HI!

[Gromitdog]

Hi Malc

Welcome to the Forum everyone is so friendly and helpful here hope you enjoy your stay & your bike 🤗

Gromitdog

[Matt_Harrington]

Emergency slither! - 

[Oddjob]

A bulldog tried to bite me during my first test, it ran out at me growling and barking, as I was on my lunch break and I worked on a building site at the time, I was wearing steel toed capped boots, went to kick the dog away and my boot went right in it's mouth, it then clamped down just behind where the toe cap ended and it couldn't let go and I couldn't carry on riding, the owner came out of the house and managed to prise it's jaws apart to allow me to continue, I wasn't going anywhere near those jaws. The examine walked around the corner just as the owner was prising the dog off my boot. For some reason I didn't pass that day, only test I've ever failed and I've taken over 10 tests in my lifetime.

On my retest a month later I almost got knocked off my bike when a car came round the corner being chased by a Panda car, a Vauxhall Viva, the examiner (same bloke) complimented me for taking good avoiding action.

[Laverdaroo]

To be fair, I think I fluked it as when he told me I'd passed I blurted out without realising......"You're kidding arent you?" He wet himself laughing and as a bit of a 'green' 17 year old, I sheepishly smirked and thought he was taking the p*ss.

He wasnt and that was the start of my relentless obsession.......I was absolutely made up and no steel toe cap boots were injured in the process Ken, winner

[Matt_Harrington]

A bulldog tried to bite me during my first test, it ran out at me growling and barking, as I was on my lunch break and I worked on a building site at the time, I was wearing steel toed capped boots, went to kick the dog away and my boot went right in it's mouth, it then clamped down just behind where the toe cap ended and it couldn't let go and I couldn't carry on riding, the owner came out of the house and managed to prise it's jaws apart to allow me to continue, I wasn't going anywhere near those jaws. The examine walked around the corner just as the owner was prising the dog off my boot. For some reason I didn't pass that day, only test I've ever failed and I've taken over 10 tests in my lifetime.

On my retest a month later I almost got knocked off my bike when a car came round the corner being chased by a Panda car, a Vauxhall Viva, the examiner (same bloke) complimented me for taking good avoiding action.

Ha! The dog wasn't called Kickstart by any chance!! 

[Malc (Malvis)]

Just been to look at a Honda CB1100 at Not your average bike in Ossett which has really thrown me. It’s a 2015 model (the retro one) and it was lovely! For about 1K more than I would pay for the CB500. 5 owners in 7 years seems odd? I know it would be immediate excommunication from the forum with a chorus of boos  but i have to think what’s right for me. I missed out on a classic (when they weren’t classics) in the 70s and in trying to experience that now am I making a mistake? Should I seriously consider the CB1100 or go with my heart for the classic? Has anyone got or ridden a CB1100? I know only I can make the decision ultimately but I would be grateful for any thoughts. Cheers.

[SteveD CB500K0]

You need both Malc.

An everyday runner that starts, stops, goes round corners and produces at least 100bhp. Other than that, it is completely invisible.

You also need a classic that sometimes won’t start, has crap brakes and wallows around corners. Other than that, it attracts crowds and “I always wanted one of those” comments.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Oddjob]

I have the CB1300 that the 1100 is bases on.

According to my mate, who's still a motorcycle mechanic, the 1100 is not a great bike, the exhausts are quite restrictive, it lacks real power, unlike the 1300 which has an abundance on tap, and unless you get the 6 gear version you're always trying to go for a sixth gear. Which I must admit the 1300 suffered from as well until I fitted a digital gear display.

I'd avoid, that many owners in such a short time tells a story.

[Malc (Malvis)]

Thanks SteveD & Oddjob. Great advice. All the replies have been gratefully accepted and taken on board. Lack of funds rules out multiple bikes unfortunately so it makes the decision a bit harder, but the CB500 looks easy to maintain (I’m a service engineer) and no Tax or MOT requirement appeals to me with my shoestring budget   

[Laverdaroo]

Get the 500 or the 550, at leats then if youre not riding it you can fiddle with it on the shed and actually have a hobby. Its no fun when they always start

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I would shy away from a 1100 myself because of the sheer weight.
Probably just the 74 year old weakling in me.

[Laverda Dave]

With any bike you need to think about moving it around when it's not under power, that's when you tell the real weight of any bike and especially if you have to push it backwards and forwards into and out of a garage or shed. My 400/4 is a piece of cake to move around whilst the weight of the VFR makes itself noticed.
Think about how often you are going to ride it and how far, do you like cleaning and maintaining your own bike? The thing I like most about the classic scene is the availability of parts, the bikes look like bikes and are easy and fun to work on. The VFR is a great bike and has a good look to it, the styling has aged well BUT..... everything is so difficult to access, it's a fairing off job for most things. The other major consideration is modern bikes are unfortunately not built to last. Whilst the engines are virtually bulletproof these days the electrics are not. Modern wiring looms have to use thin gauge wire otherwise they will be massive. Most wiring joints are crimped, not soldered, tapped over and subsequently suffer from hidden internal corrosion and this results in burnt out rectifier's etc. When you see a bike advertised as having a new reg/rectifier they have treated a symptom and not the cause.
Classic bike wiring looms on the other hand have properly made joints. You will struggle to find a new wiring loom for a modern bike but no trouble in finding one for a CB400/500/750.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

My 400 is as light as a feather my 500 seems heavy but suits my height better. I agree with the remarks about getting  bike around the garage or driveway without the engine assisting.

[Malc (Malvis)]

Thanks guys.  Yes I’m convinced! I do see it as a hobby as well as for the joy of riding.
I think I just had my head turned briefly by a younger model in a nice black outfit!
I am talking about the bike 😬

[Johnny4428]

Agree with SteveD! You take the classics out of the garage your their on duty carer, you then need the “off-duty” push button and go!