Honda CBR1000-Any one had one?

**Dodgyiti** · 21st August 2004, 17:27

I was looking into buying one in the next 3 weeks or so. There are 6 cleanish examples between 1990 and 1996 in my price range.
What I like about them is comfort for me and most importantly my pillion [ who undestandably has difficulty with long rides on the back of the Guzzler] and cargo capacity and fixtures.
Now please expel or reinforce the myths about them as I don't know much [ nothing ] about them.
Are they any good for commuting in a wee [ Auckland] bit of traffic?
Will I get plenty of kays out of one [ I do look after my machinery]

Long haul, will my gammy leg/wrist be playing up after 3+ hours, the position feels alright and I can fit my 6 foot frame in OK.
Maintence, any heavy chain/sprocket chewing issues?
For the price these are going at, it seems plenty bike for little bucks, and that is what made me think- too good to be true?
What do you lot recon?

**Dodgyiti** · 21st August 2004, 17:30

Oh, I forgot.
Sorry I did not make the Ak ride on Saterday.
Got side tracked on this mission instead and spent the morning joy...erm...testriding bikes, as you do.

**FROSTY:Me** · 21st August 2004, 17:41

Theyre bloody good bikes. They seem to be robust and don't have a big hunger for tyres. I rode one to wellington and back and found it extremely comfortable and relaxed riding at all but warp3 type speeds.
When pushing it I found it a bit flexy but I had to really push it to find that flex.
The only thing Is that parts can be bloody expensive but then thats the same for any bike I guess.
When you have it down to one or two bikes I'd suggest pulling the body work off the front. The plastic can cover a lot of accident damage

**Sensei** · 21st August 2004, 20:48

Mate had one & it kept blowing head gasket's 4 to be correct .Bike shop gave up in the end & gave his money back , Thinking it was just bad luck he brought another as he liked them & the same thing happened . Got told from Honda shop some where pron to doing this so may pay to check service history if had head work done . Road friend's one & was a good bike when riden with in it's ablity's . Sensei NP

**moko** · 22nd August 2004, 02:59

They`re very highly rated over here and still shape up well in RIDE magazine`s used bike comparison tests against some much newer stuff.Particularly noted for build-quality and reliability,RIDE always ask owners and dealers about any weak spots e.t.c. and I`ve never seen the head problem mentioned anywhere.Yes they`re a lot of bike for the money but dont let that put you off,more due to the age of those still running rather than anything else.Like the RF900 they seem to be bought by those "in the know",i.e. there are a few bike Dealers,Bike journos and the like running them as their personal bikes when there are plenty of newer/flasher machines that they get to ride day in day out.Main thing to listen out for on Hondas of any age or model is a rattly camchain,good advice previously about having a look under the plastic as well.If it looks too good for it`s age or has a non-standard paint job then be suspicious

**gav** · 23rd August 2004, 15:16

I so nearly bought one, and had it for about two weeks

but in the end thought it a bit boring, Big, heavy and fast, but a bit dull.... gave it back, thanks but no thanks.

**vifferman** · 23rd August 2004, 15:51

The standard Honda issues apply - camchain tensioner and R/R, but neither are big issues. If the camchain is rattly, the CCT is probably at fault, and an aftermarket one (APE) is cheap enough (~$US50) and easy to fit. Same with the R/R; I dunno whether the CBR's are prone to cooking them, but a secondhand one from another bike (such as an R1) can be substituted, or a grunty new one can be bought from somewhere like Mt Eden M/C for about $300. Apart from that, it's just the usual stuff to check: unusual noises, worn chain and sprockets, jumping out of gear/ false neutrals, etc.

The last one I rode was a new one in about 1998, and I thought it was very smooth and comfortable, if a little lacking in character.

**Hitcher** · 23rd August 2004, 18:04

A mate had one before he traded up to a Blackbird. A great bike. The only problems he had were with the modified rear suspension (had an Ohlins set up).

**Dodgyiti** · 24th August 2004, 16:40

Thank you for all the info and help. I will carefully check the head bolds for recent or repeditive use. I always have a good look under the plastic anyway.
At least there are plenty to choose from, must be able to find a good example.
I will start going over the ones avaliable in 3 weeks time when I have raised the funds [ sell car etc ] and the bit about being sedate even a bit boring is no problem, it is going to be a work/touring bike.And in the past I had 2 bikes, one for commuting [ BMW R90/6 ] and one for fun [ BMW R 90S ] it made the " S " really neat to get on after the R90/6 day in day out.

So thats the setup. CBR for work/taking the missus and the Guzzler for scratching and making my body hurt

**hondav2** · 26th August 2004, 22:45

Check out www.micapeak.com . Go into the bike registeries and check out problems. Its a good look if your going to buy a bike. Cheers Toddy

**inlinefour** · 18th December 2004, 00:38

Originally Posted by Dodgyiti

I was looking into buying one in the next 3 weeks or so. There are 6 cleanish examples between 1990 and 1996 in my price range.
What I like about them is comfort for me and most importantly my pillion [ who undestandably has difficulty with long rides on the back of the Guzzler] and cargo capacity and fixtures.
Now please expel or reinforce the myths about them as I don't know much [ nothing ] about them.
Are they any good for commuting in a wee [ Auckland] bit of traffic?
Will I get plenty of kays out of one [ I do look after my machinery]

Long haul, will my gammy leg/wrist be playing up after 3+ hours, the position feels alright and I can fit my 6 foot frame in OK.
Maintence, any heavy chain/sprocket chewing issues?
For the price these are going at, it seems plenty bike for little bucks, and that is what made me think- too good to be true?
What do you lot recon?

Rode the 1989 cbr1000, it was awefull! Now the 2005 cbr1000rr, wow