| Model year | 1981 |
| Year of manufacture | 1981 |
| First year of ownership | 2006 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2009 |
| Acceleration marks | 10 / 10 |
| Roll-on Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Handling marks | 10 / 10 |
| Braking marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
9.0 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 32000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 45000 miles |
Summary:
Nothing else can keep up
Faults:
It is cold-blooded, a hard starter, but if run frequently it starts easily.
General Comments:
There is nothing like this bike, nothing. The acceleration is incredible, whether in the lower range or high. I will spend whatever it takes to keep this classic on the road.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 15th March, 2009
| Model year | 1981 |
| Year of manufacture | 1980 |
| First year of ownership | 1981 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2009 |
| Acceleration marks | 10 / 10 |
| Roll-on Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Handling marks | 8 / 10 |
| Braking marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 9 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
9.1 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 28000 miles |
| Previous motorcycle | Triumph Bonneville |
Summary:
Superb
Faults:
Leaky valve cover gasket at 18,000 miles.
General Comments:
Best bike I ever owned, as regards looks, power, comfort, reliability, low maintenance.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 1st March, 2009
| Model year | 1981 |
| Year of manufacture | 1980 |
| First year of ownership | 2007 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2009 |
| Acceleration marks | 8 / 10 |
| Roll-on Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Handling marks | 10 / 10 |
| Braking marks | 5 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
8.0 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 16000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 17662 miles |
| Previous motorcycle | Suzuki GS750L |
Summary:
A very fun and enjoyable machine
Faults:
Front brake calipers seize up during off season.
The dual range shifter is stiff. Hard to use.
The front master cylinder is brittle and leaks.
General Comments:
I bought this bike from an "older" co- worker. He gave me a price I could not refuse.
The bike was in non-running condition when I bought it. It had six years of dust, dirt, and rust built up on it. The first thing I done was, I bought a new battery and spark plugs. Also, a fresh gallon of gas.
The bike finally started. Ran just like a bike would after sitting so long. The carburators leaked. The bike sounded weak.
So, I bought a gallon of carburator cleaner. Pulled the carburators off the bike and headed to my dad's house. Dad and I spent the better part of the day cleaning them.
In the end, it was worth every penny. The bike runs great. We also spent days on end cleaning the bike.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th February, 2009
In 59 years, I've had a bunch of bikes, Harley's, (four), James, Zundapp, Triumph, Honda's, (three) ---- bought my CB900C new in 1981, still have it. It's still in almost new condition. Nothing I've ridden comes close to it in reliability, looks, power, and low maintenance.
A note to the guys who stated their bikes were hard to start after sitting for some time. They probably aren't aware that one of the carbs has an accelerator pump. It's only necessary to twist the throttle handle a few times and then crank the engine with only a small amount of throttle and varoom.
The only things replaced on my bike in 28 years are tires, batteries, plugs, oil filters, and one valve cover gasket. I don't beat on a bike real hard, but when I do kick it in the tail, it's still a rush, and it still smokes the rear tire easily.
Best bike I ever owned, and at my age, my last one.
| Model year | 1982 |
| Year of manufacture | 1982 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Acceleration marks | 9 / 10 |
| Handling marks | 8 / 10 |
| Braking marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
7.3 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 19500 miles |
| Most recent distance | 28600 miles |
Summary:
Cool!
Faults:
Absolutely no problems. This is a great bike! I have, however, just developed a small oil leak around the oil pan, but no worries.
General Comments:
This bike runs really well. I'm currently riding 110 miles back and forth to work, mostly on 4-lane highways. The bike just purrs along, 4500 rpm @ 70 mph. I do think I should get a more comfortable seat for this kind of riding.
The bike has a Vetter Windjammer IV fairing and vented windshield and also a Vetter trunk. It's great for hauling groceries or anything else. The 10-speed transmission and 4 into 4 exhaust make for cool features of the bike. Too bad the previous owner thought to use an SOS pad to clean the exhaust pipes!
My main complaint about this bike is that if you let it sit for more than a week without riding, it is very cold blooded; it turns over fine but does not fire immediately. My mechanic told me that Honda's were known for this and the '82 CB900 was the worst. With it currently being a daily driver, I have no problems starting it.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 11th August, 2008
About the cold blooded starting. Drain the carburator bowls, then supply fresh gas from the tank. Two ways to do this:
1. Remove the vacuum line adjacent to cylinder 2 insulator, then apply vacuum by other means to refill bowls, replace vacuum line to nipple.
2. Locate vent line for vacuum diaphragm for petcock, it will be on the right side. Apply light air pressure till bowls fill. The bike will start like you just stopped it.
When the fuel sits in the bowls for a few days hydrocarbons evaporate out, and they are what makes the fuel quick burning.