Fast Motor Scooter......

fordy · #1 10/13/10, 12:39 PM

..............Been lookin' at ways of reducing my fuel cost , so I've considered Motorcycle(s) , mainly Hondas ! So , I ran across a 1985 Honda V65 Magna , 1100cc , water cooled , shaft drive-6 speed , with 38,000 miles . I sent the guy an email with my cell number , it doesn't look too be a scammer because this is one fast scooter but I'll drive it like a man who has spent 3 months in the hospital after a car wreck . This is a beautiful bike IF , the pics are representative of the bike in the C List ad . Was just wondering IF anyone hereabouts has ever owned one of these beasts , OR , driven one once upon a time ? , fordy

Silvercreek Farmer · #2 10/13/10, 01:34 PM

I had a 1985 Shadow VT500 in college which is a very similar bike. I liked it for what it was, decent power, and great gas milage (60-70 mpg). It was fine for around town, but for road trips it got a little uncomfortable. It would have been better with a windshield, some extra foot pegs so I could have moved my feet around a little, and a new seat (although it seemed alright at first, but the foam was a little wore out which resulted in butt fatigue).
I bought it with 9k miles and sold it with 13k and got what I paid for it ($1500) despite putting a few scratches in it when I dropped it in some sandy gravel. The heavier 1100 would probably be a little smoother ride than my 500, but if you are looking for gas milage and don't plan on going fast you might look for a smaller bike, I think they made a Shadow 700 around the same time. I was (and still am) a big fan of water cooling and shaft drives over the alternatives.

fordy · #3 10/13/10, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Lindsay

I had a 1985 Shadow VT500 in college which is a very similar bike. I liked it for what it was, decent power, and great gas milage (60-70 mpg). It was fine for around town, but for road trips it got a little uncomfortable. It would have been better with a windshield, some extra foot pegs so I could have moved my feet around a little, and a new seat (although it seemed alright at first, but the foam was a little wore out which resulted in butt fatigue).
I bought it with 9k miles and sold it with 13k and got what I paid for it ($1500) despite putting a few scratches in it when I dropped it in some sandy gravel. The heavier 1100 would probably be a little smoother ride than my 500, but if you are looking for gas milage and don't plan on going fast you might look for a smaller bike, I think they made a Shadow 700 around the same time. I was (and still am) a big fan of water cooling and shaft drives over the alternatives.

...............Matthew , thanks for the info ! I purchased a Honda CBX in 1979 , 6 cylinders across the front and very heavy and Very fast with excellent topend , although I never got it over 140 mph . Blew all the hair right off the top of my head , lol ! I'm a very careful rider but I do like too go fast now and then , although at my age....I've been 39 , 24 times so I'm very careful with speed and acceleration . I'm hoping this ad is NOT from a Scammer , because the bike is priced in the ball park ! I guess I'll findout in due course . This bike should get around 50 mpg , IF I go easy on the throttle ! , thanks , fordy

Txrider · #4 10/13/10, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordy

..............Been lookin' at ways of reducing my fuel cost , so I've considered Motorcycle(s) , mainly Hondas ! So , I ran across a 1985 Honda V65 Magna , 1100cc , water cooled , shaft drive-6 speed , with 38,000 miles . I sent the guy an email with my cell number , it doesn't look too be a scammer because this is one fast scooter but I'll drive it like a man who has spent 3 months in the hospital after a car wreck . This is a beautiful bike IF , the pics are representative of the bike in the C List ad . Was just wondering IF anyone hereabouts has ever owned one of these beasts , OR , driven one once upon a time ? , fordy

You can certainly get a bike that would get better mileage though..

JeffreyD · #5 10/13/10, 06:48 PM

I had a V45 Magna(750cc) It was a good bike. I put a little over 45,000 miles on it. Didn't handle very good but went right a long. The V45 and V65 motors were detuned Intercepter motors. I was a service manager at a Honda dealer.(also Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Triumph, Ktm, Sea-doo, Polaris)

The V65 is a bit heavy, but if it was taken care of, it will run well past 60,000 miles. After all, it is a Honda!

I like stupid-fast bikes now that i'm 51! Can't go fast enough. My favorite street bike(i have 8) is a Suzuki GSF1200 Bandit. Kinda old school, but puts out 197hp at the rear wheel. No spray or turbo, all motor. 0 to 160 in 8 seconds! It's almost as fast as my top gas drag bike!!! Top end just under 200mph, and i try to hit that every time i ride it. Bummer is my wife HATES that bike, but, good cause she nevers rides on the back so i can be stupid! (Wheelies at 130mph+, t-shirt and shorts) Remember, bones heal and skin grows back!!

Just a side note, my uncle rides a GSF1200 almost everyday too. He also just set the world record for the most pullups - 6. He's a trainer at a Gold's gym in Ca. Did i mention that he's 91?

fordy · #6 10/13/10, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Txrider

You can certainly get a bike that would get better mileage though..

................I know , but they wouldn't be as much fun ! , lol , fordy

fordy · #7 10/13/10, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyD

I had a V45 Magna(750cc) It was a good bike. I put a little over 45,000 miles on it. Didn't handle very good but went right a long. The V45 and V65 motors were detuned Intercepter motors. I was a service manager at a Honda dealer.(also Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Triumph, Ktm, Sea-doo, Polaris)

The V65 is a bit heavy, but if it was taken care of, it will run well past 60,000 miles. After all, it is a Honda!

I like stupid-fast bikes now that i'm 51! Can't go fast enough. My favorite street bike(i have 8) is a Suzuki GSF1200 Bandit. Kinda old school, but puts out 197hp at the rear wheel. No spray or turbo, all motor. 0 to 160 in 8 seconds! It's almost as fast as my top gas drag bike!!! Top end just under 200mph, and i try to hit that every time i ride it. Bummer is my wife HATES that bike, but, good cause she nevers rides on the back so i can be stupid! (Wheelies at 130mph+, t-shirt and shorts) Remember, bones heal and skin grows back!!

Just a side note, my uncle rides a GSF1200 almost everyday too. He also just set the world record for the most pullups - 6. He's a trainer at a Gold's gym in Ca. Did i mention that he's 91?

...............Well , I made a deal so Now I have too reaquaint myself with 2 wheel Travel ! Bike is in good shape for being an 85 model , and it runs out very smoothly but I'm no expert in these matters ! I'll just be riding on short trips so I can get out and see the country . This bike has a tremendous amount of power in any gear so It'll take me a while too get adjusted . I like shaft drive and it's also water cooled ! Only time will tell whether or not it is in fact reliable transportation , But I believe the owner told me the truth ! , fordy

hotzcatz · #8 10/13/10, 08:12 PM

In my estimation, the perfect motorcycle is a Suzuki GS450L but those haven't been made for decades. Most of my riding was in fairly heavy traffic and it was a great nimble bike that could go eeling through all sorts of places yet quick enough to get around things and out of the way if it had to. Nice balance to it. Great gas mileage, too. It was replaced with a 750 and I didn't enjoy the bigger bike as much at all. At one point I had a shaft driven Shadow. I didn't really like the shaft drive since that seemed to kick the rear end sideways when the throttle was hit hard. Water cooled seemed heavy, too, but a lot of folks like them.

Still, the best advice I got from my friend Mike the Mechanic when asked if I should buy a particular machine is "buy what you like, you can fix the rest."

Now that town is thirty miles away, we have a small very red convertible instead of a motorcycle. It seems we are always bringing back lots of stuff from town so being able to carry more stuff is important. Not that a '52 MGTD is exactly a pickup truck, but it's almost like a motorcycle built for two when the top is down. Gets fairly decent gas mileage, but I think that's from not weighing much and not going fast.

roachhill · #9 10/13/10, 08:14 PM

The reason the V65 was discontinued while the V45 went on for something like 2 decades was the transmission wasn't up to the task of handling the outrageous power output of the 1100 engine. As long as the rider has a controlled throttle hand it isn't a problem but serious abuse of power will cause the tranny to fail. Personally I have a Sportster and Ducati Monster both of which get better then 45 mpg which is higher than the Honda even when it's coasting down hill.

roachhill · #10 10/13/10, 08:20 PM

If your taking up riding after a hiatus (or for the first time) you should take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class. It's worthwhile even for experienced riders. In PA it's free and passing it automatically results it receiving a cycle endorsement on your license. Although laws and costs vary by state.

fordy · #11 10/13/10, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roachhill

If your taking up riding after a hiatus (or for the first time) you should take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class. It's worthwhile even for experienced riders. In PA it's free and passing it automatically results it receiving a cycle endorsement on your license. Although laws and costs vary by state.

...............Thanks ! I have had a cycle endorsement for several years and I plan on attending the motorcycle safety course . , fordy

dragonjaze · #12 10/13/10, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

In my estimation, the perfect motorcycle is a Suzuki GS450L

Ha! My first bike was a GS450!!

Stupid thing would die on a hill, every time. And it took about 10 cranks to get it started.

But I loved that bike!

Of course, I love my current Yamaha V-Star more...but there's always a soft spot for your first...

foxtrapper · #13 10/14/10, 04:57 AM

I've owned Magnas, as well Shadows and the CX and a number of other bikes. Contrary to some of the odd comments, the Magna has nothing in common with the others. It is a brutally fast bike.

You say you are going to ride it gently. Don't kid yourself. You don't go buying a Corvette when you need a station wagon. A Magna is a Corvette. The V65 is a very fast Corvette. True, it will only go as fast is your wrist bends. But your wrist will bend, and it will get up to speed so fast you won't know what happened.

The Magna is not good on gas (about 30mpg), has a small tank (about 100 mile range), vibrates, and his high strung. It will not thump along happily. Don't misunderstand me, it's a gloriously fun bike. I've traveled all over North America on one.

If you want to chug and putter and save gas, go buy something like a Shadow 500. Not an 1100 cc V4 power monster.

If you do decide to go examine the Magna, watch the oil pressure light at idle when warmed up. Does it flicker? 38k miles is a lot of miles actually for that engine. The bearings are worn. It's got a terrible camshaft mounting design, with the shaft running directly on the head without bearings, only 3/4 supported. Dirt falls into the journals every time you remove the covers to adjust the valves, resulting in a torn up camshaft, and there are four of them.

fordy · #14 10/14/10, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxtrapper

I've owned Magnas, as well Shadows and the CX and a number of other bikes. Contrary to some of the odd comments, the Magna has nothing in common with the others. It is a brutally fast bike.

You say you are going to ride it gently. Don't kid yourself. You don't go buying a Corvette when you need a station wagon. A Magna is a Corvette. The V65 is a very fast Corvette. True, it will only go as fast is your wrist bends. But your wrist will bend, and it will get up to speed so fast you won't know what happened.

The Magna is not good on gas (about 30mpg), has a small tank (about 100 mile range), vibrates, and his high strung. It will not thump along happily. Don't misunderstand me, it's a gloriously fun bike. I've traveled all over North America on one.

If you want to chug and putter and save gas, go buy something like a Shadow 500. Not an 1100 cc V4 power monster.

If you do decide to go examine the Magna, watch the oil pressure light at idle when warmed up. Does it flicker? 38k miles is a lot of miles actually for that engine. The bearings are worn. It's got a terrible camshaft mounting design, with the shaft running directly on the head without bearings, only 3/4 supported. Dirt falls into the journals every time you remove the covers to adjust the valves, resulting in a torn up camshaft, and there are four of them.

.................Well , live and learn I suppose ! Yes it is a very unique machine , I rode it yesterday for about 20 minutes , very fast and tremendous acceleration , But , I called the guy back and told him it wasn't the right bike for me . I need something more sedate like a Suzuki Bergman which is at the opposite end of the spectrum from the Magna . Thanks for your help. , fordy

rean · #15 10/14/10, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxtrapper

It is a brutally fast bike.

You say you are going to ride it gently. Don't kid yourself. You don't go buying a Corvette when you need a station wagon. A Magna is a Corvette. The V65 is a very fast Corvette. True, it will only go as fast is your wrist bends. But your wrist will bend, and it will get up to speed so fast you won't know what happened.

My husband had one, loved it, and sold it. He said it was "too much fun," and was getting in too much trouble with it.

roachhill · #16 10/14/10, 09:27 PM

I still say you can't go wrong with a 2004 or newer Sportster for an all around do everything bike or an air cooled Ducati Monster for sheer fun and they both get good fuel mileage. If you just want a good cheap transportation the Suzuki Savage is a dandy little single cylinder commuter. Not that it matters to me what you ride I just like to talk bikes.

jennigrey · #17 10/15/10, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordy

.................Well , live and learn I suppose ! Yes it is a very unique machine , I rode it yesterday for about 20 minutes , very fast and tremendous acceleration , But , I called the guy back and told him it wasn't the right bike for me . I need something more sedate like a Suzuki Bergman which is at the opposite end of the spectrum from the Magna . Thanks for your help. , fordy

I just found this thread and was relieved to get to this post. 1100cc is totally unnecessary overkill. I dunno, MAYBE if it was a full dress bagger with all the chrome, a 2 person sidecar AND a tent trailer, then you could justify 1100cc. Maybe.

750cc is the most any sane individual needs. 750cc will do an all-steel sidecar rig with two people quite handily. I like me some Hondas, particularly the early 70's CB SOHCs.

beowoulf90 · #18 10/15/10, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennigrey

I just found this thread and was relieved to get to this post. 1100cc is totally unnecessary overkill. I dunno, MAYBE if it was a full dress bagger with all the chrome, a 2 person sidecar AND a tent trailer, then you could justify 1100cc. Maybe.

750cc is the most any sane individual needs. 750cc will do an all-steel sidecar rig with two people quite handily. I like me some Hondas, particularly the early 70's CB SOHCs.

Now that is funny! Sorry I don't believe that for a moment. I don't want any street bike that is under 650cc. Everything smaller to me is a dirt bike..

But then the last one I had was an 85 Honda Goldwing Aspencade/GL1200. Now this was a Cadillac on 2 wheels. But a 20 yo drunk decided it looked better embedded into the side of his car..

Yes I did have a Pop-up camper for behind it and also a cargo trailer..

The reason you want that much power is so when you need quick power, it is there..

But I guess you did say any SANE individual, and that isn't one of my strong traits..

But consider this;
I was 5'-3" when I entered the military, just over 6 years later when I left the military I was 5'-1 1/2".. compression of the spine from parachuting with the 82nd Airborne.

So maybe sanity doesn't run in my family...

My advice to the OP, Get the 1100, you will appreciate the extra power on longer trips..

PhilJohnson · #19 10/15/10, 04:44 PM

I've have had three motorcycles so far. The largest was a 250cc Suzuki GS250. I think I got a high of 70 mpg but for the most part it averaged about 62 mpg. I got a 200cc Lifan dual sport that averages right around 62 mpg. The smallest of the three I have had got the worst mileage. I had a Kawasaki KE100. I road that puppy in the winter too. Best mileage I got out of that one was 55 mpg. I used to have a little Suzuki Swift car. That thing got 50 mpg no problem and 55 mpg if I tried. For me if I really wanted to save gas I would buy a little Swift or Metro and be able to save gas all year round plus be safer to boot.

roachhill · #20 10/15/10, 08:24 PM

They no longer make a Metro or I'd pick one up. I think the same is true of the swift. As far as 1100 cc's being to much that's a silly statement. Size of the engine does not translate directly to horsepower output and speed. My Sportster at 1200cc's makes far less horsepower then my Ducati at 900cc's and the Ducati makes less horsepower then some high output 600cc's. The Suzuki Savage has a 650 single cylinder dirt bike engine which makes something like 35 hp you can hardly compare that to a 600cc 4 cylinder sportbike such as the Ninja 600 which puts out 113 hp. Again not that it matters much but the statement is pretty uninformed.