Topic: 1st bike. Cb550 or Cb750??

[Mightyzebo]

Hi there. I'm  a new biker. Just passed my test a few months a go. I'm wanting to get either a cb550 or cb750. Any advice on which bike would we better? Is there much difference in performance? Etc...  Thank you.

[Stev-o]

Welcome and congrats.   Both are great bikes, I tend to advise new riders to start with a smaller bike. I would suggest the 550, it's about 100 pounds lighter, easier to maneuver around when parking, etc.
The stock seat height on the 750 is a little higher too, that may come into play depending on your height. Shop for go look at both and try them on for size, you may answer your own question.
BTW - where are you?

[goldarrow]

Welcome.   750 is obviously much more power.  550 is much more nimble.  Both are great bikes.  Get both. 

[strynboen]

just go for the nicest bike ,to the best preis..near you.

..they are both good bikes..500/550 a bit easyer to throv araund..750 more like a lokomotiv..pulls harder....but almost same top speed...the 550 goes easy the ton..750 a bit more...

best get both bikes....

[dhall57]

Welcome from North Carolina Mighty. I agree both are great bikes. My last sohc 4 in the 70's was a very nice 1976 CB550 that I sold in the late 70's before getting married. Fast forward 30 years and I finally got a CB750K6 in 2009 the same time I joined the forum. You can't go wrong with either bike IMO.

[Mightyzebo]

Thanks a lot. I'm thinking maybe the 550 as I'm only 5ft 9. Less chance of dropping it and easier to get round corners. I'm from North England by the way. Thanks again

[strynboen]

think you gets more bike for money on a 500/550...evt bay a later k3..they have all updates in the serie...but the big sidesignals steals some magig..the older looks better..but kosts more...the 1978 are the less populær modells ,,so kosts less...but runs best..

[flatlander]

Thanks a lot. I'm thinking maybe the 550 as I'm only 5ft 9. Less chance of dropping it and easier to get round corners. I'm from North England by the way. Thanks again

come on, 5ft 9 is not THAT small 
where and how are you going to ride the bike? north of england makes me think of lots of single lane roads, twists and turns where handling would be more important than sheer power. so here's another vote for 550. or check out the 400, just to throw a third one in the mix?

[strynboen]

400 are to small for real fun...its only for kollektors..who real likes the form over funktion....400 are my dream bike. ..but for a first..and ?only.. go for the fun...and bay a 500/550/750...garentee fun and power...400 are a bit to slow for a daily runner..you vill be last,,in all runs..its not fun to be last..bike all day...

but still..400 four is the most beatufull bike honda ever made..i have one at the attic...somday..it vill be on road..

[SteveD CB500F]

Hi Jamie (?)

Pop in to www.sohc.co.uk and chat to the UK Chapter. There are bound to be people local to you.

Use  the same username so that we recognise you!

Steve

[Retro Rocket]

Bought my first road bike at 16 years of age, a K1 750 with a worked engine, I found it easy to ride and very maneuverable, they are low powered compared to modern bikes, for example, the 2008 to 2014 CB400 has around the same HP... 

[Born to be mild]

I would suggest that you opt for the 500/550 first just to get some experience in before investing in the 750 if you choose to do that. Here in the UK the 750's fetch top prices and the smaller bikes are less, take your time and be choosey and you should end up with a 550 that if you decide to upgrade, you will be able to sell for what you gave for it. Don't forget that power wise we are pretty restricted by road traffic laws in the UK so its very rare that you get to really use a bikes potential anyway. Do join the UK forum as well as this one, that's excellent advice from steveD, Im a new boy myself and am still getting to grips with my own 750 but I think that I would have been equally happy with the smaller capacity if that helps.

[B-EZ]

At 5'9" myself, I find the 750 a little tall and a little difficult to maneuver around the driveway and parking lots but have no problem riding it. Haven't ridden a 500/550 (yet) so I'm no help there.

[alopez2470]

I have a 1977 cb550k and love it. I've had it 4 years now and I'm very happy with it. I do want a 750 but would never consider selling my 550 for it. I've hit 115 no problem on it and drove for about 3 hours doing 80+mph. You won't be disappointed with a cb550. Knowing what I know now if I had to choose between the two It would All come down to price to quality ratio between the two.
So search for both and then decide based on cost:quality