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stevo as b4
World Chat ChampionJoined: 17 Jul 2003
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|  Posted: 23:47 - 23 Aug 2014 Post subject: Honda VF750 Magna opinions? |  |
| | I'm not at all sure about this, but a 1999 low mileage very clean Magna has popped up for sale locally to me for a reasonable price. I'm just after peoples experiences and opinions of these bikes, im not sure if I'm seriously interested in it or not based on: 1, I want some reasonable handling, so nothing to low, short on ground clearance or too raked out. 17" wheels that accept modern sticky tyres are an advantage too. 2, I'm not really interested in chrome or polished engine cases or frames etc. 3, The 80bhp Honda ex VFR V4 sounds very nice with a good pipe, but in the weight of a Magna is 80bhp enough, or would it be far to revvy and hard work to get reasonable pace? I kind of said that if I went for 4cyls in my next bike I'd want more than 1000cc for the character of a big strong engine that doesn't need revving to 10k for lots of grunt? 4, Am I kidding myself that a Magna would be a reasonable lighter weight substitute for a Vmax 1200? If the performance difference is monumental then I'd be disappointed I guess? I'm not dead set on a V-max for my next bike, am still thinking of other stuff like the ZRX1200, Benelli TNT 1130, Or maybe even a Monster 1200 if I can find the cash/finance? I also like the Honda Big one, but at 1000cc and de-tuned from its 125bhp original home would it be all looks and no go? | | | Back to top |    | You must be logged in to rate posts | |  | | Shaft | This post is not being displayed . |
Shaft
World Chat Champion  Joined: 27 Dec 2010
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| | Posted: 01:30 - 24 Aug 2014 Post subject: Re: Honda VF750 Magna opinions? | |
| | stevo as b4 wrote: | I'm not at all sure about this, but a 1999 low mileage very clean Magna has popped up for sale locally to me for a reasonable price. I'm just after peoples experiences and opinions of these bikes, im not sure if I'm seriously interested in it or not based on: 1, I want some reasonable handling, so nothing to low, short on ground clearance or too raked out. 17" wheels that accept modern sticky tyres are an advantage too. 2, I'm not really interested in chrome or polished engine cases or frames etc. 3, The 80bhp Honda ex VFR V4 sounds very nice with a good pipe, but in the weight of a Magna is 80bhp enough, or would it be far to revvy and hard work to get reasonable pace? I kind of said that if I went for 4cyls in my next bike I'd want more than 1000cc for the character of a big strong engine that doesn't need revving to 10k for lots of grunt? 4, Am I kidding myself that a Magna would be a reasonable lighter weight substitute for a Vmax 1200? If the performance difference is monumental then I'd be disappointed I guess? I'm not dead set on a V-max for my next bike, am still thinking of other stuff like the ZRX1200, Benelli TNT 1130, Or maybe even a Monster 1200 if I can find the cash/finance? I also like the Honda Big one, but at 1000cc and de-tuned from its 125bhp original home would it be all looks and no go? | IIRC the Magna engine isn't a straight lift from the VFR, it's got a different crank and smaller carbs, chain drive cams and a lower power output, so it's probably closer to the old VF motor, but hopefully without the cam and gearbox issues. I suppose you could buy it as a warm up to a V-Max, but it will only get you used to a similar riding position, nothing really prepares you for the full experience.
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Teflon-Mike
tl;dr  Joined: 01 Jun 2010
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| Posted: 01:49 - 24 Aug 2014 Post subject: | |
| | It's not restricted to 80bhp, it's de-tuned. difference is that instead of loosing 20bhp at peak, as you would 'restricting' that just clips the top of the power curve, de-tuning takes that 20bhp and spreads it about the low and mid-range. Result is, you actually get more power, for more of the time. Same goes for the likes of the XJR13, and the GSX1400 & CB1000 etc. Of that ilk, have to say that for my money XJR13's are looking very good value at the moment, and would probably get my money, if I had any, as 'do-it-all' main mount road bike, to replace towd-dawg. But lest something dramatic kill that... a back to basics all-round competant street-bike with 80ish bhp motor detuned from a 95bhp original, in simple twin-shock chassis with modern 17" CBR600 wheels and brakes... is very cheap and very useable all-round useful motorcycle, I have grown into over the last decade.... I cant really see me chopping in for anything else.... though Snowie's guzzi, has got me thinking... again, a 'de-tuned' motor, her 750 push-rod twin only makes 50bhp or so, same as the 500 it was bored out from... but yet again, that de-tuning gives more than it takes, making more power available more of the time while lightweight (comparatively) chassis with refined European suspension & brakes lets you put it to good effect. Is the Magna a little V-Max? No. The V-Max is a 'big' Magna. Magna was actually launched I think three years ahead of the max. It was actually a year ahead of the Euro-Sport VF750, Honda recognising early that the US market was where it was at, and that that wanted 'factory customs' so designed one from the ground up, rather than taking a 'street-standard' then fitting long forks, short shocks and a step-seat afterwards. However, the V65 Magna was the flag-ship of the range, heralding the 'Super-Cruiser'... it was a fair attempt in very 80's kitch techno-jap manner... sort of a four-cylinder Harley, with all the technology they never discovered, like a Knight-Rider digital dash, and lots of transformer toy fake chrome..... The Max sort of waited and did it with a bit more style and a bit less gauche. To-Wit, to-you... the Magna actually has a little more pedigree than the Max.. but the 45 is the little brother, not the real deal, and as far as I'm aware, not a 'bad' bike in more modern guise. Personally, I'd have a V65, purely as it was the original super-cruiser and a bit of a time-piece classic with all that techno glitch... sorry glitz.... under rated and under-valued, bit of a forgotten classic... but not an every-day (in fact, possible not an any-day!) rider... just a show piece. 1200 Max? If that's what you really want... accept no substitute... or you will forever wonder and wish, its not a bike you buy with your head. I have been tempted by them a couple of times... I was actually an honoury member of the Scandinavian V-Max owners club for a couple of nights at the '89 IoM TT.. they were on the same camp-site, and I rolled in on the VF1000, which confused them... but they agreed it was a Vee-Four, so was in the wrong field, and tried to re-locate me, with lots and lots of thin beer and fiery schnapps.... BEWARE the Scandinavian V-Max'ers Schnaps BTW!.... Though it may have explained some of their times at the Ramsey sprint! Handling, by standards of the mediocre handling bikes I have erred towards appears to be not too bad, erring towards plain bad... though I have seen a couple be hustled with some aplomb... a lot of hard work though and not their real forte, and rather lacking in ground clearance for my liking. But, that's a Max... if that's what you want... you accept it as it is and call its deficiencies foibles, and get on with it! Anything less, would be exactly that... even if technically it's 'more'. But, if undecided and a max not a must-have? And having owned (and still do) a Honda V4... I would probably not give the Magna too long a look... there are just too many better bikes about... and the water cooled quad-cam V4 might be pretty tough.... but it's not one I would want to have to do valve clerances on, or clean carbs, or... well, EVER see the mechanical's side of EVER again!
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Spanner Monkey  Joined: 19 Aug 2013
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stevo as b4
World Chat ChampionJoined: 17 Jul 2003
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| | Posted: 14:46 - 24 Aug 2014 Post subject: | |
| | I'm Out!  And the Radian with it's nice little peanut shaped tank is a reasonable looking bike. With modern wheels, brakes and suspension it would be better still though! But I don't want to sound like a cunt here, but it's only a wheezy little 600cc IL4, and I want much more poke that's easily accessed! I've had a 109bhp 600cc, and it went well enough, but I want at least that much power delivered with far less screaming drama and lots of tapping down on the gearlever for rapid overtakes etc. I don't mind a twin, triple, or 4cyl, even a 6cyl if they were magically a lot lighter, but I think a 4pot motor needs around 1200cc, and at least 1000cc for a twin or triple to get the kind of grunt I'd like. The V-max has a lot of weight, but a lot of presence too, and is modifyable to the hilt if you can keep finding the cash. Maybe what I want in a big bike does not exist, but the handling of a Hornet, or Speed triple etc, with 120bhp+ and some character. I could not ride something like a Tuono V-twin as the crashed sportsbike with renthals look is not for me! I kind of want a big brutish bike, but one that is not too much of a retro, or a style over performance compromise. I think the V-max, ZRX1200, TNT1130, and Monster all have the kind of things I'm looking for? | | | Back to top | | | You must be logged in to rate posts | | | | | Teflon-Mike | This post is not being displayed . |
Teflon-Mike
tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010
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| | Posted: 15:38 - 24 Aug 2014 Post subject: | |
| | Radian is Yamaha's semi-cruiserified Seca; a US variant of the pre-divvy XJ600. In similar vein, This is the Euro-spec CB Seven-Fifty, of which mine's called towld-dawg.
https://motorcycle-specs.com/general/Honda_CB_750_Nighthawk_1991.jpg
It's a de-cruiserified variant of the US CB750 Nighthawk.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4YYZSMpS4E/Tmw3kqm8cnI/AAAAAAAAAGk/qjc53vcciDQ/s1600/1992%2BHonda%2BCB750%2BNighthawk.jpg
They share the same motor, which came from the short-lived 84 CBX750.
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Honda%20CBX750%20%206.jpg
The CBX was the last of Hondas air-cooled four's and something of a 'Plan-B' when they launched the VF's... and many reckoned it was the better bike; hydraulic tappet 16v motor punted 95bhp, as much as the rather fragile VF, and has proved a pretty tough old boot; though few about and those that are rather long in the tooth. I plumped for the 'seven-fifty', which having ridden CBX, is probably slightly 'better' all-round every-day bike, and as said, the 'de-tuned' motor, spreading the clipped peak power around the low and mid-range, I think actually makes it nicer to ride; and as every-day practical machine these days, lacking the multi-linked rear suspension & expensive mono-shock, gaining modern 17" easily obtained rubber, it handles well enough and is easier to live with. If an inline four middle-weight might suit, and you want the US semi-cruiser styling then... I would stick the 90 on 750 Nighthawk on your to look at list. Its as much bike, as the Magna, with a lot more every-day livability. Only ever come to the UK as Grey-Imports, but there are probably more of them about than the 'seven-fifty' and they tend to be a tad cheaper; though both models tend to hold their value quite well compared to Bandits or Divvy's or Zephyrs... curiously as they were a build down to a budget 'back to basics' street-bike when launched; A rather under-rated motorcycle; and probably a much safer, and possibly cheaper bet than a Magna or the Radian; not a full litre muscle-bike, but not a 600 street either; they have that bit extra oomph. Jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none, they excell at nothing, but do so much more than adequetly, they make a bludy good all-round every-day 'package', which is why mine's endeared itself to me for so long. Could be one to look out for; you can pick up CB750's for a couple of hundred up, for a scruffy winter hack, to about £2K for a late model garage trophy 'Seven-Fifty' with low miles. Nighthawks fetch a bit less, and you can get a nice one for under a grand.
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Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?' | | | Back to top | | | You must be logged in to rate posts | | | | | Shaft | This post is not being displayed . |
Shaft
World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010
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| | Posted: 00:59 - 25 Aug 2014 Post subject: | |
| | stevo as b4 wrote: | I kind of want a big brutish bike, but one that is not too much of a retro, or a style over performance compromise. I think the V-max, ZRX1200, TNT1130, and Monster all have the kind of things I'm looking for? | Bearing in mind I'm a huge fan of them, I would say the V-Max is pretty much the epitomy of style over performance. Sure they go like a rocket from a bottle, so much so, they were for many years the fastest accelerating shaft drive bike you could buy, but they are essentially all about the engine, with no real consideration for minor details like going round corners and slowing down. Of the bikes on your list, the Max is probably the most seriously compromised of them all.
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stevo as b4
World Chat ChampionJoined: 17 Jul 2003
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| | Posted: 13:16 - 25 Aug 2014 Post subject: | |
| | Nice to hear peoples opinions, except the long irrelevance from TM about how awesome CB750's are! The CBX750 even on old sized 16" wheels is a far better bike, and the Nighthawk has more style, so he has the worst compromise of the 3bikes he was banging on about IMO! As for the Max, I need to go and test ride one, as by next spring I should have the cash for a second hand example of everything bar the Monster 1200, which I'd consider on Finance maybe? Shaft can you give me your wisdom on: V-max vs Kawasaki Z1300 too? I know the old 80's Kawasaki IL6 is nearly 40kg heavier still than the Max, but those old six's have also always appealed to me, and IMO are far better bikes than the poncy CBX1000 too! The sensible choices to me seem to be the ZRX1200, CB1000 Big one, or maybe the late model CB1300 even? The monster 1200 sounds cool, but is probably not affordable, and the only 3pot bike I really like is the Speed triple, but it would need to be a Gen1 café version! I asked a bloke at a bike shop what he thought of the Max, and he said he'd ridden 3of them and all were crap! He said they don't stop, aren't comfortable, don't handle and aren't even very fast, due to the weight! He said a GSXR750 SRAD would leave one standing acceleration wise, and even said a Honda CB900F would be a better bike and nearly as quick too! That hasn't yet put me off though, and I need to try one for myself! | | | Back to top | | | You must be logged in to rate posts | | | | | temeluchus | This post is not being displayed . |
temeluchus
World Chat Champion  Joined: 01 Oct 2008
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| | Posted: 14:47 - 25 Aug 2014 Post subject: Re: Honda VF750 Magna opinions? | |
| | I'm not sure if the VF750C supermagna that late is the same engine as the earlier 80's ones. The 80's models ate their top ends and had hand grenade gearboxes. They did solve the top end issues I think but not sure about the gearbox issues. I had an early VF750C and whilst it was smooth and the motor felt punchy enough, it died spectacularly like all VF750s do.
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Shaft
World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010
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| | Posted: 20:08 - 25 Aug 2014 Post subject: | |
| | stevo as b4 wrote: | Shaft can you give me your wisdom on: V-max vs Kawasaki Z1300 too? I know the old 80's Kawasaki IL6 is nearly 40kg heavier still than the Max, but those old six's have also always appealed to me, and IMO are far better bikes than the poncy CBX1000 too! | I suppose on paper there are quite a lot of similarities. Both are big, heavy, thirsty and, the faster you go, the more evil the handling gets. On the road, they're really completely different. With the Zed, you definitely know you're on a bike of the 70s; when you look at them today, they've got spindly little forks, tiny brakes and narrow tyres. You feel much more like you're sitting on it than in it, plus the CofG is higher up, so you know about every kilo when you start pressing on. Then there's the suspension, which is very soft, so they get pretty wobbly, which can be a bit disconcerting, especially when the front feels like it's going to wash out at any moment (and you don't want to pick one up off the deck either!). On the plus side, the engine is fabulous, very smooth, loads of grunt and the whole thing is brilliant at mile munching in a straight line. The Z13 is probably my all time favourite bike, but I don't think I'd have one if I couldn't have something smaller as well, for when I just want to pop down the shops, or autopilot to work and I don't want to concentrate on hauling it's vast bulk around.
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moonzoomer
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