Honda CX vs. VT - The first Honda V-Twins

[@armandoalbano7559]

I Have 2 of them a 1978 CX500 I had since High School in 1979 with 26,000 ORIGINAL miles!!! & A 1981 CX500 I Rebuilt from a basket case!!!!!

[@AnthonyIlstonJones]

That first bike is THE cleanest CX500 I have ever seen, used to see them all the time as a courier in London in the '80s.

[@lifeontheroad3392]

I've got a 1983 GL650 Silverwing owned for the past 23 years and still going strong

[@trevorjameson3213]

Those are awesome bikes, we had a neighbor back in the very early '80s, and that bike was so nice! My Dad wanted one, but could only afford a new CM400 instead, which was still a fun bike. Being nostalgic, I bought a '79 CX500 about a year ago, a well-kept original. It's been so much fun riding it and touring on it and tinkering with it to keep her going strong. I love those old Honda's, just great memories from when I was a kid. My first bike was a '72 Honda CL100, I spent every spare minute riding it back then.

[@ksigurdsen034482]

My dad bought a brand new 1981 GL500 Silverwing when I was a teenager. That got me hooked on Japanese motorcycles. I had a 1983 Honda Shadow VT500 in college. I loved them both.

[@hervevdb]

I bought a cx500 and drove it 200000kms without problem. It was maybe the best motor Honda designed. The bike was quiet ugly but immortal. With my cx500 it was a love affair.

[@12Tundra]

I just bought a 1979 with 12,150 miles from the original owner and it is awesome!

[@jota1221]

I had 81 CX500 . The best seat on any motorcycle ever. I cry when I see what these cafe racer types are doing to the poor old CXs.

[@DrLoverLover]

Caferacers are gay

[@carlosgooglemaps94]

Dr. Love , so you have got one?

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Seen one, years ago, on the way to the Easter motorcycle races. Two up, cranked over, hooting thru the mountains, overtake us and disappear into the distance. Your typical awesome midsize Jap bike.

[@rossbrumby1957]

Had 3 CX500's, seats were only ok. Custom looked more comfy but never sat on one. Most comfortable seat I've ridden on is my Suzuki M109r by a big margin. The CX was more fun to flog around town on, the 109 is way cooler but a chore to corner.

[@TomBartram-b1c]

Yeah. I ever got the point of the cafe racer treatment. This one sounds shite too.

[@johnrobinson357]

I had a 1981 CX500 in 1986 sat in a garage for 5 years full of fuel 980 miles on it. $600 and it was mine. A little low speed handling quirks and a front disk that faded pretty quickly, but not a bad bike overall. I'd get another if were not beat to death with a ton of miles on it. Very nice mid rev torque fell on it's face a bit in high revs. I was gonna mess with jetting the carbs but after some thought chose to not open that can. Sold it for $1,500 in 1988. Got a low miles 1978 KZ1000 for $900 and never looked back. 30 years later i still own the KZ1000 after some fiddling i still like it just as much today. No it's not the best bike of it's time, but after some $$ and time spent on upgrades it will leave a brown spot in any sane persons underwear.

[@peterherrington3300]

Not only first v twin . First water-cooled & first shaft drive too. Reliable as a wood burning stove if maintained properly.

[@opfipip3711]

I had them both - the CX 500 E and the VT 500 E. The CX was more comfortable, a bit faster, but needed more gasoline. The VT was easier to drive, didn´t need so much gasoline, had a better landing gear and was more beautiful. I loved them both.

[@indigo196799]

Landing gear?

[@plchef1]

I had a nice looking Honda VT 500 C (not shown here)(bought in 1992) followed by two NTV 650 (first bought new in 1993, destroyed by accident in 1994 and then a second one in 1994 for with 3000km). They all had the same layout with 3 valves per cylinder, two ignition coils and cardan drive. At the end I sold the 3 year NTV 650 with 10.000km because I got the offer to get a BMW K 100 RT (10 years old with 80.000km) for the same price. That was 1995. And now? I still drive the same K 100 in 2019!

[@markd2556]

Don't forget about the GL 500 and 650 Silverwing light touring bikes. They had the same engines as the CX series and were fully dressed like the Goldwings (complete with radio, optional cb, and hard saddle bags w/trunk). I owned an '81 and loved it. Those engines have alot of torque, are tough and great on gas. If anyone finds one of these bikes they're certainly worth the money!

[@noonsight2010]

Those of us around at the time have probably been trying very hard to forget that crap!

[@noonsight2010]

Never! They were renowned as crap when they were current models. I was biking at the time and knew owners, including of a pair of Silver Wings, on which I've been a pillion. I only own decent bikes. Do you even know what a "dude" is? I doubt it. How can you HEAR me on KZbin? What's with the donkey hole? What's with the mock Yank language? Your profile indicates you're British as it indicates UK English as your choice. Do at least learn the language. Fuckwit.

[@easyfishing1936]

I saw one of these raced at Brands Hatch. The guy was thrashing the ....... off it but was giving the Yamaha 2 strokes a run for their money and he got clapped and cheered by the crowd every time he passed. The only problem I remember from the ones used by couriers was the cam chain tensioner, some lasted some didn’t! Plastic maggot indeed much more character than most bikes!

[@TBullCajunbreadmaker]

I bought one off the showroom floor in 1980 and to this day I regret getting rid of it. One of the best bikes I ever owned.

[@tonyloechte9994]

I had one back in the eighties Best bike ever owned

[@nightflyer1100]

Wow, I used to have a CX-Turbo. That was one of the best motorcycle. Very nice bike!!

[@rege11111111]

I had a honda 650 twin, shaft drive with full fairing, it was one of the best bikes i ever owned but dammed hard to get parts for. It rode like a dream and was much better than the k series. I should have kept it, loved riding that bike the only thing i found comparable was the yamaha 750 Virago.

[@vcv6560]

I had a CX500 til just below 100K miles, had to replace the stator about 50K was such a great bike. The blue would have been so great to had access. I painted mine red at the 20 yr mark. The quiet engine worked well with a Windjammer and Vettersound.

[@xx-bg2dj]

I loved my CX's. Honda made a master job of that engine. Try and find another pushrod engine with a 10000rpm red line from the factory.

[@donniebaker5984]

The engine is the worst honda ever built .there is no oil supply to lubricate the chamshaft lobes and the camshaft lobe followers . In less than 30k miles the engine is trashed

[@lorenzomotocafe3132]

@@donniebaker5984 , you are just plain ignorant Donnie, you have not a clue what are you talking about!!

[@rossbrumby1957]

@@lorenzomotocafe3132 correct- reckon donnie must have run his CX dry.

[@garydunn3037]

Don't tell me a near perfect CX500 was turned into a Rat-Rod?

[@stwhite5135]

Great video. Thanks. I had never seen or knew about most of these bikes.

[@sandymacpherson9400]

I've had a million bikes over the years, and I had a CX500 Custom, back in the day, which I loved. Nowadays, as they are no longer available I ride a VT750C, which I also like, but I wish the maintenance was as easy as on the CX. I guess, so long as you have two wheels, a sunny day and an open road in front, what's not to love.

[@tonysargent1699]

Loved the video, really great subject matter! Had both, enjoyed both, but only have the cx500 engine left in boxes! So sad! Thankyou for sharing and putting a great big grin on my face.

[@decadantdog4444]

Used to see CX500 Customs all over back in the day.

[@trevorjameson3213]

Well if you were to be here in my town, you would see another fine example, since I have a '79 CX500 Custom, still going strong!

[@Randolf1958]

She looks like a new one. Respect.

[@bikerGL1800]

My first bike in 1988 was a red Honda CX500 E Sports and I kept driving Honda til totday (GL1800) :)

[@lescooper5224]

They are all nice but the last one was a great looking and sounding bike

[@peterweller8583]

I loved my GL 500 well made little motor. Then I bought a PC 800 and fell in love all over again. Cafe racer could use a fork bridge. Wow a CX 650 rare bird.

[@ohwell2790]

I had a CX 500 10,000 rpm red line and turned 1,000 rpm per 10 mph. Just cruise along at 70 mph and 70 mph. Great motorcycle.

[@awuma]

My GL500I had the same 10mph per 1K revs in 5th gear. Useful if the speedo cable breaks ;-) The GL650 is somewhat taller ... 4th is about 10mph/1Krev.

[@Orangesjesus]

Had a cx500 shadow in late 90’s. No wonder still sought after, great bike.

[@garydunn3037]

That first bike must have been brand new! it certainly looked that way. Like straight out of the crate.

[@benhuot6852]

frigging T chain tensionner, but the rest was cool... especially the Turbo vesion

[@lynnkramer1211]

I bought one in 1982, and road it for many happy years, now it is ridden daily by my son. He is taking very good care of it an this pleases me to no end. I ride a BMW R1100RS now. He recently bought a 2005 Kawasaki 250 sport bike which also seems to be very reliable and fun ride. My other son has a Honda V45 Saber. It is wicked fast and I worry what he wants with so much power. I am still a parent after all. Having a sport that keeps my family together is almost a Godsend. I wonder of there are Motorbikes in Heaven? Who knows, but I hope so. I believe that if Jesus had been about his Father's work during our time, His Holy Word would have spread even faster than ever.

[@dizko75]

VT 500 E - Great commuter bike, decent reliability, predictable V twin power, interesting inboard front disc brake........but styling decidedly chosen by someone without style or any sort of concience. That said, they redeemed themselves with the Ascot model which suited the motor perfectly.

[@burthabard8316]

DIZKO BIZZKIT thy made a auto box model of this to

[@amycreagh3108]

I have an 84 Ascot VT500. I love it, wish I could post a pic

[@LabRat6619]

The CX500 Custom was the best version and reliable as hell. That last bike was a peach though.

[@donniebaker5984]

CX500 camshafts grind the lobes off as there is no oil supply to the camshaft lobes

[@lorenzomotocafe3132]

@@donniebaker5984 ; shut up Donnie!!!

[@marcconyard5024]

A real shame Honda stopped production of these as they were so right on so many levels. I kick my self today after not buying a blue one that was offered to me for only 3k.

[@hanslindquist4183]

I have one cx500 original,driving the nice day´s

[@atomicdmt8763]

i had one of these.......many years ago...... smooth/solid

[@GrtSatan]

I bought one brand new in 79. Brilliant engine and drive train and a pretty good handler until the suspension wore out. Traded it in for an 81 RD350 LC.

[@decadantdog4444]

I'd like to see one of these with upside down forks.

[@rossbrumby1957]

Then in 2 years when the RD was flogged out, get the CX back!

[@workingboat]

Great bike, had many of them, would like many more, the vt was okay as well slim with plenty of torque

[@upsidedowndog1256]

I have a brochure of the Ascot from when they were new. To a teen they seemed cool.

[@jonnyrox116]

Although it's one of the most boring looking bikes of the day there's alot to be said for opposed cylinders with shaft drive. Anyone that's ever ridden a BMW will say it's the smoothest ride ever, and I agree , on a long ride you can't beat that combination. Moto Guzzi same thing. Nearly 20yrs ago two friends and I ran the Pacific Coast Tour from British Columbia to Tierra Del Fuego , me on my R70, Rich on his HD and Lee on his VMax, we stopped more for fatigue and repairs than we did for fuel, Lee's wife drove the chase van, these guys pissed and moaned the whole 3 weeks about this hurts that hurts, I need this part or that part...Rich left his bike somewhere in Peru and rode with Lee's wife in the van the rest of the trip, Lee bought a trailer to haul his bike back on and I'm the only one who completed the trip intact...and I'm 20yrs older than those two guys

[@noonsight2010]

If what you claim about smoothness is true, how come my in-line triple K75C was smoother than my R80/7? Indeed it was the smoothest 750 engine of it's day and probably still is.

[@TukaSlave]

The mid sized BMWs of the day ran exceptionally smooth at highway speeds - almost vibrationless. Of course, they got cantankerous and clunky changing gears going through towns, but on the open road they were bliss. And well balanced for cornering too, though the frame developed a hinge in the middle if you went in too hot. Solution? Take it a bit easier. You'll get there in the end, but more relaxed and calmer. And ready to rock on arrival, not a cot case like the other guys!

[@radunastase7901]

I still have 2 of those. One is Turbo 650.

[@walterellermann7584]

Schönes Gerät!

[@reginafischer6747]

Ein schönes Motorrad. Bei uns in Deutschland wurde die Maschine Güllepumpe genannt.

[@dexpower90]

bas lepo snimljeno

[@sunrisesurfbum]

Had one in black, couldn't decide whether I liked it or not.

[@BigBillBlue]

What handlebars are on that first blue CX500?

[@jeffersonbianchideoliveira4838]

what beautiful bike and good !!!

[@markwarnberg9504]

Regret selling my 1981 Blue CX500, best bike I ever had.

[@hisamslima4871]

بحبك الموتوسيكلات دى اوى اوى اوى ❤❤ كوكب اليابان كوكب عظيم❤❤

[@DaroriDerEinzige]

Stupid question but - When do you change in the second/third gear?

[@bako1200]

был такой только GL 400...классный двигатель

[@ЮрийВенов]

И у меня был такой GL400 в 1996 году. Я на нем летал по Москве и удивлялся, какой он резвый и экономичный! Не скучный совсем, задорный, кардан, так удобно было. Управляется легко и см он был лёгкий. Потом, уже в 2000 -хороший пытался найти нормальный такой, но за приемлемые деньги нормальных не встретил. Мысль была, что нам бы такой по лицензии клепать и думал, что все бы на такие сели.

[@ЮрийМакагонов-ъ1у]

У меня такой СХ500С 1982г в идеальном состоянии!

[@АлександрПерчов-ж9у]

I remember the 650 turbo...Every now and then, you'll see one for sale on Ebay...

[@tph-2tradepro-tradeplatefi820]

CX was a comfy ride with some faults few seem to mention here……poor brakes, particularly in wet conditions, and poor damping at both ends. I upgraded the shocks and fork valving with made a huge difference to the confidence factor when allied to quality tyres. The brakes were always an issue as they got no attention.

[@futurelegance196]

Does any1 know what causes the constant 'hiccup' in the idling sound of the turbo model? Normal or technical issue? (4:30)

[@jakepennington8507]

Sounded like a miss to me but not sure

[@HockeyVictory66]

Wow,, museum quality bile.

[@sergiodimmu3060]

La primera , la celeste .... Genial !!!!!

[@keithhampton9700]

The Cafe version looks great,other than the seat. Needs a Bum stop.

[@abbasalimirza3512]

GENUINELY INTERESTED IN BUYING THIS BIKE MONEY NO PROBLEMS( INDIA)

[@robertcoon6226]

I got a 83 cx650 custom and I bought a ignition switch for twin 250 CX will this work

[@TomBartram-b1c]

If there was a 21st century cx it'd have to he the 400 burgman. Huge, comfy and will easily hold 80 two-up. Plus, it does 60+ mpg.

[@FSSFLeeminator]

Where can i get a new ignition pulser for 79 CX500? Mine only fires on one cylinder. Thanks.

[@cat793cdumpy]

Check out the cx 500 forum. I am sure you would get some answers from there.

[@RobertSmith-bh5cv]

Remember when Honda made cool, high quality bikes like these? What happened?

[@happyfeet231259]

good bike , i had the chopper version , same engine

[@jenshellmuth5217]

Absolut wonderful CX500 in original blue color 1🥰

[@andylaye6216]

I have a Cx500ec. Eurosport. Had to cafe it! Ugly bikes, but great engines.Not really fast, but 80mph all day long!

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

Weirdest feeling bikes I've ever jumped. The shaft drive would make them roll when they were in the air when I'd keep them level with the throttle.

[@TepcoCycleRepair]

JAWA do a video on the Honda Hawk GT NT650 please.

[@pp2021]

The guy on the German bike from Schwäbischhall, putting himself in line for big trouble with that exhaust and bald rear tyre

[@noonsight2010]

CX 500: known in the UK as the "Plastic Maggot" or "Plastic Pig".

[@raydreamer7566]

I have owned and rode both style of bikes and the CX series was and will be my favorite. I have no appreciation for any of the CX style so called cafe bikes.

[@colinnesbitt440]

Yes

[@DungeonKeeper-sz3ox]

I love the look of the 650 turbo. Comstar wheels at its best. Will honda ever revive these models?

[@noonsight2010]

I hope not. Comstar wheels were prone to collapsing, with often fatal results.

[@delilaszlo7596]

Dungeon Keeper Horned ex

[@carlosgooglemaps94]

Dungeon Keeper Horned turbo version do not have comstars wheels

[@carlosgooglemaps94]

noonsight2010 if you have nothing to say, say nothing moron!!, you don't know what you'r talking about!!

[@TukaSlave]

Out of these bikes, I owned the CX500 and a VT400 (Jap import of a VT400). The CX500 was the highest revving pushrod VTwin ever, from memory, and when near new was a wonderfully smooth and relaxing bike to ride. After somebody (no names) crashed it, it was never as good - apparently the forks weren't straightened properly. The VT400 I had later was not as good, a bit "meh". I like the VTwin style power output, but there was such an excess of blandness and absolutely no character. Putting loud pipes on them doesn't make them any better, just annoying. The Ascot looked to be the best of them. And the handling sucked. Too heavy to be agile, too ill balanced to obey commands without question. Not quite right.

[@hickup8661]

In Australia cx450 was the first vtwin Honda

[@Gary-qd7kq]

I see many like to make flat trackers n bobbers. I have a 79 cx500custom. 1 owner.23k on milage.21k by 81. All origional.1600firm 7-16 7-20.

[@60_daysff_per_year]

The color which isn't in Japan.The form in Japan, GL500,GL400

[@あきチャンネル-b6p]

皆さん、めっちゃ綺麗に乗ってますね～ 保存状態もめちゃ良い～(≧∇≦)/

[@川又謙司]

この時代のホンダ車は、何かひらがなっぽい音だったなぁ…。る る るとか、ろ ろ ろ(ウィングの音)とか。(る る る)はホークです。ちょっと後だけど、ズークのホーンは、……(ひぃ〜。)でした。❤️

[@Flies2FLL]

The Honda VT 500E could NOT go 110 mph with 50 horsepower. Bikes of the same weight and power had trouble doing 90 mph. I had a '70 and '76 Honda CB-750-four bikes and they had about 67 hp. These 500 pound machines would get to 90 mph real quick but above above that they were working hard.

[@opfipip3711]

That is not true. The VT 500 could even be faster with a small driver. 160 km/h = 100 mph was nothing. 170 km/h upright was normal. Going down with chest and head and you could make 180 km/h. The same and better was with the CX 500.

[@neonwilliams5300]

@@opfipip3711 Yes, I got 190kph out of mine, getting away from a police car, in my early, immature days lol. I was only 61kg then, which may have helped.

[@opfipip3711]

Weight is not so important. Important is whether you can make yourself "small" on that bike.

[@user-lx6bl2wd8g]

The blue CX was the same as the one I had in 83' . Great

[@abbasalimirza3512]

I AM READY TO BUY PL.LET ME KNOW DETAILS OF BLUE CX TWIN HONDA.

[@zbigniewbielicki2687]

Great motobikes.

[@abbasalimirza3512]

SIR HOW MUCH IN INDIAN RUPEES PRICE APPROXIMATELY BLUE HONDA CX TWIN.

[@pachma405]

2:06 there's easier ways to ruin a good motorcycle than that. Just take a sledge hammer to it. The finished result would be more pleasing than that hideous mess.

[@anthonyagnelneri4076]

NO SPECS NOTHING!! SOUNDS GOOD

[@gerardocolasurdo1090]

Anthony Agnelner. i

[@jawedmalik2382]

Good baki

[@sharkkakirde1]

Too Good,,

[@84gssteve]

While I fully appreciate the technical wizardry of the CX series (especially the EFI Turbo) I just cant get past the look. I like me some oddball bikes, but its just too "first try" looking. That said, while we are talking Honda V-twins of olden days, Id gladly take a PC800 and a Transalp any day of the week.....both in white please....and a red NT650 Hawk.

[@noelalvesmoreira6104]

Honda-Guzzi.

[@zefini7397]

Look like that, similar project.

[@noonsight2010]

Don't know much about bikes do you?!!! The 500 Guzzi was a far better machine.

[@noonsight2010]

I nearly bought a V50 to replace my Benelli 354 Sport II back in the eighties. Somebody else got it while I was thinking about it so I ended up with a BMW R80/7 instead. There is NO comparison between the wonderful V50 and a plastic maggot CX 500.

[@wordreet]

In the UK the CX gained the nick name Plastic Maggot.

[@carlosgooglemaps94]

wordreet REALLY???, wow!!, you discover the penicillin!!!,...MORON!!!

[@MrNickelbrille]

In Germany we called her a Güllepumpe ;-) Looked bad at the time,but was very reliable.

[@hdemello1]

País tropical, isso deve fritar as pernas. Por isso que não veio para cá.

[@Brommear]

Mine was red...

[@karthicklokesh]

this bike interest sir by anyone sales this bike

[@mlau9991]

这是个不太成功的改造！--CAFE RACER风格不适合这种本田车。 因为本田原来的造型就很经典，而且车况、机件都保存得不错，外观还是很新，只要修改替换一些不协调的部件，就可以改造成一辆完美复古款摩托。 现在这么改，我觉得方向是错了，可惜。

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

Güllepumpen!

[@jezztech]

Frankly , that brown Vtwin @ around 8.12 sounds like shit.

[@ohwell2790]

jezztech, a person that knows what shit sounds is knelling to close to the hole.

[@jezztech]

I was just making a hypothetical comparison, but your obviously speaking from experience, cant argue with that dude!

[@barryphillips7327]

First bike real nice, second one was bloody awful!

[@首にロープ-p2w]

おっ？VTって？　と思ったら、NVのことか＾＾：