Topic: 500K2 as a touring machine

[gregwaits]

A long time buddy of mine is about to make the big leap and buy a new Honda Gold Wing 1800. And now he is trying to talk me into looking for a larger machine so we can hot the road for some medium distance rides (overnighters on county and state roads). He is of the opinion that the 5004 won't be up to the task of highway riding...at least comfortably.

What is the opinion of SOHC-4 members who do ride long distance on their 500 or 550? Will I be regretting that I didn't climb aboard a larger machine?

[SteveD CB500F]

I've moved this to the Open Forum as you'll get noticed more (and the Travellers Community is really a place for folks to put "come stay with us" invites)

If you are planning on touring with a mate on a Gold Wing, I'd say you need a bigger bike.
I toured all over the UK in the 70's on my 500/4 but that was with other 400/500s.

I don't think that you will have the "lugging power" to stay with the Wing when loaded up (two people?) and fast cruising.

Get a modern bike if you want to rack up the miles (I bought a VFR800 for exactly that reason - and still struggle with the guys on Pans)

[putnaja1]

...
Get a modern bike if you want to rack up the miles (I bought a VFR800 for exactly that reason - and still struggle with the guys on Pans)

I'm just trying to figure this part out- "guys on Pans", you mean guys riding pan-head Harley's?

[TomC]

Hi Greg
     I recommend riding with your friend a few times before spending any money. A short time after I purchased my every day rider. I went on a trip with a friend. The friend who had got me back on a bike after about twenty years. About 400 miles each way. He rides a one liter sports touring bike. We had a problem. Except on the interstate I had to stop and wait for him all the time. My bike? A Yamaha SRX250! This pissed him off so bad that we hardly talk any more.
     This summer I rode 509 miles and attended a thumper cafe lunch in 12 and a half hours. Mostly on back roads. If I can do this on a 250 single you can do a lot of touring on a 500/4.

[SteveD CB500F]

I'm just trying to figure this part out- "guys on Pans", you mean guys riding pan-head Harley's?

Sorry.  It's what us "VFR Guys" call the "Pan European Guys"

Pan = ST1300 (V6)

[Peterbylt]

I regularly ride my 75 550f with a group that includes HD's Wing's and Boulevard's on rides of 200 miles or more. The 550 keeps up just fine. We are all riding single. If I were riding two up I would want something bigger.

[merc2dogs]

I spent a few years cruising up and down the west coast, and Az,  nevada,  and Idaho, (we'll just forget about Utah ok?) on a cb350, spend almost all summer on the road roaming,  only stopping long enough to work to get money to cruise some more. Hole up in the winter wherever I was when it got cold, or head back to Cal/Az.  Never had any problems keeping up with anyone, and the only issues with the bike was tires.
 
 I think a 500 would surprise you in it's staying power.

 If I'd listened to the people who told me a 350 wouldn't go, I'd have never left the bay area.
 
  The only thing is I'd want a more current bike for long trips simply in case of unforeseen problems, overnighters are nothing, my buddies and I take 5, 8, 10 hour rides all the time, my 74 cb750, Charlie's kawi 600rt ( the touring version of the ninja), Matt's suzuki, and sometimes Dave's 80 cb750,  No issues other then when they want to do wheelies, and all I can do is burnouts.   

 Ken.

[Ted Nomura]

CB550K is better, have little more power. Fortunately some of the early CB500 bugs were corrected by the time K2 model came out. Back during the early 1970s, many thought Honda CB500/550 Four were the best touring machine for those who are not 6 feet tall.