Hello Hello fellow NH Enthusiasts

[parkale_]

Hi everyone,

I've been searching this forum a lot recently and I am going to buy my first bike this summer.  This is one of the most ENCOURAGING forums i've ever seen and I would love to be a part of it.  Well to start off, I really like the 80's nighthawks and I plan on either trying to find a cb650sc or cb700sc "S".  I love the designs of both of them, and would love your people's input on deciding which one to get.  

Just for comparisons sake (example):
1984 700 S model in red for $1100 with about 15,000 miles
1983 650 in black for $1200 with about 20,000 miles

What would you choose and why?  I am a noobie and this may potentially start a war (i hope not) but i'd like some advice.  Quirks of each model, what you like about one or the other, what you think about price, why you would choose one over the other...

I hope this paves the way for great discussion, can't wait to hear from you all soon!

Sincerely,
Alex

[Tryvelcro]

If I were recommending one of those 2 bikes to a new rider, it would be the 650.  It just seems less sports, a little more tame, but a bike that will haul you where you want to go for a very long time.  I have always wanted one, tho, so I might be biased.  :)
 

  to the addiction.  Take the class.  Get the gear. 

[ariwhiteboy]

  to the forum Alex!  No wars here...both are great bikes, it's just a matter of personal preference. Make sure you budget money for a MSF Course and some good crash gear... www.motorcyclegear.com is a good source. Around here we say ATGATT which means All The Gear, All The Time...it's saved more than one forum member, including myself. 

[parkale_]

Thanks for the quick replies!  I guess I forgot to mention that I am signed up for a Motorcycle Safety class for May 13-15 :)

[ndmeistr]

I started out with a CB550SC witch is like the 650. I just sold it to buy a 700s. I really liked that bike but as I rode more and more I wanted to have that sporty feel more and more. I scraped pegs several times on the 550 in the mountains and on curvy roads here in NC. The bike handled them just fine but I just know that my style and preference lean towards the sportier look of the 700s.

Either way, You can't go wrong with either bike. They are both good choices...oh and  

[hockeyhawk]

Welcome to the group. Cograts on signing up for the class already. I have an 85 650 and 700, I love them both. For me the 650 is more comfortable on longer rides but the 700 has more of the WOW factor. Both bikes are easy to maintain and keep up with. Boils down to personal preference.

[Baileyman]

I would totally go for the 700S.  1) it has fewer miles (but not a whole lot less), 2) it's less expensive (but also not a whole lot less), 3) I like the style better.

That's actually pretty much why I ended up getting a 700S over a 650.  I had the option, and almost did, but I really really liked the looks of the 700S.

I would also take into consideration who's selling it.  Are they schmucks or do they seem kinda cool?  If I don't get a good vibe from a seller, I'll pass.  WHo knows what they've done (or not!) to their bike...

I would also take into consideration which one I feel more comfortable on.

Welcome    This is a great forum, and the guys and gals here are totally helpful when you need to do repairs (they talked me through a top end rebuild I didn't think I could do).  BTW, if you're buying an old bike, it's going to need work.  Work gets really really expensive when you have to take it to the mechanic every time something needs fixing.  They say these bikes are built like tanks, but things (especially rubber things) wear out over time, even on low mileage bikes.  Things get cruddy and need servicing.  Cables rust and break.  Fluids need changing.  It's just sort of how it goes.  I've been learning that mechanics have to troubleshoot just like folks on the forum do.  The difference is I don't pay $95/hr to troubleshoot only to find out that more troubleshooting is necessary.

Whatever you end up with I'm sure you'll be happy!

Happy Motoring!

[parkale_]

Thanks for the thorough responses.  As for old-maintenance needing vehicles I know what that's like.  I love to wrench and DIY and do all the work on my car that I can manage without needing a hydraulic lift.  I actually can't wait for the opportunity to maintain my own bike too seeing that it's a lot less complicated than working on a car....oh and parts are MUCH cheaper than lets say a european automobile.  I view the time and effort you put into your bike as an enhancement to the incredible knowledge and satisfaction you get for fixing and maintaining something that you know will run better, last longer, and be more visually aesthetic because of your efforts.

It's also going to be my summer DD (hopefully). 

[bajakirch]

oh and parts are MUCH cheaper than lets say a european automobile

Unless you need a right side cover. Then be ready to pay through the nose.

 

I have a 550 too. Stylistically, it's pretty different from the 650 you mention, but mechanically they're very similar. In fact, the Clymers and Honda Shop Manuals I have for my bike are written for the 650 as well. You may want to note (if you get the 650) that there's a fair amount of parts interchangeability between the 2 bikes.

Personally speaking though, I'd go for the 700S. I'm a fan of a vehicle that is uncommon or unusual. While the 700S isn't exactly rare, it is unique-looking enough that it will garner some attention. The 650, while a great bike, doesn't look all that different from a whole bevy of other UJMs of the same era.

Of course, it may have something to do with the fact that one of my HS buddies bought a 700s (blue/black) upon graduation...and that dude scored big-time with the ladies [don't tell my wife  ].

[FearThis SC]

  to NHF! 

Get the 700!  Although not rare at this moment, it will turn heads at any motorcycle gathering.....Ride Safe...

[gammer]

Welcome Alex 

Although not rare at this moment, it will turn heads at any motorcycle gathering

I agree. And it not only turns heads at motorcycle gatherings but just about anywhere. I catch folks looking at my Nighthawk S in parking lots, while waiting at intersections, etc.

[Brittles]

Of course they're all getting rarer all the time. I know a lot of you cringe when someone parts out a bike, but every time I see a 700s being parted out I smile and figure that's one less 700s on the road and there will come a point in time when they will be true collectors bikes.

[hppants]

Welcome to the group - ride safe.

IMO, for a first bike, from purely a design standpoint, you won't be able to tell the difference between the 2.  When you get to that point, by then, you will know what you want.

So, for the present time being, the question becomes "Which one is the better buy?"

You will have to answer that by looking at each one.  There's a buyer's information thread that will help you a lot - especially if you are even a little mechanically inclined.  Read through that, maybe check out both bikes, and before you decide, perhaps report back to us with your findings.  Then maybe we can help you make your decision.

Heed Ari's advice - get the FriGGin gear.  It might save your life.  Right now, this is a "sore" subject for me.   

Good luck.