Looking at a Honda MB5

pros, cons?

I have a 5 mile commute to work, mostly backroads with speed limits of 45.

If it ever rains or god forbid, Snows in the Atlanta area, I would have a backup car, but saving on gas would be great, and I like two wheels.

Tell me what I should know. (I know almost nothing about motorcycles).

Bike in question. Apparently this one already has a CR80 transmission. A larger bore piston/cylinder, and a larger carburettor.

The only drawback is the small(skinny) tires in the rain. The MB5 w/upgrades would be a hellacious score and a riot to ride. Rider safety gear and maybe a rack with a trunk(they look funky but you'll learn to love the utility)and go have a blast.

What is a good price to pay for one in good kit? This one has about 4000 miles IIRC, and he was asking 12, but has since lowered it to 1100.

Should I ask if he will go for 9?

I always wanted one, but there are so many good bikes out there for a grand that you'd need to be in love with MB5's to spend that much on one.

They're rare (for a Honda) and can be hard to find parts for (for a Honda).

If you're a reasonably medium-to-large dude, it's gonna be slow.

I don't expect it to be a quick machine. I am kinda on the large end of average (I am 6'2" after all). I just want something fun to ride back and forth to work.

What about a YSR50?

MB5s are sort of tough to find and desirable. With the upgrades, it should carry you around without a problem. I don't think you'd lose any money if and when you'd decide to get rid of it. I wouldn't worry about parts, it IS a Honda, after all As far as pricing, start low-you can always go up. The worse the seller can do is get ticked and say no.

minimac wrote: MB5s are sort of tough to find and desirable. With the upgrades, it should carry you around without a problem. I don't think you'd lose any money if and when you'd decide to get rid of it. I wouldn't worry about parts, it IS a Honda, after all As far as pricing, start low-you can always go up. The worse the seller can do is get ticked and say no.

So are you saying I should start at 800?

Money talks.....loudly. It always helps to flash the cash!

If you get it, the online moped shops like treats and 1977 mopeds both carry parts for it. Cylinder kits, pipes, etc. They're pretty affordable. I've been trying to find an MB5 near me with no such luck just because of how tweakable they look.

Tomorrow is the big day, I am finally going to look at it Saturday afternoon.

Any last minute warnings or comments?

Well, I bought it. I also promptly rode it the 35 miles home.

Nobody ever said I wasn't. Adventurous.

Congratulations! Get ready to actually ENJOY going to work now-at least on the days you take it to work.

I demand photos.

I'm taking it to work every day. I have already riden it about 70 miles since I got it.

So far, it only needs a tach cable, a new tach needle, and wire up the turn signals.

Got it up over 55 today, it feels kinda weird with the skinny tires, but it definitely is a blast. True Grits rally, here I come.

I rode about three hours on it today. Almost all of it was at full throttle.

I did a few improvements to it today also, much better with wider mirrors, and I bought a neoprene face mask. Its getting damn cold.

AirtechI'm thinking some fairing would be cool.

I rode over to the East Cobb caffeine and octane today.

Still damn cold!

Cold? Atlanta? ha!

It was below freezing. And 50 miles per hour stings your eyes when its that cold.

Trust me, I am a born and bred Michigander, and I havnt felt this much chill in many a year.

Platinum90 wrote: It was below freezing. And 50 miles per hour stings your eyes when its that cold. Trust me, I am a born and bred Michigander, and I havnt felt this much chill in many ba year.

You may want to re-think the commute, Platinum.

Local forecast (until Thursday) is for low 40's as the daytime highs and low-mid 20's for the night time lows. The good news is that Mellish is predicting a warmer-than-normal winter once this cold spell works its' way through - but the current trend extends until Christmas.

Oh, and where are the pics?

That is a cool little bike.

I've never ridden in below freezing temp but I have ridden in the 40s with snow falling. Only time I ever got close to hypothermia. A fool face helmet + fleece long johns help. Another thing to go with your skeleton "bad boy" face protector is a a neck protector. Like a tube of fleece which goes between your jacket and helmet and keeps the cold from going through your next into your jacket. Also a balaclava works pretty well, I need to go find my winter gear.

Good luck with that bitchin little bike!

Pics exist, but comcast has left me without internet for 2 weeks. I am posting from my smartphone.

I have plenty of cold weather gear, I just need to wake up a few minutes earlier to get it all on. Three layers of pants, three shirts and a coat seem to help.

Anyone have tips on keeping glasses from fogging over while riding?

Platinum90 wrote: Anyone have tips on keeping glasses from fogging over while riding?

Cat Crap

Platinum90 wrote: Anyone have tips on keeping glasses from fogging over while riding?

Spit inside them with a little water in them. Toss out the water and let air dry.

Protein coating from your saliva keeps them from fogging and the best part is it is free!