Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
+8
Tricky.
trevor machine
Pugzilla
Beresford
wornsprokets
Jameshambleton
liverpool_f_
jchesshyre
12 posters
CB500 Club forum :: Forum :: General
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Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
Which other bikes (I'm assuming no cars do) beat the CB500 for overall performance on the road vs overall purchasing and running costs?
Are there other bikes (let alone cars) that do 0-60 in 4.4s, quarter mile in 13.2s, post lap times as recently discussed in another thread, can make you grin every time you use them, yet can also do 60+mpg if needed, can potentially be bought for under £500 if you're very thrifty, and are so cheap to run?
Are there other bikes (let alone cars) that do 0-60 in 4.4s, quarter mile in 13.2s, post lap times as recently discussed in another thread, can make you grin every time you use them, yet can also do 60+mpg if needed, can potentially be bought for under £500 if you're very thrifty, and are so cheap to run?
jchesshyre- the 900
- Posts : 683
Location : Chester
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
Late 90's Yamaha Fazer maybe? They always go for cheap. Maybe some of the late 90's triumphs as well since they are also dirt cheap but not so hot on reliability.
liverpool_f_- the 900
- Posts : 478
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
Gpz500 might be a better alternative similar price to ours but less thought about
Jameshambleton- the 900
- Posts : 2969
Location : Bedale, North Yorkshire
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
Think i saw some where cb 500 fastest of old 500cc commuter bikes:-gs500,er500
wornsprokets- the 900
- Posts : 1391
Location : dublin
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
Jameshambleton wrote:Gpz500 might be a better alternative similar price to ours but less thought about
These are well thought of. Particularly the later twin-front disc version. There's one near me for sale at the moment, looks mint. 15000 miles, £1300.
Beresford- the 900
- Posts : 1873
Location : not that far from Kirkistown
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
Most of the other 500 cc bikes of the period are 10hp shy of the CB at around 47bhp. Even the new cbr 500 has 47bhp and an 8-9k ish redline. Definitely would rather take the cb over the ER5, GPZ5, gs5 etc. Bandit 400's are interesting in that with less displacement they have similar power but also similar weight so still sticking with the cb on that one.
liverpool_f_- the 900
- Posts : 478
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
Interestingly, the bike reviews section of MCN gives the CB500 10bhp more than the GPZ500, and yet they weigh about the same - 176/173 kg, but the Kawasaki is 5mph faster and 0.2 sec quicker to the 1/4 mile.
Beresford- the 900
- Posts : 1873
Location : not that far from Kirkistown
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
I had a 1989 cb1 400(4cylinder 16v), it had gear driven cams, there was no restrictor from japan in these bikes(grey jap import) it had old cbr 400 motor in it(1987/88model)lovely sound out of engine, i found it bit cramped at start(i am5'11' in height) but i got use to it , i sold it for same money i bought it for
heard parts are hard to get for bandit 400(liverpool f)
heard parts are hard to get for bandit 400(liverpool f)
wornsprokets- the 900
- Posts : 1391
Location : dublin
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
0-60 in 4.4 seconds? I thought it was more like 5 seconds?
Pugzilla- Barry Sheene
- Posts : 95
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
Well,in a somewhat different context, the firestorms always strike me as eminently affordable, as do blackbirds to a lesser extent. I appreciate running costs are much higher, but even so. The amount of bike you get for your money with those two seems very good.
trevor machine- the 900
- Posts : 1333
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
Yeah I'd love a firestorm if I had the money. I wish there were a naked version though...
Re. 0-60 time: can't remember where the hell I got the 4.4s figure from, possibly a youtube video! But I know the 2013 CB500F is quoted as 4.8s and ours will be quicker because it's more powerful and only needs one gear change to do 0-60.
Re. 0-60 time: can't remember where the hell I got the 4.4s figure from, possibly a youtube video! But I know the 2013 CB500F is quoted as 4.8s and ours will be quicker because it's more powerful and only needs one gear change to do 0-60.
jchesshyre- the 900
- Posts : 683
Location : Chester
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
wornsprokets wrote:Think i saw some where cb 500 fastest of old 500cc commuter bikes:-gs500,er500
in TSGB these bikes are allowed, but they are too slow and unreliable compared to the cb, thats why nobody races them.
Tricky.- the 900
- Posts : 721
Location : Derby
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
C70/90 worth a shout?
steady Eddy- the 800
- Posts : 266
Location : Ellesmere Port
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
Your right on the power and speed. Ive been hunting for alternatives but have come up short. No other 500cc machine is as powerful, reliable or fun than the CB from what ive found.
Im actually after getting something smaller as the CB feels big for me. I might go for a CB400RR but I think on a long ride itll shake me to pieces.
Im ideally after something smaller but just as quick. Not having much luck. Especially as a CB500 can be bought for quite cheap too.
Im actually after getting something smaller as the CB feels big for me. I might go for a CB400RR but I think on a long ride itll shake me to pieces.
Im ideally after something smaller but just as quick. Not having much luck. Especially as a CB500 can be bought for quite cheap too.
mcalvert39- Silver Bullet
- Posts : 113
Location : Salford
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
Yamaha SZR660? Or Honda Bros 650?
jchesshyre- the 900
- Posts : 683
Location : Chester
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
I hear you. I have a ST70 in the shed and have done many miles on it too.steady Eddy wrote:C70/90 worth a shout?
But no. I don't think it beats the CB500. Yes, the Cub (and the Dax) series are fantastic little machines - thus the staggering sales figures! The C90 engine is the most-produced engine in motoring history and lives on today despite the fact that it was designed somewhere back in the late 50'es. Now with PGM-FI and 125cc - but it's essentially the same basic design.
Still, these little bikes are and will always remain 'little bikes'. In my mind they don't qualify as being motorcycles. I see them as happy shoppers, inner-city-pizzabikes and/or something you put in the boot of your car when going to the beach (this probably only applies to the ST, as it has foldable handlebars).
You wouldn't take a Cub into the right lane on mway, now would you?
Yes, I know people have gone proper long-haul on Cubs - as in around the globe. But no. Not a motorcycle. Had this been a best-minibike-contest (or moped, scooter or the like) I'd have had no doubt in nominating the Cub/ST. But it's not. It's a comparison on "overall performance on the road vs overall purchasing and running costs" with the CB500 motorcycle in one corner and another bike in the other. I read from this that the opponent must be a motorcycle - and the Cub isn't.
Then, what constitutes 'a motorcycle'? I don't think there's an official definition, but to me these bullets will loosely sum up the subject:
- Two wheels. Not three, four or seven. Two. One behind the other and with a motor inbetween.
- Performance matching or surpassing a period-typical passenger car.
- Ergonomics properly supporting two passengers commuting or touring with reasonable comfort.
- Instrumentation and lighting suitable for navigating heavy traffic safely.
Essentially, this limits the selection to bikes you'd feel confident taking into the right lane on mway - and filter with. Taking a pillion. In the dusk/rain.
I've often heard the term 'big bike' mentioned, referring to something that will fit the bill given above. Implicitly opposed to 'little bike', which is one that is - well, smaller. People regularly refer to the CB as being their first big bike...
So, let's not compare apples and pears. Me thinks.
Do I have a suggestion for something offering better value for money than the CB? Well, I go visit motorcycle dealers several times a year, and of course I look at the stuff they have for sale. Forget anything new. Danish price-structure is absolutely, positively bonkers. Off the deep end... The current version of Honbda's CB500 sells for 8-9000£. Anything that has 'RR' in its name goes for 20K£ and up. I flatly refuse being robbed like that in broad daylight. Among the used bikes, I'm not much for choppers. For no particular reason, they just don't appeal to me. Take away the extreme ends - big & small (no 250cc RR bikes and no Goldwings) and we're left with the popular middle section. Here, competition is fierce and selection is wide and there are many bikes for sale, which is good for pricing. Take away all the 'RR'-bikes. Insurance costs... Among the remaining offerings, I tend to gravitate towards Honda; known good quality, brand name etc. It seems there are a lot of VFR machines in circulation, and a surprising amount of Blackbirds too, meaning competition -> reasonable pricing.
From what I've heard, both the Blackbird and the Viffer are ultra-reliable. Pricing is reasonable - 7500£ for a well-maintained blackbird 7000£ for a VFR800 (yes, the one with gear-driven cams) or 6500£ for a VFR750.
One of those then.
But then again. I've paid 2400£ for my CB, and it so delivers on its promises. Even the VFR750 costs more than twice that.
Deviating from Honda, a mate of mine has been promoting the Yamaha FJ1200. Yes, that might actually be an option. Cheap as chips (3000£ will get you a reasonable example), proper bike (back in the day the plods rode these), goes like sh*t off a shovel and is well-suited for touring with its fairing and all.
The fairing and the power attracts me, but the air-cooled engine and the sheer bulk does not. And what about durability?
In the end, I always return to the CB. 95% of the time it fits the bill just perfectly. Bomb-proof, proper bike, nimble, cheap to run. And if you add a little determination, it will also do long-haul.
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
You should think about a cb 600 hornet first ones from 1998, they tour, they commute, and they can be a hooligan like a bigger version of cb . Just high level exhaust isnt great for passenger or luggage. Engine burstable its an old cbr 600 f engine , engines do 100k plus miles if looked after , it do140 mph. Handle a lot better than an fj 1200, fj is a good bike too. Ive alway keep an eye for cheap cb 600 hornets. Every day riding cb 500 hard to beat.
wornsprokets- the 900
- Posts : 1391
Location : dublin
Re: Which bikes, if any, beat the CB500
CB-1 is a good shout if you can find a tidy one. Great little bikes: fun and reliable (gear driven cams) too. I've thought about swapping my CB500 for one.
The chain driven Bros or Hawk 650 is another decent bike with a fair bit of tuning/upgrade potential.
The SZR660 handles great (TZR250 chassis) but I wouldn't fancy living day to day with a four stroke single
The chain driven Bros or Hawk 650 is another decent bike with a fair bit of tuning/upgrade potential.
The SZR660 handles great (TZR250 chassis) but I wouldn't fancy living day to day with a four stroke single
jim157- Two Tone
- Posts : 122
Location : Norwich
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