Honda CB100N

Advantages: cheap, reliable, basic bike
Disadvantages: nearly useless brakes

...comprised of a 'bog standard' Honda lightweight frame, using the engine as a stressed member. It had a single cylinder two valve overhead cam engine, fed with a standard carburettor and breathed out into a single chrome exhaust . Chain driven, it had telescopic forks at the front, and a twin shock suspension at the back. Wire spoked wheels, but chrome plated steel rims meant that they soon lost their looks to road salt. The standard tyres were ...
...lasted for ages, but didn't assist the mediocre handling - It was when I finally averaged one drop a week that I finally traded them for softer stickier rubber and I realised what a pile of rubbish they were. Power output was around 9.5 horsepower (the half was important!) and top seed was around 62mph - but that was only on a good day! I was stopped once by Lothian and Border's finest, and initially accused of going at 90, but as soon as they ... Read review

Advantages: 4 stroke so it sounds good!
Disadvantages: they tend to rot - wierd front brake

...a dream. It was classic Honda silver and it sounded like a real big bike as it was not a whiney two stroke, no sir, this was a thumping four stroke single cylinder cruise machine. Well, I was only 17 at the time but I thought it was the dogs whatsits. Ok, so its 100cc so it was and still is leaner legal. Its fairly large for a bike of this type and accomodated my 6ft plus frame in comfort for regular trips between Liverpool and Manchester (about ...
...still be available from most Honda dealers. My advice, as with all bikes is regularly lubricate all cables with wd40 or such like. Also, while im thinking about it, make sure you get the brakes serviced after every winter. As with the bigger 250 superdream, the brake systems tend to seize up and once that happens they are a bugger to free. Personally I use a hammer these days but Ive had plenty of practice. The top ends get a bit rattly after a ... Read review