Honda CB 550 F2 - [1978] Review and Comparison including Similar Bikes, Alternative Bikes, Performance Specs and Technical Information.
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Performance Review: Honda CB 550 F2 - [1978]

Honda CB 550 F2 - [1978] image

Honda CB 550 F2 - [1978]

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Figures & Specs Summary:

  • Edition: Honda CB 550 F2
  • Year: 1978 | Type: Standard
  • Engine: 544 cc (33.1 ci) 8 Valve
  • Engine Type: Wankel | Cylinders: 4
  • Engine Stroke: Two | Valve Config: SOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: Carburettor
  • Cooling: Air | Fuel Type: Petrol
  • Transmission: 5 speed | Manual
  • Drive: Chain
  • Wet Weight: 206 kgs (454 lbs)
  • Dry Weight: 191 kgs (421 lbs)
  • Power: 50 bhp (37 kW) @ 8500 rpm
  • Torque: 31.7 lb-ft (43.1 Nm) @ 7400 rpm
  • BHP Per Ton: 242.7 bhp
  • Torque Per Ton: 154.3 lb-ft
  • 0-60 mph (96.6 kph): 15.2 secs
  • 0-100 kph (0-62 mph): 15.6 secs
  • Top Speed: 116 mph (186.6 kph)
  • 1/4 Mile (Est.): 0 secs @ 0 mph
  • Frame: Steel
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Honda CB 550 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Honda CB 550 F2 is the 5 speed | Manual version and was first brought out in 1978. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1978 Yamaha XS 750 E and the 1978 Yamaha XS 750 Special.This particular Honda CB 550 has a 544cc Air cooled, Two stroke, Wankel Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders and Carburettor.

Yamaha XSR 700 Twin - [2020] image

An alternative Wankel engine, Standard style motorbike includes the Yamaha XSR 700 Twin - [2020]

The 1978 CB 550 shares its Wankel engine and Standard style configuration with the likes of the 2020 Yamaha XSR 700 Twin and the 2018 Yamaha XSR 700 Twin. Alternatively, if you're looking for other bikes which share the CB 550's Standard style with a similar size of engine then how about the 1989 Suzuki GS 500 E | 1989cc.2024 Kawasaki Z7 Hybrid | 2024cc.

Power and Torque:

Weighing in at 206 kgs (454 lbs) this makes the Honda CB 550 F2 in the same weight category as the 2025 Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT or the 2025 Kawasaki Z 900 DOHC, give or take 50kg.

Suzuki SV 650 ABS - [2025] image

The 1978 Honda CB 550 shares the same bhp with the Suzuki SV 650 ABS - [2025]

In terms of power the 544cc 8 valve Wankel 4 cylinder engine produces 50 bhp (37 kW) @ 8500 rpm similar to the 2025 Suzuki SV 650 ABS [73 bhp (54 kW) @ 8500 rpm] or the 2025 Yamaha WR 250 F [36.1 bhp (26 kW) @ 12000 rpm].

The SOHC Two stroke unit throws out torque of 31.7 lb-ft (43.1 Nm) @ 7400 rpm placing it alongside motorbikes of similar performance figures such as the 2025 Yamaha Tenere 700 [50.2 lb-ft (68.0 Nm) @ 6500 rpm] and the 2025 Yamaha MT-07 Twin Cylinder [50.0 lb-ft (67.7 Nm) @ 6500 rpm].

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Honda CB 550 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

Yamaha IT 400 Single Cylinder - [1976] image

The 1976 Yamaha IT 400 Single Cylinder has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the 1978 Honda CB 550 F2.

The 1978 Honda CB 550 F2 has a Power to weight ratio of 242.7 bhp per ton and 154.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1978 CB 550 competing with the 1976 Yamaha IT 400 Single Cylinder [267.4 bhp\ton] and the 1977 Yamaha IT 400 Single Cylinder [267.4 bhp\ton].


Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby, then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque. Factor weight into the equation and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Honda CB 550 generating around 154.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other motorbikes have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1978 Kawasaki Z 750 Twin [179.3 lb-ft per ton] and the 1973 Yamaha DT 360 A Two Stroke [179.3 lb-ft per ton].

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 15.2 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 15.6 secs, this makes the Honda CB 550 F2 similar in acceleration to the 2023 Yamaha YZF-R3 DOHC (15.2 secs) and the 2022 Yamaha YZF-R3 World GP 60th Anniversary Edition (15.2 secs). This Honda CB 550 F2 also competes in terms of 0-60 mph and 0-100km/h with the 2018 Honda CB 250 R Neo Sports Cafe (0.0 secs) and the 2020 Norton Superlight SS (0.4 secs).

Kawasaki EX 500 R Ninja - [1999] image

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1978 Honda CB 550 F2 and the 1999 Kawasaki EX 500 R Ninja

When talking about the performance of the 1978 Honda CB 550 F2 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 0 secs @ 0 mph. Bikes with a similar performance down the quarter mile can be found in the 1999 Kawasaki EX 500 R Ninja (0 secs) and the 1992 Kawasaki EN 500 Vulcan (0 secs).

Top Speed:

The 1978 version of the Honda CB 550 F2 has a maximum speed of 116mph.

Suzuki SV 650 ABS - [2025] image

Top Speed of the 1978 CB 550 equals the 2025 Suzuki SV 650 ABS

If maxing out your bike on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster at the top end than the 1978 Honda CB 550 F2 then how about a 2025 Suzuki SV 650 ABS (127 mph) and the 2022 Yamaha XSR 700 XTribute (127 mph).

Related Links:

1978 Honda CB 550 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Honda

Bike Comparison


Performance Figures & Specs:

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CD 125

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CL 77

CLR 125

CM 125

CM 200

CM 250

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CMX 1100

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CMX 500

CN 250

CR 125

CR 480

CR 500

CRE 125

CRF 1000

CRF 1100

CRF 230

CRF 250

CRF 300

CRF 450

CRM 125

CRM 250

CT 110

CT 175

CT 70

CT 90

CTX 1300

CTX 200

CTX 700

CX 400

CX 500

CX 650

DN-01

DR 200

EX

EXP-2

FJS 400

FJS 600

FMX 650

FT 400

FT 500

FTR 223

FX 650

GB 250

GB 400

GB 500

GL 1000

GL 1100

GL 1200

GL 1500

GL 1800

GL 400

GL 500

GL 650

GLX 1500

GLX 1800

GTR 150

LS 125

MB 50

MBX 125

Monkey

MR 250

MSX 125

MT 50

MTX 125

MTX 200

MVX 250

Navi 110

NC 700

NC 750

NM4

NR 750

NRX 1800

NS 125

NS 250

NS 400

NSR 125

NSR 150

NSR 250

NSS 125

NSS 250

NSS 300

NSS 350

NSS 750

NT 1100

NT 400

NT 600

NT 650

NT 700

NV 400

NV 750

NX 125

NX 250

NX 350

NX 400

NX 500

NX 650

NX-4

NXR 125

NXR 750

PC 800

PCX 125

PCX 150

PS 50

RC 213

RS 150

RVF 400

RVF 750

SH 125

SH 300

SH Mode

SL 100

SL 125

SL 175

SL 230

SL 350

SL 99

SLR 650

ST 1100

ST 125

ST 1300

TL 125

TLM 200

TLM 220

TLR 220

VF 1000

VF 1100

VF 400

VF 500

VF 700

VF 750

VFR 1200

VFR 400

VFR 700

VFR 750

VFR 800

VRX 400

VT 1100

VT 125

VT 1300

VT 250

VT 400

VT 500

VT 600

VT 700

VT 750

VTR 1000

VTR 250

VTX 1300

VTX 1800

X Eleven

X-ADV

X-Four

XBR 500

XL 125

XL 175

XL 185

XL 200

XL 230

XL 250

XL 350

XL 400

XL 500

XL 600

XLR 125

XLR 200

XLR 250

XLX 250

XLX 350

XR 125

XR 150

XR 185

XR 200

XR 230

XR 250

XR 350

XR 400

XR 500

XR 600

XR 650

XRE 300

XRV 650

XRV 750


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