Topic: What's your favourite SOHC4?

[LesterPiglet]

Just for interest.
I like the 550 because it's fairly light and has a good power to weight ratio. I think it handles beautifully.
I've ridden 750's and I think they are too long, heavy and unwieldy.
The 400 is a wonderful bike but just doesn't have enough oomph for me.
Never had a 350.
Was on a 500 a couple of times and liked them but the time difference in riding, I can't compare to the 550.
The 650 was a big bulky thing and was nothing like the others.
Your views guys?

[Dimitri13]

I can't say that I've ridden any sohc4 other than my 550. If I had a choice to do it all over again, I'd go for a 750 simply because of the aftermarket. I know it's really heavy, but that doesn't bother me all too much.

If I were living in the mainland where there were tracks, I think I'd want either a 350 or 500.

[Damfino]

The one that sits between my legs. 

[LesterPiglet]

The one that sits between my legs. 

Is she called Samantha? 

[Stev-o]

I like them all, well but not the 650 so much.  My 550 and 750's are my favorite and I see a 400F in my future, just because. 

[LesterPiglet]

So what's wrong with the 650? Is it just us?

[Stev-o]

So what's wrong with the 650? Is it just us?

Don't think there's  anything wrong with them, many love them.

I'm surprised you don't like the 750's.  Ever ride one?

[jason41987]

before i purchased my 550F, i was looking at other honda CBs, the other CBs were mostly twins though... however, i did consider the CB750 as well, but its weight was atleast equal too if not greater than my old CX500 and i wanted something lighter, and more agile, that could work as an all purpose daily rider and touring bike, so i settled on the lighter, more agile 550, though i still wish it had the aftermarket the 750 enjoys

[LesterPiglet]

I'm surprised you don't like the 750's.  Ever ride one?

Yes, a few. I'm short though and the 750 was just too unwieldy. I don't think the power gain versus weight/COG makes for a better bike....for me.
I just compared it to my mates GPZ1100(in my head) and got the same thrill. Good poke but will you turn the corner please?

[elbowdeep]

Ive had a cb550 and now own a 750.  They both corner very nicely!  Light is nice, and I am assembling a 400f as we speak, but really any rider should be able to steer a 750 pretty aggressively without too much effort.  If you're intimidated by the extra weight and power, now thats another story...

[LesterPiglet]

Not intimidated at all. I'm sure I could maneuver my 550 quicker over a course than I could a 750. It's about power to weight and weight distribution for me.

[BeSeeingYou]

Try the 75/6 750F for better handling.  All 160 lbs. of me has never felt it to be unwieldy.  I feel a noticeable difference from the K bikes I have ridden.  The contemporary reviews of the time mention the improvement from the mediocre handling of the K's to a bike that handles like it's 100 lbs. lighter.  Still a bit to push around the garage but once you are rolling..... no problems.  My favorite...the F0/1 or course with the F2/3 coming in second. 

[LesterPiglet]

The last 750 I was on was a 76F. Sorry, this was meant to be a questionnaire not a debate.

[LesterPiglet]

All 160 lbs. of me has never felt it to be unwieldy.

Fat #$%*. I'm 140 if I'm lucky.

[BeSeeingYou]

I know the 77/8 K bikes share the F0/1 engine but does anyone know if they also have the revised frame geometry of the F0/1?

[BrianScb650c]

I'm about 125 and have never felt like my 650 was unwieldy . I've never ridden any other sohc4s so obviously I love the 650.

[Magilla]

I'm a big guy so the more power the better.  I'm down 65 pounds to a slim 230 so I can't see myself on anything smaller than the 750. 

[Don R]

I loved my  K2 cb500, I have a K0 750 and an F1 750SS  The K0 feels like a much smaller bike than the F1. I like them both but for some reason the K0 just feels more like the 500.
 I'm a 220 plus pounder too and can flat foot both bikes. If I didn't have monkey arms and legs I might feel different.

[Retroben]

I've had a 82 CB650SC (Nighthawk) - the last SOHC sold in the US - and a few test rides on my current '78 550K project.

Rode the 650 across the US. Fitted with a Windjammer, it was very stable but handled very responsively, like a big bike only nimble. I don't know how it would feel naked, but probably awesome. It did look a bit 1980s tacky with the electric candy blue metallic paint, Comstar wheels and the chopper-esque styling. I sold the bike but I'd buy another one in a second.

The 550 feels like a nimble smaller bike. I've seen them dressed for touring, but for some reason it seems really small by comparison to the 650. My 550 also has hella cool old-school looks, black and chrome with spoke wheels.

Aesthetically I like all of these bikes. Have to admit I've never ridden a 750 SOHC four 

[jason41987]

i agree with the sentiments about the weight of the 750... its not about cornering, or handling on a road for me, but as a daily rider in a lot of stop and go traffic at slower speeds where i find it less comfortable, less nimble.. thats why i like the 550.. its a lot more comfortable for city driving while still having that open road capabilitiy... where the 750 is probably better for open roads and still ok for city riding.. so i guess it depends on what your primary purpose is? and i just found the 550 to be a better balance for what i need it for

[fmctm1sw]

Where's that other "best sohc4" thread we were all fighting about a few months ago? 

[bollingball]

750K8 what else and it has to be black

[mickwinf]

My personal fave is the 500/4 best looking and best performance/ weight combination. I always think the original version of each model is the best, i love the look of an early k 750 but not the later f models, even though they are probably a better bike for actual riding.Its all in the eye of the beholder!

[trueblue]

My favourite is my 650Z, it has twin discs, electronic ignition, alloy wheels, low euro style handlebars and rear set pegs standard, this makes for a nice ride in my books.  I'm 165lbs and 6'2" it has never felt unweildly and can carve the corners with ease.  I find the 500-550's to be too small, I feel like a dog trying to root a cricket ball sitting on them.  My 650 has plenty of power for cruising and overtaking on the highway even with the missus on the back.  I never took to the 750's, I just don't like them.

[70CB750]

Mine.

[Bailgang]

My 550 is my baby (money pit), agile in the turns and a blast to ride. My oldest sons 73 750 is a heavy turd compared to the 550 but I like the power so it's kind of a toss up.

It doesn't qualify as a SOHC but my youngest sons cbr600 makes the kid inside of me grin from ear to ear when I twist the throttle. Problem is it's power is too addicting and I know I'd get into way too much trouble with the local police if I rode it all the time. The other problem with it is that my feet are always searching for the foot pegs when I first get on it.

[Deltarider]

Although I've never seen one in real (they were not imported in Europe) the 550K2 '76 for me is the most desirable of the 500/550 series and here is why. It's the last model with the four original trumpet exhausts, that allow precise finetuning. In spite of the 550F1, that had most power to offer, I prefer the looks of this model. The oldstyle carbs, that are so easy to work on compared to the later PDcarbs. It's all in all the model that stays closest to the original (the 500) by offering most of the features that were good from the beginning and least of what had become 'mode' later. In detail: there is the reliable engine and updated transmission. There are those wonderful harmonicarubbers that used to protect forkseals so well before shiny legs became mode. There is the oldstyle, elegant and sober dash with just four idiot lights and not the cheaplooking setup with that insulting fifth idiot light (I mean who needs to be informed WHAT indicator is on? Who else but a true idiot). The modest ignition key is still under the tank, where it can do no harm. No hanky panky with a choke knob to mimick a car. I bet the wires are still tidy inside the handlebars. A pity it only came in Candy Garnet Brown and not in Excel Black as the 500K2 '76 did (European models). If I had one I'd change the US for the Euro handlebars and would have those big and cheap looking indicators and rear light replaced by the earlier and smaller ones.

[OT7]

My Shiny Orange 1976 Cb550F.

[crazypj]

550F is my favorite four, including the Rickman CB750 which was quicker accelerating but about same top end (130 ish' mph).
I worked at a Honda dealers and got to ride all of the fours up to the dohc 750/900's
Modified 550 is lighter, just as quick as a stock 750 but with better handling (less weight, narrower engine, etc)
 I owned CB550F1, 550F2 and 550FourK at the same time for comparison
400f's are OK but have major variations in handling, some are great, some try to kill you
 I also had a CB500f for a very short time, seemed a lot lower than 550 for some reason (springs probably worn out?)
It also seemed smoother running than any of the 550's?

[Deltarider]

I also had a CB500f for a very short time, seemed a lot lower than 550 for some reason (springs probably worn out?)

Must confess that a 550k3 offers me a better riding position than my own 500, don't know about earlier 550's.

It also seemed smoother running than any of the 550's?

I've read at least one test at the time that confirmes your observation.

[754]

 I dont hink I have ever ridden the smaller ones..used to do a lot of miles on 750s..work for me..836cc..even better..