'What Bike?' - reliable?

[Lawnie]

I realise that a lot of the descriptions published are based on opinion, with a few facts thrown in, but how accurate would you say they are?

I'd say pretty reliable for the CBF500, but for sportier/more unique models, it may be a different case...

Would anyone make a decision based solely/largely on these write ups?

[Flip]

[GearboxGeezer]

Every rider/bike is differnt, so I wouldnt go soley on a write up. but if its a good write up its a good indication.

[Itchy]

I'd rather trust peoples opinions and couriers for bike advice , couriers ride thier bikes day in day out all day long , reviewers at best for a week or so with the bike as a fully maintained perfect condition test bike tweaked up by Suzi or Honda regularly so that it shows its best side while being reviewed.
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[stinkwheel]

There used to be a small magazine called "Used Motorcycle Guide". It had very good descriptions of the bikes, usually written by couriers who put huge mileages on them.

I still have a few copies, a very useful reference.

For example, your CBF500 (I'll have to give you a CB500 because the CBF is too new):

Hondas version of the GPZ500s, works better up to 80mph but not so good for high speed. A nicely practical bike, 65mpg possible, with a drum brake pre '97, twin shocks and sensible riding position. Engine has good build quality. The finish resists a British winter better than a GPZ. Post '97 bikes built in Italy instead of Japan but with little effect to quality, and feature rear disc brake. A few camchain tensioner problems reported. Metzeler tyres work better than macadams. Sport or S-version has a snout fairing which takes away high speed strain, adds about 15lbs and costs £250 more.

If UMG slagged a bike, I would think very long and hard about buying one. They call a spade a spade.

For example, the Honda CD185T:
Update on the CD175 which retained its reliability, was less frugal and had a quick rot chassis. Build quality astonishingly poor. In the unlikely event that you find one, put a lighted match in the petrol tank

As I recall, an earlier version had the following to say about the Honda CB160:
The CB160 is a motorcycle that will smoke, rattle and bang its way into history as a motorcycle worth forgetting.

[Itchy]

[stinkwheel]

Very similar but UMG used to consist of reader submitted articles and was A5 sized. Some of the descriptions in UBG are the same as UMG but to me the UBG has headed more towards the 'mainstream' sports bike market over the last few years.

UMG used to have articles along the lines of "I just did 200,000 miles on my superdream and here's what I think of them." or "Nobody made a bike that I wanted so I built my own and here it is 20 years later."

[Lawnie]

Cheers Stinkwheel

That UMG seems a lot more reliable than WB, who must test the bikes, from new, for 5 miles...