Honda Magna

Honda Magna

Manufacturer	Honda
Class	Cruiser
Engine	DOHC 4-valve 90° V-4
Related	Honda Sabre V4, Honda Interceptor

1984–1986 V30 - PC08

1984 Honda Magna V30
Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	VF500C
Predecessor	V45
Class	cruiser
Bore / stroke	60 mm × 44 mm (2.4 in × 1.7 in)
Compression ratio	11.0:1
Transmission	Six-speed transmission, wet clutch, automatic cam-chain tensioners, self-adjusting hydraulic clutch
Suspension	Front: leading axle, air adjustable fork, 37 mm tubes, 6.3 in. travel. Rear: dual shock absorbers, 4.3 in travel
Brakes	Front hydraulic, single disc, twin piston caliper
Tires	Front 100/90-18 Rear 130/90-16
Rake, trail	35.1° / 4.4 in.
Wheelbase	58.4 in
Seat height	29.9 in.
Fuel capacity	3.7 gallons / 14 liters
Oil capacity	2.6 qt / 2.46 liters

VF700C Magna, VF750C V45 Magna

1987 Honda Super Magna, Canadian-export model
Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	Super Magna
Production	Less than 20,000
Predecessor	1986 VF700C Magna
Successor	1994 VF750C Magna
Class	Cruiser
Engine	699cc 1987 / 748cc 1988
Transmission	6-speed, shaft drive
Suspension	39 mm non adjustable fork, dual coil over shocks
Brakes	Single disc front, drum rear
Tires	Front: 100/90-19 tubeless, Rear: 150/80-15 tubeless
Wheelbase	1660 mm / 65.35 inches
Dimensions	L: 2385 mm / 94 inches W: 810 mm / 32 inches H: 1155 mm / 45.5 inches
Seat height	27.8 in (706 mm)
Fuel capacity	13 L / 3.43 US gallons

1994–2003 VF750C

1999 Honda Magna with aftermarket saddle and exhaust.
Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	VF750C
Engine	748.8 cc (45.69 cu in) liquid-cooled 90° V-4,
Compression ratio	10.8:1
Top speed	120 mph (190 km/h)
Power	76.3 bhp (56.9 kW) (rear wheel)
Torque	46.5 ft·lb (63.0 N·m) (at rear wheel)
Transmission	5-speed, O-ring chain
Suspension	Front: 41 mm cartridge fork; 150 mm travel, Rear: Dual shocks with 5-way spring preload adjustability; 3.9 inches (100 mm) travel
Brakes	Front: 2-piston caliper, 12.4 in (315 mm) disc. Rear: Single-leading-shoe drum
Tires	Tubeless, Front: 120/80-17, Rear: 150/80-15
Rake, trail	32°, 5.2 in (130 mm)
Wheelbase	65.0 in (1,650 mm)
Seat height	28.0 in (710 mm)
Weight	550 lb (250 kg) (wet)
Fuel capacity	3.6 US gal (14 l; 3.0 imp gal)
Oil capacity	3.3 US qt (3,100 ml)

1994–2003 VT250C

1995 Honda Magna with aftermarket exhaust
Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	VF250
Engine	250 cc liquid-cooled 90° V-2, Bore x Stroke: 60.0 x 44.1 mm (2.36 x 1.74 inches), 11.0:1 compression
Transmission	5-speed, Final Drive: O-ring-sealed chain, Multiple wet plate coil spring clutch
Suspension	Front: Telescopic type, Rear: Swing arm type
Brakes	Front: Hydraulic disc, Rear: Mechanical leading / trailing shoe
Tires	Tubeless, Front: 120/80–17 61S, Rear: 150/80–15M/C 70S
Wheelbase	1,620 mm
Dimensions	L: 2,315 mm W: 845 mm H: 1,055 mm
Seat height	28.0 Inches (711 mm)
Fuel capacity	11 Litres (2.91 US Gallons)
Oil capacity	2.1 Litres (After Oil & Filter Change)

The Honda Magna was a cruiser motorcycle made from 1982 to 1988 and 1994 to 2003 and powered by Honda's V4 engine taken from the VF/VFR. The engine technology and layout was a descendant of Honda's racing V4 machines, such as the NS750 and NR750. The introduction of this engine on the Magna and the Sabre in 1982, was a milestone in the evolution of motorcycles that would culminate in 1983 with the introduction of the Interceptor V4. The V45's performance is comparable to that of Valkyries and Honda's 1800 cc V-twin cruisers. However, its mix of performance, reliability, and refinement was overshadowed by the more powerful 1,098 cc "V65" Magna in 1983.

While Honda's release of their V4 technology in the Magna (and other bikes like the Sabre and Interceptor) was certainly a bold move, it was somewhat overshadowed by at least two problems. One was the decline of motorcycle sales after the boom in the 1970s. While Honda quality was a given and the amount of features provided in these bikes was great, they were still relatively expensive bikes at the time. An expensive, complex bike was difficult to sell in a down market. The second was the manufacturing and engineering problems encountered after the release in 1982.

Though criticized for its long-distance comfort and lauded mainly for its raw acceleration, the Magna was the bike of choice for a Canadian grandmother who toured the world solo by motorcycle, without benefit of the support crew that usually accompanies riders in adventures depicted in such films as Long Way Round.

The Honda Magna of years 1982–1988 incorporated a number of unique features into a cruiser market dominated by V-twin engines. The V4 engine configuration provided a balance between torque for good acceleration and high horsepower. The 90-degree layout produced less primary vibration, and the four cylinders provided a much smoother delivery of power than a V-twin. Good engine balance, plus short stroke and large piston diameter allowed for a high redline and potential top speed.

Besides the engine configuration, the bike had water cooling, a six-speed transmission for good economy at highway speed, and common on other middleweight bikes for Honda in the early 1980s, shaft drive. While the shaft drive is very convenient with virtually no maintenance required (and no oil getting slung around), it also robbed some power from where it was more evidently lacking on in town or lower speed riding. Features like twin horns, hydraulic clutch, and an engine temperature gauge add nice touches to the bike. A coil sprung, oil bath, air preload front fork with anti-dive valving was an improvement, although the Magna did not benefit from the linkage based single shock that was on the Sabre and Interceptor.