QuestionHello, I have a chance to buy a 1982-3 cb900 . It will be my first bike!
I believe it has hi low transmission. What are the pros cons of this type- any headaches or hi maintenance for this bike.
They want $1,900.can for it .
It has 19,000K's on it.
It seems ok but Just wanted some advice as to what to be aware of with this bike.
Thank you,...Rolan
AnswerHi Roland.
Well, to start with $1900 for a bike that is, at best worth about $1500 (bluebook value), the bike had better be in showroom condition. Not to say that it's a bad bike. Quite the contrary; it's a Honda, after all. However, the "Hondamatic" gets really horrible gas mileage for a bike. Even Harleys do better and their milage sucks.
Secondly, unless you have ridden a lot on other people's bikes, then a 900cc bike will kill you. As a first bike, you want something that is no bigger than about 600cc's. 750cc's if it is a cruiser (Honda Shadow Aero, for example). Anything else will want to (as pilots say) get ahead of you. You want a bike that has enough power to have fun with but not so much that it will allow you to do something increadibly dumb. Remember that motorcycles do not tolerate errors like a car will and if you do something that allows for an accident to happen, then an accident will happen. A bike that is too big for you will do just that. As a rider with 25 years of everyday riding experience, as well as having ridden professionally, I can say that I have seen guys and gals with new bikes that were too big to start on and they either killed them, severely injured them or scared the bejeezes out of them. They no longer ride. Look for a bike in the 450cc - 650cc range as a first bike. Get one that is a bit newer as well, unless the previous owner has kept a detailed maintainence history or you get the bike from a reputable shop. I would like to see you stay on the road and live long enough to enjoy it for years to come.
Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON
