XJ750 Seca vs Honda CX500 ?

I'm trying to narrow down much short list of what to get next...

82 Seca 750 or CX500 ? Not sure I like the seat on the CX. Looks more like a Maxim seat from what I'm told.

 

if you want to go fast get the Seca. if you want a Honda get the Honda

 

You're looking at two very different bikes.

The CX is a good machine, but parts availability is worse than it is for the Seca. The engine in the CX was dropped from production much earlier than the Yamaha XJ engines were, and it was a all-new engine for Honda when it was put into production; shared almost no parts with earlier machines)

 

And as they are prone to stator failures engine removal is required. If you want a cx get the later 650, imho it is a better choice.

 

I flew out to Calgary in 1990 to join my brother on a bike ride down into California.
He borrowed a bike for me, a CX500 Custom with Windjammer.
When I rode it up the street and back I thought something was wrong because it was so gutless.
He was on a 1000 Intercepter at the time so we changed off every couple hours.
I remember crossing Nevada on that thing, hours on end sitting at redline, LOL.
Started that trip with a brand new front tire and finished it with a bald one.
It didn't lack power coming down the mountains.
Buy the Seca.

 

That's funny, no lack of power downhill.
I rode a CX5000 once, and I thought the same re the power.
My only issue with the Seca is the starter clutch. I may (will?) end up with a hunk of metal that will cost $1000 to fix. Even though my Dad and I used to race cars and MCs, I don't have time or patience to work as I'd rather ride.

 

The Seca is a 36 year old motorcycle. You will have many issues, the starter issue probably won't be one.

 

The CX500 stators commonly need to be replaced, requiring pulling the engine.

 

Don’t know what it is about the CX series but in my opinion they are one of the ugliest bikes of all time. And there seems to be so many still around.

 

A few years ago you couldn't give away a CX500 now the hipsters around Vancouver want them. They like to "Cafe" them, lots of mods you can do. But I think they're still a blah motorcycle. My nephew fixed one up and rode it all the way to Panama so they are pretty reliable. XJ750 is much faster , styling is very different.
Just curious how you narrowed your search to those 2 bikes?

 

In the 80s many motorcycle courriers in the UK rode CX500s, mainly because they were fairly rugged, comfortable to sit on for hours and very cheap to buy
They were known as the Plastic Maggot
A CX next to an XJ is like a bus next to a Ferrari. Still have soft spot for them though, rode them so many times and they come from "my era"

 

I have a 750 Maxim and an 80 CX500c (the Honda is really my wife's). I'd definitely go with the Yamaha. The Honda has been a workhorse, and less work than the Yamaha, but I just don't feel the same excitement with the CX. I think the Honda corners better, but that's basically the only thing it has over my Yammy.