Topic: 750 vs. 550

[MOtub]

Funny this topic should come up now. I just bought a 400F (going to pick it up this weekend), partly because my 550K seems tall and heavy by comparison. In my case, I don't think it's the weight as much as the higher center of gravity. The 400 just feels right to me. On the other hand, I'm 6'5" and 195 pounds; I wonder if I'll eventually find that the 550 is a better fit. Maybe I should just keep them both, just in case.

[kck3]

I have a 71 cb750 and a 77 cb550. I have noticed that the 550 seems to jump up on the center stand for me compared to the 750. Thank god the 750 came with a side stand.

[TwoTired]

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

I considered that, as well as ailments I've collected.  But, my situation is that I only have one spot in the garage to do work on the bikes, which means I have to move 4 to 5 bikes to get them rearranged.  So, I'm comparing moving 550s before during and after moving the 750s on the same day.  I don't feel that personal aging can be a factor in such a comparison.  No doubt, I'm more likely to complain about it as time goes by, though. 

[bollingball]

I did mean that in fun. I am no one to talk about age. My 750 is hard to move and my bars don't help they are a little tall but how I like it when riding.

Ken

[bikerbart]

Yup,I miss my 550 a lot because of the weight difference,Then again I miss my hawkGt650,light as heck compared to those two.All I have now is the 750 and My back is feelin it pushin it around

[Really?]

Curious, when you are rolling each bike around, is the hand on the bar furthest away farther on the 750 versus the 550?  If so, me thinkin' that comes into play as well.

Are y'all trying to roll them straight up or at an angle, resting on the side of your keister?  I have to roll my Venture at an angle, resting on the side of my keister.  Straight up scares the shiite outta me.  Me thinkin' it will fall over.  Those bars are much wider apart than the 750 too.

[bollingball]

Curious, when you are rolling each bike around, is the hand on the bar furthest away farther on the 750 versus the 550?  If so, me thinkin' that comes into play as well.

Are y'all trying to roll them straight up or at an angle, resting on the side of your keister?  I have to roll my Venture at an angle, resting on the side of my keister.  Straight up scares the shiite outta me.  Me thinkin' it will fall over.  Those bars are much wider apart than the 750 too.

That is just what I ment about my bars they have a lot to do with it.
just think what it would feel like with 16in ape hangers. Mine just have about a 5in rise.

Ken

[Bailgang]

My kids 750 has the bars that originally came off my 550 and it's still a bear to push compared to my 550.

[Gordon]

Curious, when you are rolling each bike around, is the hand on the bar furthest away farther on the 750 versus the 550?  If so, me thinkin' that comes into play as well.

Are y'all trying to roll them straight up or at an angle, resting on the side of your keister?  I have to roll my Venture at an angle, resting on the side of my keister.  Straight up scares the shiite outta me.  Me thinkin' it will fall over.  Those bars are much wider apart than the 750 too.

I've had multiple bars on my 550 and 750 (stock, mini-ape, drag, clubmans, euro), and it doesn't make any difference for me;  the 750 is always more difficult to push.  On level ground I push both straight up.  On an incline I usually have to lean the 750 on my thigh to get a little more grunt behind it. 

[BobbyR]

Curious, when you are rolling each bike around, is the hand on the bar furthest away farther on the 750 versus the 550?  If so, me thinkin' that comes into play as well.

Are y'all trying to roll them straight up or at an angle, resting on the side of your keister?  I have to roll my Venture at an angle, resting on the side of my keister.  Straight up scares the shiite outta me.  Me thinkin' it will fall over.  Those bars are much wider apart than the 750 too.

I've had multiple bars on my 550 and 750 (stock, mini-ape, drag, clubmans, euro), and it doesn't make any difference for me;  the 750 is always more difficult to push.  On level ground I push both straight up.  On an incline I usually have to lean the 750 on my thigh to get a little more grunt behind it.

+1  I ususally get it leaning on me slightly with the kickstand down. If my foot slips which it has it will come down on the kickstand and not me.

I have had a few tip overs and it is not easy to get up. Best way I have found is to get on the side on the ground, get it started and try to push it up with your legs. They or mine always likes to tip on the brake handle side.   

[kerryb]

I have both, and move them around to work on.  I'm 5'8" 130 lbs and wonder why nobody questioned rolling resistance in the tires.  Even though the 550 had 750 wheels on it, it was still easier to push around or up on the c-stand.  The 550 with skinnier tires was way easier to push around.  The 750 has narrow bars that don't seem to hurt or hinder. so I'm thinkin the extra weight is squashing the tires flatter for a larger contact patch and what seems like more effort the squish all that extra tread rubber.  On a side note, I much prefer the 750 out on the freeway with the bumpercar folks.

ps.  TT, how about helping me find your post describing the proper use of "Voila" just because it is so pricelessly funny!

[the technological J]

i just bought a 94 st 1100 and the  78 750(with the brakes dragging is still easier to push around.... the ST is easier to get on the centerstand than the KO was tho

[CoachDoc]

Guys, we're talking about a weight difference of just over 10%. I just don't think that alone would make a huge difference in static handling and pushing. More likely the center of gravity factor is the major influence. I shuttle a 1500 and a 550 around my garage- now there is a 2 fold weight difference. You need steroids to maneuver the 1500 by hand.
Best technic for picking up a fallen bike: crouch low on the down side facing away from the bike. One hand on the handlebar and one just below the seat. Lift with your legs keeping the back straight and even a Goldwing can be lifted by one man.

[BobbyR]

Guys, we're talking about a weight difference of just over 10%. I just don't think that alone would make a huge difference in static handling and pushing. More likely the center of gravity factor is the major influence. I shuttle a 1500 and a 550 around my garage- now there is a 2 fold weight difference. You need steroids to maneuver the 1500 by hand.
Best technic for picking up a fallen bike: crouch low on the down side facing away from the bike. One hand on the handlebar and one just below the seat. Lift with your legs keeping the back straight and even a Goldwing can be lifted by one man.

Great tip!  No pun intended.

[78 k550]

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............. 

I have been warming up for the 750 going from a 550 to the Goldwing.
I don't think I should have any problems with the 750.

Paul

[Really?]

I will say the 750 feels a little wonky compared the my Venture and that's an 800 lb'der

[Stev-o]

Wonky?

[Really?]

Yea, you know, wonky.

[Stev-o]

No know wonky

[Really?]

let me explain it to ya...

[JBMorse]

You guys already covered most of what I would mention.  My brother has a 76 750K and my main ride is a 500K.  His bike is certainly more of a handful in the yard or garage.  It handles well for its weight though myy 500 definitely feels more nimble on the road.
I wanted to mention the center stand issue.  Both bikes have to be lifted pretty high onto the center stand.  The 750 is much more difficult for me, but maybe because I am simply not used to it.  I would guess the difference in weight between the two is not as substantial as the difference in COG.

[bollingball]

Wonky?

Like Wonky Jawed ??

Ken

[PrsCustom22j]

like willy wonky and the chocolate factory?   

[lone*X]

I have never paid that much attention to pushing the bikes around but have always loved the lightness and ease of handling my 550 over the heaver bikes I've owned.  I would think center of gravity is the biggest issue as well.

From Bobby a few post back: "I have had a few tip overs and it is not easy to get up. Best way I have found is to get on the side on the ground, get it started and try to push it up with your legs. They or mine always likes to tip on the brake handle side."   

Check this video out, it's all in the method:  How to pick up your motorcycle

(Note that they did not tell you that you need to extend the side stand, else you just flip the bike over on the other side.)

[grcamna2]

Thanks for the vid. lone*X  !