1982 Honda CB900 Custom as first bike

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bluecamel · #1 Unread post by **bluecamel** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:28 am

Hey everyone! I just took and passed my MSF last weekend and am now shopping around for my first bike. Actually, I already had my license and own a 150cc scooter that I've been riding for a few months so I have a bit of experience up to 60mph

Anyhow, I'm 6'2" so I need something I can fit on. Traditional starter bikes (Rebel, Nighthawk, Eliminator, etc) in the 250cc range are too cramped for me. I've been eyeing the 1970s and 1980s Honda CBs and really like the looks of them. I sat on a 74 and it felt good. Anyhow, I'm going to look at a 1982 Honda CB900 Custom (http://topeka.craigslist.org/mcy/421855387.html) hopefully tonight and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this bike. Both as a potential buyer (what should I look for on this particular bike) and also is it even a good first bike? I realize that a 900 might be a bit big to start out, but I feel comfortable with it and have enough patience to not try to go 100mph the first time I ride the bike...or even the 100th. I love life too much to be that stupid!

Well, thanks a ton in advance for any advice!

Branton

Artticus · #2 Unread post by **Artticus** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:56 am

hey

I actually was just in the same situation. I had a stella scooter with 150cc love the thing had to sell when I moved out of the country. But as soon as I got back i decided to get a motorcycle. After alot of looking i found a 1982 honda cm450c Great bike just enough ccs for me to start with after about a month of ownership I still like like it. I think I could handle more but right now I just wanted to work on praticing my skills and then move up to a bigger bike in a year.

Im about the same size as you so take this all as you want.

450 is not bad gets me around town very easy and even on the freeway going 75 - 80 mph. I think 900 would just make me make more mistakes and thats not what I want.

Hope this helps,

Josh

Let me know if you need more help

bluecamel · #3 Unread post by **bluecamel** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:14 pm

Hey, thanks for the response. I actually got to see and ride it earlier this evening. I'm in love. I'm going to have a mechanic check it out, but I think it's going to be under my butt by next week. There was a slight tinging noise that I'm not sure about, but otherwise ran really nice.

The funny thing is that it doesn't really seem super powerful. It kind of eases up there. Of course, I only got it into 3rd gear (about 55 mph), but it felt smooth.

Does yours have upper and lower gear shifters? That was a completely new concept for me and I'm not sure I entirely understand when that's useful. Obviously it gives you an extra boost when you're in 6th and want a little more juice (because 82mph is a little more fun than 80, I guess), but I'm sure there's some technique to using it in lower gears as well.

Oh, and one more question, since you're the same height. Do you ride with your toes back behind the shifter and brake and then move forward to do something? It seems that when I ride with my toes above them, I have to hold them up constantly to keep from accidentally shifting or braking. That's probably a goofy question and I'm sure I'll make sense of it after riding for a while, but maybe you have some insight.

Thanks!

erbgottie · Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:43 pm

hey, welcome to the forum and congrats on finding a bike. One of my neighbors friends has a old 900 and I think they're pretty sweet bike. The clutch (upper shifter) and foot shifter (lower shifter) is normal on most any bike. Get used to the bike, take it easy, and enjoy the ride!

bluecamel · #5 Unread post by **bluecamel** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:37 am

Actually, I was talking about an upper and lower shifter by the foot (in addition to the clutch). I've since learned that this bike is called a 10-speed, because each of the 5 gears can be in low or high. Still not sure all of the ways that's advantageous.

Thanks. I'm digging this forum already

Artticus · #6 Unread post by **Artticus** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:06 am

I just rest my feet on the pegs and point them away from the bike till i need to shift or brake and move them over.

Once you get riding you'll get the hang of it.

Josh

flynrider · Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:18 am

bluecamel wrote:Actually, I was talking about an upper and lower shifter by the foot (in addition to the clutch). I've since learned that this bike is called a 10-speed, because each of the 5 gears can be in low or high. Still not sure all of the ways that's advantageous.

Thanks. I'm digging this forum already

The CB900 was sort of an oddball when it came out with the dual range 5-speed transmission. The idea never really caught on.

Basically, the idea is that you use the low range for city riding and swich to the high range on the highway. In my opinion, it never really made that much difference. I rode one for about 6 months and it stayed in the low range most of the time. The only time I'd shift to high was on long highway runs.

bluecamel · Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:39 am

How did you like the bike? Thoughts on it being a good commuter and occasional get the hell out of town to camp bike?

Thanks!

bluecamel · #9 Unread post by **bluecamel** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:37 pm

I got it! My new friends at a local shop looked it over for me and confirmed that it's pretty much the greatest thing ever to have rolled on two wheels. It's absolutely gorgeous and I feel very unworthy. I have much to learn (proper shifting, for starters), but I'm in love and very happy with my decision.

Thanks to all for the advice!

Branton

erbgottie · Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:11 pm

that's awesome that you got the 900, can we get some pics of you and the new love now?