 Rider
Review: 1997 Honda Magna 750 |
by Richard
Rose
Associate Editor
Beginner Bikes Magazine
This
is the extreme far end of the cruiser spectrum that I would recommend
for a new or returning rider, and I am even hesitant at that. The
Magna is a sport bike in a cruiser guise...the motor was shared
with the former VFR 750 Interceptor (Honda's winning-est engine).
When
I rode one of these bikes (a used 97 model) I didn't want to return
it! What a handler, give this bike a road with plenty of S-curves
and it's right at home. If it weren't for the fact that my feet
were in front of me I would have to remind myself that this isn't
a sport bike. The styling is top notch, I don't think I would
want to alter much. Perhaps a set of aftermarket slash-cut styled
pipes, and perhaps a racer-back styled seat for a more streamlined
look and that's all I'd want. Maybe I'd have the stock wheels
polished and plated. They look great but need some more gleam
to them...
So
some would complain about chain drive as the older Mags had drive
shafts. Shafts are horse-thieves, if you stick a shaft on the
mighty Mag, you're sticking a shaft into the fun factor. If you
want a shaft, get a touring machine. This bike is built for peg
grinding!
While
I wouldn't recommend this as a primary bike, I would love to have
one as a second bike. I've heard quite a few Magna owners gripe
about the small fuel capacity, most tap the reserve before 100
miles have elapsed (and this leaves less than half a gallon).
It would seem that Honda would do well to listen here, it seems
that this is the common beef across the entire line of Honda cruisers:
BIGGER TANKS! The "fun-factor" is what I give this nimble
accelerator-happy bike 4 stars out of five for. More fuel capacity
would put it over the top. To summarize the bike: I needed a plastic
surgeon to get that silly grin off my face!
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