Would this motorcycle be too big for me?
A relative is giving me a 1978 Honda 550 four. I'm 17 years old, 5 foot 11 inches, and 145 pounds. Will this bike be too big for me?
I'd be a little dubious about a bike so old. But if it runs, if it doesn't constantly give you trouble, it would make a great first bike. It's certainly not too big for you. Other answerers think of it as a small bike, but in its day it was medium-sized.
I had a small Honda four back in the day and it was really a very nice machine. Smooth, easy to ride, comfortable, reliable, etc. I could start it with my hand on the kickstarter! But that was more than 30 years ago! An old bike can be more trouble than it's worth. And parts are harder to find.
For a long time Honda 500/4s and 550/4s and 400/4s were in great demand to make cafe racers out of! Those little 4-cylinder engines are wonderful!
You'll get it. My cousin is shorter but about the same weight, and he rides a Suzuki 750. That's a sweet vintage ride, you're getting, btw. I've got a 1985 Honda Magna that I just adore. Maintain it properly and that bike will run forever, guaranteed.
They are built ( and handle like ) a cast iron stove but they are are small. Not what I would suggest as a first bike but if you are getting it for free I guess you can't be too particular.
At the price, it is jes' fine.
You should be fine you might look a little big but you should be fine.
NO. At 5'11" you'll be able to straddle it easily. First bike as a freeby runner is another good consideration. Age is not the best- but nothing 'unknown' can happen with that vintage-- everything that could possibly happen has happened somewhere and the resolution is known somewhere. Vintage advantage? Ease of working on the simpler designs. Minor disadvantage- parts no longer readily available on local dealers shelf. Parts advantage for that vintage/size Honda- likely out there someplace and the vintage Honda sites may have them as needed from specialty/NOS supplier/salvage yard/'domestic' aftermarket supplier (domestic in Honda. Case means the Japanese suppliers, hotrodders exist in japan also). Go for it and ride it a year, learn to avoid fat pedestrians, check your oil, tire pressure and chain frequently.
Parts are too hard to find.
- My wife's but is too big for the backseat of of my Honda Rebel 250? How to make a bigger backseat? My wife finds the backseat of my 2006 Rebel uncomfortably small. I've searched the internet to see if they make a larger option, but I haven't found anything. Is there a larger backseat I can buy? I'm considering building my own. I have foam and vinyl, but I need to think of a material to make a sturdy, seat-shaped frame piece that I could attach the vinyl to. Any ideas?
- What is a good beginner bike for a big guy? What would be a good touring, cruiser type starter bike for a big guy. I'm a 400 pound guy and am looking for a great starter/cruiser bike. I have looked at a honda shadow 650, or a vulcan 800, but am unsure of how powerful they actually are and if i can even handle it.
- Is this motorcycle too old? Was looking at a 2007 honda cbr600rr (8 years old!) It's in mint condition, no damage what-so-ever. Only has 5,800 miles. I got the price down to $5,200. Is this bike too old? I'd like to keep it for at least 5 years. What are some things to look at next time I go back to see the bike? -This isn't my first bike, just as an fyi
- I've just turned 18 today and i'm gonna be getting a motorcycle what motorcycle would suit me? I'm only 90-95 pounds and I'm short what would be a good light weight cruiser around 250-300 pounds like my Honda Twinstar 185? I can't balance anything too big as i'm small, I need something that's lightweight, preferably Harley, but any work for me a bikes a bike, Thank you in advance! Note: My Honda Twinstar does not run my father had that bike since I was 7 or 8 and gave it to me when I was 9 but it sat out so long it doesn't work.