Suzuki Al
26-03-2005, 11:58 AM
Here are my impressions of Honda's CB1300 muscle bike. I owned one for a year and did 8,000 miles.
http://www.maximumbikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10017/DSCN1053%23001.jpg
As well as being a good looking bike, this is a very good performing machine.
108bhp and 86ft/lb of torque put it at or near the top of its class.
Gearbox - rather good for a Honda. (Note that the particular one tested by Bike jumped out of gear when pressing on).
Brakes - extremely powerful and progressive.
Handling - very stable and not at all bad for such a big heavy machine.
Comfort - like all naked bikes, for sustained high speed riding, it's "game over" at above 90mph due to wind blast.
Problems:
Mine had nothing major go wrong, in that it didn't break down or miss a beat. Honda's standard issue cam chain woes have been reported by several owners however.
Negatives:
1 -The BIG negative was the rear suspension bushes. These appear to be made out of old milk cartons - virtually all CB13s have excessive free play top and bottom. So much so, that many bikes would fail an MOT straight from the showroom. Mine had this and I do not know of a single CB that didn't have this problem. Replacement only effects a temporary cure.
2 - Leaking rear suspension units - common to most CBs.
3 - Exhaust tarnishing. The worst I and other owners have ever seen. So bad that many owners have had the headers replaced, only to have the problem arise again. Very bad on a bike that is as much about looks as performance.
4 - Worryingly - There is a design fault in the positioning of the cooling fan. Stones can (and do) flick up from the front wheel and jam the mechanism. There is no guard. It is therefore possible for the engine to overheat and the first a rider would know about it would be an engine failure. Potentially very dangerous indeed. Honda are ware of this issue but have done nothing.
5 - Instrument cluster has had to be replaced on a high percentage of CBs due to faulty switches. Mine was OK except for the fact that you couldn't read the dials due to condensation inside the dials.
6 - Many owners have reported flaking frame paint.
In conclusion: A fantastic bike let down by shoddy build and poor components.
http://www.maximumbikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10017/DSCN1053%23001.jpg
As well as being a good looking bike, this is a very good performing machine.
108bhp and 86ft/lb of torque put it at or near the top of its class.
Gearbox - rather good for a Honda. (Note that the particular one tested by Bike jumped out of gear when pressing on).
Brakes - extremely powerful and progressive.
Handling - very stable and not at all bad for such a big heavy machine.
Comfort - like all naked bikes, for sustained high speed riding, it's "game over" at above 90mph due to wind blast.
Problems:
Mine had nothing major go wrong, in that it didn't break down or miss a beat. Honda's standard issue cam chain woes have been reported by several owners however.
Negatives:
1 -The BIG negative was the rear suspension bushes. These appear to be made out of old milk cartons - virtually all CB13s have excessive free play top and bottom. So much so, that many bikes would fail an MOT straight from the showroom. Mine had this and I do not know of a single CB that didn't have this problem. Replacement only effects a temporary cure.
2 - Leaking rear suspension units - common to most CBs.
3 - Exhaust tarnishing. The worst I and other owners have ever seen. So bad that many owners have had the headers replaced, only to have the problem arise again. Very bad on a bike that is as much about looks as performance.
4 - Worryingly - There is a design fault in the positioning of the cooling fan. Stones can (and do) flick up from the front wheel and jam the mechanism. There is no guard. It is therefore possible for the engine to overheat and the first a rider would know about it would be an engine failure. Potentially very dangerous indeed. Honda are ware of this issue but have done nothing.
5 - Instrument cluster has had to be replaced on a high percentage of CBs due to faulty switches. Mine was OK except for the fact that you couldn't read the dials due to condensation inside the dials.
6 - Many owners have reported flaking frame paint.
In conclusion: A fantastic bike let down by shoddy build and poor components.