Did I ever mention that I love thumpers?

[guest7]

After an extended winter sojourn on a CB500 twin sidecar outfit, I made an interesting discovery. Upon my return I dug out the venerable XBR500 works outfit and I was fully expecting to find it to be a gutless old slug compared to the more powerful and gruntier twin. Not a bit of it. The XBR is actually a nicer bike to slog around on with a chair. The bike will pull from stupidly low revs and despite accelerating very slowly it does get up to a reasonable speed and, dare I say it, it's a lot more fun to ride.

There's one other aspect that I was surprised to find I'd missed on the twin, the bloody sound. The twin still has a standard exhaust and all I can hear from the cockpit is an annoying engine whine that doesn't really help you gauge what revs you're pulling. etc.

Having said all that, the CB500 will sit at 70mph on the slab and still return 50mpg, compared to the XBR's 60mph and 35mpg. Still... I do like it more.

GC

[guest24]

I think the word you are looking for is antiseptic for the CB500.
And for the XBR500 the word is activating.

Both meant as adjectives to the mind...

[niblue]

I wouldn't personally have classed the CB500 as antiseptic - for a basic commuter it's actually quite fun to ride and surprisingly quick.

[guest7]

I agree, the CB500 is an underrated bike, another blinding middleweight from Honda. I remember when they came out, I was working part-time in a Honda dealership and the bike impressed me from the start... it had the air of being designed with the owner and/or mechanic in mind.

However... the CB is a quiet twin with high (for me) handlebars. The XBR is on a nearly open pipe with clip-ons. The first is very competent, the second makes me smile.

GC

[guest24]

My choice of antiseptic refers to the sound you said it makes!

We all know, more noise means its faster and better.....which is why thumpers are the best

I have no doubt the CB500 is a very competent motorcycle - I meet enough courier ridden ones on my commute into London. Having had several twins in the past, I wouldn't turn down one of these if offered one.

[niblue]

My choice of antiseptic refers to the sound you said it makes!

We all know, more noise means its faster and better.....which is why thumpers are the best

My 4 cylinder CBR is a lot noisier than my XBR!

The CBR has a E-stamped but quite fruity Motad system fitted while the XBR has a fairly quiet Micron 2-into-1.

[002]

I had a CB500S !

Race Can,K&N,Dyno Jet Kit,Konis and up-rated forks.

Very Fruity Sounding.
Handled superbly...to the point the footrests ground away and the exhaust collector ended up with a hole in it through spirited cornering ! 

Very Competent Bike.

Jethro

[robG]

If were're talking noise then my old Xt with a harley 'silencer' took some beating .On the same track , those who heard it would not forget Jethro's old 500 enfield on the goldy pipe 

Saying that my XS on the gazelle 4/2 is a bit fruity .

But as an aside ,I was stood by Minehead Railway stn last Sunday when a roadgoing Norton Inter in F/bed Blaarted past .Even on a gentle throttle it sounded chuffing great !

Rob

[guest27]

Triton when she was working - twin open amals and open megas.  Would shed sheep at 1000 paces and could wipe out a small flock of birds at over a mile.  Spat flams on the over run (carbs not set up properly) I and others thought it sounded wonderful, but my mates dad used to make me push it well out of their street before I started it....

Was a real conundrum on lanes with horses - do I slow down and scare the hores with the pops and bangs of the backfire or scare the horse with the grumble of the engine....

MMMM happy days

R

[squirrelciv]

Saying that my XS on the gazelle 4/2 is a bit fruity .


Rob

The new love in my life has a Gazelle exhaust and she does make a lovely sound
What do you reckon to these exhausts Rob? Are they any good?

[002]

Saying that my XS on the gazelle 4/2 is a bit fruity .


Rob

The new love in my life has a Gazelle exhaust and she does make a lovely sound
What do you reckon to these exhausts Rob? Are they any good?

Made by a MAD South African in Cardigan !
Good quality Stainless.
I know a few people who have had dealings with him and sing his praises !

Jethro

[robG]

What do you reckon to these exhausts Rob? Are they any good?
[/quote]

Pat , I can only speak as I find , the one on the XS was put on in early 1984 by the chap I bought it off .The stuffing has long departed .
I think they 're all right ,coming up to 25yrs on the bike can't be bad .

Rob .