buying a Honda CBR500 ??

[bobg]

No2 daughter just rang me saying that that she was going to view an 04 Honda CBR 500 for £1995 at a main dealer in Sheffield today It's her first big bike and I can't get over there to go with her... in any event my last bike was an Enfield Clipper about 100 years ago...
Can anybody out there help me out with what to look for when buying one of these. I've told her to check obvious stuff ie. number of owners/ service history/ mileage (13k)/signs of repair damage/was it a training bike/guarantee details etc She's ridden a couple before so knows what to expect but any advice would be most welcome. Don't tell me to advise her not to buy one, she's 30 and knows her own mind....

ta

 

[downfader]

No2 daughter just rang me saying that that she was going to view an 04 Honda CBR 500 for £1995 at a main dealer in Sheffield today It's her first big bike and I can't get over there to go with her... in any event my last bike was an Enfield Clipper about 100 years ago...
Can anybody out there help me out with what to look for when buying one of these. I've told her to check obvious stuff ie. number of owners/ service history/ mileage (13k)/signs of repair damage/was it a training bike/guarantee details etc She's ridden a couple before so knows what to expect but any advice would be most welcome. Don't tell me to advise her not to buy one, she's 30 and knows her own mind....

ta

I know nothing about motorcycles tbh... theres a 400 at work, late 90s model and looks like the rider has slid on its side into a wall. So I'd look for scuffs down the side as they look very slightly top heavy.

Seriously though, theres a good forum and stuff on Motorcycle News' website, and theres Q&A on yahoo answers about all sorts of motorcycles. http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/dir/index;_ylt=AnLE7Y_ojy2HlhIKeo84b_1.J3RG;_ylv=3?sid=396546040 hope the link works, someone might have already asked questions so just use its search bar, or ask one yourself if you have a youtube account.

 

[vernon]

The CB500 is an ideal first big bike. It's a Honda so it's very reliable. I have one and have had no issues with it in the past six years. The only 'problem' for me is that it's impossible to keep the finish on the exhaust downpipes pristine.

Heres Motor Cycle news' view on the CB 500

 

[downfader]

The CB500 is an ideal first big bike. It's a Honda so it's very reliable. I have one and have had no issues with it in the past six years. The only 'problem' for me is that it's impossible to keep the finish on the exhaust downpipes pristine.

Heres Motor Cycle news' view on the CB 500

My Brother has a Honda VTwin Shadow and the exhaust does seem to suffer on that too.

 

[Norm]

Excellent bike, my first ride was a Kwak GPZ500s, very similar in philosphy, if not execution.

£2k seems steep for a 2004 bike, though that's as much down to that particular ride being popular because it's a good solid scoot.

The CB500 has a fairly popular race series, so check for signs that the frame has done more work than the plastics (if race plastics were fitted) and check for a lock-wired sump plug. Just look it over with an expectation that it was a race bike and see if there's anything that looks unusual. And ask the dealer if he knows whether it has been raced. They don't need to tell you if you don't ask, but they do need to answer honestly if you do.

Usual stuff to check is the state of tyres, chain and sprockets, replacing them can cost you £300+ if they are shagged.

 

[Norry1]

I'd agree £2k is a bit steep. For that price I would want at least a 6 month warranty -

 

[vernon]

I thought that it was a bit steep at £2k but looking at online prices it seems to be the going rate.