sub ?1000 bikes - cb400sf. cb500 or duke 600ss?

bmwsport · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Karma :

Guys and girls,

I'm looking for a nippy good handling bike to hone my skills on (new rider) as rather than jump on a 600 sports bike i'd like to do things properly if you like.. i feel like if i just go out and get a gsxr 600 or something that'll it'll be like jumping into a big power car at 17 and i won't actually be able to 'learn' how to handle a bike properly? (btw i'm 25 now and have been driving 8 years) Is this silly or a sensible train of thought? Anyway i can't afford a good 600 sports bike either way lol!

Does anyone know what the differences are between the cb super four (92-3 on) and the cb500? I'm guessing all super fours were imports as i can't find reviews, mcn seem to rate the 500 though.
The SF seems to have twin front discs, stainless exhausts and perhaps different rear suspension?

The ss duke although i know is slow for what it is and no quick turning sports bike i'm guessing would hold its head resonably high in this company? From what i've read it's meant to handle well enough and i do prefer the look of a sports bike although i think cb's could look pretty cool with a few touches.

Lastly i'm pretty sure i could get a good example of any of these bikes for under a grand, all views and opinions welcome Smile

Cheers,

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

njd27 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 14 May 2007 Karma :

moog · Spanner Monkey Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Karma :

GPZ500S

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Pernig · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Karma :

moog · Spanner Monkey Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Karma :

bazza · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Karma :

The 600ss is just ... how to explain ... less of everything in every way that matters. You will be disappointed on Day 2 of ownership.

Get a 750ss if you must have a duke.
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neatbik · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Karma :

Consider a Honda cb1. Similar to a superfour, but with monoshock rear suspension. I had one as my first 'big' bike and it was a fun little thing.
The suspension was a bit soft, but no worse than any other 'cheap' bike, fairly comfy, easy to ride and the engines are lovely.
With a bit of hunting around you'll easily pick up a good one foe under a grand. Thumbs Up

bmwsport · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Karma :

Cool cheers beat, although after a quick look on ebay/pistonheads i can't find any for sale.. finding the same with the cb's.. considering they are a popular riding school/commuter bike i thought there'd be loads for sale! mcn reckons there was a S.E silver one made after the race series, definately can't find one of those lol.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Not sure the CB is that popular.

Another vote for GPZ500, or for a little bit more room to grow; a SV650.
These /can/ be very fast bikes (I could easily hold my own in the fast group at a trackday on one with sorted suspension and I'm not that quick compared to others), however they can also do the 'easy to ride' thing quite well.
I'm not sure the slow-revving feel of the engines on any of these (apart from the cb) encourages you to make the most of the engine as other bikes might; you don't get the impression you need to rev it to make the most of it, when you definitely do.

Suspension on the SV isn't that great to start with, though better than the other listed possibly, however can be fairly cheaply as required.

ajb · Crazy Courier Joined: 14 May 2008 Karma :

sorry for the plug, my CB is currently on ebay, it isn't going to end below a grand though unfortunately.
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Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

CB500s hold their value really well. It's weird!

And I hate riding my mum's 750ss, it vibrates so much you think your fingers are going to shake off, it's slow, it has the turning circle of a barge. And it looks flabby.

Only redeeming feature is the badge, and the noise.

Gaz

hok boi · Derestricted Danger Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Karma :

another thumbs up for the gpz.
i regret getting rid of mine. comfy enough, and corners ace. got mine for about £500.
and parts are easy to get and dirt cheap
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c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

Another vote for a post 94 GPZ500 - I sold mine, should have kept it longer, sweet little bike. Cheap as chips parts, plenty fast enough on public roads and excellent MPG

there is a whole community dedicated to them over at EX500 forums.
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T0MMY · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Karma :

The GPZs are good, I had the grey import 400 version but I've ridden a fair few 500s too. They are surprisingly quick and a good all rounder but they can feel a bit agricultural and they have terrible build quality so need looking after in the winter. I tried to find one as a hack and looked at 5 over the summer, all of them were knackered but I was looking at £600 ones at most. If you can find a good one they're a great first bike Thumbs Up

I had a lot of fun on mine and covered serious miles too, I still miss it in a funny sort of a way Confused

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DKMonst3r · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Karma :

Deano · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Karma :

i was going to say a gs500, i rode one for my das and thought it was a great beginners big bike. not too mental to get into trouble, the suspension felt good, not too soft or hard and the engine felt very linear and very maneavurable.

a mate of mine wants the same thing a bike for under a grand and only has 1yr road experience on a cg125.

I will advise, gpz500, gs500, cb500, cb-1, cb400 but have feeling he will want a faired bike

ajb · Crazy Courier Joined: 14 May 2008 Karma :

Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

GS500s are cheap. You could pick up one of those for £500 with MOT and tax.

Not as good as a CB5 or a GPZ though.

Gaz

moog · Spanner Monkey Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Karma :

Or there's the er-5.

They're a good bike too...just not as quick as the GPZ.
____________________
"A process which led from the amoeba to man appeared to the philosophers to be obviously a progress...though whether the amoeba would agree with this opinion is not known."

"I've made an odd discovery. Every time I talk to a savant I feel quite sure that happiness is no longer a possibility. Yet when I talk with my gardener, I'm convinced of the opposite."

slightlytasty · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Karma :

I had a gpz500 and my misses has a Yam xjr400. I've tested a couple of Honda Cb400's. My strong advice is go for a 500 over a 400 unless you are a small girl. The 400's are just too lacking in torque. You really have to rev the tits off them which means they don't last as long and use actually more fuel. Far too short geared for any long trips too.

However the 400 fours do look and sound much better. Everyone thinks my missus has an XJR1200. The four chrome pipes really give it that big bike look. Verdict - 400 4's better for looking at, 500 2's better for riding and more economical.

Get the cleanest 500 you can find. Great first bikes. I think condition matters more than make - either a cb, gpz, er or gs
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Own Aprilia RSV and 955i Speed Triple and 2002 FZS600, had Bandit 650, SV650S, GPZ500S, DR650