Topic: Tall Guys: Which CB’s are too small?

[Popwood]

I have stock 550 and 750. As for parts, haven't had problems finding parts for either, although I believe the 750 should have more parts available because so many more were made.

I first had the 550 and thought it was fine for fit at my 6' height and 33 inseam. But after having the 750 for awhile, it seems a better fit. My knees bend further up on the 550. And wasn't it called Honda's answer the in "inseam challenged" after the 750 became so popular? The 550 is a bit more "responsive" in terms of maneuverability due largely, I think, to lower weight. On a longer ride, I'd always opt for the 750 as it's a smoother ride and as I said, seems a better fit for me.

[Shadowjack]

A lot of you guys mention the seat height as defining whether a given bike is too small or not, but after getting off a CB750 onto CB500, at 6' 1", it's the shorter distance from the seat to the (stock) bars, and the relatively forward-mounted pegs that struck me as less comfortable. I know the modern style is to have only two choices for riding position: either way back like a cruiser or way forward like a crotch rocket, but I like to sit more upright or even a little bit forward, so the horizontal dimension makes a difference. Lowering the bars on the CB500 just hunched me over so I went back to stock. Made me feel like I was riding with my hands on my knees. Of course, I could get some 2-foot apes...

[dna_level_c7]

I feel pretty comfortable on my 77' CB750K even though I have also been told I look a little big on it. I sat on my buddy's 97 Honda Shadow A.C.E. and it was a totally different feel. I didn't want to take it for a spin because I didn't have my helmet... 

I'm 6'4" 280lbs - 34" inseam.

[trueblue]

There are quite a few tall and narrow folks here!  I have passed out at 190lbs and y'all are even less than that.  WoW  trueblue, do you exist at 155? hehe

Yeah I do exist, mind you I have been told that if I stand sideways and stick out my tongue I look like a zipper

[Deltarider]

For optimal pleasure in riding (and safety!) a bike should fit you like a glove.
Isn't it strange that in even the cheapest (or smallest) car you can adjust your seat, where on even the more expensive motorcycles - with a few exceptions - you can adjust... nothing?
Makes you think. Why do we bikers accept this?
 

[tango911]

just make sure you get the right piercings to go along with it!!!   

[IndyFour]

I'm 6'3" and about 200 lbs.  My 550 feels pretty good, although I'd probably fit better on a 750.  As someone above stated, the issue is not so much the height of the seat as it is the distance between the pegs and the seat.  I struggled to get comfortable at first on my bike until I changed out the bars.  Went from stock bars to drag bars and the difference was night/day.  For me, a slightly crouched position is more comfortable as I always felt like I was sitting on my tailbone with the stock bars.  I have a 36-37" sleeve (I'm an ape!) so the reach to drag bars feel plenty comfy for me.

I also bought a spare set of peg assemblies from someone a while back thinking that I would try to mod them somehow (weld an extension maybe?) to lower the peg by an inch or so....but haven't tried that yet.  As the bike stands now, i'm pretty pleased with the riding position, so I'll probably keep it the way it is with the drag bars and may not even mess with the pegs.  I did a trip with a local group this fall and after riding 300 miles/5 hrs, I felt pretty good.

So yes, I think that tall guys can get comfortable on a smaller bike...you may just have to tweak it a bit.

[tango911]

agree indy, but im 6'1,  the 550 is perfect for me,  the 750 in todays standards is still a small bike, but prob the best fit for anyone over 6' that wants to ride vintage hondas.
look at the diff perspectives vs the Honda Dream

69 Dream  vs.  71 CL175 Scrambler


69 Dream vs. 74 cb550


69 Dream vs. 96 XR250