SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB350/400
cb350 four performance
nairb:
Thanks for the input. Its the first time I have been really unsure about the purchase of a bike. I have owned quite a few bikes over the 45+ years. I even owned a honda cb250 G5 for a while. In the end I rarely used it. In todays traffic it was just unsafe. Too slow out on the open road. Cars etc did use to be slower 45/50 years ago and matched smaller bikes of that time.
I find the cb360 is just ok. It does 50/55 mph fine and will do more if really needed. Not much more tho. I dont expect to be able to hold 70mph with it. Motorways are definitely out.
It seems the smart money is on a cb350 TWIN rather than the 350F. But I already have 3 parallel twins - xs650, cl450 & a cb360.
I like the style of the 350F. That inline 4 with those 4-into-4 exhausts are an icon of the times. But it still needs to be practical - unlike the cb250g5. I dont know if a 350cc engine can pull an aging 96kg 6 foot 2 person about..... with safety.
Thanks
Nairb
taysidedragon:
Hi Nairb,
If you don't think a 350f will keep up with traffic, why not look at a 500 or 550/4. You can have the 4 cylinders and 4 pipes with plenty of go to manage today's roads. Just a suggestion. 🙂
TrickyMicky:
Don't shy away too quickly from the 350. Going back a few(!!!) years, after I passed my test my first bike was a nice new blue CD175 (sloper engine). This used to cruise day in and day out at about 55MPH without any fuss or bother. Took me to the IOM and toured Devon & Cornwall. Never used any oil, even after the occasional Friday night thrash home from the pub!
So, if you realise that the 350 has approx. the same bore/stroke dimensions, but has twice as many, then I don't think you will have any problem running it at about 7-7500 RPM, which should give you a comfortable rate of knots.
I hace owned my 400/4 since 1988, and still rev it up to 8500 in the gears sometimes. Think of the actual size of the pistons and rods, you will more likely do more damage by riding it too slow.
As regards motorway use, I'm afraid that my idea of riding a motorcycle is bend swinging, up and down the gears as the type of road changes. When we used to go to the IOM in the early 70's, we were all riding 650's and 750's, and it was 'A' roads all the way from Essex to Liverpool. Magic.
If you want to be more holy than righteous, then stick to single carriageway roads where you can comfortably ride at the legal limit of 60MPH without bother, and those that wish to pass you have to break the law to do so!
Take it out there, wring its neck a litttle, and enjoy it. Stay Safe. Mike.
nairb:
--- Quote from: taysidedragon on December 06, 2021, 12:56:42 AM ---Hi Nairb,
If you don't think a 350f will keep up with traffic, why not look at a 500 or 550/4. You can have the 4 cylinders and 4 pipes with plenty of go to manage today's roads. Just a suggestion. 🙂
--- End quote ---
I do indeed already have a cb550 k3. And it does keep up with todays traffic on all road types just fine. I did look at a cb500 ...... no question that would be a good bit of kit as well. Probably a better buy all round.
Decisions, decisions......
Johnwebley:
I can definitely agree the 500 is an excellent all rounder.
Not to big and heavy, but quick enough to get in trouble
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