Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Howdy all-

I've been lurking on this forum for awhile, soaking up info, and very appreciative of all the contributions. I've not started riding yet, but am *really* looking forward to taking the MSF course in 2 weeks. And I'm starting to think about getting a used bike, assuming the weekend goes well (which it will!).

I'm 47, will be heeding the advice concerning starting with a reasonable beginner bike, but do want it to at least be ok on the highway (which I know most starter bikes are). I found a *great* local shop that sells gear and does maintainance. I got into a conversation with one of the guys working there, who is thinking about selling his 1981 Honda CM400. He says he's had it for the past several years, loves it, and has it well maintained. In addition to being a "fun" bike to ride, reliability and safety are essential for me.

A couple questions:

1) Is this a decent bike for someone just starting (couldn't find much about it on the web)?
2) Even if in "good" condition, should I be thinking about a newer bike (ie, one within the past decade or so)? What are the issues here?
3) Any other advice is most welcome....Thanks.

If the price is right, go for it. Especially being locally owned by a bike shop guy! The possible maintenance and repair issues will be a piece of cake for you even if you aren't mechanically inclined. My bike is older than that one, and I occasionally find myself busy fixing something. The more you ride it, though, the easier it is to keep it up. Just kindof becomes a routine. He can help you with this, and you can upgrade after you learn to ride.

Learning on a UJM is my personal recommendation, if possible, because of the user friendly riding position. I know they can be a bit top-heavy for a beginner, but this can be a great learning tool, too. You will learn the friction zone to stay safe in slow speed maneuvering sitiations very rapidly on a UJM, because it really is a necessary skill. Duckwalking these bikes is more difficult than most modern bikes, due to weight or seat height issues.

Besides, they're so cheap, who can resist?

My first bike was a 81 CB400T which I bought in 84 at age 52. Later after 80k miles on a CB750K, I bought a CM400A with 2k miles on it. Last year after many years of splashing through the salt water winter streets of NE Ohio it was badly rusted with fenders falling off but was still running like new with 98k miles on it. Unless it was badly abused by someone somewhere along the line, those old Honda CB/CM400/450 twins from the early 80's would run forever.

I now go everywhere on 500cc twins and can keep up or ahead of traffic anywhere. It's all you need after you learn to fully utilize it's potential, but you will want to try more bike like everyone does after you master the 400/500cc bike. Spent the last few years running with liter bikes in the mountain twisties with my half liter bikes. Have dialed it back a bit in the past year or so trying to act my age.

Just a few years back we picked up a 81 CM400C (same bike-different cosmetics) for our daughter to learn on. She got through the class fine but never did much riding after that. My wife and I pressed it into a commuter/around town bike. We put about another 17000 miles on it while we had it and let it go. This bike was so easy to ride it was silly. Decent power and a solid 50 mpg no matter what you did or how you rode it. Ran like a top always. Sold it for more than we paid too. I wouldn't want to do 2 up for major distance but you could do day trips easily. Solo- go where you want.

Conclusion: Great starter bike that will serve you well for years to come.