – March 18th.

The Honda Rebel has gotten a complete refresh for 2017, both inside and out. It’s a modern motorcycle with a classic and minimalist attitude, but when it comes to performance, these bikes are anything but understated. Both the 300s and 500s are built for cruising up the coast to chase the perfect swell or winding through traffic on the way to a great hiking spot. When Aviator Nation founder, Paige Mycoskie, lent the inimitable 1970s vibe of her beloved California lifestyle brand to create the Honda Rebel + Aviator Nation edition, the result was the perfect collaboration for the adventurous spirit wanting to get out and explore the world from a different vantage point.

“We’re really excited about this collaboration with Aviator Nation,” said Lee Edmunds, Manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications at American Honda. “The potential for these bikes is endless and with the Aviator Nation customized bikes, we’re just starting to explore what great things are possible in the custom bike world. With each different owner, we’re hoping to see totally different expressions of style and attitude. This up and coming generation of riders will probably be unlike anything we’ve known and we’re hoping they think the same of these great motorcycles.”

“I was inspired by vintage motorcycles from the 70s,” said Paige. “When I was given the opportunity to customize a 2017 Honda Rebel, I knew that I wanted to create a classic, clean look reminiscent of those heritage Honda bikes.”

The result is a user-friendly, lightweight cruiser that is undeniably Aviator Nation; capturing Paige’s innate love of outdoor adventure, music and design. The hand-stitched brown leather seat with the embroidered Aviator Nation signature logo is a retro contrast to the black, glossy fenders that flank the bike. The gas tank’s gold shimmer is a nod to vintage sparkle drum sets & guitars and is finished off with Aviator Nation’s signature 4 stripes painted on in the brand’s recognizable colors. Custom brown leather grips, round rear view mirrors, a minimalist tail light and caged head lamp are the cherries on top of Paige’s design vision.

The Honda Rebel + Aviator Nation bike will make its first outdoor appearance at the Waterloo Records Day Parties during SXSW in Aviator Nation’s on-site pop up shop.

The 2017 Honda Rebel 300 & 500 will go on sale nationwide in late April. Aviator Nation customized Rebels will be available for purchase in Aviator Nation flagship stores in June 2017.

For more information: http://rebel.honda.com.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.