Classic Honda Motorcycles - Honda Classic Motorcycles

In the article below is my selection of what I consider to be a good choice of classic Honda motorcycles that can be owned, used and still command a worthwhile price in good or restored condition. Imagine the next time you join in a discussion about classic Honda motorcycles, and you start sharing the fascinating classic Honda motorcycle facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

All of the Honda classic motorcycles reviewed here, have in my opinion some small merit of innovation, are easy to ride, live with and could be used every weekend. These were all standard Honda Classic motorcycles in their day, all street legal and could be bought straight from any Honda dealers showroom. They are also the most sensible and I think the most popular choices to go for, when you are looking for a classic Honda motorcycle for sale. I know that my choices will be the cause of contention and many of you will disagree with my choices, so I look forward to your opinions and comments

overhead cam single.45mph,120mpg.

Honda's classic immortal step through. The Honda C50 could be bought for pennies and run on peanuts, and could withstand decades of abuse.There were also the C70 and C90 versions sold in the UK. The Honda C50 will never become really that valuable but in my opinion its has to be one of the classic Honda motorcycles nonetheless. This is the bike that kick started the Honda motorcycle empire and is a design classic.

Overhead cam single,70mph,100mpg

The little Honda CB125, was the motorcycle that showed the world you didn't need a large engine to go motorcycling. Even though it had a very basic engine design, it is still around today after more than 40 years, and has spawned a host of larger engine variants from 150,185 to 200cc. The CB125 was a very tough motorcycle as long as the engine oil was changed every 3000 miles, the chassis and cycle parts were always a bit flimsy and most will have rotted away by now. My choice in classic Honda motorcycles would have be an original Honda CB125S with the front drum brake.

Overhead cam single,75mph,75mpg

The Honda XL185S was a very tough, definitive, small and compact trail bike that grew out of the Honda XL125. The XL185 was quite torquey for the size of its engine and fast enough, with a good handling chassis. It was the basis for another rarer classic, the Honda XR 200. The XL185 had very few problems other than the usual learner and off road abuse.. Good examples of this classic honda trail bike are still very cheap to run and easy to fix, but a good one is becoming a rare find here in the UK

Overhead cam single,90mph,75mpg

For the CB250RS, Honda just simply took the engine from the XL250S trail bike and came up with a super classic lightweight sports bike. Great fun to ride, the Honda CB250RS could out perform most, if not all of the four stroke twins of the day and easily out handle all of them. Sadly neglect usually caused top end and main bearing problems. The later ones with an electric start got heavier and seemed to have lost their edge, so for me the ultimate classic Honda motorcycle, would be a CB250RS which was one of the earlier kick start models

Overhead cam four,104mph,55mpg

For many riders this was the first pure sports Honda, and the number one classic Honda motorcycle on the majority of bike collectors list as a must have classic bike. The CB400 four had excellent styling, with good performance, handling and brakes. Basically a good,solid classic motorcycle, that can be ridden every day. Very few faults, one would be that the camchain tensioner does need regular cleaning or it can seize and the head gaskets can weep.Other than that a CB400 four has to be one of the best classic honda motorcycles and is as tough as old boots.

Overhead valve water cooled twin,105mph,50mpg

What can you say about the CX500. In appearance it was in a way, sort of an ugly bike and very top heavy, but such innovative styling. The early ones were marred by top end failures, but any still around now should have been sorted. I think the best Honda CX500 models to buy were from 1982 onwards. It later grew into the CX650 which is probably the best one to have, but not such a classic motorcycle. Honda also produced a very fast CX turbo version of both.

Overhead cam four,110mph,50mpg

The Honda CB550 I think is best choice of any of the classic honda motorcycles, and the ultimate in single overhead cam Honda fours. It was nearly as fast as the CB750, had better handling, but was almost as compact as the CB400 four. The later CB550F2 versions got better carbs and the CB400 four's styling but I prefer the classic looks of the four pipe K models. Some odd problems of the rear wheel hubs cracking, but otherwise for trouble free riding a good CB550 simply has to be in my opinion the best of all classic Honda motorcycles.

Overhead cam four,120mph,45mpg

The quintessential Japanese four the Honda CB750 was the first of the big Japanese superbikes and ran unchanged for many years. The CB750 had only minor cosmetic changes until the CB750F1 with its slabby styling and four into one exhaust. The Honda CB750F1 turned out to be a bit of a hash up so Honda quickly brought out the CB750F2, it had more power better brakes and superior handling. The CB750 has a very strong engine but the handling on all models could be a bit iffy. For sheer classic Honda status it has got to be the original CB750 with four pipes, but for everyday classic riding a good CB750F2 would be my choice.

Double overhead cam six cylinder, 140mph,35mpg

The Honda CBX1000 was a landmark in motorcycling, having a six cylinder engine the CBX1000 was the bike that blew everyone away. Sadly for such a beautiful classic Honda it was never a great seller. The sole reason for this was Suzuki's GS1000 which went on sale around the same time. The Suzuki which was as fast, handled better and cost a great deal less. Still the CBX 1000 has to be one of Honda's great innovations, with the transverse six cylinder engine which is only 2 inches wider then the CB750's. The later CBX1000B models even got Honda's pro-link rear suspension.

Overhead cam flat four,120mph,40mpg

The Honda Gold wing has been running for 30 years now undergoing many changes. Shaft driven, extremely smooth and silent running, these classic Honda motorcycles were originally promoted as a performance machine which of course it was not. So the Gold Wing was transformed into a super tourer at which it excels and even today has very few rivals. The original Gold Wing started as a 1000cc which has been upped to 1100 then to1200 Aspencade. The Honda Gold Wing has turned out to be a very reliable classic motorcycle that can cover huge mileages and has an excellent owners club.

Double overhead cam V-Four 145mph,40mpg

The Honda VF1000 is the only one of the original Honda water cooled V-fours that could cut it. It was big and fast, handled ok and was basically solid. With the VF1000 Honda used gear driven cams (due to head problems on the VF750's) and got more performance with the VF1000R but they were always a runner up against Kawasaki's new GPZ900R. One bonus being is that these classic Honda motorcycles can still be found at bargain prices, so you can have a lot of get up and go for not much money

Double overhead cam four, 150+mph,38mpg

The Honda CB1100 has to be a classic Honda motorcycle right from the start. It was really a production racer for the road and an absolute brute of a bike. Based on the Honda CB900 and Honda's RCB production racers, the CB1100 had lots of go faster goodies for its day including carbon fibre bodywork with stunning looks. You could even take up classic Honda motorcycle racing.