SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB500/550

Forgotten just how much fun these bikes are!

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florence:
Wow, I've never had a go on a modern bike unless you count a 500/4 as modern which it seems only mad people like me do.  I am seriously intrigued.  What modern bike would you recommend to someone who has seriously never been on anything newer than 1979?

SteveD CB500K0:
Seeing as we are "Honda" people on here, I'd recommend a CBR600 or CBF - depending upon whether you want sports or naked.

Then a VFR.

Then a Blackbird.

Then try something with a little soul, like a Triumph, Ducati etc.

florence:
Don't know what any of those are, I'll have to look them up on google.  My knowledge of Hondas stops at the introduction of the CX500 which I had for a while many years ago.  Monstrously heavy thing with a silly water-cooling system which always leaked.  It was very ugly, so I took everything off that I could get away with. It was extremely ratty including a very agricultural home made exhaust system (its amazing what one can do with flexible exhaust hosing) and a strip of metal with some carpet on it for a seat.  It had fantastic brakes though, I wonder if they would fit 500/4......

When I got rid of that I rebuilt my cb350k and when that blew up I got the 500/4 and I've been riding it ever since.

Triumph, I am intrigued to know what they are like, not the pretend bonnevilles etc because I have heard they are a bit pedestrian but the sportier ones sound good.  I just can't get to grips with the look of modern bikes but I guess I should try.

S

SteveD CB500K0:

--- Quote from: florence on September 11, 2008, 11:25:40 AM ---Don't know what any of those are, I'll have to look them up on google. 

--- End quote ---

CBR600 = middleweight sports bike, swept all before it when launched in the 80's (ie before the Fireblade came along)

CBF600 = same engine (but detuned) but no fairings, clipons etc (called a Hornet over here)

VFR = I don't believe that you've never heard of a VFR...

Blackbird = 1100cc fast as the plane (nearly) but a bit dull.

Triumphs - don't start me off...



3 cylinder engines are fab with the torque (grunt) of a twin but the top end power of a 4. Oh, and they sound fantastic.
Did you ever see a Jota? - well they're like that.

No choke.
No fuel tap.
No carbs!
Brakes that work.
Suspension that works.
Awesome power (by comparison) - you don't need the 150+ top end but the 50-90 times have to be experienced to be believed (even in 6th gear.
Utter reliability.


I'll shut up now.

florence:
...no don't know VFR but will look up now as have curiosity aroused.

Triumphs sound fab, I guess that's why they hold their price.  Maybe I'll get one in about fifteen years time when all of the petrol has dried up.  You see I'm not allowed to spend more than thruppence ha'penny on bikes per year without making my wife upset.

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