Your Favourite Honda ;o)

I posted this pic before. My 1st bike, a 1959 125 twin. It was pretty well used after being used for mustering out west but a great little (big) bike for its age. I also later (final year of school) had a '73 Honda 350 four, the maligned precursor to the popular 400. They had marvelous engines and while it didn't have a lot of power would rev like a sewing machine to 10,000+ and would cruise happily at 80mph or better...... (don't have any pics)
See also mention of Rickman - when I had my rubber band framed cb750 a mate also had a 750 with big bore & Rickman kit and it was in another world power and handling wise completely, would love one of them now.........
 

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Of course the Honda 6 GP bikes were sheer joy to the ears, a technical wonder 55 yrs ago. I had a chance to witness one from the Honda Collection Hall at Laguna Seca, Rob Iannicci’s at Del Mar Raceway ridden by Jim Redmond and wrenched by Nobby Clark, and of course one showed up at TT94 brought in by someone,,,,made me weep actually!!!

My ‘89 RC30 of course has pedigree to some degree, WSB winner first 2 years, multiple Australian Superbikes, British Superbike, Canadian Superbike, German Superbike, AMA US Superbike winner, and multiple IOM TT winner well beyond its production years! And I have a non restricted street legal one in my garage. It’s a humbling experience understsnding the involvement Mr. Honda had in this particular machine, that it was literally hand made by the HRC race team, not at the Hamamatsu factory. There’s actual fingerprints on the inside of the hand made bodywork by HRC technicians. #42-50 to enter North America that year,,,very rare numbers from the largest motorcycle entity in human history.
 
And then there’s the offshoot of the greatest transportation device known to human kind! The Honda CT70 K3!!
 

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I've only ever owned 2 Hondas, one a XR500R that I brought in Saudi Arabia and had heaps of fun riding up the canyons. The other was a VFR400R that I brought in Thailand and that was huge fun on the mountain roads in the North of Thailand. After several years I sold it as it wasn't very comfortable, found it to be too small for me. Also some what low power at elevation. Did over 20000 kays on it and all I did was change oil and tyres. Not really a fan of Jap bikes being an owner of Laverdas for 51 years I prefer to stick with what I know.
 
I owned four Hondas all had there strengths
Honda SS50 that gave me my freedom although slow as slow thing ! An XL 250 that taught me to wheelie and go off road - never serviced never broke down - a CBR1000 that was smooth as silk and easy to clean that took me across Europe in comfort two up and finally the my Favourite a Candy glory red Blackbird - silky smooth rocket ship made of fantastic quality components IMG_2555.jpegIMG_7754.jpegIMG_1987.jpeg
 
I've owned a lot of Honda's over the years. The 400/4 is a jewel of a bike, I have restored five of those, I've just finished another one. I also have a Rickman CR750 waiitng in the wings for its turn on the bench. If anyone can remember the S&S750 tested by MCN back in the mid 70's this was the sister bike to that one although it has lost its S&S 860 engine during it's lifetime. I also have a NC30 I was given by a friend last year as she emigrated to Aus, it does need serious work to the carbs though before it will run.
I had a Blackbird for just over a year that was just sublime but riding it around London was a pia, 30mph in first gear at 1500rpm and straining at the leash! The best bike Honda have ever made (roadbike that is) imho is the VFR800 with cam gear drive, an absolute watch and the whine of the cam drive is addictive as is the exhaust note with a nice can fitted. I bought one brand new when they came out, kept it for 8 years and chopped it in for a Triumph 1050 Sprint, on the way home I couldn't believe what I'd done, the Sprint was top heavy and the build quality was lacking compared to the VFR! I never really got on with the Sprint despite the fantastic exhaust note and found another low miles VFR and normal service was restored, they are keepers.
Saying all that...............I had a CB250RSA for 20 years and got around to restoring it during covid. They really are fun bikes, great handling and quick, why did I sell it! I also love my 350 Morini Sport and my Triton BUT.........My 120 Jota was always the dream bike and I can't wait to get it back from the engine rebuild.
 

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Had a fair number of Hondas over the years. Started out on a four-year old SS50 4-speed. It was a right shed, but managed to keep going for about nine months 'til the rotor end of the crank broke off. I ended up swopping it with a mate for a ticket to see Led Zep at Knebworth, so all in all it served me pretty well, and is remembered fondly. Followed that with a 250 G5, 400/4 , SL125, XL250. First non Hondas were: Kawa Z650 (lovely), 750 Bonnie '80 (ruddy awful...), then a Jota (a revelation). Later Honda steeds included, another 400/4, 750 KZ, XBR500, and numerous CBR600 models including the two pictured, a '97 FV, and a 2013 RR. The latter bike was bought damaged. Picture shows it after repair, complete with '08 body kit, fitted 'cos I preferred the look. Favourite Honda? RC30, no question. 20210321_161059.jpg20200531_144752.jpg
 
Laverda SF said:
Really a Honda XR500R - Expensive and the Ultimate Thumper for Off Road - I Wished ;o)
Click to expand...
I’ve got a certified “Red Pig”, enduro,,,,2008 XR650L, full off-road kit with Moose engine guards, belly plate, Acerbis 25 litre fuel
Tank, Fritz output shaft gear, Dave’s Fix, GPS, ready for Tuktoyuktuk summer 2026!
 
Steve G. said:
I’ve got a certified “Red Pig”, enduro,,,,2008 XR650L, full off-road kit with Moose engine guards, belly plate, Acerbis 25 litre fuel
Tank, Fritz output shaft gear, Dave’s Fix, GPS, ready for Tuktoyuktuk summer 2026!
Click to expand...

I had an MT250 Elsinore, a few bits off the CR250 Elsinore found their way onto it, basically a road registered CR250.
 
SS50
CB250T
CB550K3
CB750F2
Goldwing (for 5 minutes )
CBX 6 Red
CBX 6 Silver
750 Africa Twin
CX500
CBR 1000f
Best for me was the old Africa Twin, couldn't get on with the wing or the CBR.
 
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