Honda Motorcycle Reviews


Read Honda motorbike reviews. These have been written by owners of Honda bikes for the benefit of fellow bikers. Read other Honda owners' personal opinions of Honda motorcycle ownership. You can also submit your own Honda review.

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Honda ST Pan European 1300cc Sept '06 (56)
Overall Rating:
Review
I got this bike as a direct replacement for a Triumph Trophy 1200 that I'd had for 3 years, Mechanically I find the Honda better than the older Triumph; Electrically it's a bit of a disaster the battery has gone flat on me 5 times in 16 months despite it being plugged into an optimate! The handling is good, it has a far more 'planted' feel about it, it's a bit snatchy -due to the Fuel injection- in 1st gear, but this discretion is more than made up for by the smoothness of the power delivery once you get moving (and it sounds great when you really open the throttle!)
The major issues I have with the Honda (and these are relative to the Triumph) are the paint on the bike is very soft and scratches/rubs off easily, The weather protection is nowhere near as good as the Triumph was and servicing, at every 4k, is very expensive! but I think this is down to which dealer you use, shopping around is vital here, my dealer charged £250 for a simple 4k service that was supposed to be a levels check only! (I had the same service done at the Honda dealer in Morecambe for £90?!
I now (the warrantee is finished) do my own services.

However for the comfort, pleasure and a rather strange feeling of 'safeness' when being out on the bike I'm more than happy with the Pan!
Submitted by
Panamaniac1 in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire on 24/10/2008
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Honda XR 125cc Sept '03 (53)
Overall Rating:
Review
great first bike , many people say not the fastest but one you discover how to ride it propely , can be very fun and quick. all round great bike with good reliability , excellent mpg ( 75mpg!!!), great handling and easy to ride.
Submitted by
lou z in Leeds, West Yorkshire on 23/10/2008
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Honda CB 250cc Apr '00 (W)
Overall Rating:
Review
I love this bike. It is the perfect commuter bike, and has the power to carry my wife on the back too. It's nippy, sounds throaty, comfortable, and very reliable. I do 26 miles a day in London and the 80+mpg is a massive benefit. Very economical. If you have a restricted full license (25kw or 33bhp) then this is your absolute best choice for a motorbike, unless you put a restrictor on a big bike (which is expensive). You won't regret getting on of these.
Submitted by
aahaslam on 23/10/2008
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Honda CBR 1100cc Apr '99 (T)
Overall Rating:
Review
Our CBR1100XX Super Blackbird.
In the best colour Red. Wow what a bike. Handles like a dream, superb cornering, fast on acceleration. Comfortable seats for long hauls. As much fun as one can get with their clothes on. S*x on 2 wheels.
Submitted by
sueshamen in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire on 23/10/2008
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Honda XR 125cc Sept '07 (57)
Overall Rating:
Review
This is a great bike for commuting locally, it does 80mpg and feels bigger and more comfortable than other 125's. My son bought this bike New and he is 5'10" and it did not look small for him like many in its class.I now use the bike as a run around and being just over 5' I find it easy to ride too. Being a Honda four stroke that only reaches 60-65mph it will be reliable for ever. The choke can be tricky until you get used to it, with 2 positions, the first is not enough to start and the 2nd position can be too much! Having said this, when the bike is used daily there is no need for choke. Insurance for this bike can be expensive for youngsters as the bike is classed as on/off road which also is the reason that Honda only give 3 months warranty,not 2 years.
Submitted by
speedqueen in Horsham, West Sussex on 22/10/2008
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Honda VFR 800cc Apr '99 (T)
Overall Rating:
Review
I have always wanted one since the single sided 800 came out some 12 yrs ago. I picked my 99 FiX up a yr ago from my local Kent Motorcycles. It had 22k on and a very detailed full history, something to always look for. All the body work is original and datatagged, it hasn't even been dropped. I checked the bike and then flicked the starter, there was that sound, not like a screaming inline but a purpose rumble only a v engine can give, and that sweet low whine that tells you it ain't got a chain drive but cogs directly driving the cams, another bonus with all the cam chain adjuster failings I have experienced. As you set off there is power right where you need it, from about 3k it just builds up, not a smack of sudden power but before you know your moving through the gears and making quick progress. It isn't the fastest bike I have owned but keeps up with most modern 600 sports bikes, my friend has a zx6 and we often ride together. What I like is the way it does everything without really trying. Lots of protection from the wind without buying a replacement screen and i'm 5' 11" tall, you don't get cramped up and the bars are at a nice hight, something you will appreciate if you have ridden a sports bike for more than a 100 miles without stopping.Infact the only time I find myself needing to stop is for other riders or when my fuel gauge tells me and that can be some 180 miles of fun later. The VFR has a good easy to read display which includes LED temp and fuel. In my year of ownership I udse it constantly to travel to work and ride out for fun. It has never let me down I have't needed to replace a tyre in 6k, and only made one adjustment on the chain, I beleive this is directly down to the way it makes its power, smooth and liner. Over all I would say it is the best allrouder and the best of many I have owned in my 28 yrs of riding. It is very well made, as you would expect from Honda, many people remark on it's condition, reliability has been faultless, comfort is proberly the best for a sports tourer, handling well it isn't as quick as a sports bike to drop into a turn but still it turns in without any issues and you can get on the throttle earlier with the big v. After a long time playing with the settings I have found a setting which suits my heavy build and gives good feedback what the bike is doing. Braking well this is the first linked system I have ridden and after an intial soft long travel issue, fixed with new pads and fluid, I can't really tell the difference in my ridding, which can be quite spirited, MPG that depends on that twist grip on the right, anywhere between 35-50mpg I have experienced and it loves the higher grade fuels. Running costs, apart from the early brake issue which is a service part, I have't even needed to top up the oil, so one service at £120 and an Mot. Preformance wise I certainly don't need any more, having said that I am thinking of increasing the rear sprocket which will lower the gearing and release a little more power but I ride a lot in town and it is something I want to try to help with low speed filtering. I have ridden the V-TEC version of my bike and must say I still prefer mine. For sale, not likely I can't find any bike I would rather have at the moment
Submitted by
Shadowblasteruk on 21/10/2008
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Honda CBR 600cc 87/88 (E)
Overall Rating:
Review
The jelly mould!
Mine is now minus fairing lowers after rear end shunt, after tidying up the wiring I think it looks better.
Handles predictably, can easily get the pegs down without getting out of shape, Bridgestone Battlax 45s good for grip wet and dry, good wear rate.
Will do 140 mph on the clock, pulls from 40 mph in top but doesnt take off until 6000revs.Can be soft and a revvy screamer too.
Does 45mpg average, can do 60 mpg or 22mpg.
Quite comfy seat good riding position, screen is a bit low and wind buffets your head unless you tuck in a bit.
The handlebars are at a weird angle but can be turned round on the fork tops if locating pins are removed.
Turn the forks round to one side and turn the bar until you can get two fingers in between the bar grip and the side of the tank.
Brakes need regular cleaning/ taking off calipers.Be careful you dont damage the piston heat inserts when squeezing the pistons back in.
WHAT GOES WRONG.

Mechanicals
Its a Honda so not much, however mine has done 100,000mls.
The cam chain tensioner sticks, so a rattle when starting now doesnt disappear, get another.DONT remove the plungerfrom the tensioner as someone suggests!
I replaced the cam chain at 50/000 mls it was still only part worn.
The cam followers are located into the head with a ball socket providing movement by the cam lobe, if a tinkle/ rattle comes from the head even though the tappets have been done, look here.the loose bit can sometimes be peened/centre punched around to tighten it up.
Tappets, yes it doesnt use shims!! adjustment lasts ages, which is good as access under the frame rails is limited.
The rear wheel spindle needs greased, I dont use coppaslip, white waterproof lithium grease is good for all parts, including brake pistons.

Early disks with lots of holes in can crack between holes, later discs with less holes fit.
The rear cush drive rubbers get compressed and can easily be replaced or shimmed up with a suitable material, I used buisness cards!! they dont get wet.
The fairing mounts and locating tags are VERY easily damaged(this is a 20 year old bike!!)

Electricals
The 3 yellow wires from the offside genny casing connect to the voltage rectifier on the frame behind the carbs, the connector at the rear end of the tank on the frame can corrode and burn out the connector, sometimes causing the battery/ rectifier to take a huff.Get a new set of connectors and holder from Lucas agent or city electricals(car stuff)
The headlight bulb and the beam height adjuster(near side under the clocks by near side headlamp shell)are a pig to get to, it may be easier to take the clocks off (5 screws)and lay them over to the near side.
I tried relays and a 100w/80w bulb, but the high beam terminal kept melting!! so I changed back to 60/55 and found the beam much brighter than standard. two relays will fit by the fuseholder under the nearside front cockpit filler panel.See google for info or get fused relays from Halfords,with instructions, or, a lot cheaper, a Lucas agent.
To get the oil filter off you can hammer a screwdriver through the filter side to side at the front and lever round to get off...be sure to have a new filter ready.

The ignition sender in the near side engine casing can go, with no sparks the motor will not run and the unit will have to be replaced, second hand is cheaper.

Despite all the above I have found the bike very reliable, easy handling with enough zip above 6000rpm to keep up with newer bikes on "A"&"B" roads, however above 120 on motorways it shows its age.
A downside for a bike 21 years old is people say "it doesnt look that old" which shows what a ground breaking bike it was.
Parts are starting to get harder to get esp plastics.
Anyone looking for a classic ish jap will find a great allrounder/ second bike which is far from boring.





Submitted by
don41d in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland on 17/10/2008
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Honda Deauville 700cc Apr '06 (06)
Overall Rating:
Review
Returned to motorcycling after a three year absence. Really wanted a VFR800 (which was my last bike) but I live in Melbourne, Aus, and have accumulated a few too many demerit (speeding) points. Chose a 2006 Deauville as it seemed to fit the bill of not being too pricey and providing a few weekend thrills without putting the licence at risk. Enjoy the comfort of the bike but must say I find the gearbox pretty agricultural. I've taken it back to the Honda shop for them to check it out as it gets quite rough in slow traffic. Pretty torquey motor for 680cc - mind you, it is a V-twin. It gets along quite nicely even though the bike weighs well over 200kg. First time I've had a proper topbox and heated grips. A gentleman's ride!
Submitted by
davodeauville on 15/10/2008
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Honda Melody 50cc 81 (W)
Overall Rating:
Review
Had my Honda Melody for 2years now,reliable and a great fun little scooter.Its done me proud for its age.Be sad when i sell it to upgrade to a bigger bike.
Submitted by
kez on 13/10/2008
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Honda ST Pan European 1300cc Apr '08 (08)
Overall Rating:
Review
What can I say that hasn't already been said by far better qualified commentators than me. Suffice to say this was always my dream bike and one that I never thought I would ever own but, luckily for me Mrs spartan had other ideas so now I am the very proud owner of a white 58 plate ST1300. It has fulfilled all of my expectations and then some from the smooth but powerful acceleration, the effortless cornering, unmistakable road presence, 50+ mpgh and phenmomenal stopping power. This is one hell of a bike that is built for comfort and mile eating comfort. I have spent up to eight hours in the saddle (not including rest stops) with no stiffness or discomfiture at all. Yes it is a big bike and at 300kgs plus it can be awkward moving it about to get it out of the garage but once it is moving it feels light and amazingly responsive. An excellent tourer just as Mr Honda claims but it is easily capapble of just riding it for fun. The build quality is just as you would expect from Honda; solid and efficient and the almost cockpit effect of riding with the screen all the way up is superb even if the roll back draught on your back feels as though your are being pushed towards the bars. The instrument configuration is well thought out and easy to look at. As you have probably gleaned from the above I am very impressed with my bike.


Submitted by
Spartan in Retford, Nottinghamshire on 13/10/2008
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