1982 Honda Magna
During the early 80s, Harley-Davidson collaborated with Honda to make a series of bikes, including the Honda Magna. The Magna is a rare cruiser motorcycle with a sporty high rev engine from the VFR750 of that era. The Magna is reminiscent of the Japanese cruiser models during the mid-70s. The design team at Honda believed that the key elements of any bike should include fat rear tires, stepped saddle, extended folk, a small gas tank, and high rise handlebars. Some of these aesthetics coincided with what Harley was doing, so it was not a harsh detour from their units. For these, the customer got a futuristic machine with a steeply sloped small gas tank, which also covered the air cleaner and the gearbox.
The Magna had different generations dependent on the emerging models from 1982 to 1986, 1985 to 1986, and 1994 to 2003. From the outside, the bike looked lean and sleek while the paint is smooth. There was sufficient chrome for it to be easy on the eyes, as well. Clearly, the Honda Magna was a feast for the senses due to its imposing exterior and flare brought in from Harley.
10 It Was The First Muscle Cruiser
That was the first time a Japanese motorcycle brand had collaborated on a model with pull-back handlebars and foot-pegs in front of the seat. Most motorcyclists had an affinity for cruisers, but the bikes lacked power, so there was a demand for muscle and handling at higher speeds.
Honda anticipated this need by coming up with the idea of a small but efficient sport engine mounted on the chassis. It was the beginning of the power cruisers.
9 Liquid-cooled V4 Engine
The 748 cc V4 engine was a brand new design out of Honda that delivered more than 100 horsepower to the rear wheel. It was one of the first liquid-cooled units allowing for 90 degrees at full trot.
The unit was linked to a six-speed transmission with a hydraulic clutch and shaft drive capable of taking the bike to a top speed of 198 kilometers per hour. Each of the engine cylinders of the Magna breathed through four valves operated by overhead cams.
8 Impressive Fuel Economy
The Honda Magna returned 43 miles per gallon, which is quite good considering the fuel tank's capacity. The tank had 3.6 gallons when full and 8 in reserve. It also managed an average of 138 miles before draining the tank.
The impressive range probably came from the fact the initial tank was too small for Honda, so they decided to put another tank beneath the saddle with a fuel pump. The minimum fuel grade was 87 octane.
7 High Reliability And Longevity
The Magna performed adequately past 100,000 miles, and considering the majority of cruisers were well used; the bike could last three decades if maintained well. On a Honda motorcycle, the mileage tends to be less relevant compared to the service maintenance.
The Magna gained power through revolutions per minute. It ran and accelerated smoothly even at 1500 RPM, meaning the machine parts of the motor were not likely to experience extreme stress. Due to its low gearing, it could do quick passes without downshifting and straining the transmission.
6 Fuel Line Issues
The Magna did have a vulnerability for dry rot on its fuel lines. If it sat for some time without use, the Magna would be problematic to start or could not maintain idling. That was because of the limited amount of fuel making it to the carburetors because of blockage from the degrading fuel lines.
It was easy to diagnose the problem as a bad fuel pump since the fuel was not getting to the engines, but the issue was more likely associated with the passageways themselves.
5 Too Much Power
The Harleys were the main cruisers of that period and would yield 55 horsepower at the peak of their performance. Here was a power cruiser with a V-4 engine revving up to 9700 RPM and producing 78.2 horsepower.
Honda continuously upgraded the Magna performance over the years. The VF 750c Magna, which was the last generation, put out 87 horsepower, and the V65 Sabre did 121 horsepower. It became the first 150-mph production bike from Honda.
4 Good Fit And Finish
The Magna gave off a clean cruiser vibe considering the chrome and attractive paint schemes. The chromed exhaust makes it seem sporty. Though it appears overrated at first glance because it looks like a V2, so there may be assumptions about the bike.
The low pull-back handlebars are one of the visible signatures of Harley's contribution. That, combined with the fat rear tire, made the Magna look stable yet laid back. The large side panels on either side also made the bike more aerodynamic.
3 90's Era Cheap Suspension
Unfortunately, Harley and Honda did not invest a lot into the suspension of the Magna. There was a damper rod in front and cheap twin shocks in the rear, so the ride was not very comfortable. The rider or their passenger did not feel firmly planted.
Most forums have advised riders to go around the potholes to get the best out of the shocks in the long term. It may mean proactive maintenance as well, so there is not a lot of wear and tear.
2 Harsh Yet Stable Ride
The riding position was improved because of the low handlebars and the wide saddle. According to TopSpeed, the middleweight stature of the bike was tangible from the handling. The steering was light yet precise, with good response.
It was easy to hold a line even at high speed, and it did not do anything unpredictable. The Magna was a joy to ride over the open road, and one often found themselves speeding. It was not the most rigid bike as well. After reaching the desired lean angle, the throttle roll-on was simple because of the predictable torque curve.
1 Weak Disc Brakes
Unfortunately, there was only a single disc brake at the front and a large drum at the back. The drum could provide the brake force needed for the bike while in motion, but the disc was slightly weak in relation to the power and weight of the Magna.
It took a bit more force to make the front brakes work by squeezing the lever. One had to use a cruiser strategy by initiating twice as much force for the front brakes than the rear. It was also prudent to use more of the rear brakes for good results.
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Nicholas Muhoro (26 Articles Published)
Nicholas is an automotive and tech enthusiast with an avid interest in creating thought-provoking content that engages the audience by telling relevant, captivating and interesting stories. I believe strongly in the power of digital media and its impact on the way people communicate.
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Source: https://www.hotcars.com/a-honda-built-by-harley-heres-what-you-didnt-know-about-the-honda-magna/
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