Loaded question gs or cb

[Ronbayless]

There are a gazillion cool 2025 bikes coming out. Cb 750, valkyrie, v max, kawasaki eliminator series. I cant afford any of them. Ive been on this forum 20 years. I probably will buy a 750 or 850. On my gs 1000 i replaced headgasket, cylinder base gasket,o rings, it ran great. I had a cb 650 practically gifted to me.the engine was locked up. I couldnt even take it apart. It has deep tunnels to reach the sparkplugs, its more complicated internally than the gs. But since it was the first ujm it hasmore follosersand clubs. In short would you buy a cbrather than gs because of that? I most likely will buy the 850 for the larger tsnk thanthe 750 but its not a good looking tank like 750 and 1000 models.

 

[Brendan W]

Availability of parts and a good support community would be high on my list. Perhaps not the reason to buy but a reason not to buy.
The CB650 never really took off, around here at least. A friend had one when I had a KZ650 and we would swap bikes for a few days. Never liked the CB and don't really know why.
There is or used to be this myth about Honda being too good and therefore boring.
A straight choice between a GS850 and a CB 650, I wouldn't give the CB a second look.

 

[Nessism]

The 1970's version SOHC CB bikes were solid for their time, but compared to a GS, they are older technology. I'd take a GS any day. Later, DOHC CB650 & 750 bikes are much better than the early version. 4 valves per cylinder bikes. Very solid. Some of which, are shaft drive. As with any old bike, condition is everything.

Ronbayless you would do well to save your money and buy the newest and most modern bike you can. Refurbishing an old bike often costs more money than buying something newer that runs NOW.

 

[Ronbayless]

I didnt choose the 650 cb. It was practically free and had a locked up engine. There was no reason for honda to even make the 650. Gs bikes in my opinion are superior to all the other ujms. I remember a few years ago z1 started carrying some parts. I hope they still are. Certain bikes like the cb750, yamaha xs 650, kz series have a huge following and parts. The only reason i even asked. Thank you for your input.

 

[oldGSfan]

CBs are cool, I've had a few SOHC 750s. But they handle like pigs, their brakes are marginal, and they are porky looking. I still like them but for a rider, the GS is way better overall. The later DOHC CBs, 750 and up, just seemed fragile and rattly. I had a few of them too. I'll pass. The earlier ones stodgy and solid, well made, later ones just a complete miss IMO. Stick with the GS. Or a KZ. The 82 or so GPz 750 or KZ750 is a jewel of a bike.

 

[KiwiAlfa156]

If I'm not mistaken, the CB650 was the last of the single stick Honda Fours, so last in the lineage from the original CB750. And that is, IMHO, it's only interesting feature. I borrowed/rode one for a short time in the 1980s and it wasn't particularly memorable. Wikipedia say's it was built on the previous CB550 line, and the 550 was an upgrade of the CB500 which saw the light of day in 1971. The GS is the last of the UJM fours and thus avoided a lot of the development issues that affected Japanese bikes during the 1970s. The Z1 bested the Honda and pointed the way to the future rather than the SOHC CB.

I like to think of the GS1000 as 'the best Z1, Kawasaki never made.' (I'll claim authorship of that quote. I posted it as a comment on a Brightside Media Youtube Video, and it got used as the title of one of their videos).

 

[Rob S.]

If I was rich I'd have an original CB750, Z1A, H2, Norton Commando etc.

Excellent wish list. (Z1A is '74). H2 is absolutely fabulous! Hope you win the lottery.

1973 - Z1
1974 - Z1A
1975 - Z1B
1976 - KZ900
1977 - KZ1000

(I had a '73.)

 

[rphillips]

Yes, a REALLY LOADED question, So many variables. Comparing my "83" Honda CB1100F vs "83" Suzuki GS1100E. THE ENG., I like the GS eng. way better, roller bearing crankshaft and adjust valves in appx. 2 hr, Check clearance adjust screw and tighten lock nut. My Honda, with appx 60K has a plain bearing crankshaft and uses oil, appx 1 qt. per 500 mi., never had a roller bearing eng. use even 1/4 that amount. Also the Honda valve adjustment is nearer a full day job, check clearances, go buy needed shims, remove both cams, remove the buckets, replace the shims under the buckets, replace both cams and get cam timing right using 2 cam chains and reset 2 cam chain tensioners.... Now THE BIKE, personally I like the CB1100F quite a bit better, the CB riding position fits me better than the GS, the CB feels smaller, looks more sleek, and waaay sportier with its 2 tone candy color paint scheme than the "83" GS1100E single 1 color paint with not even a stripe... Final decision "83" CB1100f vs "83" GS1100E I'd got to pick the CB1100f, even with that less friendly eng.

 

[Rob S.]

It was practically Suzuki's claim to fame that not a penny was spent on anything that didn't improve performance. A Suzi parked between a Honda and a Kawasaki is virtually invisible.

 

[Don R]

I have 8 CB750 sohc, from a sandcast to a 77, I got them when they were cheap. I think I owned every model 69-78, they can still be found in good condition reasonable, A GL1000 which was cheap, $100 but took $1500 to get it back to running shape. A GS1100E which is new to me this year, it also took about $1500 to make it run ride and stop.
I'd have a hard time choosing but most of the CB's will go before the GS and GL. Oddly, I love the handling of the Goldwing. I love the smooth shifting and excess power of the GS with the sound of the Kerker.
I have a 71 CB750 that belonged to a drag racer, it's made from a pair of drag bikes owned by an old friend and a new friend. I named it the Rat Race because there was a 22 bullet hole through the seat where it caught a bullet intended for a barn rat. It's lowered, stretched, double disc'd, RC Eng. 836 engine, RC header, 29 smoothbores, K&N's, Lester mags, radial tires, daytona seat, lockhart oil cooler, CD ignition, when the day comes that I can't ride I'll keep it just to look at.
I vote for a GS750 assuming it is a smaller version of the GS1100e.

 

[nvr2old]

I grew up riding and racing Hondas. I still have 5..an '82 MB5, a '72 CL100, a '76 550F, a '77 GL1000, and an '82 CX500 Turbo. I love them all. Riding a Suzuki was almost sacrilegious to the group of riders I belonged to..until..I saw a '79 GS1000S. I lusted after one of them for 30 years before getting the one I have now. I was blown away by how wrong I was when it came to owning a Suzuki. It's a blast to ride and working on it is simpler then the Hondas. I hope to always have a Suzuki in my small collection.

 

[850 Combat]

I've mostly stayed away from Hondas. I thought my stripped down CB160 with knobbies was badass when I was 14. Front wheel landing on every jump, ha ha. Got a CB550 in some trading deal in the 80s. I couldn't believe how slow and heavy the 550 was, and for me, really weird steering. Part of that was probably the high CG. Higher wet weight than the Norton Commando electric start that I still have, and far from comparable power comfort and handling. I owned a GL1000 once. The last of the 1000s. I did not like it at all. It had gauges where the tank bag belongs. Mine didn't like to turn. Quite a bit of effort and lean but remarkable long radius. Sold it to my brother. He didn't like it either. He sold it to someone who loved it. Good thing there are plenty of choices out there.

I love the comfort and ride of a 1000G. Nearly as reliable as gravity. Some of the parts are becoming hard to find, like the left handlebar switch pod. At damned near 70, I'm considering something lighter with perhaps similar power. Newer manufacturing methods make way lighter engines, with more modern porting and combustion chambers. The FZ6 is available used at a good price. I like the new Honda 700/750 twin, but it only has a twin clutch automatic now. Plus I can only afford a used one.