Honda-SOHC
Other Stuff => Misc / Open => Topic started by: Underdog1 on August 15, 2018, 07:20:49 PM
-
Had a feeling recently that I’d like to add a smaller capacity CB/4 to my fleet, took my old mans 600 sports bike out earlier which I found pretty boring - reminded me of a saying that it’s more fun riding a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.
Those of you with 500/4’s, 400/4s and smaller - what’s the attraction for you? I fancy something small and light for pootling through the country lanes to get into town on, Sunday afternoon to the pub etc. Basically I want something that will put a smile on my face without having to ride fast - do you find these smaller bikes give you this?
-
I have a very revvy 125 YAM.it's perfect for twisting country roads.And soon a CB200 for the same reason. But easier to ride
Sent from my SM-G361F using Tapatalk
-
With a 400/4 because its very revvy and light you can still throw it through those country lanes and it needs plenty of up & down gear changes , for me it always seems & sounds like im doing a ton when im probably doing 40!!!. Great fun
-
Agree with both John and Dave. The CB400/4 is very revvy, hates lugging and it is a constant up and down the gearbox job. Great fun to ride and performs at its best being riden hard but no good for a lazy pootle around, they really do not like it. I also have a Honda CD250u, twin, you can ride it hard and it will put up with everything you give it but you can also pootle around in 5th gear and ride her around all day. The CB550/4 is the best of both worlds, will absolutely fly when you want her to, handling is exceptional and you can really throw her around, or you can plod along, taking it easy, she doesn't mind either way.
-
You only have a 250 when you can drag Trig off it. ;D
-
You only have a 250 when you can drag Trig off it. ;D
That's true Roy. He likes riding mine because its faster than his CD250u ;D ;D ;D
-
Cb500/4 is my favourite bike, it's just for me perfectly preportioned and feels very right, it can go when you give it stick but still excellent for a relaxed pootle around, it is the only bike or car I have ever had where I have just gone out for a ride with no actual aim to the trip, no destination, just fill the tank and explore random roads to see where the day takes me. The cb550 is a tiny bit bigger and I feel slightly less part of the bike, but the cb550k3 does have the mixed blessing of lean burn carbs. That gives you more mpg plus a seat like an armchair with its comfort but at the cost of the carbs reputation for clogging. Mine was fine in daily use for a few years but got the sulks when parked up for a few years. The cb500/4 is also prettier in my opinion. Some complain of clutch slip, mine only did that when I put a cb550 motor in there after the gearbox lost 1st gear when under load at 200,000 miles and counting.
-
Most of the bikes that I own now are the same models that I originally owned in the 1970's. The originals were sold long ago and at considerable cost (both in terms of money and effort) I have since replaced them with as near to the originals as I could find.
I have ended up with quite a few bikes by doing this and, of all of those that I now have, the CB500/4 is my favourite to ride, as it was all of those years ago. It is physically big enough for comfort, handles more predictably than most of the others, sounds quite lovely and can be ridden either slowly or quickly without fuss. In the 1970's I had two CB500's in quick succession, having sold the first and realising that I had made a mistake.
My real problem with the 500 is that as I have other bikes that are smaller (ideal for pub nights etc.) and larger (more comfort, power etc.) I don't really use it much at all!
As an aside, I have been in touch with Draganfly Motorcycles at Bungay (just a few miles from home) and they are now manufacturing Craven luggage, including racks, fitting kits and period style top boxes and panniers. Someone who I dealt with extensively at DS now works at Draganfly and as a result they are going to use both my 500/4 and 750/4 to measure from and intend to offer all of these items for the bikes in the future.
-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB350-K0-SUPER-SPORT/282664529858?hash=item41d01e6fc2:g:QxMAAOSw3GtZxMnZ
111 BHP/litre
-
Nice little bike there Ash, but I don't buy his "unrestored" statement, allen head bolts all over the place, and I don't recall the head being painted originally, so rather pricey me thinks!
-
Nice little bike there Ash, but I don't buy his "unrestored" statement, allen head bolts all over the place, and I don't recall the head being painted originally, so rather pricey me thinks!
Agreed 100% ... but it was the best one I could find to use as an example. very pricey ..knock at least a grand off in that condition
-
I know these are a different ball game entirely but I am seriously considering a cb250 Hornet, which is a four. It should be fun keeping one of those on the boil.
-
In 1972 I sold my brand newish CB750K2 to get the deposit for a house as I had just got married, to get to work I bought a CD175 and boy did I have some fun on it, times to get to work were not that different as it was all lanes riding and it was fun to ride.
Cheers
Dennis
-
I still get bags of fun out of my CD175 you just have to be in the right frame of mind for it.
-
Most of the bikes that I own now are the same models that I originally owned in the 1970's. The originals were sold long ago and at considerable cost (both in terms of money and effort) I have since replaced them with as near to the originals as I could find.
I have ended up with quite a few bikes by doing this and, of all of those that I now have, the CB500/4 is my favourite to ride, as it was all of those years ago. It is physically big enough for comfort, handles more predictably than most of the others, sounds quite lovely and can be ridden either slowly or quickly without fuss. In the 1970's I had two CB500's in quick succession, having sold the first and realising that I had made a mistake.
My real problem with the 500 is that as I have other bikes that are smaller (ideal for pub nights etc.) and larger (more comfort, power etc.) I don't really use it much at all!
As an aside, I have been in touch with Draganfly Motorcycles at Bungay (just a few miles from home) and they are now manufacturing Craven luggage, including racks, fitting kits and period style top boxes and panniers. Someone who I dealt with extensively at DS now works at Draganfly and as a result they are going to use both my 500/4 and 750/4 to measure from and intend to offer all of these items for the bikes in the future.
Hope they give you an early set for free. Least they could do for the lend of two bikes.
-
Nice little bike there Ash, but I don't buy his "unrestored" statement, allen head bolts all over the place, and I don't recall the head being painted originally, so rather pricey me thinks!
Agreed 100% ... but it was the best one I could find to use as an example. very pricey ..knock at least a grand off in that condition
Had a quick look through his list, and he aint giving anything away cheap. 34k for the RC30, always been pricey but I didn't realise they had gone up that much.
-
Yes, they will after measuring, test fit the racks and leave everything on the bikes for me.
-
Yes, they will after measuring, test fit the racks and leave everything on the bikes for me.
Nice one. I bet they are going to be quite a price for a full set.
-
Great input guys, I think I’m going to keep an eye out for an honest little 400 ;D
-
Yes.... CB400, CB500 ... nice bikes. Had them. Perfect when I was 20 and had 75kg.