Topic: Help making my bike more cruiser friendly/advice on new cruiser

[crumpet8]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to take some longer trips this summer so am considering trading my 1980 cb650 for something with more leg room. Any tips on either making my seating more comfortable or bikes pre 1989 that fit the bill? Pic of my bike attached my knees start hurting after about a half hour, I'm 183 or 6', but all legs and arms.

Right now I'm thinking a goldwing is my best bet, but they don't come up that often with less than 100k km, what's general consensus on major engine work on these at such high mileage?

Cheers,

Dan

[Gene]

I can't speak to engine work since I don't have that history, but I do have an opinion about high-mileage bikes. If they have a lot of miles that means they're being ridden. And being well maintained. You don't to 100K by ignoring the bike. I'm just saying don't dismiss a high-mileage bike outright - it could be a positive sign.

[NobleHops]

Your bike has more potential to fit you better. Some bars closer to stock, a small windscreen, and maybe a refresh on that seat foam could improve your riding position and possibly relieve whatever's ailing your knees.

Or you could buy a Gold Wing 😁

[RAFster122s]

Are you in Canada?

It is a nice 79 cb650... just send it to me, I will relieve you of this burden you are suffering from...

The 750 is roomier but a Wing, even with 100 k km is not bad if it does not have motor issues that turn out to be because of broken timing belt or water pump failure ignored leading to more serious failure due to overheating.  Lack of maintenance or proper maintenance can kill them but they are known to stack on a lot of miles without serious issues.  If left outside the plastics suffer on Interstate models.
A wing is a nice bike, but it is a big bike.  You sure you want one?  Spend some time on one as an operator or passenger.  They soak up the miles better than a lot of bikes.
David

[crumpet8]

Are you in Canada?

It is a nice 79 cb650... just send it to me, I will relieve you of this burden you are suffering from...

The 750 is roomier but a Wing, even with 100 k km is not bad if it does not have motor issues that turn out to be because of broken timing belt or water pump failure ignored leading to more serious failure due to overheating.  Lack of maintenance or on one as an operator or passenger.  They soak up the miles better than a lot of bikes.
David

Not in Canada unfortunately, but have a friend that moved up there for work recently so would like to visit closest I've ridden is maybe my sportster 1200, but they're a whole other beast it seems. Think I'll be happy with the wing, I really like the older 70s and 80s models stripped down without fairings etc., I also don't ride that fast...

Interesting what you mention about the rain. What is the most rain/cold hardy bike in your experience?

[madmtnmotors]

Interesting what you mention about the rain. What is the most rain/cold hardy bike in your experience?

Anything with a full fairing, the bigger the better. Smaller bikes with a full fairing work well, especially with "lowers" that help shield your legs. My knees bother me on longer rides so I mounted highway pegs just to be able to stretch my legs and change knee positions while riding. I will alternate between the standard pegs, passenger pegs, and highway pegs just to give my knees some relief on my CB750. Moving my feet to the passenger pegs occasionally even relieves my low back too. 

[crumpet8]

Ended up buying a vt700 86 model, that sat in a garage for about 10 years with little use.

Day 1 - brush away as much surface rust as I could without taking apart anything.

Day 2 - change out coolant and final drive oil

Tomorrow - waiting on some oil and a filter in the post, but it's happy days and riding already! Thanks for the help everyone its still a little cramped but I love the twistys on a cruiser and I think it'll be fine over the long hauls

[crumpet8]

13.000 miles over 30 years of "use". Sat in the garage of the owners son for the last ten years with minimal use.

[crumpet8]

Interesting what you mention about the rain. What is the most rain/cold hardy bike in your experience?

Anything with a full fairing, the bigger the better. Smaller bikes with a full fairing work well, especially with "lowers" that help shield your legs. My knees bother me on longer rides so I mounted highway pegs just to be able to stretch my legs and change knee positions while riding. I will alternate between the standard pegs, passenger pegs, and highway pegs just to give my knees some relief on my CB750. Moving my feet to the passenger pegs occasionally even relieves my low back too. 

Haha I remember lying on the tank of my cb400n during a 1000km day trip I took. Feet on the passenger pegs, all my weight on the tank for much of the journey.