Enjoyed that video.I'm watching from Northern Ireland.Nice to hear someone talking sensibly about bikes without swearing every other word.I will look forward to watching more of your videos.Thanks for taking the time.
I rode one of these for 9 years here in London. It was a great bike after I put a carb jet modification on it so that it would idle. The swinging arm eventually rotted through which was why I got rid of it. They are good bikes with decent handling. They are fun and can be easily maintained by the owner.
That’s a pretty good summary of the GB there,I own a GB 400TT MK11, identical to the 500 but with a reduced capacity and the addition of Hondas factory fairing, there were two GB 400 models, the MK11 and the standard one with no fairing and a two up seat, my bike was sold new in New Zealand and brought here to Melbourne, Australia by its owner back in the 1990’s, I have owned it for the last 21 years and is in pristine condition, an 86 model with only 36,000 Kilometres or just over 20,000 miles on it, the GB’s were never sold here in Australia. But New Zealand were lucky to get a handful of them
I saw one the first time around 1994 and after that day i wanted a cafe racer.. Now i have one with the same engine.A Mash TT40. Cheap, Chinese but i love it.
Honda tried it with the FT500 in 83-84 and they couldn't sell those either. The original price for the FT500 was $2,400 but evidently they sold so poorly that they were heavily discounted and finally by late 1984 I was able to buy a new red left over 1983 model from a local dealer for $995. I still have it and I still love it. The GB500 was introduced, as I remember, for around $4900 and they didn't sell. Just too much money and I don't remember them ever being discounted. I think the dealers remembered their experience with the FT500. I would love to have one but a clean used example here in California is 5-6K these days.
Nice video and oh! that sounds brings it all back. I had the UK version called the XBR500 which had Comstar wheels ( not wire wheels) The Cylinder head cracked accross all four valves due to not being happy with unleadded fuel. Heaven knows how it would get on with Ethanol at 10%. I replaced the Cylinder head and converted it into a two into one exhaust. Anythow, it was nice to ride even though it struggled to keep up with modern traffic. I gave it away - Doh! Correction - The UK market was blessed with this model which was also called the GB500TT so I supect it was one of the machines sold as a batch to Germany as is stated in the video. The aforementioned XBR 500 was an earlier predecessor of the class.
Just dragged one of these out of a barn , Cleaned out the tank , freed up the front brake , topped up the oil , A few kicks she popped , a few more she ran , she ran sweet . Afew more checks and it's time to hit the road
Enjoyed your GB500 video. live in England and have always loved these bikes. A guy I knew had one of the first XBR's imported in 1985; he thought it was just a great all rounder. So here I am; just bought a 1987 XBR in very good STANDARD condition. Can't wait to put some miles on it. My friend was at the TT in 1984; Honda had 2 GB500 prototypes there, shooting promo vids and photo's. Initially it was a Japan only bike (including a 400cc version). I did have a Japanese book which was full of photo's from that IOM visit. Foolishly I gave that to another GB500 owning pal. Would love to get another copy.
I've had a GB500 since new in 1986 and it's the japanese domestic model which was fitted with a ducati darmah type fairing so it's very rare because it was the 400s that were faired. These were a much nice looking bike than the wierdo XBRs with two exhaust pipes, plastic panels and some even had comstar wheels !!!!!!. I used to love riding it but its sat in the garage for 10 years and I am having an affair with a 1990 GPZ 500.
Better to be one of those guys riding a Norton on the Isle of Man's TT course. LOL But the GB500 cafe racer will work. Just like the BSA 441 Victor with its low-end torque.
Hallo Dylan, may be you can help. My friend offering a GB00 TT but it manufactued on 1978 and only have 11 digit VIN. I am confused as most of literature said it manufactured from 1989 to 1990. Any idea?
Dream factory Cafe Racer! One of the coolest Honda has made😮
Enjoyed that video.I'm watching from Northern Ireland.Nice to hear someone talking sensibly about bikes without swearing every other word.I will look forward to watching more of your videos.Thanks for taking the time.
I rode one of these for 9 years here in London. It was a great bike after I put a carb jet modification on it so that it would idle.
The swinging arm eventually rotted through which was why I got rid of it. They are good bikes with decent handling. They are fun and can be easily maintained by the owner.
I have a gt250 Clubman, witch I restored from the tyres up. Brilliant wee bike, goes like stink and handles beautifully.
Great video, I had the GB400 TT in NZ, great fun to ride.
That’s a pretty good summary of the GB there,I own a GB 400TT MK11, identical to the 500 but with a reduced capacity and the addition of Hondas factory fairing, there were two GB 400 models, the MK11 and the standard one with no fairing and a two up seat, my bike was sold new in New Zealand and brought here to Melbourne, Australia by its owner back in the 1990’s, I have owned it for the last 21 years and is in pristine condition, an 86 model with only 36,000 Kilometres or just over 20,000 miles on it, the GB’s were never sold here in Australia. But New Zealand were lucky to get a handful of them
We have a GB400 also. Great bikes!
I saw one the first time around 1994 and after that day i wanted a cafe racer.. Now i have one with the same engine.A Mash TT40. Cheap, Chinese but i love it.
Honda tried it with the FT500 in 83-84 and they couldn't sell those either. The original price for the FT500 was $2,400 but evidently they sold so poorly that they were heavily discounted and finally by late 1984 I was able to buy a new red left over 1983 model from a local dealer for $995. I still have it and I still love it. The GB500 was introduced, as I remember, for around $4900 and they didn't sell. Just too much money and I don't remember them ever being discounted. I think the dealers remembered their experience with the FT500. I would love to have one but a clean used example here in California is 5-6K these days.
Nice video and oh! that sounds brings it all back. I had the UK version called the XBR500 which had Comstar wheels ( not wire wheels) The Cylinder head cracked accross all four valves due to not being happy with unleadded fuel. Heaven knows how it would get on with Ethanol at 10%. I replaced the Cylinder head and converted it into a two into one exhaust. Anythow, it was nice to ride even though it struggled to keep up with modern traffic. I gave it away - Doh! Correction - The UK market was blessed with this model which was also called the GB500TT so I supect it was one of the machines sold as a batch to Germany as is stated in the video. The aforementioned XBR 500 was an earlier predecessor of the class.
Nice video. I drive the European version myself, Honda XBR500.
Just dragged one of these out of a barn , Cleaned out the tank , freed up the front brake , topped up the oil , A few kicks she popped , a few more she ran , she ran sweet . Afew more checks and it's time to hit the road
Bought a GB500TT new in 1992, still have it and only ~6500 miles on it! Unfortunately electrics failed last september, maybe the rectifier is done.
Enjoyed your GB500 video. live in England and have always loved these bikes. A guy I knew had one of the first XBR's imported in 1985; he thought it was just a great all rounder. So here I am; just bought a 1987 XBR in very good STANDARD condition. Can't wait to put some miles on it. My friend was at the TT in 1984; Honda had 2 GB500 prototypes there, shooting promo vids and photo's. Initially it was a Japan only bike (including a 400cc version). I did have a Japanese book which was full of photo's from that IOM visit. Foolishly I gave that to another GB500 owning pal. Would love to get another copy.
I enjoyed your review thanks mate, Jim in Outback Australia.
Do you wanna buy my 1985 gb500tt? Sydney based
Fun video
Thanks for sharing the gb
Thanks to everyone who watched during the premiere!
I've had a GB500 since new in 1986 and it's the japanese domestic model which was fitted with a ducati darmah type fairing so it's very rare because it was the 400s that were faired. These were a much nice looking bike than the wierdo XBRs with two exhaust pipes, plastic panels and some even had comstar wheels !!!!!!.
I used to love riding it but its sat in the garage for 10 years and I am having an affair with a 1990 GPZ 500.
love this bike!
Better to be one of those guys riding a Norton on the Isle of Man's TT course. LOL But the GB500 cafe racer will work. Just like the BSA 441 Victor with its low-end torque.
Good video but should of shown the GB in more detail.
What brand ando model is the exhaust? Alejandro from Mexico
Hallo Dylan, may be you can help. My friend offering a GB00 TT but it manufactued on 1978 and only have 11 digit VIN. I am confused as most of literature said it manufactured from 1989 to 1990. Any idea?
It should be imported from Japan
Had x b r 500 brill
Killer!