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{{DISPLAYTITLE:{{PAGENAME}} Magna V30: review, history, specs}} | |||
{{Motorcycle | {{Motorcycle | ||
|name = Honda | |name = Honda VF500C Magna V30 | ||
|image = [[File:Honda-VF500C-83--2.jpg|frameless|Honda VF500C Magna V30]] | |image = [[File:Honda-VF500C-83--2.jpg|frameless|Honda VF500C Magna V30]] | ||
|aka = | |aka = | ||
|manufacturer = Honda | |manufacturer = [[Honda]] | ||
|parent_company = | |parent_company = | ||
|production = 1983 | |production = 1983 | ||
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|fuel_system = | |fuel_system = | ||
|ignition = Transistorized | |ignition = Transistorized | ||
|spark_plug = | |spark_plug = {{sparkplug|NGK DPR8EA-9}} '84-85 | ||
|battery = | |battery = {{battery|YUASA YB12A-A}} '84-85 | ||
|transmission = 6 Speed | |transmission = 6 Speed | ||
|frame = | |frame = | ||
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Rear: Single shock swing arm 115mm wheel travel | Rear: Single shock swing arm 115mm wheel travel | ||
|brakes =Front: 2x 255mm discs <br>Rear: Drum | |brakes =Front: 2x 255mm discs <br>Rear: Drum | ||
|front_tire = {{tire|100/90- | |front_tire = {{tire|100/90-18}} | ||
|rear_tire = {{tire|130/90- | |rear_tire = {{tire|130/90-16}} | ||
|rake_trail = | |rake_trail = | ||
|wheelbase = | |wheelbase = | ||
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engines are virtually identical and are the smallest V-4s Honda has sold in | engines are virtually identical and are the smallest V-4s Honda has sold in | ||
America. | America. | ||
Differences between the half-liter V-4s are few. An airbox with less volume | Differences between the half-liter V-4s are few. An airbox with less volume | ||
and a set of smaller mufflers account for a four-horsepower drop in peak power | and a set of smaller mufflers account for a four-horsepower drop in peak power | ||
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Magna's reduced intake and exhaust breathing ability makes the extra revving | Magna's reduced intake and exhaust breathing ability makes the extra revving | ||
unnecessary. | unnecessary. | ||
In all other respects, the water-cooled V-4 is largely the same. Each valve | In all other respects, the water-cooled V-4 is largely the same. Each valve | ||
(four per cylinder) is actuated by a follower with threaded adjuster. The four | (four per cylinder) is actuated by a follower with threaded adjuster. The four | ||
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strayed far from these blueprints yet. The Magna's 500cc engine is a | strayed far from these blueprints yet. The Magna's 500cc engine is a | ||
masterpiece, both functionally and aesthetically. | masterpiece, both functionally and aesthetically. | ||
As is the pattern with cruiser bikes, the Magna's rolling chassis is a piece | As is the pattern with cruiser bikes, the Magna's rolling chassis is a piece | ||
of styling work first and foremost, with functional engineering second. That's | of styling work first and foremost, with functional engineering second. That's | ||
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to use. The bar-mounted choke handle is convenient, but the noncancelling turn | to use. The bar-mounted choke handle is convenient, but the noncancelling turn | ||
signals aren't. | signals aren't. | ||
Honda engineers ran into a few problems when it came time to mate the V-4 | Honda engineers ran into a few problems when it came time to mate the V-4 | ||
engine to the required custom-styled bodywork. With all four carburetors set in | engine to the required custom-styled bodywork. With all four carburetors set in | ||
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total of just 3.6 gallons to begin with, that annoying little light usually | total of just 3.6 gallons to begin with, that annoying little light usually | ||
flickers on after just 80 or 90 miles of city riding. | flickers on after just 80 or 90 miles of city riding. | ||
Chassis dimensions for the Magna are closer to those of the 500 Shadow than | Chassis dimensions for the Magna are closer to those of the 500 Shadow than | ||
to the Interceptor's. The Magna's wheel-base is a lengthy 59.1 inches, for the | to the Interceptor's. The Magna's wheel-base is a lengthy 59.1 inches, for the | ||
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low-speed handling, though. The machine's lightness is apparent at all speeds | low-speed handling, though. The machine's lightness is apparent at all speeds | ||
and builds the rider's confidence in controlling the Honda. | and builds the rider's confidence in controlling the Honda. | ||
In turns that are faster than a crawl, the V30 goes about where you point it. | In turns that are faster than a crawl, the V30 goes about where you point it. | ||
It's not nearly as quick through transitions in-to and out of turns as the | It's not nearly as quick through transitions in-to and out of turns as the | ||
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The single front disc fades if used hard, but even then it retains its | The single front disc fades if used hard, but even then it retains its | ||
predictability and most of its power. | predictability and most of its power. | ||
The Magna's outer limits of handling performance are set by its suspension. | The Magna's outer limits of handling performance are set by its suspension. | ||
Suspension rates seem to be targeted at a 140-pound solo rider who travels at | Suspension rates seem to be targeted at a 140-pound solo rider who travels at | ||
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cruiser. For the lower speed levels that line of duty entails, the chassis works | cruiser. For the lower speed levels that line of duty entails, the chassis works | ||
acceptably. | acceptably. | ||
Judged against comparable | |||
machines, the V30 is competitive, comfort-wise. The easy-chair riding position | Judged against comparable machines, the V30 is competitive, comfort-wise. The easy-chair riding position | ||
leaves plenty of room, even for taller riders. Like the rest of the cruisers, | leaves plenty of room, even for taller riders. Like the rest of the cruisers, | ||
the V30 is engineered to be comfortable at a stop and at low speeds. Over about | the V30 is engineered to be comfortable at a stop and at low speeds. Over about | ||
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off the rider's chest; then the riding position becomes livable, if not truly | off the rider's chest; then the riding position becomes livable, if not truly | ||
comfortable. | comfortable. | ||
Suspension compliance seems better than the V-twin Shadow's but not up to the | Suspension compliance seems better than the V-twin Shadow's but not up to the | ||
standards of the best street bikes. The little bumps and ripples slide under the | standards of the best street bikes. The little bumps and ripples slide under the | ||
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handles them decently. In the final analysis the Magna's chassis gets the job | handles them decently. In the final analysis the Magna's chassis gets the job | ||
done, but not in spectacular style. | done, but not in spectacular style. | ||
But the motor that's spectacular. The V30 has the same type of | But the motor that's spectacular. The V30 has the same type of | ||
power for which all Honda V-4s are becoming known. No perceptible hills or | power for which all Honda V-4s are becoming known. No perceptible hills or | ||
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more powerful and aerodynamically superior 500 Interceptor, but a second and 10 | more powerful and aerodynamically superior 500 Interceptor, but a second and 10 | ||
mph faster than the 500 Shadow. | mph faster than the 500 Shadow. | ||
Day-to-day riding on the Magna is a pleasure, due largely to the V-4's | Day-to-day riding on the Magna is a pleasure, due largely to the V-4's | ||
excellent behavior. Warm-up is a one-block affair. Throttle response is clean | excellent behavior. Warm-up is a one-block affair. Throttle response is clean | ||
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more you downshift. The bike is noticeably slower than the Interceptor but still | more you downshift. The bike is noticeably slower than the Interceptor but still | ||
feels quite fast. | feels quite fast. | ||
The only flaws in the Magna's power package are confined to the driveline. | The only flaws in the Magna's power package are confined to the driveline. | ||
Like the Interceptor we tested recently, the Magna's shifting is occasionally | Like the Interceptor we tested recently, the Magna's shifting is occasionally | ||
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in top gear and decide to stop. You need to make all five downshifts in quick | in top gear and decide to stop. You need to make all five downshifts in quick | ||
succession, and maybe one time in fifty, the Magna isn't willing to play along. | succession, and maybe one time in fifty, the Magna isn't willing to play along. | ||
There's also a healthy dose of driveline lash present-enough so that some | There's also a healthy dose of driveline lash present-enough so that some | ||
hop-on-and-ride types assumed the bike had shaft drive. "Not bad for a shaftie," | hop-on-and-ride types assumed the bike had shaft drive. "Not bad for a shaftie," | ||
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bike." The smooth throttle response makes the lash pretty livable, though. | bike." The smooth throttle response makes the lash pretty livable, though. | ||
Overall, the Magna is the best bike of the three customs offered this year. | Overall, the Magna is the best bike of the three customs offered this year. | ||
Though the chassis is functionally uninspired, it falls right in line with those | Though the chassis is functionally uninspired, it falls right in line with those | ||
of other bikes available to the middleweight cruising rider. It's the motor that | of other bikes available to the middleweight cruising rider. It's the motor that | ||