Can I go on a 400 mile road trip without problems?

Question

I just bought a 1982 Honda Nighthawk. Its my first motorcycle. I am planning on taking a road trip with it. I'll be going almost 400 miles to my destination. Someone told me that since it is air cooled that I will have problems and shouldn't drive it that far. I did some research online and what info I could find never said anything about limiting my distance due to it being aircooled. Can someone out there offer up some links or advice on this? I don't want any problems on my trip, so i'd like a little bit of knowledge on this before I do leave on my trip.

Answer 1

you should not listen to Muppet's, only for entertainment,

what good is  a motorcycle if you can not  do the mileage you want to do?

its a load of tosh

Answer 2

Who ever said that is an Idiot! You need to work Your way up to that distance if Your Buns aren't conditioned to it but if the bike is mechanically sound, go for it.

Answer 3

I've only had air cooled bikes and have never had problems.  They will run hotter than a liquid cooled bike, but that's normal.  Unless you are in an extreamly hot location, I wouldn't hesitate.  

I live in the southeast US and have plenty of 400+miles days on air cooled bikes.

If the bike is in top shape mechanically, I doubt you'd have a problem.    That said, be sure YOU are up to riding 400 miles, especially if you are a new rider.

Answer 4

Most cruisers are air cooled, including all Harley's. Someone in very ignorant if they think that a CB750 "four" which is what I assume you mean by "nighthawk," can't go 400 miles. My '80 does just fine, and in 68 when they came out, they were advertised as being a bike that could maintain 120 MPH all day.

That said, if this bike is new to you, and you (or your mechanic) have not had the carburetors apart they could have sediment that could cause un-fun stuff like clogged jets (read BREAKDOWN) or float needles, causing overflow and spilling gas on the ground, or if your overflow hoses aren't maintained or missing, engine (read FIRE!)

these problems generally occer if the bike has been sitting for any amount of time with gas in the system. a carb rebuild kit if nessessary for this bike is $55 on ebay and does not require much expertise. to see if you need to do this, take off one float bowl (the bottom part of each carb) held on by three screws. (turn off gas and drain the bowl first, each bowl has a brass flathead s***w valve next to the drain.) and if there is anything visible in it the carbs need major cleaning/possible rebuld. the only tools nesessarry are a #1 phillips, 3/8 flathead and a needle nose pliars a can of carb cleaner some form of compressed air and a lot of Q-tips.

If you have any questions let me know

I just bought my first bike, a 1980 Honda CB750 K a little over a month ago and made it 60 miles before the **** hit the fan and it started spilling gas. it was the first time I worked on carbs ant there is a short learning curve on these.

Answer 5

Air cooled is not a problem.

Go through (or have your mechanic go through) everything to make sure it's in reasonable condition.

Before a trip, check things like the chain - no excessive wear, proper tension. Check the oil level. Check the brakes, both for wear and proper adjustment.

Early '80s Hondas are good bikes, I've had a few. A couple years ago, I was doing a 2 1/2 hour commute on an '82 CB650 Custom. While I don't ride it anymore, I still have my '80 CB750K.

Answer 6

Being air cooled has nothing to do with taking a long trip. All Harley touring models are air cooled and folks ride them cross country without issue.  

Answer 7

I've been riding air cooled HDs since 1959 and I've never had trouble with any of them. 400 miles is something you do in the morning, save the longer part for after lunch.

Answer 8

So far this year I have logged 8,860 miles on my "air cooled" motor and plan to break 10,000 before the year is out. All in all, I've put at least a million miles on air cooled motors. I've ridden them thru deserts, mountains, rolling hills, mountain passes, in the rain, in the snow and in the boiling heat. It's not the air cooled part, it's the size of the motor, not overloading your bike with stuff, keeping it maintained, and using common sense.

Ride safe