Topic: CB750 Handling

[Loudpipe]

So, let's put our biases aside and be honest: how does the CB750 really handle compared to modern equipment?  I'm curious, since I've never ridden a modern sport bike, but I'm certain many members have and even own them.  So be honest, one way or the other: how well do the big 750s really handle?

[kghost]

Modern sportbike? can you say peterbuilt? Mack truck man

Still they handle way better than many cruisers.

Honestly? I can corner and handle better than say a V-Max......just can't catch them on the straights. 

[ElCheapo]

My new Victory kicks my K5's ass in many ways. While it is a 1500. It does glide the corner much smoother. Fact is, the k5 is an old bike. Ride one of these and then go ride a perimeter frame, there is just no comparision. Don't get me wrong the old K5 does still kick ass in her own right.

[eldar]

Well I think the later 77/78 750s handled a bit different from the earlier bikes. I think there were some changes to the front end as far as rake goes. I could be wrong though, but they do look a little different. Maybe someday I will be able to check it out.

[sparty]

So, let's put our biases aside and be honest: how does the CB750 really handle compared to modern equipment?  I'm curious, since I've never ridden a modern sport bike, but I'm certain many members have and even own them.  So be honest, one way or the other: how well do the big 750s really handle?

For their time period, the early 70's CB750s were the most powerful, best handling, best braking bikes on the street.  So, could you imagine how poor the other bikes at that time must have been by today's standards...  Jeez.

I have owned a whole host of modern sportbikes.  Even my least favorite sportbike (Katana) rode, handled, and had better braking than my CB750.  But my CB750 is a true riders bike, requiriing rider input every moment you are in the saddle.

Sparty

[Bodain]

So, let's put our biases aside and be honest: how does the CB750 really handle compared to modern equipment?  I'm curious, since I've never ridden a modern sport bike, but I'm certain many members have and even own them.  So be honest, one way or the other: how well do the big 750s really handle?

It is a friggin tank. There is no comparison. I might as well be riding a brick....

I don't do old bikes for their awesome technology or their handling. When I want to go fast and hit the corners hard, I leave the old 70's bikes in the garage where they belong.....   I have dual personalities. My other personality wants to ride something totally different, something rarely if ever seen on the road. Something that is noticed as ..... Wow is that an old CB?

Yesterday was the first day on the road for the 74 Yamaha RD 350 I've been working on for 5 months. I got one. How much do you want for it?
I got two. Wow... Is that an RD?   So typically whenever I'm gasing one of these 70's bikes up I will have someone recognize what it is and want to talk about it. When I'm riding my modern bike, it's just another modern bike that doesn't really stand out. I could not live without the modern bike nor could I be without a vintage bike. They serve my two personalities.

[Tower]

Compared to either a Suzuki GS500f (crotch rocket) or Suzuki Burgman 650 (scooter/automatic), the Honda CB750K3 is hard to ride. You have to fight the CB750 to get it around corners and at low speed its unstable.  At high speed the front end feels like it has a mind of its own, (new bearings and the stabilizer help and so does upping the tire pressure to 40psi on the Michelins).  But, it sure grabs attention.

My other bikes are quieter, faster, smoother.  The Burgman is larger (with what you might call a trunk under the seat) and easier to ride at any speed, while the GS500f is smaller and more agile, fast on the acceleration and much quicker stopping.

The real difference is that every morning I take my coffee into the garage and between sips, whisper sweet nothings only to the Honda.

[crazypj]

Not even close to being a comparison.
 It handles like a wet turd compared to modern sportbike.
Its too high, too heavy and also underpowered compared to even a 600.
Even modified its about 20hp down, most 600's get around 100bhp
Just be happy you have a classic and grind chunks off it cornering, you can have a great fun time without killing yourself.
Friend bought a 1974 CB750 and likes it better than the CBR600 he has, less frantic and twitchy.
 He's only 20 so has no idea how 'interesting' things got a 'high speed'  to him its an old bike so he doesnt ride it too hard. (high speed for us was anything over 110mph) 'b Modern 600 will 'cruise' at 140ish
The GS 500 is NOT a crotch rocket, its a 40bhp cooking motor with go faster fairing and stickers. Developmen can be easily traced to the GS250T of 1978
PJ

[eldar]

See now I dont have to fight my K8 on corners except at very low speed as in under 5mph. I only get steering wobble when my hands are not on the bars and only on certain roads which leads me to believe it is the road and not my bike. But then as I said before, I think the rake is different on the later K and Fs and that is probably what makes the difference.

The only ride I can compare it too right now is a honda rebel and the rebel is only better at low speed turning otherwise I feel my 750 handles better at higher speed. Of course the rebel stops faster as it is only a little over half the weight! The rebel suspension sucks worse than my 750 does though.

I do not understand though why we are comparing to sport bikes. Our bracket is more in the cruiser format and once you compare that, we actually do pretty good on our old bikes. In many cases our bikes are more comfortable, easier to ride and still develop close to the same power with only small mods.

I rode with a new honda yesterday and even shifting when he did and not using my rpm advantage, I still stayed with him no problem. Was probably a 750 size also.

[SteveD CB500F]

I think that my 500 handles OK when I'm cruising around - in fact, after frazzling my brains on the VFR, it sometimes surprises me how well it goes around corners.

Mind you, I don't go too fast on it (max 85ish) and NEVER brake halfway round a bend.

The VFR will do all of that (and at 120+ if I let it)

[crazypj]

Hey Eldar,
If your not fighting it your not trying hard enough
I dont bounce like I used to and I've had some 'quality' hospital time so I dont ride like I used to
You really shouldnt try a modern sportbike, they make my neck hurt, too low at front
PJ

[eldar]

Yeah I dont care much for bending over a tank. I will stick with something I can sit on!

[Loudpipe]

Nice replies.  I was just curious as to what it was like compared to newer bikes, since I'm new to motorcycling.

[kghost]

About as well as any old machine compared to a new one.

Like say a 50 ford vs a 2006 mustang

Like say a Sopwith camel vs a North American P-51.

you get the idea

[Rocking-M]

Oh sure, it ain't a 929 but handling with anything is mostly up to the rider.
I say that because I regularly whip miatas, lotus elise, etc... (pick your sport car)
 with a 27 year old Fiat Spider.
The miatas and the others are fully independent suspensions, rack steering and supposedly
just flat out more responsive. It's not because I'm a better driver. I think it
is because of the Feedback a the Fiat gives with it's solid rear axle and it's
old timey steering gear box (non-power steering). You really get the feed back
and can feel it in your arse or your hands when you screw it
The same was said earlier in this thread and correctly so.
The old honda let's you know when feel the road,
I use to drift my 78 but I've not gotten that feel back.

Having said all that I've been on the 929 Honda and it's
a real great handling bike. But I do remember thinking
there is so little feed back it would be easy to over step one's limitations.

[andy750]

I dont have that much experience with more modern bikes although just rode a brand new 2006 model CB400SB in Japan and was amazed at the acceleration and smoothness so Im guessing a bigger sports bike is more of this and better.

That being said Ive driven my CB750K4 on some of the best motorcycle roads in the world -we are talking the Alps (Swiss/Italian/German/Austrian) where on one particular pass there were 36 hairpin turns within a mile!!! (or close to that) and there were more passes and corners every day, or on Rt 1 California between Mendocino and San Francisco where you can ride for 125 miles all on tight twisty roads, or Angels Pass (outside of LA), or Devils Highway, Mexico, or over countless mountain passes crossing from Reno, NV to Eureka, CA, or on the German Autobahns where you can sit at (an indicated) 100mph++ for as long as you are outside a town. The point is in all these cases my stock K4 (unfaired) handled very good for a 30+ year old bike. Yes cruising at 100mph+ is a scary thing but handling was fine on my bike at this speed- no speed or front wheel wobble (ever!). Cornering is also ok and in my opinion as long as you have good chain, good tires and good front and rear suspension (progressive front springs and stock back for me) - and Im basing this as tested on 36 hairpin loops!!! :-D

Sure Ill agree the bike is big and heavy but since Im 6`4 with long arms I dont have a height issue or problems throwing it around. I like the real-feel driving it gives. Of course if I could afford a modern sports bike I wouldnt say no either  ....but so far the CB750 has done the job quite well.

cheers
Andy

P.S. And starts fine on cold mornings as well :-) And can drive through torrential rain, through snow, high winds, park on beaches, down unpaved forest roads, ride on some of the worlds worst roads (Mexico -Aculpulco -Oxaca) and still survive!! Try all this on a modern bike!!

[eldar]

RIGHT ON ANDY!

[winston]

On the K7 K8 geometry difference...it's my understanding the tree offset to the handlebars was relaxed .11 of an inch outward from the k0-k6 tree's design, for more stable steering feel...and without looking, I think the wheelbase is longer by something like a couple of inches...anyway, I guess the CB750 sohc is considered a big, clunky bike with spongy brakes by modern comparison....but as a noob myself, my K7 has provided me with lots of fun and like the others mentioned...you really can't stop anywhere without someone coming over to ask you about it.

[harpo]

You can take that as the gospel truth from Andy's 750. The man walks the walk and he's got the seat time to prove it. I agree with him 300%.
Harpoon

[old750]

Modern sport bike? I thought my 72 750k WAS the modern sport bike? I just moved up from a 1964 Puch which I thought rode like a dream compared to my old 21 speed mountain bike. There is NOTHING after 1972. NOTHING after 1972......

[seaweb11]

I kind of equate my 750  to driving a 1970 mgb . Can't really compare that car with a modern sports car, but what fun it is sliding that all that weight through a corner   Lets you know you are on a machine.

The wiring and braking are also very similar 

[kghost]

Mine is fine straight line......

But its hard to steer around corners 

<<<<<<<<<

[Rocking-M]

Wish you wouldn't have shown that avatar, now I'm gonna half to start walking mine again
and show you how to keep it up once you get it there. 

[kghost]

 

 

 

[Dave Wyatt]

I used to own a K75 BMW and thought it handled pretty sweet.  I used to own a H-D FLHS and thought it was a barge.  While the old Hondamatic isn't up to the handling of the BMW, it is way beyond anything the H-D was capapble of.  The old Honda probably has more handling capability in it than I have as a rider, so it really does not matter.  I've ridden with GXSR's, 949's, KLR 650's and even a guy on a Buell Thunderbolt.  On the roads we travelled, I could almost keep up at any time.  For a 30 year old bike, it does OK in my book.