I know this isn't a vintage scooter question but it is vintage bike AND I know quite a few of you have had these bikes.
I am looking for a daily commuter with the capability of some short touring.
I like the style of the 70's decade Honda CBs.
Will a CB360 be enough or should I keep my eye out for something bigger like a 550?
Should I look for a model with 2 carbs or four?

I am 49, 200 pounds and would like at least on two wheeler to have a push button start, decent braking, and low chance or roadside breakdowns. Should I save myself some headache and just get a modern Triumph Bonneville?

CB750 K5

CB350/360 are over-revving junk.

CB200t for looks, toss the rest in the bin and buy an xs650 from 74-77.
If you like torque, get an xs650.
If you like to rev to the moon, get a cb550/750.
If you like going painfully slow, get a cb/cl 360.
If you want torque and handling while looking good, get a vintage british twin and be prepared to learn to wrench on it.
If you like torque, reving, looking like a turd and also wrenching, get a vintage british triple.

I also like cb350 fours but only because the big motor is so tiny.

i'm kinda partial to the cb160's... but i like small stuff.

You might want to look into that new Sym that's basically a CB125 bored to a 150... supposedly decent performers, POC Phil swears by them

My wife has one of these. Her attachment to it has allowed me to borrow her Frankenbretta more as of late. Not terribly fast or torquey, but it will pull into the 70s. Fuel injected. Quite comfortable. An aftermarket is starting to appear stateside and is big in Japan. You can even add a kick start.

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/TU250X/2012/TU250X.aspx

+1 on the Suzuki TU250X. We've been working with a customer of ours to modify his over the past year. It's a perfect in-town monster, and has been dead reliable.

Early Incarnation:



He's changed the bars, tires & side covers again (forgot to take a new photo)

Prices are cheap to buy new, and cheaper to buy used since most folk don't keep 250cc bikes for long if they're looking to move up.


http://scranton.craigslist.org/mcy/3013980729.html

$2,900 isn't too shabby. They'd probably take less.

-=Tom

Are you looking for something your scooter can't do? Like hi-way riding or comfortable long distance rides? The cb350's aren't going to be much faster than a p200. I would go for something 500cc on up. I kinda dig the 80's hondas like an Ascot or nighthawk s. Or a little later like a Hawk GT (wish I kept mine). But if you want older what Peter said would be a good choice.

Of all the CB's I have had or ridden, my favorite classic(ish) was a '78 CB400T Hawk. It was bulletproof and would cruise 2 up easily at 70mph. Its only downside was poor fuel economy -45mpg at best. The bike I wish I'd never sold was a '89 Honda Hawk GT650. Truly a bike before its time.

If I were in the market for an inexpensive, comfortable, and bulletproof blend of old and modern, I'd look at another Suzuki Bandit 600 - especially the naked version. They run like an older Gixxer but are comfy like an old CB.

And if I were just throwing money around, I'd buy a new Moto Guzzi V7.

If you love your scooters, buy a motorcycle that is clean and needs virtually no upkeep. Whenever I end up bringing a motorcycle home, it ends up gathering dust until the scooter breaks down.

Thanks for all the input. I do like the Suzuki TU250 but I think they are too small for my purpose.

If I go vintage, I am now leaning towards the 1970-1975 Honda CB750K

Good choice. They're fairly common, but the prices are climbing due to the cafe racer fad going around. Earlier models with the roundslide/non-cv carbs are better IMHO but the later models get better brakes.

My co-workers just sold the "shop" '79 DOHC CB750K I'd bashed back together to ride around for awhile. Probably a big mistake on my part letting it go, but it did pay for my trip to PVSC and I'm finally working on my triumph, so it's not all bad...

-=Tom

I have a '74 CB 350F that I need to get running. People seem to have these bikes on Craigslist all the time.

Goddamn Tom, you guys do some tasteful stuff down there. Especially love the little fleur de lis on the case. Well well done. Not too sure about the no fender part, I'd want fenders if I rode down there! But whatever the dude wants.

I got one of those brand new Aprilia Manas for $5999. A 2009 but brand new. A twist and go 850cc motorcycle. Three different transmission modes. Weird stuff. Somebody in my club told me about this sale. You will never see a deal this good. The suspension is kind of soft but it's the ultimate commuter, and that is exactly what I need these days.

It's like a grown up SV650. Which is another bike I'd take a close look at. I had one and if it wasn't for the seat I'd still have it.

I had a CB650 Custom back in the day, my first "real" motorcycle (my very first two wheeler was a Honda MB5), but with the longhorn handlebars, the looks have not aged well. Those are good motors though, and a wet sump motor rather than the dry sump of the older CB750s.

Hmmmmmm.... I could offer $400

1982 Honda CB750F supersport motorcycle
Honda CB750F motorcycle pretty much a complete bike, not sure what it needs to run.
I got it from a friend and have no use for it. It does have a Corbin gunfighter seat which is in decent shape.
Im selling this for parts or will take trades try me. $850 obo



http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/3075463524.html

I'm going to be parting an 80 CB750 soon if you get one of them and need parts. Or drive to Wyoming and buy it from me for 250 bucks- no title.