Author Topic: 750 vs. 550 (Read 6855 times)

TwoTired · « **on:** March 13, 2012, 05:32:43 PM »

Many of you know that I have mostly used the 550 as my main driver(s) since 1975.

Along the journey, 3 750s caught my gaze and curiosity and were added to my collection. They are all F models 2 -77s one with a K8 motor in it, and a 78.

None of the 750s were street-able when I got them. But, I did get them running to verify the motor units were good. I got them because I thought they might be a better long distance tourer than the 550's.

With so many bikes, pushing them around is often the case, particularly so as they don't all have their own battery. With all the pushing, it has become apparent that my 750's simply don't roll nearly as easily as the 550s. It's far more of a struggle to get the 750 in position.
Yes, the brakes are fully releasing. And, the tire pressures are up.

So my questions are:
Has anyone else noticed the increased effort to push around a 750 over a 550?
Why would the 750 be so much harder to move about than a 550? I didn't think they weighed THAT much more!

I don't notice the 750 handling on the road to be so much different under it's own power. Perhaps a bit more top heavy. But, they mostly have the same tires on both.

Any clues? What am I overlooking?

Cheers,

grumpy · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2012, 05:57:17 PM »

Well, a 750 is a heavy sumnabich. What's a 550 weigh?

750's are a bit taller, too. That would change the leverage when pushing...

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2012, 06:00:52 PM »

They are at least 60lbs heavier and have a higher centre of gravity.

octagon · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2012, 06:28:50 PM »

the higher center of gravity is probably it

BobbyR · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2012, 06:31:47 PM »

MY 750 is a botch to push. I do notice if you are on the center stand the back wheel will spin in neutral. I have heard it is oil in the tranny. Somehow I doubt that since I do that to wipe off the edges of the rim. There may be some drag in them. It is heavy and not easy to get on the stand either.
Years ago I read a Bike mag letter about why their weights were higher than published. Their answer was "we weigh them". They regularly found the Japanese bikes to be 50-80 lbs heavier than claimed. Something about import duties as I recall.

crazypj · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2012, 06:38:17 PM »

stock 750 never suited my riding style.
Too wide, too heavy, solid bits drag on the floor.
Rickman frame 750 is a totally different animal though
I believe crank is about inch and half higher than stock?

DJ_AX · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2012, 07:21:55 PM »

The difference to me seems significant as well.

78 k550 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2012, 07:46:48 PM »

nope, not you mine are like that also. Night and day to move around in the garage.
550 easy as pie, 750 takes some work.

Paul

apex_seeking · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2012, 07:59:09 PM »

The weight difference is what sold me on the 550 over the 750. The 750 just felt like a bloated 550. And getting it around is gravy.

crazypj · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2012, 08:01:54 PM »

Friend of mine always said treat 750 as a big 500 (Then he bought a Rickman Kawasaki 1000

)

Doggie · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2012, 08:18:21 PM »

I have both and agree that the 550 is easier to move than the 750. I'm recovering from rotator cuff surgery that might have been done by trying to get my 750 up on its center stand or from pushing it up my drive way from my garage which is under my house. Either way I won't be pushing anything but pain pills for about a month. Be carefull out there and enjoy the hobby. Doggie

Stev-o · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2012, 08:18:44 PM »

I push my 550 around like it's a toy. My 750's are a different story, they are much heavier to push and I always make sure I have two good hands on it. If it went over, it may be tough to pick up. I think it is just the weight difference.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2012, 08:39:44 PM »

Don't have a 550 but my XS650 is similar in weight. Definitely the 750 takes more effort to push it around.....but then I ride it more than I push it so it doesn't really come into the equation.

All 160lbs 6' 0" of me has never felt the 750 to be hard to handle in any conditions I have been in. I can actually get it up on the center stand while straddling the seat, just barely.

The bike reviews of the time were very complimentary about the improved handling of the F0/1 and I would hope that carried over to the F2/3. Around town riding I don't think it matters what bike but for long road trips definitely the 750.
The big difference I really notice is the width between the XS and the 750. Not something you would notice as much between the 550 and 750.

scottly · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2012, 08:42:19 PM »

Lloyd, maybe now you'll understand why I have always been so obsessive about shaving weight off my 750.

eldar · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2012, 08:44:14 PM »

Bobby, my fizzer is an 06 and in neutral, the back tire moves. It isnt something with just the 750s and bikes today still do it.

ekpent · « **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2012, 09:25:50 PM »

Did Honda make a 550/500 ?

OH-- That's right I had to move one once to get a 750 out

Just kiddin Guys- I am around 6' 3" tall and even these 750's feel a little cramped and small.

TwoTired · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2012, 10:54:18 PM »

Thanks for all the response/comments.

It's good to know that it's not just MY 750's that are pigs to move around. Seems others have observed the same thing, so I guess it's not another thing to fix that's lurking.
I know I can pick up a 550 that's fallen over. Done that a few times. I'm not so sure about getting a 750 upright from a lay down. I had to overhaul two of my 750's side stand mountings, so as not to get hernia after it being parked on the side stand. The lean angle was awful.

In motion and under power, they are both easy to keep balanced on original size tires. Proper tire height and shocks also helped with getting the 750 up on the center stand. Not sure I could do it while seated without bike momentum and getting good traction on the stand feet. And, with the cut down and extra wide Corbin seat on it, it's quite painful on the inner thighs.

Thanks guys!

754 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2012, 11:12:36 PM »

Center of gravity is everything. My slammed 73 750, can easily be pushed and even steered on level ground, with one hand on the middle of the handlebars

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #18 on:** March 14, 2012, 02:18:51 AM »

I just think it's what you're used to, I've never owned a 550 but I have no problems moving my 750's around, or my Suzuki GS1000, even my 2300cc Triumph Rocket III. I guess if I was a 400F owner I'd probably think that a 550 was a bloated top heavy thing too.............

TwoTired · « **Reply #19 on:** March 14, 2012, 02:40:47 AM »

I had a 400F for a while. Yes, it was lighter. But, it wasn't WAAYY easier than the 550s. I also have a Cb700SC and a CX500 (was in full dress when I got it). They both require less strain than the CB750Fs I have.

As I said, I thought there could be something wrong with mine that made them so piggy. But, judging from those that have handled both, I now assume they're typical.

I'll probably wind up bolting the side car to it. At least then I won't have to struggle to keep it upright.

I'm not looking forward to backing that into the garage, though. Perhaps a winch might help...hmmm.

bollingball · « **Reply #20 on:** March 14, 2012, 06:19:31 AM »

Did any one mention the age factor

and not the bike. I used to think my bike was easy to push. Not so easy 10 years later

From 50 to 60 years old things change a lot faster.

Ken

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #21 on:** March 14, 2012, 06:31:55 AM »

One thing I noticed about my 750 (when the motor was in it) was that it was very easy to get on the centerstand. Didn't roll it around enough to form any other opinions (yet).

Stev-o · « **Reply #22 on:** March 14, 2012, 06:32:04 AM »

Ouch...an old guy jab in the back!

somesuch · « **Reply #23 on:** March 14, 2012, 09:58:35 AM »

Quote from: 754 on March 13, 2012, 11:12:36 PM

Center of gravity is everything. My slammed 73 750, can easily be pushed and even steered on level ground, with one hand on the middle of the handlebars

I noticed the same thing, I had a stock 76F and a 71 with a 16" wheel, low profile tire, and fork tubes slid in about an inch side by side.....the difference in rolling was incredible. Aren't 550 fork tube about an inch shorter too?

The effort to stand the bike up from leaning on a side stand, depends on how much the bike is leaning....a lot of those 750 have bent side stands and lean more than they should.

Gordon · « **Reply #24 on:** March 14, 2012, 10:11:40 AM »

I know I'm a little late, but I'll chime in anyway. Having both a 550 and a 750 I would say the 750 is definitely more difficult to push around. I agree that it's a combination of the extra weight and the higher center of gravity. It takes more effort just to keep it upright, so there's less strength left for pushing.

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Author Topic: 750 vs. 550 (Read 6855 times)

bollingball