CB 400 SS vs SG 350 GOOSE

[NOID]

Rito, im looking at two bikes at the moment a honda cb400SS and a suzuki sg350 and i cant for the life of me make up my mind. iv done the pros and cons on paper and still cant make my mind up. im torn :argh:. i love the old look of the CB400SS as i can add cubmans bars and a few other small mod and ill have a sweet looking old school looking cafe racer... but iv hit up my local honda dealer and they havent even heard of them let alone get me parts etc etc for them

the goose is the same although the dealer has heard of them theyve never had deallings with one, so dont know common faults etc. the goose is more of a new style cafe bike.

both bikes have done the same amount of k's and same price. only problem is that i dont have my full so test rides at dealers is a no go and theres no private sales for these bikes around my area, which means going to auckland where both bikes are situated and i dont want to waste my time or the sellers when theres a huge advantage to the other bike

constructive comments on both bikes, faults, advantages etc would be great.

let the banter begin

[megageoff76]

Heres a link to a thread not too long ago about the Goose.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=98152

[ital916]

get a inline 4 cb400 super vtec. Great old school muscle/superbike looks with 52hp. Nicer than the 400ss which is as quick as a wafting fart. Or just get whatever tickles your fancy. As far as cb400s go this is the nicest i've seen.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-246874482.htm

mega retro looks, better than the 400ss cafe look but with a in4 engine pumping out enough to get you around. Buy it. haha

[SVboy]

I seriously considered the Goose, but the oil "sump" and a few other things put me off.

[NOID]

YEA IM NOT INTO GOING FAST FAST I JUST WANT TO PUTT AROUND THE COUNTRY SIDE, IV GOT ACCESS TO 09 CBR750RR IF I WANT GO LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL ANYWHERE :2thumbsup CB400 VTEC IS A NICE BIKE BUT IM AFTER A CAFE STYLED KIND OF BIKE

THANKS megageoff76 IV ALL READ THAT AND IV DONE QUIET A BIT OF READING ON BOTH BIKES, WELL AS MUCH AS I CAN FIND ON THE INTER WEB

THE GOOSE IS LOOKING LIKE THE STONGER BIKE ON THE FACTS THAT PEOPLE HAVE THEM, AND I CAN GET PARTS, THE CB SEEMS TO BE A BIKE KNOW ONE HAS FOR SOME REASON BUT WOULD STILL MAKE A WICKED OLD SCHOOL CAFE BIKE.

WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED IM THINGING I MIGHT JUST BITE THE BULLET AND FLY TO JAFFA LAND WITH SOME CASH IN MY POCKET AND TEST EM BOTH AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

PLEASE ADD MORE COMMENTS ABOUT BOTH BIKES AS IM STILL VERY INTERSTED TO HEAR WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY

THANKS

NOID

[RDjase]

Rito, im looking at two bikes at the moment a honda cb400SS and a suzuki sg350 and i cant for the life of me make up my mind. iv done the pros and cons on paper and still cant make my mind up. im torn :argh:. i love the old look of the CB400SS as i can add cubmans bars and a few other small mod and ill have a sweet looking old school looking cafe racer... but iv hit up my local honda dealer and they havent even heard of them let alone get me parts etc etc for them

the goose is the same although the dealer has heard of them theyve never had deallings with one, so dont know common faults etc. the goose is more of a new style cafe bike.

both bikes have done the same amount of k's and same price. only problem is that i dont have my full so test rides at dealers is a no go and theres no private sales for these bikes around my area, which means going to auckland where both bikes are situated and i dont want to waste my time or the sellers when theres a huge advantage to the other bike

constructive comments on both bikes, faults, advantages etc would be great.

let the banter begin

Have you looked at Yamaha SRX 400 or 600's . Same style and have the XT/TT engine's .
There is a twin shock model and a later single shock version. There is one for sale on trademe I think

www.srx400.co.uk/

www.srx600.f2s.com/srx600/

www.thumpertalk.com/ has some info in all the guf somewere

My girl freind has a 400 and a mate has a hotted up 600. Fun bikes on twisty back roads and GF went to the cold kiwi on her 400 with it loaded up with gear to the max

[Beemer]

I've got a Goose, currently have it up for sale (listing 224151630 on TM) so there is at least one available locally (well, 50kms away). But you would not be covered under my insurance if you don't have your full licence so I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to offer a test ride.

They are great little bikes, go well and fast enough to have fun without worrying about losing your licence. I've never had any trouble with mine and am only selling it because I got something I enjoy more for my birthday. Mine is in mint condition and has always been well maintained and serviced so maybe they only have problems if they are thrashed and not maintained. The second-hand one I rode when looking to buy one was a piece of crap and it nearly put me off. The new one I bought was fantastic.

[NOID]

hay Beemer, i was waiting for you to pop up, as i know you have one. i cant really afford to buy urs it is a very nice excample of a goose , and curranty my screan saver and background on my pc !!! yes the ones i have looked at have 20,000ks on them so more than likely to be crap. yea usally i wouldnt even touch a bike with 10,000ks or more on it. but due to the summer coming and added presure of mates, and limited budget im looking at them

good luck with the sale of your bike dude.

[NOID]

yes iv looked at the SRX 400 and 600, i just dont like the lok for some reason. i was looking at a SR500/400 but there 20yrs old and i want fairly reliable bike and that how i goot back to the cb400SS and the fact that theres some really hot looking cb300/360s on DO THE TONE, and DEUS do the lok really nice.

[kave]

If I could afford to own two bikes or didn't need to regularly take a pillion I would get another goose in a heartbeat. They are such confidence inspiring bikes, handle brilliantly. I really miss mine. Unfortunately they just arent any good for a pillion. Also dont forget to look at a SZR660, they do turn up occasionally.

[avgas]

The CB400SS is basically the spiritual successor for the GB400, same bike, same geometry.
The GB400 is still one of the only honda's i'd ever own.
I have an SRX400 - and while I think the SRX looks sportier, and sounds better.....it lacks the build quality of the GB (and praticality).
My recommendation is whatever you get - make sure its electric start or the kicker is well setup. My SRX pisses me off everytime - lifting footrests to kick over, rubbish.
The goose is a lovely bike, but a bit down in the power department. I would love to work the engine of one and make it a real ducati monster 400 beater.

I dream of SZR660's, fricken unicorns. SR400/500's are sacks of shit - which is why Deus's bikes cost 20K cos they take a shit 1k bike and put 19K of parts on it.
Some members here have nice SR's.......and empty bank accounts. essentially a SR is a GN with a bigger motor. Doable, but not unless you love the bike.

If I were you, and had to pick between the 2 you have there....I would go for the CB400SS. The scrambler one. First thing i would do is up the front forks and chuck a set of Koni's or similar on the back, then caf' bars. That would make a mean bike. But if you look closely for the same money you can buy a GB400/500/600 with this already done....even cheaper. Those NC20 motors will do 200,000km so even at 20 years old they are a good deal.

[Ender EnZed]

both bikes have done the same amount of k's and same price. only problem is that i dont have my full so test rides at dealers is a no go and theres no private sales for these bikes around my area, which means going to auckland where both bikes are situated and i dont want to waste my time or the sellers when theres a huge advantage to the other bike

http://www.motorcyclesonline.net/

Bill Mason out in Bulls had a couple of CB 400 SSs last time I was there. He'd probably let you have a go on one.

[HenryDorsetCase]

The CB400SS is basically the spiritual successor for the GB400, same bike, same geometry.
The GB400 is still one of the only honda's i'd ever own.
I have an SRX400 - and while I think the SRX looks sportier, and sounds better.....it lacks the build quality of the GB (and praticality).
My recommendation is whatever you get - make sure its electric start or the kicker is well setup. My SRX pisses me off everytime - lifting footrests to kick over, rubbish.
The goose is a lovely bike, but a bit down in the power department. I would love to work the engine of one and make it a real ducati monster 400 beater.

I dream of SZR660's, fricken unicorns. SR400/500's are sacks of shit - which is why Deus's bikes cost 20K cos they take a shit 1k bike and put 19K of parts on it.
Some members here have nice SR's.......and empty bank accounts. essentially a SR is a GN with a bigger motor. Doable, but not unless you love the bike.

If I were you, and had to pick between the 2 you have there....I would go for the CB400SS. The scrambler one. First thing i would do is up the front forks and chuck a set of Koni's or similar on the back, then caf' bars. That would make a mean bike. But if you look closely for the same money you can buy a GB400/500/600 with this already done....even cheaper. Those NC20 motors will do 200,000km so even at 20 years old they are a good deal.

Ive owned both a GB400 and an SRX600 and agree with you entirely. The SRX would start fine if it was cold, and fine if it was hot, but if you were running round town and it wasn't really either it was easy to flood and then it was a freakin pain to start. Thats the big reason I sold it to be honest, it was a PITA round town. Handled well though, and quick enough on the road (120k cruising all day). Mine was the earlier dual shock one: I'd like to try the later monoshock one with the tri-spoke wheels. Ive only ever seen one SZR660 for sale in NZ, I dithered and missed it.

To answer the OP's question I would probably go with the CB400SS but it will cost more to maintain (you've got four of everything to look after). Honda though so it should be reliable and well finished. good luck though if you deck it and need something like a set of pipes or a fuel tank.

I suspect the Goose would be the better handling package but not as quick.

[NOID]

http://www.motorcyclesonline.net/

Bill Mason out in Bulls had a couple of CB 400 SSs last time I was there. He'd probably let you have a go on one.

yes i just saw bill had 1 cb400ss out there in bulls, and its in black :2thumbsup im going to head out there in the weekend and have a look.

yes there was a gb500 on trade me a couple of weeks ago and it was well priced to but i was too slow !!!

its a pitty that the goose doesnt have more power, it is the better handling bike.. my girl friend has just been to pahiatua today and sat on a goose and said no way shes riding or sitting on the back off it, that doesnt rule it out (shell just have to get her own bike) but swings the tide alittle the other way

keep the comments coming im still keen to hear them, and thanks to the people who have commented already

[Beemer]

its a pitty that the goose doesnt have more power, it is the better handling bike.. my girl friend has just been to pahiatua today and sat on a goose and said no way shes riding or sitting on the back off it, that doesnt rule it out (shell just have to get her own bike) but swings the tide alittle the other way

keep the comments coming im still keen to hear them, and thanks to the people who have commented already

It depends on what speed you want to go really! I have seen 140 without any effort, and it will go 160 at a push. Both will see you getting a ticket on the road! My husband loves it around Manfeild.

Your gf is right - hell, the seat is bad enough for the rider - there is no way I'd ever want to sit on the back except in an emergency!

Shame you can't stretch to mine - it is virtually brand new, just run in nicely. I remember seeing a second hand one in Phil Turnbull's a few years ago, it had done about 30,000kms and they had it for $5995 so mine is better value than that!

[kave]

Here is a SZR660. Brilliant handling single cylinder, and relatively pillion friendly (at least compared to the goose).

http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/View/Used/YAMAHA-SZR660-1996/27560.aspx

[NOID]

Here is a SZR660. Brilliant handling single cylinder, and relatively pillion friendly (at least compared to the goose).

http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/View/Used/YAMAHA-SZR660-1996/27560.aspx

YES LOOKS LIKE A NICE BIKE BUT NOT REALLY WHAT IM AFTER, ITS NOT REALLY CAFE STYLED IS IT? AND IT QUIET FUGGLY TO BE FRANK, :calm: A SV WOULD BE THE BETTER OPTION

IM NOT AFTER A POWERFULL BIKE JUST A GOOD LOOKING CAFE STYLED BIKE, THAT WILL BE USED FOR WEEKEND RIDES WHEN IM NOT RACING, BUT MOSTLY JUST FOR PUTTING AROUND TOWN AND TRIPPING OVER TO FEILDING AND PAHAITUA, MAYBE SOME TWO UP RIDING BUT ONLY EVERY NOW AND THEN.

I ALSO FOUND A ST400, BUT NOT TO KEEN ON THEM AFTER RIDING ANOTHER BIKE WITH A LS400 ENGINE :dodge:

[avgas]

My engine in my first (and most favourite) GB400 was bored out to 440.
Went like a cut cat and did 160kph.
Also iridium plugs are your friend with the big singles. Name of the game is to get as much out of the bang as possible.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Buy the Cagiva Mito, and staple the XTZ660 motor into it. best of both worlds.