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Honda XBR500 as first bike

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CptBlack
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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PostPosted: 09:10 - 06 Aug 2010    Post subject: Honda XBR500 as first bike Reply with quote

Hi,

Just seen a fairly decent looking Honda XBR500-H come up on eBay fairly close to me
clicky

A few questions for the knowledgable of you:
How good is it for a first bike post test, and how will it take restriction (does anyone know the washer dimensions?)
Are there any known problems with this model?
How easy are parts to get (presumably pretty easy being Honda, but doing research it was discontinued in the late 80's ish, so are there other parts which can be used?)
What's it like for general riding? It will be my main form of transport so I shall be commuting on it, plus hopefully a bit of touring when time allows, and of course, general riding fun Very Happy

Cheers,
Chris
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temeluchus
World Chat Champion



Joined: 01 Oct 2008
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PostPosted: 09:29 - 06 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

I owned one.

Very good "my first big bike". Well mannered, handles well with adequate brakes. Maintenance is pretty easy.

As for parts, the forks, shocks, breaks were used on a million+1 hondas in the 80's so bits for these are easy to come across. The engine is shared with the XR650L, Dominator, SLR650, FX650, FMX650 and probably a few others. David silver still caries spares for the motor and if the motor is a dud any of the engines above can be fitted with some work (electrics mainly, you need to use the ignition pickups and genny from the XBR, or use the CDI from the donor and do a bit of creative wiring).

As for flaws, it is wet sump so has a very specific routine for filling and checking the oil, make sure you get the proper instructions for this! The engine is very robust, but if run low on oil the top end wears VERY quickly. It doesnt need expensive oil-dont fool yourself into thinking you can avoid maintenance by buying expensive synthetic oil! Just follow the routine and change the oil every 3000 miles.

Performance is mild, its about 35 horsepower and it is overgeared as stock. Fit a 14 tooth front sprocket up front to help it along.
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MarJay
But it's British!



Joined: 15 Sep 2003
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PostPosted: 10:22 - 06 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

If its only 35bhp at the crank it'll be 33bhp or less at the wheel which means you'll be ok.
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temeluchus
World Chat Champion



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PostPosted: 10:49 - 06 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

The 25KW kit for the XBR was an alternative bracket at the carb for the throttle cable i think X-D
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radical
Spanner Monkey



Joined: 02 Jul 2010
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PostPosted: 18:26 - 06 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Check the front downtube of the frame at the front engine mounts as they can rot badly there.
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CptBlack
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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PostPosted: 21:05 - 08 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cheers guys. I'll let you know how I get on. As long as it stays in my price range, I'll go for it
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Teflon-Mike
tl;dr



Joined: 01 Jun 2010
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PostPosted: 12:26 - 09 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

CptBlack wrote:
Cheers guys. I'll let you know how I get on. As long as it stays in my price range, I'll go for it


Just looked & its pushing £600, with 7hrd to run.

Thats on the high-side for that model, but not unreasonable if its in good nick, and genuinely low miles.

Pics are deceptive, but from what I see in them, its been nicely cleaned up for the pics, but theres a lot of wear and tear on it.

Reference to relisting due to time-wasters, and added 'faults' like rip in seats and correction that exhaust is after-market SUGGESTS to me at least that some-one has won it, seen it, and its NOT been all it was cracked up to be, and used the 'not as asdvertised' caveot as justiofication not to complete.

Probably a 'not-bad- bike, and anything useful for that money is worth it, but NOT a great bargain.

Personally I would NOT that one without prior viewing, and I Think I'd max bid £612.50 in the last 30sec, just to clear the 600 barrier, and hope for the best. If you want it, its local, and are prepared for it not to be AS nice and shiney and well looked after as suggested, and its worth more to you for the convenience of not having to run around to look at more, then PERHAPS £655, or nudge £700, but pushing £750, there are SO many other bikes out there, I'd have to be pretty darn sure THAT one was worth the over-punt.

Remember, its been raining for the last two weeks, and summers nearly over. Wait six weeks and prices WILL start to drop, and a LOT more bikes will be popping up, as people try to clear them before winter sets in.
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CptBlack
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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PostPosted: 13:45 - 09 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Teflon-Mike wrote:
CptBlack wrote:
Cheers guys. I'll let you know how I get on. As long as it stays in my price range, I'll go for it


Just looked & its pushing £600, with 7hrd to run.

Thats on the high-side for that model, but not unreasonable if its in good nick, and genuinely low miles.

Pics are deceptive, but from what I see in them, its been nicely cleaned up for the pics, but theres a lot of wear and tear on it.

Reference to relisting due to time-wasters, and added 'faults' like rip in seats and correction that exhaust is after-market SUGGESTS to me at least that some-one has won it, seen it, and its NOT been all it was cracked up to be, and used the 'not as asdvertised' caveot as justiofication not to complete.

Probably a 'not-bad- bike, and anything useful for that money is worth it, but NOT a great bargain.

Personally I would NOT that one without prior viewing, and I Think I'd max bid £612.50 in the last 30sec, just to clear the 600 barrier, and hope for the best. If you want it, its local, and are prepared for it not to be AS nice and shiney and well looked after as suggested, and its worth more to you for the convenience of not having to run around to look at more, then PERHAPS £655, or nudge £700, but pushing £750, there are SO many other bikes out there, I'd have to be pretty darn sure THAT one was worth the over-punt.

Remember, its been raining for the last two weeks, and summers nearly over. Wait six weeks and prices WILL start to drop, and a LOT more bikes will be popping up, as people try to clear them before winter sets in.


Very good points. I'm going to leave this one for the time being. I'll try to wait it out for a few more weeks.

My concern is that I'll be trying to sell my 125 immediately after buying a larger bike - but hopefully that will hold its value more Confused
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