Re: Has anyone here ridden one of the current CBR500R or CB500F models?

by GlenAnderson Fri 21 Oct 2016, 9:24 pm

Jameshambleton wrote:Great read Glen, but remember that horsepower is perspective to top speed and not acceleration. My cb5 kicks out 51.3bhp at the rear wheel and a lot more torque 38nm (acceleration) than stock 33.9nm thanks to the +2 rear sprocket. I'd guess the dealer offered you £450 for your bike?

Considering you rode the cbr did you find it's very much so a commuting seating position than a sporty one?

I found the riding position very similar indeed to my current CB; definitely more commuting than sporting.

He offered me £600 for the red one, which wasn't quite the kick in the teeth I expected. He also told me to ask £1000 for it private sale...

by GlenAnderson Fri 21 Oct 2016, 9:26 pm

wornsprokets wrote:Great write up glen, well done, is the new cb500f/ cbr 500r.... wheres it assembled? Probably thailand?

Yes, Thailand.

Having looked at the KTM 390 Duke a while ago, which is made in India, the Honda is better finished and detailed than that.

by GlenAnderson Sun 23 Oct 2016, 7:50 pm

Took a deposit on my old CB today, so it looks like the decision is made.

Will you all still talk to me?

by wornsprokets Sun 23 Oct 2016, 7:57 pm

Of course glen ive also a fireblade, its pity u couldnt keep both...it cost nothing extra to add my cb to my policy... let us know how you get on with cbr 500, mpg ...quality of finish ..
Best luck with new bike

by GlenAnderson Sun 23 Oct 2016, 8:06 pm

wornsprokets wrote:Of course glen ive also a fireblade, its pity u couldnt keep both...it cost nothing extra to add my cb to my policy... let us know how you get on with cbr 500, mpg ...quality of finish ..
Best luck with new bike

Thanks mate.

In an ideal world I'd have kept every vehicle I've ever owned, but I can't manage another project on top of everything else. I'm going to attempt to get my lorry roadworthy by next summer, and would also like to get the second of my Bantams back on the road too. Too many projects already is what prompted this whole saga in the first place! Laughing

by louis_sutton Sun 23 Oct 2016, 10:41 pm

Glen, that's brilliant. Thanks for reporting back.

by Jameshambleton Mon 24 Oct 2016, 5:51 pm

GlenAnderson wrote:Took a deposit on my old CB today, so it looks like the decision is made.

Will you all still talk to me?

I own a suzuki so shhh Wink

Has anyone here ridden one of the current CBR500R or CB500F models? - Page 2 737901405

by trevor machine Tue 25 Oct 2016, 6:27 am

GlenAnderson wrote:As the title, really. Has anyone here got direct experience of both "our" CB500s and the current generation of Honda 500 twins?

Nope - nor do I plan to unless the current range changes. Honestly I find Honda pretty uninspiring - the 500s, the NC750, etc. They seem to have focused on economy rather than fun. In contrast, the other three all seem to have bikes that are more interesting in this bracket - be it the new or old SV (or even the Gladius - I'd take that every time over the new CB500 or NC), the ER6 or the MT07.

I guess the idea of a Rally Raid CB500X is vaguely interesting - but honestly, I'd much prefer my KLX250 for green laning. It's way lighter than the cb500.

by GlenAnderson Tue 25 Oct 2016, 10:04 am

trevor machine wrote:

GlenAnderson wrote:As the title, really. Has anyone here got direct experience of both "our" CB500s and the current generation of Honda 500 twins?

Nope - nor do I plan to unless the current range changes. Honestly I find Honda pretty uninspiring - the 500s, the NC750, etc. They seem to have focused on economy rather than fun. In contrast, the other three all seem to have bikes that are more interesting in this bracket - be it the new or old SV (or even the Gladius - I'd take that every time over the new CB500 or NC), the ER6 or the MT07.

I guess the idea of a Rally Raid CB500X is vaguely interesting - but honestly, I'd much prefer my KLX250 for green laning. It's way lighter than the cb500.

It'd be a pretty dull world if we were all the same. Very Happy

Everyone's priorities are different. I've enough projects and demands on my time. I want just one vehicle in my fleet where the hardest thing about using it is the effort of lifting the key off the hook in the hallway.

My 1994 CB500 has been way better than I expected it to be, and I've thoroughly enjoyed owning it, but running any old vehicle is like surfing on a wave of deterioration; sooner or later you're going to get a bill that outweighs either the actual monetary value of said vehicle or its value to you. You either swallow that, spend the money and soldier on, like I've been doing with my Land-Rover for the last twenty five years, or you cut your losses and move on to something else. If you're lucky, you can buy just after someone else has had the "big spend", and sell before the next one is due. If you're unlucky, you get a big bill just after you buy something and another just before the final massive failure. I bought my CB at the point it needed a bit of love and, because it was new to me, I had the enthusiasm to give it the attention it needed. I feel now that, should something big break, I'd not want to divert my funds or time (and time is the thing, there's never enough time) into fixing it again. I'd sooner sell it on now and let the next owner take it on. Maybe he'll get years of use before the next big bill materialises, maybe he'll get weeks... all I know is that I've got other things I want to do now.

Very Happy

by trevor machine Tue 25 Oct 2016, 12:14 pm

Oh ye of little faith.

My two are on 30k and 50k respectively. Realistically, the only thing they need are valve checks - and that's every 18 months on my miles. And tbh I could probably skip those, as I don't thrash them to death everywhere - plus they get fresh oil every 2k.

After that the only expenditure is going to be your usual consumables which of course apply to all bikes - tyres, chains, sprox, the odd fork seal, lubricants etc. All of which are affordable for machines of this size.

RE the faring - you don't need that because your CB isn't being used for motorway or dual carriageway slogging. Can't argue with fork seals though. So yes - that's £300. Should actually be a little less if it's a problem-free job tbh.

I would anticipate the new 500 being (even more) bland than the '90s one - it will be quieter, there will be less vibration, it will be smoother generally, and its character will be the epitome of cold efficiency. So much for expectations though - perhaps it will be a colourful piece of machinery, giving a sense of excitement and enjoyment at every turn. But I think we both know where the smart money lies.

But look at me - sounding like I don't want you to sell the 500. When in fact I do. Anyone current owner of an old 500 asks about the new one I tell them without hesitation it's a far superior bike and to purchase it post haste. Because it's in my best interests as a serial buyer of second hand machines to try and ensure other people buy as many new bikes as possible. And because I'm thrifty, selfish and guileful. So yes - the new cb500 is wonderful and you should acquire one ASAP! ; - )

by GlenAnderson Tue 25 Oct 2016, 2:07 pm

Yep, all true. Just two different ways of attacking the same problem.

Personally, I was quite taken with the fact that the new machine was smoother, faster, more stable and better braked than its predecessor. Much like I was astonished at just how much better my '94 machine was than the BSA it replaced.

My fleet has plenty of "character" when I want it. Plenty of aggro too, generally when I don't want it!

No doubt the original buyer of my '94 had the same conversation with someone back then as we're having now. Very Happy

Like you say, someone has to buy the new ones or there'd be no secondhand ones.

Anyway, it's a bit academic now, the new owner collected it this morning.

by trevor machine Wed 26 Oct 2016, 6:52 am

Oops soz - didn't see the post where you actually bought the damn thing!!

by **eternally_troubled** Wed 26 Oct 2016, 8:35 am

Very interesting and a good write up. I suspect the lower weight helps both with the better performance up the hill and fuel consumption. Also, suitably designed EFI *should* reduce the fuel consumption as it can both be more accurate in its fuelling and more flexible in dealing with external factors (air temperature, pressure, vehicle loading etc).

I would suggest that you sell your bike privately; I would think you will get at *least* 500 quid, even with the leaking fork seal. If advertised correctly on ebay people will think they are getting a bargain 'cos a fork seal is easy to fix, if you are lucky they will bid even more Smile

by GlenAnderson Wed 26 Oct 2016, 6:40 pm

trevor machine wrote:Oops soz - didn't see the post where you actually bought the damn thing!!

by **eternally_troubled** Wed 26 Oct 2016, 6:50 pm

Don't worry Glen we'll still talk to you, assuming you want to talk to us Smile

by wornsprokets Wed 26 Oct 2016, 6:51 pm

I dont know if carbs are correctly balanced set up and bike is dyno'd i say there couldnt be much in it maybe just emissions carbs be worse...

by GlenAnderson Wed 26 Oct 2016, 7:22 pm

eternally_troubled wrote:Very interesting and a good write up. I suspect the lower weight helps both with the better performance up the hill and fuel consumption. Also, suitably designed EFI *should* reduce the fuel consumption as it can both be more accurate in its fuelling and more flexible in dealing with external factors (air temperature, pressure, vehicle loading etc).

I would suggest that you sell your bike privately; I would think you will get at *least* 500 quid, even with the leaking fork seal. If advertised correctly on ebay people will think they are getting a bargain 'cos a fork seal is easy to fix, if you are lucky they will bid even more

Yes, as you say, the efi makes a huge difference over carbs. Nothing to go out of balance, automatic compensation for altitude, ambient temperature and fuel quality, exact fuelling for engine revs, load and throttle position; I'm quite a fan.

I accepted £750 for the '94 CB. Maybe I could have held out for a little more, but the bloke emailed me on the Sunday morning after I put it on eBay late Saturday night, turned up exactly when he said he would and seemed a decent sort. He paid cash so I'm up £150 on the dealer's offer and I've still got a few spares to sell. When I visited the dealership yesterday to do the deal, not having a trade-in anymore got the asking price of the new bike dropped by £200 to £5,399. A bit of further horse trading saw hands shaken at the full £5,599 but accessories to the value of £275 supplied and fitted all-in; genuine Honda tank protector and rear hugger, a pair of heated grips and power outlet for phone charging under the seat. They're going to do the first service for free too.

I'm quite pleased with that as I'm about £425 better off than I would have been if I'd just chopped it in. Very Happy

by Jameshambleton Wed 26 Oct 2016, 7:40 pm

Setting up the carbs correctly is a big thing. My old engine and carbs use to get 55mpg average, replacement engine and carbs constant 67ish mpg. If anything with this new engine when I go for a ride I'm riding harder than previously according to my pegs but I don't feel as if I am, before if I used high revs i use to get 45mpg if not less, but with the new ones I hardly see a difference. Lowest I've had so far is 57mpg.

http://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/honda/cb500/1997/hambleton/374200

Remember it's the euro 1 emissions that killed off our bike, nothing else.

GlenAnderson wrote:They're going to do the first service for free too.

I'm quite pleased with that as I'm about £425 better off than I would have been if I'd just chopped it in.

Under my understanding they HAVE to do the first service for free.

by GlenAnderson Wed 26 Oct 2016, 7:56 pm

Jameshambleton wrote:Under my understanding they HAVE to do the first service for free.

Quite possibly. I've not factored it in to my sums anyway. If I'd chopped in the '94 and had the extras fitted I'd have had to find another £5,275. As it is, I've got to find £4,850.

You're right about carbs needing to be kept in balance, and that correct jetting etc. makes a huge difference.

by GlenAnderson Wed 26 Oct 2016, 8:00 pm

eternally_troubled wrote:Don't worry Glen we'll still talk to you, assuming you want to talk to us

If you think it'd be of interest I'll start a new thread about the CBR, and let you all know how it pans out.

by louis_sutton Wed 26 Oct 2016, 8:07 pm

Am I being dense? I thought the new cb's were heavier than ours from the motorcycle news figures on them? (Or are they wrong?)

eternally_troubled wrote:Very interesting and a good write up. I suspect the lower weight helps both with the better performance up the hill and fuel consumption. Also, suitably designed EFI *should* reduce the fuel consumption as it can both be more accurate in its fuelling and more flexible in dealing with external factors (air temperature, pressure, vehicle loading etc).

I would suggest that you sell your bike privately; I would think you will get at *least* 500 quid, even with the leaking fork seal. If advertised correctly on ebay people will think they are getting a bargain 'cos a fork seal is easy to fix, if you are lucky they will bid even more

by trevor machine Wed 26 Oct 2016, 8:29 pm

Yeah pretty sure they are. That's why, when I looked at the bike's specs, I just rejected it straight away. Heavier than a the equivalent bike of two plus decades ago, and down on power too? What's to like - apart from the economy?

by **eternally_troubled** Wed 26 Oct 2016, 8:31 pm

louis_sutton wrote:Am I being dense? I thought the new cb's were heavier than ours from the motorcycle news figures on them? (Or are they wrong?)

eternally_troubled wrote:Very interesting and a good write up. I suspect the lower weight helps both with the better performance up the hill and fuel consumption. Also, suitably designed EFI *should* reduce the fuel consumption as it can both be more accurate in its fuelling and more flexible in dealing with external factors (air temperature, pressure, vehicle loading etc).

I would suggest that you sell your bike privately; I would think you will get at *least* 500 quid, even with the leaking fork seal. If advertised correctly on ebay people will think they are getting a bargain 'cos a fork seal is easy to fix, if you are lucky they will bid even more :)

No, probably not. I assume it 'was lighter' 'cos Glen said it was lighter - of course this may just be due to better weight distribution adjusting the 'feel' of the thing.

by GlenAnderson Wed 26 Oct 2016, 8:58 pm

louis_sutton wrote:Am I being dense? I thought the new cb's were heavier than ours from the motorcycle news figures on them? (Or are they wrong?)

From what I've experienced in the last couple of weeks, I think that 1994's kilograms were bigger, and their horses smaller than those on the market today.

Out of pure curiosity, I put my '94 on the public weighbridge on Monday afternoon. Ready to go, with a full tank of fuel, it was 201kg. I shall weigh the new one once I've got it, and report back.

by Baddi Wed 26 Oct 2016, 9:21 pm

GlenAnderson wrote:

Yes, as you say, the efi makes a huge difference over carbs. Nothing to go out of balance, automatic compensation for altitude, ambient temperature and fuel quality, exact fuelling for engine revs, load and throttle position; I'm quite a fan.

Also, electronic fuel injection has the advantage over normal carburated motors that the spark timing can be adjusted to the fuel mixture, ambient temperature and engine temperature as these affect the chance of knocking. With a normal carburator, the ignition is usually rpm dependent, which means that they have to set the ignition timing somewhat conservatively on roadgoing production bikes as they will see all sorts of temperatures and fuel mixtures.

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