Honda CD200 Benly

Author's product rating:   

Comfort	Good
Handling	Good
Looks	Satisfactory
Features	Good
Fuel consumption	Excellent

Advantages:	Economical,Small Frame, Excellent commuter
Disadvantages:	Only made for 6 years from 79  -  85

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Ahh, finally Ciao have what I would consider the best 80's small bike listed.

I have written opinions o 3 other Honda bikes, and none match the courage or sincerity of the CD200 Benly.

It's slow for a 200cc bike. Remarkably slow. The CB125TDC Superdream goes faster, and it's only just over half the power. But who needs to go faster than 80MPH?

When I say courage, I mean this bike will go through thick and thin, down motorways and narrow country roads, ad won't let you down. However, do regular oil changes and check the camchains regularly, especially on the pre-81 models as these are afflicted with Camchain problems.

It comes is several colours, Metallic Blue, Burgundy brown and Green. Of course, you may find a resprayed one in another colour.

The styling isn't too different of other 70-80s Hondas. A nice 'soft' petrol tank, very comfortable seat and handlebars in just the right position. The switches are also within easy reach.

This bike comes with both kick and electric start, however kicking it is more effective.

The only other problem with this bike is that the back end is soft, in lamens terms the suspension is soft. This doesn't really make much difference but it can if you have 2 heavy people on it. Oh, and watch those spark plugs as cheap engine alloy can strip the threads. If your Benly doesn't start, this could easily be the cause.

The Benly has a speedometer and all of a neutral, indicator and high beam lights on the 'dashboard'.

It is a 4 speed manual, with a single gear lever (Not those ones that you press forward and back, the ones that go up and down)
And the gearing is good also, down 1 for FIRST, up 2 for SECOND and so forth.

These bikes come with a single carb instead of 2, so can be easier to maintain. It is a TWIN CYLINDER, though, which is unusual for 1 carb.

They are 4 stroke, making them last longer and sound nicer.

These bikes aren't expensive, I paid 110 pounds for mine, you'd never see them for more than 500.

These things do 75+ MPG, so petrol isn't a problem either. And they handle quite nicely for a bike with a miniature frame! (compared to other bikes)

In 1 year, mine's needed basically nothing apart from a small amount of wiring etc. Most of these bikes last 70,000 miles plus. These engines go on forever!

As with all bikes, you need to keep an eye on rust and paint. Also for anything working itself loose.
Actually, come to think of it, I think some of these bikes may have steering dampers. Mine doesn't, but there's a hole that looks like one may have once been there.

Spares are cheap - remarkably cheap - for example I paid 10 pounds for a seat with little rust and a vrey small tear but otherwise in good condition. An engine will set you back about 50 pounds, so 'Cheap as Chips'.

So overall, top speed of 80, good fuel consumption and they nearly never break. A good little bike, ideal for commuting, for under a couple of hundred quid.

Sounds fair, does't it?