Topic: CB550 Four or CB400 Four? Plz Advice

[s.aadi]

Hi all,

This is my first post on the forums. I am going to buy my first CB four bike. But I am confused which one to go for. I want to choose from 550 or 400? Please advice which one is better in the following aspects:

1- Performance
2- Fuel economy
3- Reliability
4- Handling
5- Parts availability
6- Technical forums and manuals availability

By searching over the net I found that 400 has some issue of oil leaking near the gear shaft seal. Is it true? Is the chassis same for both bikes? Can the parts be interchanged? Any help really appreciated. Cheers 

[dave500]

the 400 is nice,but youll wish you had the 550s power and torque,550s are more common maybe so easier used parts?who really cares about fuel economy on little bikes?

[kghost]

550 has moe smash.

So strictly power wise 550

That said the 400 is a great bike. Good handling.

[LesterPiglet]

400 is great but feels like a 250 to me. 550 is more powerful and great to throw around corners.

[RFogelsong]

400's gonna have the edge on something the size of a kart track.  I'd think the fuel economy is a push, should be about 40 all around.  I think the added power of the 550 is definitely worth the weight penalty.  A 550 should be easier to work on as well just by virtue of being bigger, more spaced out, and having all the cafe crowd out after them (lots of people working one them = lots of parts).

[Kurt V]

The CB400F is a specialty bike. It loves to be flung into the corners, it loves to rev, it feels like a bicycle that some madman attached a motorcycle engine to it. If I only have an hour to ride on a Saturday morning, the 400 is the bike for the back roads. Which is good, because after about an hour I'm ready to get off of it.

That said, the 550 is just the right size for damn near anything you want to do from back road carving to long distance touring. If I could only have one bike between the two, it would be the 550.

Final thought. The 550's are coming into their own as a collectible bike. Buy the nicest one you can find now and I don't think you will lose money on it. The 400's became collectible years ago and any decent one commands over $3K to buy. A nice "daily rider" 550 shouldn't set you back more than $1500-$2000. And there are many that can be had for much, much less than that.

[Bankerdanny]

I averaged mid 40's MPG wise as a large, 220lb rider, even topping 50 once on a long highway stretch. So there is no economy disadvantage to the 550.

550's are generally easier to find and not as collectible at this point, so you may find them less expensive.

If you plan lots of all day trips the slightly larger and more powerful 550 might be a better choice. But if you are an around town guy then I think you would be happy either way.

[Duanob]

get a 550F model you won't be dissappointed!

[oldbob]

The CB400F is a specialty bike. It loves to be flung into the corners, it loves to rev, it feels like a bicycle that some madman attached a motorcycle engine to it. If I only have an hour to ride on a Saturday morning, the 400 is the bike for the back roads. Which is good, because after about an hour I'm ready to get off of it.

Absolutely.

Bob

[jneuf]

Depends...I've owned both, and sold my 550 to buy a 400. That being said, 99% of my riding is commuting around the city with the occasional rip down the highway. To me, it's more fun to ride than my 550 was...it's a great bike around the city, and is very reliable, like all the other 4's are. They all leak a little oil from the head gasket, which is about one of the only common problems I know of.

Now, that being said, on a calm day it's okay out on the highway, but It's certainly more uncomfortable than my 550 was in the wind.

As far as I'm concerned you can't go wrong with either.

[txterror]

dont mean to hi jack thread but, just got an offer to trade my 400 for 550f

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/3928849610.html

what do yall think?

[jneuf]

dont mean to hi jack thread but, just got an offer to trade my 400 for 550f

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/3928849610.html

what do yall think?

Do you want a 550? And is there a reason you don't want your 400f?

[txterror]

Neithe...i think i jus get bored fast

[jneuf]

Ha! That's a tough one then...when you get bored with the 550, you'll regret selling your 400 

[jackseattle]

I think your choice comes down to what kind of riding you see yourself doing.  Love my 400f in the city and two lane twisty roads out in the country.  The bike is very responsive and easy to lean and turn.   It's not so much fun (for me) at 60 to 70 mph on the interstate because of the wind factor, and I find myself wishing for clip-on handlebars over the stock bars.  Of course a mini fairing would help take care of that, but I like my 400f naked.  On the interstate I want something that has a bit more power, weight and spinning inertial mass.

[Vinhead1957]

Why not the 750?  What about when you are two up?

[camelman]

I love the 400 and find little added benefit with the 550. I've put in 500 miles days on 400/350f hondas and was completely comfortable. They are great in the city, handle the highway fine and get 45-60 mpg (400 gets better mpg). The 400 can be bored to a 466 pretty cheaply, which will let it stomp stock 550s. A little more work and it will stick with nonstock 550s without breaking the bank. The 550 is a bit more comfortable and comes with a bit more power, but it doesn't outshine the 400 in my opinion.

[Stev-o]

dont mean to hi jack thread but, just got an offer to trade my 400 for 550f

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/3928849610.html

what do yall think?

I think your 400F is worth more than $2K. That 550 looks good, obviously needs a new seat, gators and prolly fork seals. 

OP - get the 550!

[s.aadi]

Thank you guys. Now lets see which one I'll get. I have both in mind, now it depends on which one I make a deal 

1977 CB550 Supersport is priced for around US$2217 (Red colour, good condition all original with 40k miles)
1977 CB400 f2 is for US$1950 ( Red color, good condition all original, 35k miles) only missing rear indicators

What you guys think money wise?

Going to have a look on them today.

[dave500]

thats a hard call man!

[RFogelsong]

Of the two you listed, I'd personally go with the 400.  I just prefer the earlier 550's to the later ones and I think it's a bit better deal honestly.  My own order of preference would be early K, 400, all other 550's (just to show where I'm coming from).

[dave500]

i like the early 550s aswell fogel,,i dont like the flip lid gas cover tank(too fat?) or the loop rear peg holders,the 550 super sport had a nice siamesed header spoiled by a stupid truck muffler?

[Stev-o]

Tough call - go and check each one out and buy whichever is in best condition.

I, as well, like the earlier 550's better. 

[Bankerdanny]

dont mean to hi jack thread but, just got an offer to trade my 400 for 550f

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/3928849610.html

what do yall think?

I think that if your bike is as clean as it looks in the picture its worth 2-3x what that 550 is. The only reason to make that trade is to put cash in your pocket while still having an SOHC4 in your garage.

[txterror]

thanks for the opinions guys, i dont think ill ever get rid of the 400 unless i get an offer i couldnt refuse. She developed an oil leak recently. Havent had time to find out exactly where its coming from.