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Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:43 pm

I've been wanting to get one of these little Hondas for some time, and now gas prices are giving me that little extra nudge I've needed to actually do it. Anyone have any experience with these things? Anything to keep in mind when I look at them? How hard/easy is it to find parts?

Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:01 am

I had a CT70 back when I was in high school (same basic engine).

When I got it, it had a bent intake valve, which I learned was a result of an incorrect gasket installed at the base of the cylinder. Apparently these things have tight tolerances, so make sure you only use gaskets from Honda. I didn't have too many other troubles with it, aside from the crappy throttle grip coming off all the time, which was annoying. I would suggest going to a thumb throttle like the ATV's commonly use.

Speaking of ATV's, shortly after I sold the CT70, I got an ATC110. That thing was death on 3 wheels!
Lots of fun to throw around the trails, though. :D

Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:28 am

Honda 90's are great bikes! Parts are not that difficult to find. The CT70 is becoming a collectors item and can get pricey. I bought my 90 for $500 but that was before gas prices hit the roof.

Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:09 am

When I and all my friends turned 15.5 in 1965 we ALL got Honda 50's! I ended up with a Yamaha 80, but Roger trumped us all with a new Honda Super 90 street bike! That was/is a sweet bike! 8)

Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:59 am

I rode a Trail 70 to 10th grade high school. Felt like a total dork. Shaved the head and got it to do 60 MPH.

Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:19 am

BigLoaf wrote: I've been wanting to get one of these little Hondas for some time, and now gas prices are giving me that little extra nudge I've needed to actually do it. Anyone have any experience with these things? Anything to keep in mind when I look at them? How hard/easy is it to find parts?

It's pretty easy to find parts, bikes, and parts bikes still, and the prices are reasonable.
Those bikes are cool as hell, and great for kids too, though super heavy and not that maneuverable as a result. Depends on what you are after. They are cushy and quiet and easy to ride, a big plus. I have wanted a 70 for a long time, had one growing up. Wife doesn't like adrenaline though, so I've not bought one as I'd be riding alone.

Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:51 am

I'm mostly looking for something to run around town for small errands. You know, groceries, hardware store etc. I've been riding my bike, but the hills around here kill. I suppose I'd probably cruise on down to the beach or to school on it on nice days. (Motorcycle parking at school is free vs. $90 a quarter for a car)

Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:57 am

Sounds like it's time for either a moped, or an enduro. At least with the enduro, you could still hit the trails when you're in the mood. I don't even know if it's possible to licence those old trail bikes for legal street riding; I never bothered.

Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:03 am

I think here in California the 90s and 110s are street legal. I'm pretty sure the 70's aren't. Can anyone confirm that?

Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:11 am

in colorado, anything under 50cc's does not have to be licensed and you don't need a drivers license to ride on the street. (i think)

Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:19 pm

Indiana requires scooters to be under 50cc, 2 HP and 25 MPH to be exempt from licensing.

Anything over requires plates, insurance and a motorcycle endorsement on your drivers license.

Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:37 pm

Those old Honda 90s are cool. But I seem to remember that they're really coming into demand. Boomers on notalgia trips and the like. So I heard that it may be harder and harder to get a nice one for a decent price.

Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:02 pm

Buy mine:

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/711122569.html

Fun bike, but the auto-clutch drives me crazy. I prefer manual, thanks 8)

Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:03 pm

Oh, and 90's are road legal if you have a cycle license and a title for the bike. 70's are legal too, at least in WI.

Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:09 pm

Couple of fellas here at work are considering the purchase of some sort of scooter/moped to scoot back and forth from home and work. We called on a couple here in San Diego and spoke to the dealer. He said anything that will be on the street and specially the highway/freeway needs to be registered and insured. The rider must also have a M1 License endorsment on the driver's license. Just as well get a used motorcycle for all the hassle. I have a 1980 750 I may start riding to work a couple days a week. Maybe a vespa would be alright too.

Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:12 pm

how fast does one of those 90's or 110's go? Plus the rake/trail looks like no fun to ride. much rather have a SL100/125 for mileage. my old 100 got 85mpg and ran consistently 55 to 60mph. topped out at 65 with stock gearing.

Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:17 pm

rusty57 wrote: Couple of fellas here at work are considering the purchase of some sort of scooter/moped to scoot back and forth from home and work. We called on a couple here in San Diego and spoke to the dealer. He said anything that will be on the street and specially the highway/freeway needs to be registered and insured. The rider must also have a M1 License endorsment on the driver's license. Just as well get a used motorcycle for all the hassle. I have a 1980 750 I may start riding to work a couple days a week. Maybe a vespa would be alright too.

I talked to the owner of a moped shop when a buddy of mine was buying a moped for himself a couple weeks ago. You actually only need an M2 license to ride anything under (I think)150cc's.
My buddy did a little research and found out you can ride a moped/scooter or motorcycle with a motorcycle permit (written test only) as long as you stay off the freeway(can't do that on a moped/scooter anyway) and don't ride at night.
The insurance on my friend's moped is like a $100 a year or something.

Even though the requirements aren't much less than a motorcycle, I figure I'm a little less likely to kill myself on a scooter than a real motorcycle.

Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:56 pm

I would love to have a scooter, but i have to use the freeway to get to work. It's not the danger of having a motorcycle versus a scooter that worries me, it's the fact that car drivers don't really respect either sometimes. I used to ride a motorcycle years ago. every time i was in a mishap, it was drivers not paying attention to my existence. I finally totaled it when a car turned left in front of me and we made contact at about 45 mph. The gas prices have me looking at the possibility of getting back on two wheels as well.

Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:09 pm

Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:38 am

Just sold my '79 CT90 had been using it around the house and in the woods trails nearby for the last 5 years. Was a great bike, until I tried to register it and found that the VIN tag had been pried off :shock:

Sold it a few weeks ago for $300, needed a new rectifier and shift drum stopper but was in really nice shape with 600 or so miles, still had the original seat and spare fuel tank. Had it for sale for a while on the CT90 site and other places and really didn't have many bites (tough area), so I just let it go cheap.

doubledoor64 wrote: how fast does one of those 90's or 110's go?
Mine would do about 45, pinned to the bars, on a flat road. 50 headed downhill, but a little scary :)