Honda introduced several 200 cc motorcycles with similar engines but different body variations in the 1980s. The model introduced in South Africa and Pakistan was known as the CD200 RoadMaster. It had a twin cylinder 10-degree cylinder angle with a 360-degree crank shaft angle engine which meant the pistons moved together and reached top dead centre (TDC) and bottom dead centre (BDC) at the same time. It was a detuned version of the Honda CD185 twin.[citation needed] The engine had the same bore as the CD185 but low compression pistons (8.8:1) with a bore and stroke of 53.0 mm × 44.0 mm (2.09 in × 1.73 in), compared to 9.0:1 Compression and 53.0 mm × 41.0 mm (2.09 in × 1.61 in) for the CD185.[4] The result was less power, a higher fuel economy and a lower top speed.[citation needed] The alternator system was also different from the CD185.[12] Apart from this the models were much similar, using the same frames, suspension,[8] wheels, tyres, and brakes.[9]
The CD200 featured a square speedometer, large front and rear mudguards, twin chrome exhausts, a choke tucked in behind the handle bars, a chrome plated fuel tank with the Honda logo and mock chrome air inlets on side panels. It had drum brakes in rear and front[9] and a single 26 mm Keihin carburettor (PD 33A TA). It weighed 140 kg (310 lb).[citation needed]
Honda CD200 Benly – introduced in UK featuring 12 volt electrical system and capacitor discharge ignition (CDI)
Honda CM200 (Custom) – introduced in UK, European, and North American markets
The CM200T (also known as the Twinstar) was a twin cylinder motorcycle produced by Honda from 1980 to 1982 as part of its factory "Custom Motorcycle" lineup. The CM200's design was based on the CD200 Benly/Roadmaster, using the same engine, transmission, frame, and brakes.[13] It had a speedometer that read up to 80 mph (130 km/h), with markings indicating the maximum speed for each gear ratio. Another instrument panel had lights for Neutral, Indicators and High Beam, but no tachometer was provided.
Power was around 16 bhp, which gave the CM200T a top speed of around 71 mph (114 km/h), although a popular modification was to change the front gearbox sprocket from 15 to 16 teeth which increased top speed to around 75 mph (121 km/h) given good conditions, and could comfortably cruise at 60 mph (97 km/h).
The Twinstar used an odd combination of tire sizes (3.00-17 front and 3.50-16 rear)[9] which can make branded replacement tires expensive, although Chinese tires are still available at reasonable prices.
Fuel System: 26 mm Keihin carb, Slide Type (PD 33A TA) with 110# main Jet and 42# Slow Jet (single Carb).
Engine Type: Twin cylinder, 10 degree cylinder angle, Air-cooled 4 stroke, Single Over Head Cam, 360 degree Crank shaft angle Parallel twin.
Dry Weight: 140 kg.
Front Tire: 3-0-17 tubed
Front Rim Size: 17-inch spoke type chrome steel rim came in 1.60 & 1.85 sizes
Rear Tire: 3-0-17 tubed
Rear Rim Size: 17-inch spoke type chrome steel rim came in 1.60 & 1.85 sizes
The engine was a 194 cc parallel twin and had a 360 degree layout which meant both pistons came to TDC at the same time and therefore used a single ignition system and single round-slide carburettor. Early models used a 6 V electrical system with contact breaker/condenser ignition, whereas later models used a 12 V system.
Transmission: All models had a 4-speed manual transmission 1 down 3 up.
Overall length: 1990mm (78.3 in)
Wheelbase: 1280mm (50.4 in)
Ground clearance: 175mm (6.9 in)
Overall width: 845mm (33.3 in)