Topic: Which CB model for first bike?

[Moffman]

Pretty much searched this topic endlessly and every thread or piece of info I found has one guy saying he started on a 750 twenty years ago and  is still here and the other that insists a decent 350 is a much more suitable bike. I'm more conflicted then when I started. Obviously I guess it depends on the needs of the rider. Personally I'm 6'0 and 210lbs have limited experience riding but lots of experience with a manual and can respect a larger bike. Plan on taking the MSF course and have mechanical experience and have no problems getting hands dirty.

My main concern though is finding the suitable bike. Basically I'm looking for a nice daily to enjoy around town and the local roads and to work with maybe mild free way use. I originally planned to start out on a 350 because of it's "toss-ability and supposed light handling through twistys but decided it was too small and started looking for a 500/550. Didn't have a whole lot of lucking finding any around. I did however come across a solid running 750K going for $1100 a little rough around the edges but a beauty nonetheless.











Have had the option of a 750 stuck in the back of my head since I started looking, really like the bike just like I said before getting conflicting opinions on whether or not it would be a good choice. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Lars]

I would agree that a CB 350 is too small a bike for your size, a CB 550 would work fine, but a CB 750 is still a very easy bike to handle. The one on these pictures looks a little rough to me, but of course I do not know its milage, how it sounds and how it runs. Depending on how much you want to spend, I would advice you to find a CB 750 K from the period 1969 - 1976 and buy one in better shape. If a CB 550 would do it, I would prefer 1974 - 1976 K models.

Try them both if you can and find out which one suites you best. Both are great bikes.

My 2 cents
Lars

[phil71]

at 210, a cb 750 wont be too much bike for you, and even if it is, it wont be for very long. Does that 78 run well, or just run?

[Moffman]

I would agree that a CB 350 is too small a bike for your size, a CB 550 would work fine, but a CB 750 is still a very easy bike to handle. The one on these pictures looks a little rough to me, but of course I do not know its milage, how it sounds and how it runs. Depending on how much you want to spend, I would advice you to find a CB 750 K from the period 1969 - 1976 and buy one in better shape. If a CB 550 would do it, I would prefer 1974 - 1976 K models.

Try them both if you can and find out which one suites you best. Both are great bikes.

My 2 cents
Lars

After finding that bike I certainly am leaning more towards the 750 at the moment. Mileage I'm not sure on myself going to have to call about that. Ad just say's good running bike to ride as is. I agree cosmetically it does look shabby but I'm mainly concerned about the mechanical side of it. Will definitely keep an eye out for that year range if this falls through, thanks.

at 210, a cb 750 wont be too much bike for you, and even if it is, it wont be for very long. Does that 78 run well, or just run?

Supposedly from the ad it is a "good running bike, clean title, keys in hand" but who knows till I see it in person. It's parked outside a motorcycle repair shop which is uh a little worrying.

[Bailgang]

I've met a few people who were checking out my 550 and told me a 550 was their first bike and for the most part they liked it but didn't keep it for long because they wanted more power and went with the 750 instead. I love my 550 but once I got my sons 750 k3 up and running I understood why.

[jason41987]

a CB750 is about a 500lb bike... for a beginner this can get to be an issue when youre traveling slow riding down city streets...

my recommendation would be the 320ish pound CB350, much easier to manuever as a daily driver, and they can break highway speed limits too, so.. it has enough of what you need, but not too much of what you dont need for a first bike

[trueblue]

I am 6'2" and 165lb, I have a 650 and it is just a nice fit.  When I bought it I hadn't ridden for about 5 years, so I was fairly uneasy on it at first.  It didn't take long though and I was settled in on it.  I have tried a 550 and on it I felt like a dog trying to root a cricket ball, it was miles too small.  The 750 is about the same size, weight and power as the 650 and with you being as tall as you are I wouldn't even consider a 550, I personally think, as long as you are sensible about it a 750 is not too much bike for a beginner provided you fit it .  The 350 although better in the power stakes for a beginner would be way too small in the frame for someone 6' tall .

[mac_48]

It all really depends on what you want out of the bike.  Both the 750 and the 550 are great bikes which is why I eventually want to own both.  However, if power is more important than go with the 750 and if flickability is more important than go with the 550.  Think about how you want to use the bike and be honest.  If you are going to be taking it on the highway for extended periods of time, the 550 will work but the extra weight and power of the 750 would be better.  On the flipside if you are going to be spending the majority of your time on the twisties than the flickable 550 might be the better choice (imho).  Another option is to get both   

I think for what you want, either would work and will have enough power.  I personally like the k series bikes more than the F series but that is just an opinion.  It's all about what is available and how long you are willing to wait.  I had a friend who drove 6 hours one way because he found a bike that he couldn't live without.  He rode it for years with a smile on his face.  At the same time I know someone who bought a bike that his neighbor was selling just because it was close and after a few weeks he regretted it and sold it to get another bike.  Get the bike that you want, don't settle cause you will regret it...but on that note, how can you regret buying a cb 

   

[Viktor.J]

Im about 6,0 (183 cm) and about 185 pounds (ca 83 kg) normally fitted male.

Im riding a cb750 k2 as my first bike and even if it's heavy it's not TO heavy. I mean of course there's smaller more lighter bikes, but a cb750 works just fine, for a normal sized man.

Since it heavy though and have poorly sized brakes i would recommend as a beginner that you take some safety courses and really learn how to brake these bikes.

[Xnavylfr]

At your 6' even the 750 my put a little scrunch on your knees when you have to sit for long periods. I know lots of guys 6'+ that ride them but most have some Hi-Way bars to stretch their legs out on.  It was mentioned that the 750 may be too heavy for a beginner to handle in slow city traffic with slow maneuvers, sorry but this is where I have to say size DOESN'T matter, experience does! You have to train yourself and learn what it takes to accomplish that slow maneuver, YES the MSF courses help , but sign up for one of these courses
https://www.ridelikeapro.com/
I 'm 5'6" at 200# and have a couple of CB Honda choppers but my Primary ride is a 2000 Roadstar ,weighs about 800# gassed and ready to roll. The only learning curve I had going from a stock 750 to this bike was lifting from the side stand because once you were rolling it was the same (kinda)

By all means buy the 750 , you WON'T be dissapointed. It is geared low enough that you can creep the clutch and maintain a steady 10-15 MPH.


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[Jiminy Indy]

Well here's my 2-cents.

If you look around at new bikes, the 750 would be considered as mid-sized at best - and maybe on the small side although when these bikes were new they were beasts so I think size wise if you can find one you'll be OK. Or if you can find a better deal on a 550 I'd go that way.

The 69 - 76 750's are more popular and so go for more money. So at $1100 you prolly have an OK deal but realize that if you put another $1K into it for all the standard routine  maintenance stuff it probably needs you'll still not have a relatively inexpensive ride that if you completely screw it up won't hurt too much but if you want to sell won't realize back your investment. If you plan to keep it forever and do your own maintenance I'd vote to go for it.

[madmtnmotors]

The best advice I remember was to "be sure that the size you start with is one that will not become too small too quickly". Better to "grow into" than to "outgrow". That is why I decided upon the 750 and haven't looked back...

and that was twenty-six years ago. I'm 5'-11" and tipped the scales around 160 back then.

[bollingball]

If it runs good I would be on that 78 before it is gone. The 500-550 are great bikes and I would own one in a heart beat. Good size plenty of power. I got the 750 because it found me. A friend took it to the Honda shop after it had sat for about 6 years. $60. to $80 per hour adds up fast so I gave him a deal at $30 per plus parts. That was still to much for him so he sold (gave) it to me for $100. It looked a little like the one you are looking at. What I am saying is if you have to pay labor these bikes are not the way to go. But I think you can do it. Plus there is all the help you need here. Go get it. Keep in mind parts add up fast I spent a grand on normal every day stuff. Carb parts chain,sprockets,tires,side covers,cables No engine work and no leaks the one in your pics looks like it may have a head gasket leak at #4 cyl. What does that wire go to on top of the rear fender.
Ken

[Stev-o]

Go check that 750 out and try it out for size. A 350 is def too small for you.
If it runs great, make him an offer.

[bjatwood]

The 750 is the right choice for you.   I am 6' a bit heavier and the tossability of it is a non-issue. My dailey rider is a GL1500 at about 900+lbs. You ride that baby for some time you will think a 750 is a minibike! LOL
I can even turn around a 750 in a figue 8 within 8'! And the powerband is just deeper with a 750 than a 500/550. I personally would rather have too much power and "learn" to use it all than be able to use "all" the power right off the bat. My .02 worth, good luck.
The 78's had some valve train issue's up top. Do a search on it and you will see some "spirited" talk on this issue. 

[72_350_FOUR]

I'm 6'0" and 220lbs. and ride a 350F just fine, it runs great and is a fun little bike, and VERY fun in the twisties.  I have lower than stiock bars on it, so maybe that helps....

[DJ_AX]

If you get a 550 first, you'll wish you got a 750 instead,.
If you get a 750 first, you'll want a 550 in addition.

[Lars]

I am 6.00 and 177 and have a CB 350 F, too, my first bike. A lot of fun on the winding roads, just give it rpm's and i shoots off. Always smiling when I am riding that one. My CB 550 K is more pleasant and love that one too on the winding roads, good power and better balanced than my CB 750 K 4. The CB 750 K is always fun

In addition to a well tuned engine, good tyres makes a huge difference!

[jason41987]

i purchased a 550 because i wanted a balance.. i wanted something light enough and agile enough for daily riding in an urban environment, yet still able to handle the highways on long trips.. the 550 was a perfect medium of what a 350 offers and what a 750 offers

[CycleRanger]

A 550/750 will be much easier to find parts for than the 350/400 bikes.

[BeSeeingYou]

Get a 750...you will grow into it as fast as you outgrow a small bike.  About the only advantage they have over a 750 is they are easy to push around the garage and easier on gas.  The whole idea of flickability, tossabilty amuses me.  Yeah they might be quicker around the block at 20 mph or maneuvering in a parking lot but since a vast majority of time is spent going in straight lines or on gentle curves who cares.   It's just a rationalization for owning a girl's bike.

seriously...at 160lbs I have never had an issue handling my 750F1(other than pushing it around in the garage) .  First bike I ever bought was a 450 lb XS650.  Riding home from the dealer was my first time riding a motorcycle....didn't have any problems.

[madmtnmotors]

Get a 750...you will grow into it as fast as you outgrow a small bike.  About the only advantage they have over a 750 is they are easy to push around the garage and easier on gas. It's just a rationalization for owning a girls bike.

    

[750K]

The best advice I remember was to "be sure that the size you start with is one that will not become too small too quickly". Better to "grow into" than to "outgrow". That is why I decided upon the 750 and haven't looked back...

So true, I'm 5'10" 185-190 and went with a cb750 for my first bike. I didn't grow out of it. It's been a couple years and although I now have a bigger cc bike I'm working on it had nothing to do with the size of my 750. At your size and weight a 750 will be great, especially if you're going to take a riding course. The only time it's size and weight is awkward is when I'm pushing it out of my garage, I don't even notice it when I'm in traffic anymore.

[Magilla]

my first bike was a CB350 that I bought when I was 16 (1982).  I bought a 350 because it was what I could afford.  I was 5'6" and weighed in at around 140.  The bike was fine.

Fast froward to 1999.  I bought my wife her first bike.  A 750.  She was 5'6" and does not weigh a lot.  If I put her weight in print she would kill me so lets just leave it at "not a lot".  I taught her how to ride, sent her to the course and she was fine.  The 750 was not to big for her.

So what have we learned?  To me any bike 883cc's or smaller is a fine place to start.  Buy what fits you and your wallet.  If you can afford 750cc's then that is a good place to start.  Who knows you might end up liking it so much you stay at 750.

My biggest motor so far was a 1737CC (106").  It was awesome.  Hell if I could fit two 750's in my bike I would.  But I have been riding for 30 years.

[magnum56]

I'd echo most of the 750 comments ... It's not like the CB750 is some huge unmanageable monster. 

My first bike was a 74 CB750 in 1976, and never regretted it. 

Oh, and back then i was 5'8" and 180.

[mac_48]

I agree with others that say that a 750 is easy to handle, but it does take more effort to take a corner on than a 550 would.  I am not saying that the 750 isn't a great handling bike (I wouldn't have gotten one if it wasn't), but if you are looking at which is more nimble than the two I would say the 550.  They both have adequate power and handling for the street, you just have to ride them differently to get the most out of them.  It's not like we are talking about a 250 here.  Most people that ride motorcycles don't even begin to tap into the bikes potential (including me) so in reality you may want more power, but I don't think you really outgrow either, you'll just have to get up on the revs more on the 550 and will have a lower top speed.  If I remember correctly, the 550 is around 70 lbs lighter than the 750 and on top of that I think others were talking about the COG being lower as well which both have major impacts on handling.  So back to my last post, if you want handling go with the 550 and if you want power go with the 750.  It's not that both bikes aren't both adequate in each category, its that you can't go past the fact that one is better than the other in each category when comparing the two.  Choose whatever is more important to you: handling or power.  For what the OP wants, either would be a great bike. 

*I know that the CB 750 handles better than a bike that's bigger than it, but that doesn't mean that a 550 can't handle better than a 750

CB 550 top speed: 102 MPH
CB 750 top speed: 125 MPH
I don't think that most people reach either of those speeds very often so it's more about grunt vs. handling IMHO

[LesterPiglet]

You have found the 750, if it's good go for it. I'm only 5'4" and 126lbs and I can handle a 750 fine. Oh, 27" inside leg Although the riding I do, I find the 550 easier to live with. Very little motorway/freeway riding and lots of curves.   

[Schnell]

Let the bike find you.

[Moffman]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Certainly cleared the subject up a bit. It seem's like the general consensus is the 750 would be a manageable first bike without any problems. Time to start looking. Now I saw a few times mentioned the 69-76 750's are more popular? Tried searching a bit and the only thing I found was the seat was changed and the compression was bumped down a bit  but nothing really stating the differences between the model years, so why is this?

[LesterPiglet]

I don't think you will be able to tell any differences until you have lived with them all. Just find one you like and buy it...then buy another.

[mac_48]

http://www.sohc4.net/index.php/thecb750timeline/
http://www.sohc4.net/index.php/cb750/

this site has a lot of info under the CB 750 tab, another great resource about these bikes is the hondaman book but it is a little spendy  http://sohc4shop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=30

there was a lot more finish work done to the earlier K bike engines which cause them to have some extra hp compared to the later K versions.  They decreased the finish work to decrease cost and keep up with demand.  You can make the later k bikes to gain HP but it takes time and you have to tear the engine apart for certain fixes. This stuff is in the Hondaman book.  I don't have it in front of me so I can't get more specific.  I personally like the CB 750K's but it's down to preference really since all of them are great bikes.

[Retro Rocket]

a CB750 is about a 500lb bike... for a beginner this can get to be an issue when youre traveling slow riding down city streets...

my recommendation would be the 320ish pound CB350, much easier to maneuver as a daily driver, and they can break highway speed limits too, so.. it has enough of what you need, but not too much of what you dont need for a first bike

The 350 is far too small for this guy. The 750 is quite well balanced, i am 5'10" and 145pounds and can easily throw a 750 around, balance has never been a problem, actually, i like seeing how long i can sit at traffic lights with my feet on the pegs. I was 16 when i bought my first 750 {with 850 kit} and had no trouble at all riding it, i was a little worried before actually getting on it, but after riding it, those worries went away  quickly. I find smaller bikes frustrating as they don't have enough power to overtake quickly enough and get blown around on the highway a lot easier than the bigger bikes.... Not dissing the smaller bikes i just think the 750's are a good allround bike, especially for a guy of your size.....

[LesterPiglet]

The only problem with bikes I have found is getting your feet on the ground. I can't get both on the ground on my 550...not a problem. I have ridden an XL600 turned to the topmost setting on the shocks for the 6'4" owner. Once the bikes are moving it doesn't matter.  Weight and centre of balance are a priority.  It's up to you. You can't go wrong no matter what you choose in the upper range of SOHC4's. IMO anything smaller than 500 will not satisfy you.
 I'm open for retribution.

[Tripps]

I started riding later in life, I got a 78 CB750 for my first bike, love it and still have it, it was my first and will be the last to go.

[Don R]

Sounds like a lot of good info. A little off subject but whatever bike you get I believe the thing to do is take a course or at least find an empty parking lot to practice riding in. Practicing stopping is the most important thing you can do. Don't believe what they do in the movies. Keeping your bike on it's tires is the most effective and safest way to stop. Now have fun with your project. And yes at 35-40 years old they are all projects.

[bjbuchanan]

Im five ten, 210 with a flat stomach and i taught myself how to ride 3 weeks ago on a 76 cb750. I stuck to msf kinda stuff  like covered clutch and first gear at stop and it was Easy.

[bender01]

Get it . I started a few years ago with small twins and I was blown all over the rd. The heavier 750 will be much more stable in my opinion. Getting blown by wind alone as a new rider..(blows), and to add traffic.. even oncoming, (blows).