CB500

[WildGoose]

dont like the GPZ any more after seeing quite a few up close

the CB500 however, looks pretty cool, without the fairing anyway

anyone know anything about this bike?

will reach 130 im told, and other than the looks, anyone got any points?

insurance?

regards

[Rob]

cb500 reach 130? you'll be lucky!!

Its a good bike to learn on, its fairly easy to ride/control, most bike schools use em... guess they'd be pretty cheap to insure!
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Love is 1050cc

[Doddmaster]

130 is a bit unlikely on a 500cc unfaired bike

[WildGoose]

thats what WHAT BIKE said, or was it TWO one of those

[Stevo]

I ride me dads from time to time. Its fine for a first bike, and has plenty of ability for what it is. I think 120 is a more likely top speed, but the motor is quite lively near the top of the rev range, and it corners well enough. I can go just as quick on it on a twisty road as on my Ninja, and its pretty comfortable below 80mph. The front brake is a bit spongy and lacking for hard riding, but a s/s hose and HH pads sort it out. My dad rides it better, and he has had the pegs touch down a few times, when following sports bikes, but for what it is the CB aint a bad bike at all. Running costs are quite cheap on a 500 twin, and performance adequate for many people, particually for novices. Its about 177kg but feels light when your on it, due to the lowish seat, and wide bars. The biggest bad point is that it dont look anything special, compared to a Hornet, SV, or a Fazer. As for the GPZ well that looks ok, but its safe to say that build quality is pretty shit on that bike, but otherwise they are similar in many ways.

[Kickstart]

[WildGoose]

is the GPZ really that bad then?

[Stevo]

Its not bad to ride, but it's just the way its put together and finished thats pretty poor. One winter will kill the finish, and make it look very seconhand. Having said that, i helped my m8 clean his up at Easter, and apart from some corrosion around the shock area, and a few other bits, it came up quite well. The wheel paint on later models seems quite durable, i wish the paint on my ZX6R wheels wouldent rub off so easy though.

[Phil.S]

I am learning on a cb500, not that impressed with it really.
comfy and low but not as fast as i thought it would be and you dont get that much of a rush off it,saying that there was a modified one at the trackday i did on Saturday and it did quite well.
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Opinions are like assholes,
Everyone has got one.
(Dirty Harry)

[Kickstart]

[Bendy]

I just bought a CB500 last week - first post-scooter bike and all that, didn't want anything too flashy cos it's parked on the road in central London!

So far, I really like it - it's been really forgiving of my ineptitudes and is a doddle to ride around town. Haven't had it out for a real thrash yet, just dull old motorway stuff.

Insurance - I got TPFT from Bennetts for £650 or so - 2 years NCB and I'm 24. But it's that on-street, W2 thing that's shoving it up And that's with me throwing a fancy alarm at it too.

https://www.skunkworks.webaxxs.net/pix/bike.JPG

you'll grow fonder of a honder

[Smudge]

Bear in mind that how you ride it makes more of a difference than absolute power... (up to a point!)
One of the Bike mags (can't remember which one ) did a test recently where they gave a reader (reasonable road rider) a Fireblade and a good long session at a race track to do his best lap. (which was a fair time).
Then they gave a pro racer the Blade, a CB500!, and a 125RS... and he whupped the reader on the Blade on all three!
The CB500 in particular he was well quick on, also there was a race series for them until quite recently (still going?) so there should be no problem finding out how to make them handle and stop while keeping them "standard"
I commute on an XBR500 which is *really* low powered for a 500 but if you're prepared to chuck it around properly it's surprising who can't keep up (a few years as a courier probably help too )
Whatever you get tho'... enjoy it... and GIVE IT SOME
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"I feel the need..."

[Ropehead]

it not ya bike its how u ride it, Iv seen sunday sunshine riders that would't take corners at 30mhp that any harty all weather riders would have ther knee donw at 45mhp,
Its Not the size of the nail its the hammer with witch u smack it!