Topic: TOP TEN TEST!

[Operator]

Coincidentally, due to a blown clutch cable I rode this to work today.

It is my wife's pride and joy, 1982 Honda Passport C70. She tracked down all the original parts for it and brought it back to life.

And yes, I am reminded a couple times a year that her bike ranked #1 and mine did not. Especially on days lke today when I don't have a choice. (the secret is.......it's pretty fun to ride)

[Rgconner]

I'm sorry, but a Vespa is not a motorcycle. No scooter is; they're all just motorized roller skates, after all. It's hard to believe it's ranked higher than a Harley knucklehead in this video. Shameful.

The '750 is an all-round fabulous bike... just a bit too big for my tastes. Thank Honda for the CB550. Great bike as well, but in a more managable size

You have no clue.

There are 850cc scooters, made by Piaggio (Vespa's actual manufacture) under the Aprilla brand. Vespa's come in 50cc to 278, and possibly a 344 coming next year.

And the #1 Cub is no different from a scooter, it is step through like a scooter and has a legshield and floorboards depending on the model.

I own a Vespa 250GTS and a CB550. The Vespa is nearly as capable except for Interstate freeway speeds, it tops out (rev limiter actually) at 79.

It is more capable than the CB550 for what it was designed for: In city errands. It sure as hell has more storage than the CB's!

[SohRon]

I'm sorry, but a Vespa is not a motorcycle. No scooter is; they're all just motorized roller skates, after all. It's hard to believe it's ranked higher than a Harley knucklehead in this video. Shameful.

The '750 is an all-round fabulous bike... just a bit too big for my tastes. Thank Honda for the CB550. Great bike as well, but in a more managable size

You have no clue.

There are 850cc scooters, made by Piaggio (Vespa's actual manufacture) under the Aprilla brand. Vespa's come in 50cc to 278, and possibly a 344 coming next year.

And the #1 Cub is no different from a scooter, it is step through like a scooter and has a legshield and floorboards depending on the model.

I own a Vespa 250GTS and a CB550. The Vespa is nearly as capable except for Interstate freeway speeds, it tops out (rev limiter actually) at 79.

It is more capable than the CB550 for what it was designed for: In city errands. It sure as hell has more storage than the CB's!

Sorry, bud, but you're just not gonna change my mind on this. I've ridden a few of those scooters and they're just that: a scooter! Just great for chuckles, not for serious driving. And, after all, this is just my opinion...   

[Rgconner]

I'm sorry, but a Vespa is not a motorcycle. No scooter is; they're all just motorized roller skates, after all. It's hard to believe it's ranked higher than a Harley knucklehead in this video. Shameful.

The '750 is an all-round fabulous bike... just a bit too big for my tastes. Thank Honda for the CB550. Great bike as well, but in a more managable size

You have no clue.

There are 850cc scooters, made by Piaggio (Vespa's actual manufacture) under the Aprilla brand. Vespa's come in 50cc to 278, and possibly a 344 coming next year.

And the #1 Cub is no different from a scooter, it is step through like a scooter and has a legshield and floorboards depending on the model.

I own a Vespa 250GTS and a CB550. The Vespa is nearly as capable except for Interstate freeway speeds, it tops out (rev limiter actually) at 79.

It is more capable than the CB550 for what it was designed for: In city errands. It sure as hell has more storage than the CB's!

Sorry, bud, but you're just not gonna change my mind on this. I've ridden a few of those scooters and they're just that: a scooter! Just great for chuckles, not for serious driving. And, after all, this is just my opinion...   

No problem, I can respect an honestly closed mind. I won't try and change it.

[Deltarider]

I've owned both models. A CB750 is much more powerful,

Not that 'much more' when you compare the specs. My point was and is: the 500/550 has a better power/weight ratio than the 750. To my knowledge was the 500 the first 4-stroke motorcycle that touched the magical 100hp per 1000cc. In those years BMW kept repeating: 50 hp is enough for a motorcycle, period. (look at them now  )

Not many advantages to having alot less horsepower available. (except for a beginner)

Not 'alot less'. You only have to compare the specs. The point is: I like to ride the bike and I don't like the bike to ride me. But I'll be a sport: lets meet on a curvy mountainroad (I maintain thats were the fun is) someday you on a CB 750 and me on a CB 500 and I show you who the beginner is.

[Rigid]

"serious driving?" is that like you can't smile or have fun?  If thats the case, my Honda Express is out cause I love riding that thing.  50cc is my limit though, no sense taking all the fun out of it with license plates, insurance, and seriously uptight A holes that won't wave because you don't have a horizontally mounted gas tank.  From the Roketa Geely I just got running, to my Harley Dyna, I enjoy them all.

[Tews19]

Rigid, are KCC? You joined the site the same time he left and you have a boat load of post alreadt?

[Rigid]

Just have lots of opinions on these old Hondas, and plenty of spare time. Do you mean KFC? The chicken guys?

[Rgconner]

"serious driving?" is that like you can't smile or have fun?  If thats the case, my Honda Express is out cause I love riding that thing.  50cc is my limit though, no sense taking all the fun out of it with license plates, insurance, and seriously uptight A holes that won't wave because you don't have a horizontally mounted gas tank.  From the Roketa Geely I just got running, to my Harley Dyna, I enjoy them all.

Yeah, California and many other states don't have that exemption. So "go big" is the norm.

[bjatwood]

I have alot of fun o my HKO Trail 70 banging the gears around town. Not much offroading with it since I did do a ALL parts off the frame restoration on it a couple years  back. But around town it's a blast from the past!

[754]

 Are you are sure about the 500 being first to be 100 hp for 1000cc.. the 350 twin was rated at 36 hp for 325cc in 1970..

[Retro Rocket]

Rigid, are KCC? You joined the site the same time he left and you have a boat load of post alreadt?

Yes, its King, extremely obvious to some.....

[Retro Rocket]

Not 'alot less'. You only have to compare the specs. The point is: I like to ride the bike and I don't like the bike to ride me. But I'll be a sport: lets meet on a curvy mountainroad (I maintain thats were the fun is) someday you on a CB 750 and me on a CB 500 and I show you who the beginner is.

I don't think he was calling you a beginner but I  would entertain that on a 750, they are definitely not a big bike, a little heavy but not big. I'm not a big guy and have no trouble at all throwing the 750's around, lack of ground clearance was the only problem, rearsets fix that...  I doubt the gearbox on your 500 would survive chasing down a well set up 750....    Just playin     

[trueblue]

in all this conversation I haven't seen one mention of the 650, almost the power of the 750 and the weight of the 550  , and yeah rigid is definately KCC.

[Deltarider]

The '750 is an all-round fabulous bike... just a bit too big for my tastes. Thank Honda for the CB550. Great bike as well, but in a more managable size

I agree. Back then a 500cc motorcycle was regarded as a heavy bike. The 750 was a superbike, developped to bomb the motorcycle market. I'm always a bit amazed by people that are attracted to heavy bikes. I've seen them struggle with their 600cc and more heavyweights in the Sahara where a 350cc could have been so much more fun.
I've had my 500 since 1979 and I've always been able to do anything I want with it. I could cruise at 140 km/h on the German Autobahns for hours on end. In France, Spain or Greece, I could always leave the asfalt and, standing on the footpegs, find nice camping spots in the wild. What would I need a heavier bike for? 99% of the time you ride them the way a 500 or 550 can offer you just as well and if you really use the extra power, it's eating the rear tire at an alarming rate.
Two-up is another thing. I don't like it personally. Had to choose a Goldwing Interstate for that once, but riding it the Wing never gave me the pleasure a smaller bike does.

in all this conversation I haven't seen one mention of the 650, almost the power of the 750 and the weight of the 550

You're right. A 650 would be my maximum. If I had to buy a bike today, it would probably be a Honda Transalp or a Suzuki V-Strom. They offer all you need and the whole world, including unsurfaced roads, lies open for you.
But... believe me for travelling and meeting people a pedal bike is best.

[736cc]

Another consideration is the size of the rider; a little person fits a little motorcycle like the 550, and can't handle a real full-sized motorcycle like the CB750, and feet can't reach the ground at a stop. How tall and how much you weigh?

I like to ride the bike and I don't like the bike to ride me. But I'll be a sport: lets meet on a curvy mountainroad (I maintain thats were the fun is) someday you on a CB 750 and me on a CB 500 and I show you who the beginner is.

Sounds like fun to me! I don't know what you consider mountains in the Netherlands, but around here, the fun mountain roads are extremely FAST roads w/ looooooooooooong downhills, high-speed sweeping curves and your bike better have balls at top-end speed because its usually full-throttle flat-out. And pulling outa a hairpin, a slow-revving 550 would be left in the dust. Bye-bye! Loser buys lunch at the cafe at the other side!
Top speed for a stock CB750 around  120. A CB500/550 would be lucky to hit 95.

Do you want to do it w/ original stock equipment?



Or in modified form?

But... believe me for travelling and meeting people a pedal bike is best.

I will agree w/ you there. My ol' lady and I invariably plan our vacations with pedal biking at the destination. Martha's Vineyard, Block Island and Nantucket are perfect islands for bicycles.

[Gordon]

I've owned both models. A CB750 is much more powerful,

Not that 'much more' when you compare the specs. My point was and is: the 500/550 has a better power/weight ratio than the 750.

I don't want to join an argument over which is better, because I own both and like them both, but the statement that the 500 & 550 have a better power to weight ratio than the 750 is not true. 

At the dry weight my 550 has a ratio of 8.5: 1, and the 750 is 7.1: 1.  Add the weight of gas, oil and a 175 lb rider, and the power gap gets even bigger.  550 = 12.7: 1.   750 = 10.3: 1.   

[Deltarider]

Another consideration is the size of the rider; a little person fits a little motorcycle like the 550, and can't handle a real full-sized motorcycle like the CB750, and feet can't reach the ground at a stop. How tall and how much you weigh?

I'm 196cm and weigh 90 kgs and must confess riding position is not as good as on the 550K3. That's about the only advantage a 550K3 has IMO.

I like to ride the bike and I don't like the bike to ride me. But I'll be a sport: lets meet on a curvy mountainroad (I maintain thats were the fun is) someday you on a CB 750 and me on a CB 500 and I show you who the beginner is.

Sounds like fun to me! I don't know what you consider mountains in the Netherlands, but around here, the fun mountain roads are extremely FAST roads w/ looooooooooooong downhills, high-speed sweeping curves and your bike better have balls at top-end speed because its usually full-throttle flat-out. And pulling outa a hairpin, a slow-revving 550 would be left in the dust. Bye-bye! Loser buys lunch at the cafe at the other side!

Don't make me laugh. The only biker I met overthere that knew how to ride, turned out to be a retired German after he lifted his helmet. The man was in the States to visit his son. All other riders we've seen, seemed to have received their permit for free without any training whatsoever. Not surprising for a country that has the dullest race in the world (Indianapolis)/
In the Alps (Switzerland, France, Italy) you'll find the roads I love. Not much fun for a CB750, I'm afraid, for a 650 yes.

Top speed for a stock CB750 around  120. A CB500/550 would be lucky to hit 95.

Official topspeed for the European 500 models is 179 km/h. All 550's except for the early 550F and F1 were slower due to increased weight. My 500K2 does 170 km/h and even 185 km/h but that's on the dynostand.

[736cc]

Don't make me laugh. The only bikerider I met overthere that knew how to ride, turned out (after he lifted his helmet) to be a retired German that was in the States to visit his son. All other riders we've seen, seemed to have received their permit for free and without any training whatsoever. Not surprising for a country that has the dullest racecircuit in the world (Indy)

When here in the States, folks from Europe are suprised by many things, including how much foreigners from insignificant countries are dissed.
But you are right about one thing (the only thing, btw; the rest of your drivel is being laughed at here by everybody), Europe racetracks definately are awesome.

[Deltarider]

including how much foreigners from insignificant countries are dissed.

Well, there you have it. Need I say more? Go and do some travelling young man.

[Gordon]

I put plenty of miles on both the 550 and the 750 in the Rocky Mountains and the canyons of the foothils, and while both were very capable, I much preferred the 750 for those roads.  I like having lots of power when pulling out of a turn, and the 750 beats out the 550 for that.  It's also plenty nimble for even the tightest corners.  I'm talking 180 degree switchbacks up a mountainside, decreasing radius turns, and everything else the mountains had to throw at me. 

You may prefer the 500 and 550, and that's great (I like them, too), but to say there is not much fun to be had for a 750 in the mountains is just displaying an uninformed and closed-minded dislike of the bike in general. 

[Deltarider]

I've always found weight is not in the right place on a 750 (to high up) but that's my opinion.

[bjatwood]

I learned along time  ago...."there is NO replacement for displacement"

[Duke McDukiedook]

Until you try to pit a 289 Hipo against a modern VTEC engine. 

[Operator]

It's all apples and oranges. There is really no comparison between the 500/550 and 750. They are visually similar but have very differing capabilities. Having owned at some point each one of the 50cc/350cc/500cc/750cc Hondas, not including off road bikes, they are all respectable in their own fashion and serve a legitimate purpose. To bash one model over the other to somehow protect the integrity of what you happen to own is a little on the childish side. Also categorizing riders based on geographic location shows simple ignorance. I suppose I mistakenly read the title of this thread and assumed it was to celebrate the accomplishment of the Honda brand, not a pissing contest about what bike is better......

my 2 cents