What do folks who have/had a Honda 750 Magna (1994-2002) think of them?

Question

I have a couple friends on both sides of this question. Seems to be a love it or hate it bike. I'm just looking for comments from those who have had them. I'm 6'1" and weigh 210# if that figures into it... Most riding will be solo; not a lot of freeway riding...more time cruising thru the 30-40 Mph twisties.

Also, I saw that HIGH book on a 1999 was $3200, yet every one I see for sale here seems to be $4300-$4999.

Comments???

Answer 1

I have three friends who have had Magnas. All enjoyed the ride. One thought it had a tendency to under steer. I think they hold their value well. 3.5K  to 4K clean, sounds about right.

Answer 2

Wife has a '99.  Its one of the best bikes Honda ever made.  She rode it from South Texas to North Carolina, and back, last year.  It was great in the twisties and will smoke most other cruisers.

Answer 3

I love it! Mine is an older one but I do love it! Very comfortable looks good, has the right amount of get up and go. All around great bike. I think you would really enjoy it.

My suggestion is to check craigs list:)

Answer 4

I have a good friend who has a Magna, one of the old V-4 water-cooled ones.  I'm not sure that's the model you mean.  II absolutely love that engine, it is smooth and quiet, very reliable, plenty of power.  I have an ST1100 that I bought mostly because I fell in love with the V-4 engine.

She was interested in getting a Harley and I suggested we rent one and spend a day on it.  We switched off between the Harley and her Magna so I ended up spending about half a day on either.  The Magna was very comfortable, very stable.  My only problem was that I found it just  a bit cramped.  I am 6', so you might find it more cramped.  It wasn't cramped enough to be really uncomfortable, though, I sure could have ridden it all day.  I have to say the Harley was certainly very nice too, a Heritage Softail.

The Harley is a real -cruiser-.  Ten minutes on the thing taught me all I needed to know about cruisers, that they are wonderful for low-stress, laid-back, relaxed non-aggressive riding.  The Magna looks like a cruiser but is really more of a general-purpose bike.  It would probably be more comfortable in twisties.  It doesn't have quite the low center of gravity as the Harley.  It vibrates quite a bit less than the Harley (well, two more cylinders!) but the vibration of the Harley was low-frequency and not objectionable.

Answer 5

I wish Honda would start making the Nighthawk instead accept in 1000cc.  I have driven the older Magnas and they handle much better then the ones that came later that tried to be like a big cruiser.  I'd rather have a Nighthawk 750 then any Magna, even if it was ten years older.