[NBR] HONDA SUPER MAGNA 700cc

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:06 am

Does anyone happen to have any experience with or know anything about these bikes? ('87 Honda Super Magna 700cc) I came across this ad and am drooling... I know they were only made in '87 and '88 so are rare. But I assume that also means parts would be hard to find... If anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Now back to your regularly scheduled Buddy program...

Drumwoulf · Post by **Drumwoulf** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:24 am

Skootz Kabootz wrote:Does anyone happen to have any experience with or know anything about these bikes? ('87 Honda Super Magna 700cc) I came across this ad and am drooling... I know they were only made in '87 and '88 so are rare. But I assume that also means parts would be hard to find... If anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Now back to your regularly scheduled Buddy program...

I sorta liked them back when, too.

However their rather small gas tank combined with a thirsty engine made me think twice...

easy · Post by **easy** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:35 am

think i read somewhere that they had camshaft wear problems

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm

Thanks guys. Sure is a pretty bike though, ain't it? I saw the ad and it is such a low price, mentally I was already taking a trip up the coast on it! There seems to be quite a cult following of this bike. I've been learning quite a bit about it. Apparently it has the same engine as the Interceptor sport bikes.

Here's the original review from Cycle Magazine if anyone's interested...

BuddyLicious · Post by **BuddyLicious** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm

You can make that bike you want even more useful too.Just add a Richland Roadster kit to it for those times you want to go on a trip.Or you can just leave it hooked up to your bike all the time.Youd sure have plenty of storage options!

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm

Wow. Looks like a horse and buggy

olhogrider · Post by **olhogrider** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:17 pm

I had the "V65 Magna", the earlier 1100cc version of Honda's V-4 power cruiser. The 500cc V-4s had camshaft issues. The 750 "V45" was shrunk to 699cc to get past the Reagan era 50% tariff on 700cc bikes. They are bullet-proof. The 1100 had a gas tank under the seat as well as the usual place. That allowed a stylishly small tank with reasonable capacity. Not sure if the 700 has that.

pocphil · Post by **pocphil** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:44 pm

I've got one in my garage right now. I've owned 3 over the years.

The '88 model with the actual 750cc motor is a bit more desirable, but that's not taking anything away from the 700cc "tariff beater". Both had similar V4 characterists like impressive grunt and an astonishing midrange.

In '84 a 49.4% tariff was imposed on all Japanese motorcycles displacing greater than 700cc. This was enacted by President Reagan to rescue failing Harley Davidson.

Honda responded by building a number of 699cc "Tariff Beaters" these were bikes that would have better (arguable) style than anything from HD and certainly more HP.

The 700cc claimed 88 HP and a top speed of over 150 mph. Big numbers, especially when compared to it's market competitor Harley Sportster 883 which only produced 41 HP and had a top speed of only 92 mph.

I can go roughly 105 miles on my '87 before switching to reserve.

Arlen Ness designed this bike for Honda while he was working as a free-lancer.

Shaft drive is smooth and silent, but keeps this bike from being any sort of 1/4 mile monster. You can easily smoke the once massive rear tire without much trouble at all, and it's a lot like wheelie-ing a canoe.

16,000 of the '87 models were imported to the US, whereas only 3500 of the '88 750's hit our shores.

The motors in the "Super Magna" series featured line-bore cams and were not succeptible to earlier magna and interceptor woes of poor cam lubrication.

All around it was a great bike and styling exercise, it led to the repeal of the tariff and encouraged engineers to start building big HP into "small" motors.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:46 pm

olhogrider wrote:I had the "V65 Magna", the earlier 1100cc version of Honda's V-4 power cruiser. The 500cc V-4s had camshaft issues. The 750 "V45" was shrunk to 699cc to get past the Reagan era 50% tariff on 700cc bikes. They are bullet-proof. The 1100 had a gas tank under the seat as well as the usual place. That allowed a stylishly small tank with reasonable capacity. Not sure if the 700 has that.

Sweet. I should have known you would know olHogRider. Thanks

Apparently the '87 does have a second gas tank under the seat good for about 30mi worth of emergency riding. I agree that as it is a Honda it is probably pretty bullet proof. For me, I have never owned a motorcycle before and thought for about $2500 this could be a good first bike. I know I want a cruiser as it will be used for highway/long distance only. Any riding in the city will be on my scooter...

olhogrider · Post by **olhogrider** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:15 pm

The upper tank feeds the lower one. Totally seamless function. It just looks cooler. I did wonder about the upswept pipes when the 700 came out. I wondered if rain water would be a problem. Turns out roasted saddlebags are the only real complaint.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:47 pm

Ya I heard that saddlebags and the pipes didn't get along too well

I was concerned about that because if I want to take longer rides, saddlebags would be a definite plus. I figured I could always just put the passenger seat on and bungee a pack to the sissybar. Of course, the road trips are all just a nice fantasy for now until work picks up...

Modern Buddy

[NBR] HONDA SUPER MAGNA 700cc

[NBR] HONDA SUPER MAGNA 700cc

Re: [NBR] HONDA SUPER MAGNA 700cc