Honda CM 250 Custom

The CM250C lesson: A little larceny goes a long way.

Let's talk sexist. A man's best friend is an understanding woman who, in hard times, is a) independently wealthy, or b) working steadily, and/or c) willing to co-sign. One of the greatest barriers to buying a new motorcycle is a perfectly lovely woman in all respects except that she regards motorcycles in the same class as cockroaches and poisonous snakes.

Now let's talk sense. First, promise the WIYL (woman in your life) that you'll do lunch or have dinner with her. Carefully select a restaurant in the vicinity of a trendy Honda dealership, and then arrive at the restaurant by way of that dealer. Second, since she'll expect to be bored to tears while you're browsing for your new bike, surprise her. Show her something she could enjoy.

Male or female, any beginner needs a Dumb-Proof motorcycle, and the CM250C is certainly that. If you can identify where to put your body on it, you probably know enough to own it. How hard, you ask her, could this be? Electric starting. Electronic ignition.

By Honda standards the CM250C is about as complicated as a screwdriver. It has an 180-degree vertical twin engine with a single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder, two 26mm slide-valve carburetors and chain final drive. The front fork is a simple telescopic, hydraulic unit; the rear shocks have five-position spring preload.

The CM250 is also sized for fun, for those who feel intimidated by bulk. Beginners will tell you that security is having both feet flat on the ground when the motorcycle is stopped, and the Custom's saddle height is just over 29 inches. At a bit over 300 pounds, the CM can be supported easily by those flat feet. And getting the Custom under way is no biggie either. The controls— clutch, brake and throttle are all light.

The CM250 Custom allows you to appear as savvy as the branch manager of a liquidating company and as warm-hearted as the bank's oldest loan officer when, in fact, you're nothing but a cheap snake. The 1982 CM250C rolled into showrooms carrying a $1448 price tag, which has shriveled to $1176. What fun. What savings. Whatta genius.