Starting on a CB1100 as a first bike

[omarj_imp]

Hi Nortoon,

Are you referring to this:
http://powersports.honda.com/2017/cb500f.aspx

If I understand correctly, the same engine that's in this machine, is in the rebel 500. My sense of taste I guess would be more into the 'classic/retro' look. Something about the round headlight just fancies me. Awhile back I was looking at the V7 from Moto Guzzi, however there's not many shops that would help with maintenance around my area. As I prefer to slowly gain knowledge over the coming years and do my own maintenance I'd like to make sure there were a few close ones around me that'd do the job correctly while I learn.

@HB9400

I'm 5'10. Similar to the above answer I do like the classic retro look. I'd buy a CB750 in a heart beat if they had a modern one out.

[Nortoon_imp]

Hi Nortoon,

Are you referring to this:
http://powersports.honda.com/2017/cb500f.aspx

If I understand correctly, the same engine that's in this machine, is in the rebel 500. My sense of taste I guess would be more into the 'classic/retro' look. Something about the round headlight just fancies me. Awhile back I was looking at the V7 from Moto Guzzi, however there's not many shops that would help with maintenance around my area. As I prefer to slowly gain knowledge over the coming years and do my own maintenance I'd like to make sure there were a few close ones around me that'd do the job correctly while I learn.

@HB9400

I'm 5'10. Similar to the above answer I do like the classic retro look. I'd buy a CB750 in a heart beat if they had a modern one out.

That is the naked model of the CB500 line. There is also a sport and adventure model. I rode the adventure model the 3 previous summers and traded it in on my CB1100 EX.

The Rebel appealed to me too because of its retro look. Something about a model with a round headlight, fenders and exposed motor that says MOTORCYCLE. I am sure you will enjoy it.

[Cormanus]

It would be good to have a member buy a Rebel. They could tell us all about it.

It's a tried and true motor in the CB500 range.

[PowerDubs_imp]

[chync_imp]

I have to add my 2 cents and agree with getting a proper starter bike. I rode as a teen and was quite competent. It was a dirt bike but I had mastered it. In the dirt. Skip ahead 30 years and I realized I had given up a pass time I truly loved and wasn't sure why. So at 49 I got my license. I read all the advice in not going too big and I'm glad I heeded it. Because I considered myself a good rider from my youth it was tempting to think I could "skip a grade" and quickly get up to speed on a bike I would want to keep long term. I'm so glad I didn't go down that path. Riding on the street after so many years I really was starting over. There are so many skills that you must master simultaneously to ride safely in the road with traffic and people that are primarily looking for other cars and not motorcycles. It was a bit overwhelming at first. Having a light bike with anemic power took a couple of variables out of the complex equation. My first bike was a brand new Honda cb500x. Best decision I made. I had decided I also wanted to eliminate the variable if a used bike from the equation. The bike wasn't that difficult to master itself but the complete picture of negotiating traffic, learning how to negotiate curves at a speed I could safely handle, and even safely stopping was easier in a bike that wasn't too big, heavy, or unforgiving. I think because the bike was manageable I was able to progress rather quickly. Had I dropped the bike or had an accident in my learning phase I might have given up. And when I felt I was ready for something bigger it was clear to me. The great thing is that Honda has a great resale value and there were plenty of new riders looking for an entry level bike that it sold in a week. The Honda line of 500's were specifically designed to meet European staged licensing for new riders. You aren't allowed to ride anything bigger than a 500cc bike at first. I would get a bike 450 pounds or less and no more than 500cc's. either get a cheap used one or a new one that you can resell if taken care of.


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[nhawk7504_imp]

I sat on the Rebel 500. So comfortable. Same motor as the CB500(F,R,X). Has cult status in Thailand and Asia already. Very nice machine and plenty of motor.

[LongRanger_imp]

The styling baffles me.

[hb9400_imp]

The new Rebels are funny to me in that it seems the Honda engineers decided to steal ideas blatantly from Yamaha's Star Bolt. I've tested the Bolt a few times and would have bought the 2014 RSpec version if it were available at the time. I held off for a year and then decided on the CB1100. I really enjoyed the test rides and the engine feels much stronger in the lighter Bolt than the 950Ts that I have owned and with much better ground clearance. Additionally the Belt drive would be less maintenance than the chain on the Rebels.

[baxtercat_imp]

manageable power and displacement, lightweight, FI, mechanically simple, Japanese engineering Yamaha SR400 excellent first bike

[LongRanger_imp]

Completely agree, but the fact that it lacks an electric boot is probably a show-stopper for some. Trying to kick-start a stalled bike in traffic can be overwhelming, even for an experienced rider. I wonder why Yamaha decided to omit an electric starter?