Honda’s flagship road bike from 1979 to 1983, the CB900F only came to America in ’81 and ’82. This 1982 Honda CB900F in Centerville, Massachusetts barely deviates from stock, and the 18,000 mile specimen can be yours with the high bid here on eBay. At least nine bidders have the market value over $4500, a bargain among vehicles that traverse a quarter mile from a standstill in the mid-12 second range. Tweak a car to that level and you’ll be lucky to see 15 MPG, but this Honda delivers bursts of drag-race acceleration while returning a Prius-like 47 MPG. It’s the best of both worlds!
Simpler than the inline six-cylinder CBX1000, the CB900F’s 901 cc (55 cid) inline four-cylinder DOHC engine still makes 95 HP, five more than that year’s four-cylinder Camaro, according to MotorTrend. Drivers who grow up with no exposure to high-performance motorcycles simply have no clue how quick they are compared to a fast car. My 1980 CB650C makes 63 HP, more than enough for my novice abilities, but I’d love to crank up this Super Sport once or twice. A five-speed gearbox helps keep you in the power band, and the 130 MPH top speed should only be explored where legal. Among riders of newer bikes, these ’80s Hondas make a great conversation starters, sometimes drawing even Harley Davidson riders who owned a Honda in their youth from across the parking lot.
Like my 1980 Honda, the feature bike retains the break-in sticker on the speedometer. Power shows up from 4000 right up to the 9500 RPM redline, according to Wikipedia. Twin front discs, and one rear, curb terminal velocity before you dive into corners or the back of a milk truck.
Credit the seller for an excellent presentation, detailed description, and good pictures. A bevvy of replaced maintenance items should have this 900 ready to ride, and it does everything “by the book,” according to the description. Would you take a turn on this hot early ’80s sport bike?
Nice looking bike, quick and tried and true design. Have to give the owner thumbs up to presentation.Threw my leg over a V-65 Honda quite a while ago and oh my world it was Fast! This bike isn’t quite as quick but you had better pay attention to where and how to ride it.
What to do? On one hand, I like the Jeep, but I feel something is missing in my life, perhaps a crotch rocket is the answer,,,oh, I’ve followed THAT path before with dismal results. Again, with these, many are low mileage, because they just aren’t that nice. Either they scared the owner, or just no place to go 140 mph on a motorcycle. They do poorly at low speeds, and say what you will, a HD will “chug” all day in traffic, comfortably. These are the most uncomfortable bikes to ride, another “low mileage” cause. To be honest, I can’t remember a comfortable riding Asian motorcycle. I don’t know who their models are for design, but it’s not us. Cool bike, but the styling I never cared for, but no question, this will be the fastest bike most will ever ride, if you have the grapes, that is.
these were not so called ” crotch rockets”, they had a standard upright riding position that did fine in everyday riding, low speed or highway speed, didn’t matter. they were plenty comfortable with good fuel economy and exceptional reliability as were most Japanese bikes. I don’t see why you seem to have the need to denigrate every jap bike that comes up, doesn’t fit in your ” chugging” HD profile ? someone steal your lunch money on a jap bike? What?….every street bike made will easily break the speed limit, even HD’s, but that doesn’t mean just because you have a sporty looking bike, that’s all its good for. take a jeep for instance, their main claim to fame is offroad prowess, but a high percentage of people that buy them today never venture off road with them, they just like how they look, but that doesn’t mean their other attributes don’t count. I’ve had an assortment of street bikes from UJM’s to ” crotch rockets” and one brand new off the show room floor HD, and IMO it was an overweight, underpowered, ill handling $16K mistake on my part, but to each his own, every time an HD comes up on this site you don’t see me saying the only thing they are good for would be, say, hitch a harrow up to um and till your garden……
Relax, I’ve had more Asian bikes than Harleys, and I’m sorry, my HD was the nicest of them all. For the record, any bike that straightens your arms out and does 12 seconds in the 1/4 is a crotch rocket to me. Doesn’t have to be those bikes where you are all hunched over like a dog taking a crap.
These bikes did ONE thing well, go fast in a straight line and that’s okay, if you drive on Bonneville Salt Flats all day. I think you misunderstood my position and ran with it. Typical.
Harrow? Boat anchor came to my mind first.
You’re wrong Howard.
The Asian bikes do EVERYTHING well. It’s the Harleys that r good for TWO THINGS and that’s shining and cruising in a straight line.
The Japanese bikes handle better, Stop better, cost much less, last longer, usually cheaper to maintain and r faster…….everything a motorcycle SHOULD be!
Buy what makes u happy, life is short but I had 2 Kawasaki ZRX 1200s “naked bikes” no platic covering the motor, 2002 and 2004 and the riding position was MUCH more comfy than a cruiser as u sat upright in the saddle. Cruising position puts your weight on your tailbone area and u can’t MOVE in the saddle like a sit upright position of some Japanese bikes.
I’ve owned 9 bikes over the decades since 1982.
Another bright and sunny day in Howard A’s world.
Hey marco. Howard makes the site way way better. Many of us appreciate his opinions, BiG RiG driving experience, and enjoy his stories too. Take it ez marco. 😌 go for a long drive 🚗 or ride 🏍.
Howard grabs a starting spot on the all-star 🌟 team for commenter’s here.
you just proved my point when you say just because they were fast the only thing they do well was go in a straight line, which is so far from reality I find it hard to believe you’ve even ridden anything other than a Harley across a parking lot….these bikes handled well, stopped well, accelerated well, had good fuel mileage, were all around good bikes……I certainly didn’t misunderstand your position because I’ve seen it in thread after thread……here’s my position just so you don’t misunderstand…in my experience Harleys did ONE thing well…..go slow in a straight line…typical right ?
Don’t forget leaking oil.
Dont forget leaking oil, shaking parts off, and stranding their riders far from home.
I AM a motorcycle mechanic. Have bought and sold hu deeds of them. And while these hondas are not my favorite engine, they are so far superior to ANYTHING that HD has ever made up to today it isnt funny.
They are easily serviceable, fast ,smooth, handle well enough to drag your knee in a corner, or throw bags on it and tour the country. I’ve done it. I work on HD all the time, because they break lots, and you can make a killing on fixing and selling them. I can cound on one hand how many Honda, kawasaki, suzuki engines I’ve seen the inside of that were low mileage babies bikes. HD, all the time. $$$$$$$$
Sweet.
just for the record the new Hd”s are flirting with 150hp and will certainly straighten out your arms and do 12 sec quarters…..guess their just down right , no good , do one thing well ” crotch rockets” now…..
My ’80 CB650C isn’t as sporty as this bike, but I find it super-comfortable. It becomes an extension of my body; it’s so natural. I rode with a pack of sport bikes one long day and did fine in the corners. Once in a while the leader on his Yamaha YZF900 (something like that) blasted out into Insanity-land where the rest of us had no interest in venturing, but I wouldn’t go that fast on any motorcycle. I have a low sissy bar on the back and the 650 does fine with my wife and I on board. My only complaint is when I have to pull out from a stop on a hill, especially when making a turn, with two people onboard, it’s a delicate dance of controls to get enough torque to avoid stalling without launching us into someone’s yard. The HD Superglide? couple we often pair up with have no such problem.
80’s bikes are getting hot. Owned a 1982 GPZ 550 new that was the first bike I ever rode. Despite what Howard thinks, they were fantastic in the twisties. I could use close to 100% of what that bike had to offer, and it was sub 13 seconds, no car came close. To this day I have no interest in 1/4 car building, bikes are another world.
Modern 1/2 liter bikes are scary fast, no thanks.
Back in the 80’s at least Harleys didn’t wave to you. Now every leather wearing dentist doing 10 under the limit waves at my 250 Kawasaki enduro. I call them rolling road blocks, should be embarrassed to go slower than a 250 with knobby tires.
my first new streetbike was ’81 550 gpz, had twin shocks, I think ’82 was first uni-trac if I remember right…..of all the bikes I’ve owned that first gpz was my Favorite one…..quick, light, agile handling, and that paint scheme…..I got my bike license with it, back then where I live, rural Maine, they did bike license road tests once a month, well I pulled into the national guard armory that dmv worked out of in my area and there was probly 10 bikes already there for the test, cb350’s, some dual purpose, older yamahas and such, everyone see that arrest me red and they all came flocking over oohing and ahhing, just then the agent doing the road test comes walking by and just glares at me. I figured this is not going to go well, but I passed no problem lol
The heyday of the UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle). They could do just about anything from carving up a twisty road to going cross country. I am amongst those who found the riding position to be pretty comfortable too. True sport bikes make your wrists sore and many H-Ds put all of your body weight right on your butt.
My last ride was 10/14/1993 (it didn’t end well, hence the remembered date). This bike could get me thinking about modifying a clutch and getting back up on a motor. I won’t but it is a nice bike
I’m going to pass on any comments but remember this bike well on the street nice bike. Ok that was a comment
I had a 900C back in the early ’80’s. Great bike, It had 2 exhaust pipes on each side, drive shaft, air suspension and two speed rear. Had some great trips! It would fly….
I had one of these back in the day. I set mine up with the Hondaline rearset kit, superbike bars, and a Dunstall frame mounted, sport fairing and that made it a great all rounder. Good in the twisties, a nice flat seat for laying down on the tank when I hit the superslab. Quick, relatively quiet, and Honda bulletproof!
wow…. here we go again. This decade is just so, so full of the negativity.
As a lover of ANY thing two wheeled, I really love the Hondas, Harleys, BMWs of this era. Any Honda will run again, usually taking minimums to repair. I have a small collection of most Asian brands, 4 Harleys, 3 BMWs, and some Hondas dating back to the 50s thru early 80s. A few Triumphs, Yamahas, Kaws, Bridgestones, etc. Never have seen many bikes I didn’t have some desire for; all have some redeeming value.
So I just don’t get too much tied up in all the angst. This 900 appears to be a great, well cared for example. I wish both buyer and seller well, as there is no loser to be seen in this purchase
I love these old bikes; and this is from the era where I was learning to ride. I missed out on a lot of great NOS bikes, back in 1985…shaft-drivers, and models where Honda was experimenting with hydraulic tappets, for low maintenance.
But gone is gone. I indulged myself three years ago, and, as happens, lost money. The bike had a damaged stator, and the valve seals were letting oil into the cylinders…the only way to get the head off, was to pull the engine, and then, my mechanic told me, it would be foolish not to do a ring and bearing job, since it eventually would need it.
And the ignition didn’t like wet weather. It was a beautiful Nighthawk S, and I tried not to get it wet; but I got caught in a summer shower, and the engine went dead. Wheeled it under a gas-station canopy, let it dry…and tried to start it. Thank God for lithium batteries…it took fifteen minutes for ONE cylinder to catch, and then five more for two…so I at least had enough engine to limp home. It took three miles of fast city driving for a third cylinder to wake up, and then, as I got to my carport, the fourth cylinder popped in to say howdy.
Right now I own a 2014 Honda NC700…the opposite of Hondas in that era. A slow-RPM engine (half of a Fit engine block) water cooled, fuel injection…and a need for valves to be serviced regularly. It’s still cheaper than the hassles that antique Nighthawk put me through. Better fuel mileage, too.
If I were looking to go all-out fast, at this point, I’d be shopping Triumph or the Yamaha triples. I’m not; at 60, there’s not much of the boy-racer in me. I had a BMW up to 130, once – outrunning a tornado in South Dakota. I really didn’t enjoy it much.
90 mph or so is plenty fast for me. And 2014 is plenty old for me. Old bikes…beautiful to look at but demanding to keep operable.
I worked a lot of years in Honda dealerships and had 2 of these, both 91’s. The first was bought new then had the factory sport fairing and low bar kit added. An Ontario Mototech pipe, DynoJet carb kit and degreed cams made this one a great ride. Low 11s in the quarter, carving twisties with ease and 55+ mpg (cdn) was more than I could hope for. My previous 750 F got worse mileage.
The 2nd F was used and I went a little overboard on the engine- 1125cc, cams, 36mm Keihins, V&H pipe, improvements, gearing, etc. A riot on the dragstrip but absolutely destroyed rear tires on the street, got about 2500 km out K391 Dunlops.
Harley and Honda are both good bikes. Had 3 Hondas, the last was a 1980 CB900 Custom. My Superglide was also a joy to ride (converting to a belt primary solves the leaks). My favorite, though, was my 68 BSA Lightning. The 71 Bonneville wasn’t bad either, but the looks of a Triumph when downhill as these oil in frame bikes came about.
I would love to have this bike, I remember a friend had a cb750 and I fell for it ….I have had a few decent bikes 1992 Ducati 907ie / 1997 Yamaha VMax / 1996 Suzuki GSXR 1100, but in the end I remember the cb750 fondly, and this would be icing on the cake for me
In right at 50 years of riding motorcycles I have had, including the 2 KZ1100’s I just bought, 14 bikes. I had at least one of each brand of Japanese bike but developed an affinity for KZ1000’s. All were good in their own way and the KZ’s were fast, stopped great and handled well. The bike I kept the longest was, however, a single 1994 HD Electra Glide FLHT-P w/80cu in. EVO motor which is the police version that I bought new. I kept it for 25yrs and ran the he** out of it doing funeral escorts with it which is basically accelerate as hard as you can, downshift hard, hit brakes and go again. 100,000 miles with nothing spent but tires, brakes, fluid changes, lifters, and one clutch in every kind of crap weather imaginable. Absolutely bullet-proof machine that I hated when I first got it because it’s power characteristics were nothing like my KZ’s. Only reason I bought it was to make money with it but I liked it and kept it after I learned how to properly operate it for it’s task. (Never leaked a drop of oil in 25 yrs.) They only look like the old leaky Flatheads, Knuckles and Shovels everyone (me included) that rode Japanese bikes made fun of as it was modern in every way. I appreciate them all for what they are and the KZ1100’s are about to be my new way to make fun for me and the grandson. Rubber side down!
All my Harley’s are pushing well over a 100 horsepower stage 3-4 kits depends on the bike and will scare you with the torque and power. My current one is a 2021 softail sport glide stage 4 over 125 horsepower and would leave most bikes in the dust. Not gonna say I would drag knees on it that’s not what it’s for. If I want to disappear in a hurry it will do it.
These are really nice bikes. I started with a Rupp mini bike, 90 Kaw, 100 Kaw, Honda 200x , Honda 250R three wheeler with shortened swingarm, flat track tires, built racing engine, Honda 250R Elsinore,Yamaha 400 YZ. I raced them all, rode the 250R three wheeler with my right ass cheek on my right heel sideways out of turn three and down the straightaway at my local track wide open throttle and had a ball. Hare scrambled, moto cross. Then I go my driver’s license. Bought a 360 Yamaha twin because it was cheap, rode the snot out of it, Kaw 900, mint 79 Honda CBX with 6 into 6 headers, CB750s. All great bikes, all ran and handled well ( except the 900 Kaw and the CBX, needed stiffer chassis). Have a HD LowRider now that I am old and it really flies, nice bike. The only bike that really worried me was my buddies Kaw 750 triple (expansion chambers, engine work) to much power coming on to quick with a wobbly chassis and inexperienced riders made them the “Widowmakers” The smaller Suzi, Kaw, Yamaha two cycles weren’t any better.
Another scary bike (to me) was my brother’s Honda CBR900RR crotch rocket, scary fast and hunched over was not a nice ride to me, he could put it through it’s paces though
“I certainly didn’t misunderstand your position because I’ve seen it in thread after thread……”
Unfortunately, that is what I noticed also.
SOLD for $5,600.
I enjoy the comments almost as much as imagining owning the vehicles on this site.
Keep sharing your opinions everyone!
I was raised in the 1900s and love to see the period pieces.
I’ve restored many different styles and brands of bikes. Did a beautiful 750F once. Worst city/ commuter I ever thru a leg over. Very high rpm to keep it moving, stiff up to 80. Once you go for a long ride on a BMW you are spoiled! Just my experience. Harleys are good if you go in a group with a parts truck chasing. IMHO?