The Cruising VFR

This is a longshot but I am wondering if anyone here has any experience with the 1994 to 2003 Magna 750?

I am going to pick up a cruiser bike to augment my VFR (which my wife cannot ride on) and wondered if the Magna is a good bike. Trying to stay loyal to the Honda v-4.

I've been all over the internet checking them out and the only "bad" thing I can find is that it has a small gas tank. Since it is a five-speed, I am curious how it will handle cruising at the 75-80 mph speed.

Any thought?

I don't know about the rest of it, but one thing to remember about gears/rpm/etc. , of a stock bike, If it were 10 gears the company is going to use the correct ratio for the bikes ability, without over revving the thing at highway speeds............ If it was a 3 speed it would come out the same in 3rd .............
It's been so long ago I can't remember if my 1st bike was a 3 or 4 speed(1965)......... If anything 6 gears is just more shifting..... And I'm retired from Driving Semi's ....... Had a 10 speed , a 13 speed , and a 15 speed........ pretty much the same.

That's a good point. Like the Spinal Tap "this one goes to eleven" thing : )  My experience with cruisers is that they're geared a little low. I had an Intruder 800 some years ago and it would cruise at 80 but it felt like it was ready to explode.

[image: View Post]thumper, on 26 February 2012 - 01:09 AM, said:

That's a good point. Like the Spinal Tap "this one goes to eleven" thing : )  My experience with cruisers is that they're geared a little low. I had an Intruder 800 some years ago and it would cruise at 80 but it felt like it was ready to explode.
The truth is , it won't explode..........
When ever ppl say they don't like the sound of high rpms , IMHO it comes down to, "Time to start wearing earplugs"..... Once you get in the habit of wearing them you can't ride without.

The 750 Magna is an excellent choice and has no weaknesses that I know of. I considered trying to find one for my wife a few years ago. Will this be "Her" bike or a two-up for the both of you?

I owned a Honda Magna (a 1995 model, I believe) prior to entering the wonderful world of VFR's. You will have no problem cruising at 75 mph--the Magna's are wicked fast compared to the average cruiser and they handle remarkably well. As with most Honda vehicles, it never once left me stranded and I never had to put a dime into it. The windshield causes major turbulence if you're over 5'10, and a seat upgrade and floor boards would make longer trips more comfortable. For riding single, a Magna is an excellent choice.....two-up, I'd probably go bigger.

In addition to my '08 VFR800, I own a 2006 ST1300 AND...a mint condition '98 Magna with 5,500 miles.  I love them all for the way each of them performs.  The Magna is a fantastic bike.  I probably put on every accessory and modification possible.  I do take it two-up with my wife, no problem.  I put the largest Rifle windshield available on it, with fork lowerers; the Mustang sear - dual - with rider backrest and passenger backrest; forward controls (I'm 6'2" tall), and a long list of other cosmetic and practical changes.  I added the Dave Dodge shims for the carbs to eliminate the lean surge around 4500 RPM, better front brake pads and stainless steel brake line, etc.  I also changed out the front springs to Progressives and the read shocks to high-end Progressives...both making an enormous improvement in handling and comfort.  The Honda OEM backrest and luggage carrier is very nice and handy.  I replaced the OEM hand grips and mirrors and added the Mustang studded tank bid for some style points.  A K&N air filter is good, and a center stand from Cyclist.com is a must for maintenance!  If you have any questions...let me know.  I intend to NEVER part with this bike.  It's a classic, old-school ride that is trouble-free and an absolute blast to ride, either solo or a passenger.  Best wishes!

A couple more things...highway cruising requires an adequate-sized windshield, as I've put on mine.  I can ride about 90 miles before going to the reserve fuel.  Yes, you have to stop to add fuel more often, but I like to get off the bike about that time anyway.  Also, there's not fuel gauge, so just watch your odometer between fill-ups.  You can find very good deals on these bikes...just be sure the carbs are clean.  Get a '97 or newer year...earlier models had some minor issues with the motor, I believe.

From someone who has both I can say the Magna is great. Like other members have posted, a windshield is a must. It is wicked fast as it basically has a VFR750 motor that was tuned for crusier application. Honda also went with chain driven cams vs gear driven but these are the only 2 changes they made that I know of. My wife loves this thing. We spent a long time trying to find one that was mint. Lucked out and found a 2nd owner 1994 last year about an hour from us. It had about 14,000 miles on it when we got it. I just finished performing a full service on it yesterday and it now has just a little over 19,000 on it. No problems at all. The earlier versions did have an oil galley modification that was needed but as long as that modification was performed, it has no problems at all. I still need to put a windshield on it but here are some pictures to help you decide. Since these pictures have been taken we have taken off the little pack on the front forks and put on a sissy bar which makes it look much better. It also has a Sergeant seat.

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Wow, that's great information guys, thank you! I am planning on using the bike for 2 up weekend rides and an occassional overnight trip down the coast. I have a princess wife that does not ride but loves to ride on the back. She rode from San Francisco to Rhode Island on the back of a Nighthawk 750 in 1986 after college! An out of state buddy of mine stores his Harley Heritage in my garage so we ride that quite a bit. I just keep scraping the floorboards leaning into the corners. It doesn't fit my riding style. My wife likes to lean a bit in the corners and likes to hunker down in the lean : ) I thought the Magna would be cool because it's quick, comfy, handles well and I'll be able to ride it with a little spirit (and it has a freakin' VFR motor)!! I love that some of you have Magnas so I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the offer of help mhagen and I'll definitely pick up some of the upgrades. Awesome that your wife rides huntinggunns, nice pics, like the red!

Rode one for a test ride for a buddy that wanted to buy it. Never road one before that, but it was a nice cruiser and could go like stonk if you whack it open. It was a very nice ride and a perfectly acceptable cruiser. (And I am partly a cruiser guy. I 'm hooked on my Valk though.)

I think this is what you are talking about?
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Tiny tank and mpg not as good as a VFR.  I did two tours with a guy who had one.  We were always worried about gas!!!!

Get one of these & scare the crap out of your neighbours:
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On a more serious note the Guzzi Californian is a great cruiser bike + very easy to DUI.
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Hi everyone. I ended up buying a 2000 Magna with 6200 miles for $3,200. It's like brand new. I added a windscreen and highway pegs. I rode from San Francisco to Palm Spring to Vegas a couple weeks ago and it was really comfortable! I did the ride to Palm Springs in one shot which is about 500 miles. I had no pain after a full day of riding. I can't say that about my VFR. As for performance, I am quite happy. It cruises at 85-90 all day, no sweat. I also pushed it to 125 through the desert! It probably had a couple more to go but it was pushing that windscreen. I am learning the bikes leaning abilities with that raked out front end. Definitely got the heart of a VFR with a bit more comfort.

Thanks to everyone for the insight. I am very happy with my purchase.