Predicament

[phantomtek]

At the weekend I had a quick blast on Davo's CB-1 to see what all the inline four fuss was about, and also as a rest from the ER-5. Got goin and noticed a few things different, the riding postion, bars and general feel of the bike was strange to me but I feel I got used to it after a while. The other thing I noticed was the extremely different biting point on the clutch compared to my ER, which was strange at first but I got used to it.

I got it onto an open straight and was following Davo (Who was testing my ER-5 for problems, of which he found none) and really opened it up. Wow. Inline fours are alot better than parallel twins, the sound is alot nicer and the power delivery is very smooth and quick. I got back and I said jokingly 'I want one.'

Though I was joking, Davo reminded me of the inexpensiveness of the bike itself and the seed was planted. I have been thinking about it more, and wonder if I should sell the ER-5 and buy a cheap CB-1 for my restriction period? Don't get me wrong, the ER-5 is a lovely bike, and I would miss it because it has served me well, done 700 miles this weekend and hasn't missed a beat. Cosmetically abit tatty but that doesn't affect the ride of the bike in anyway.

I feel like I would enjoy the IL4 alot more than this bike, generally because I prefer how it rides. It was on my list of bikes when I was considering different options but I struck it off due to relative rarity of the machine itself. I've seen one on MCN for £800 with around 27k (Which is alot for that mileage) but I was wondering if it would be a good choice to jack the ER-5 in for a CB-1 in my current situation?

Comments welcome.

[McGee]

I say go for it, if its just for your restriction period.

Have you considered other bikes which are similar ?
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

[G]

First off, I'd blag some rides on other bikes.

Maybe try some sportier ones. Or a couple of big trail bikes?
May find you like other bikes even more.

Or my current personal favourite, the TRX850 (I know it's got lots of cc, but as you've seen, this doesn't always means lots of power.)



Either way, I wouldn't go out and buy one specific model after only having ridden that bike.

[craigs23]

Go get a CB1, brilliant little bikes, good handlers too. 27k (is that kms?) isn't much and the bike would do plenty more, very reliable - only real concerns are dodgy Honda rectifiers.

Sound fantastic with a good exhaust on too. A couple of mates have got one (one of them now owns Dad's ex bike), still get a go on them from time to time, always get off with a grin on my face (especially when running around the outside of pretty much any tentatively driven/ridden road user).

Under a grand's a steal for the smiles per miles you can get from them - as quick as a sports 400 up to around 90mph as well (straightline - maybe a bit of an edge down a bumpy backroad).

[phantomtek]

I was thinking it was a cheap option until the end of the restriction period, it's sort of an alternative to a sports 400. They are quite small, which is good for maneuvering about my garden, and if I drop it it'll be ok. I probably won't though. A sportsbike may be too much to maintain what with it having a worse tank range and a thirst for tyres etc.

[G]

Sounds like you've made your mind up.

Sports bike doesn't have to be hard to maintain, nor have a bad tank range. Thirst for tyres is down to your right hand.

Big trailies don't have to be any worse for long distance than a naked 500.

I'd also consider something like a 600 hornet, etc.

[phantomtek]

[MarkJ]

How heavy is the CB1 and how much bhp does it have? I'm reading articles on the net here that say it's 395kg and only produces 55bhp? Surely they're wrong (or I'm reading them wrong)?

Anyway, Phantomtek, if I ever meet you I'll let you have a go on my Hornet 600 if you like

[G]

395lb is more likely, maybe wet weight - giving about 180kg.

Don't think even the chunky harleys/goldwings etc come to 395kg!

[MarkJ]

That would make more sense! I'm no good with imperial weights

But is it actually just 55bhp?

[ram_doom]

My friends has 48bhp at rear wheel goes well
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TL1000s, KDX200

[G]

Suspect it's probably less than that in the real world.

Sports 400s in standard tune are usually around 60hp.

[craigs23]

That 55bhp (claimed) would be slightly under 50 I would have thought (sport 400s are claimed 60-65, but real world 55-60), but that's part of the fun - hammering off the limiter through every gear, keeping momentum through the twisties, scraping around corners with soft suspension.... Still good for 115 or so.

Feels a bit lighter than the sports 400s too - I'd estimate nearer 170-175 dry, a nadge under 200 kerb. They feel like a grown up CG (without the spindly legs) when thrown around.

[Rookie]

180kg! That's an awful lot, for a 400! Mines only 8kg more!

Joe, if you like something more and it's feasible to get it, the ER will always feel 2nd best. I do think you're sensible trying out a few others while you're at it though.

[ram_doom]

whoa 180 kg? My zxr is claimed to be 162 and feels much heavier than the cb1!
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TL1000s, KDX200

[craigs23]

A few kilos doesn't really make a lot of difference in the real world. I'm not the largest of riders and didn't feel much weight holding me back when riding. The seating/peg/bar arrangement is more important - much easier to get the best out of a CB1 than a race-crouched sports 400 (until speeds exceed 80mph that is).

[beans]

My mighty CB-1 made 55.3bhp and 26.8ft lbs or torque on the dyno after a put a scorpion can on it from a zx9r.I didnt even have to adjust the jetting. The bike did seem a bit heavy but it carries the weight well and handled like an absolute dream, knee down was no problem at all on it. Im nowhere near as quick on my zx6r round country lanes as i could go on the CB-1. The handling is very reassuring and the bike was super flickable! As for speed the bike was certaintly not slow, the engine is exactly the same as the tri-arm NC23 except it has slightly lower profile cams in it, this is to give the engine a bit more torque. My bike used to beat me mates zxr400 upto 90odd mph and i often used give him a very good run for his money down country lanes. Top Top bike i say!

[michael j]

Davos CB1 seems very quick, he has no probs keeping up on the ride outs. Proper value for money biking
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Ducati 996

[ram_doom]

They seem really well made too
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TL1000s, KDX200

[slash]

i also run a cb-1 aswell as my awesome fireblade!! iv had my cb-1 for 6 years now - my first bike on the road through a restricted license(ish ) Iv had a couple of blades in the time iv had my cb-1, but i will never sell my lil cb-1!!! awesome bikes great fun to ride and will do everything - if a lil on the small side! they crash pretty well too! i flipped mine last mayday run, picked it up, kicked a few things straigh and carried on! much to the surprise of the rest in the group!

good ol andy c will remember my lil cb-1 and its multi-colours

[Kickstart]

Hi

Are you going to restrict it, and are you comparing it to a restricted ER5? If so the ER is bound to feel worse, and the CB1 will loose a load of its top end go when restricted.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

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[stinkwheel]

A standard GPZ500s will whoop a standard CB400 on both top speed and acceleration by a reasonable amount. I know because one of my mates has a CB400 and was riding like a twat on a group rideout.

I decided to go after him on my (old model) GPZ and tell him so. Even without taking the ludicrous liberties with oncoming traffic that he was, I easily caught and passed him then pulled him over at a laybye for a quick fag and a 'reality check'.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[beans]

Restricted they go ok, i had mine in for 6months. As they are suposedly a more torquey 400 so they are still reasonably quick. I found that with the restrictors in it pulled ok upto about 9-10k rpm (peak torque according to my other dyno sheet) then it wasnt worth revving anymore as it just made more noise and didnt go anywhere. With the washers taken out it was like a whole new bike. After 10k rpm it flew the eninge had an induction roar and a nice little power band.

Check this place out they may be able to help and always seem to know their stuff https://www.hondacb1.com

[Wave2k]

CB-1's use a slightly de-tuned CBR400 engine

why not just get a cbr400 ?
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299