Summary

• The V65 Magna was one of many quickest bikes of the ’80s with 116 HP & 125 MPH quarter-mile timing.
• Magna’s theoretical prime pace was 160 MPH however realistically hit 140 MPH as a result of traction points.
• The V65 Magna was criticized for its discomfort on lengthy rides, obscure steering, and poor gas financial system.

In 1983, Honda unveiled the VF1100C V65 Magna, a robust cruiser that will outline the muscle cruiser phase. It joined the already-existing V30 and V45 Magnas, but it surely was new from the bottom up. A milestone in motorbike design, merging one of the best elements of a sports activities bike and a cruiser. It was a monstrous V4 cruiser on the planet of V-twins.

Harley-Davidson had been making cruisers for many years, however none broke the 100 MPH barrier, whereas Yamaha had simply began dabbling in cruisers on the time. So none were as powerful as the V65. For the primary time, one of the vital highly effective bikes on the planet was a cruiser, with a laid-back driving triangle and lazy steering. The Big Red had a winner on their fingers.

In order to provide the latest and correct data doable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from Honda and different authoritative sources, together with Cycle World Magazine, Motor Trend, and Motorcycle Specs.

One Of The Fastest Motorcycles Of Its Time

Power Output: 116 HP @ 7,500 RPM

The Honda V65 Magna used a 65ci, double overhead camshaft, V4 engine that delivered over 100 horses to the again wheel. It will not be a lot for 2024, however again within the 80s, that was superbike territory already! Such an influence output made the V65 Magna one of many quickest bikes of the 80s; it had a sub-11 second quarter mile timing at 125 MPH. For reference, the 1985 Suzuki GSX-R750 had a quarter-mile time of 11.2 seconds @ 121.3 MPH.

Theoretical Vs Practical Performance

The Guinness Book of Records listed the V65 Magna because the quickest manufacturing bike of the time with a prime whack of 160 MPH. The story was a bit completely different in the actual world, although. Cycle World Magazine’s test revealed the bike’s top speed as 140 MPH in the fifth gear. With barely any pull within the sixth (overdrive) gear, there was simply no reaching that 160 mark on the highway.

In different phrases, the V65 Magna was a lot quicker in concept than in follow. Not everybody may pull such quarter-mile timings or prime pace, because of its design. The tires by no means stored up with the facility supply, and the burden distribution didn’t assist both. The front-to-rear weight bias of 45-55, plus the laid-back stance, pulled the entrance wheel up when the bike caught traction. All these items did not cease this bike from being a stop-light drag particular for the house owners, although.

Engine Highlights

• Each pair of camshafts was pushed from the middle to the four-main bearing crank by a sequence
• Four valves per cylinder opened at a slender 38-degree angle by way of screw-adjustment rockers
• Straight-cut gears with a break up gear on the crankshaft within the main drive lowered lash and equipment noise
• Semi-slipper, diaphragm spring clutch allowed half of the plates to launch throughout aggressive downshifting
• Five-speed gearbox (with a sixth overdrive) was pushed by way of two bevel gears and a shaft
• 36mm Keihin CV carbs drew air from the airbox set in a recess minimize into the gas tank
• An electrical pump fed the secondary gas tank tucked beneath the seat

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs and Cycle World)

The Best (Or The Worst) Of Both Worlds

The successors of the V65 Magna regarded extra like conventional cruisers. Yet, the V65 was something however that. Yes, it featured a shaft drive that stored your denim clear, however apart from that, cruiser components didn’t work in its favor. It was both one of the best or the worst of each worlds, relying in your perspective. For house owners, it was either a fast cruiser or a lazy efficiency bike.

For occasion, the bike wasn’t snug for lengthy journeys regardless of the laid-back stance. With your weight in your butt, you’d make sure you lose an inch of your peak after a protracted experience. And whenever you dialed again the absolutely adjustable twin shock unit on the rear, you’d be met with shaft drive jacking. The experience consolation wasn’t what you’d count on from a cruiser.

Things received worse the second you began getting frisky within the twisties. The entrance was suspended on air-adjustable 41mm forks with an anti-dive unit, however the rake resulted in over 4 inches of path. The lazy steering was made worse by the burden bias, which means the entrance finish was obscure, and operating broad in corners wasn’t unusual for riders. The cornering clearance was restricted, too, so say goodbye to your dear leather-based boots.

The explosive acceleration got here at one more price — gas financial system. At a sedate tempo, you’d get good fuel economy. Ride it prefer it’s meant to be ridden, although, and the gas financial system would drop to low 30 MPGs. The V65 additionally lacked a gas gauge or reserve; a low-fuel warning gentle was all you bought. So house owners discovered the gas stage the onerous manner by pushing the bike to the closest fuel station.

Model Highlights

• TRAC anti-dive entrance suspension setup
• Self-cancelling flip indicators
• Gear place indicator (but no gas gauge!)
• Honda Fiber Optic Integrated Lock (FOIL) anti-theft system
• Taillight failure warning gentle (but no gas gauge!)
• ComCast alloy wheels

Chassis And Dimension Specifications

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs)

The Start Of The Power Cruiser Segment

Production Years: 1983 to 1986

The V65 Magna, even with its shortcomings, was a terrific motorbike designed for the American market. The world will not be so keen on cruisers, however the American market was fairly keen on this bike. Unfortunately, the V65 by no means swayed Harley-Davidson riders to ditch their American metallic like Honda anticipated. Still, it discovered many lovers; some that still swoon over the Big Red power cruiser.

The Magna meant extra for motorcycling than it did for Honda’s backside line. It was the quickest cruiser of the time. Harley-Davidson’s bikes have been 14-second bikes (quarter-mile timing) and barely crossed the ton. They additionally price a minimum of three grand greater than the V65 Magna. For the lovers of pace, there wasn’t a cruiser higher than the Magna. To nobody’s shock, the thought was picked up by Honda’s contemporaries as properly.

Suzuki Madura: Equally Fast But Softer Cruiser

The first was the Suzuki GV1200GL Madura, a extra laid-back and softly sprung providing than the Magna. In a straight line, it was an equal, but it surely had shortcomings in all places else. It had a spread of solely 100 miles, the facility supply was abrupt, and the dealing with was tremendous compromised. Think of it as being nearer to a Harley-Davidson (albeit with extra energy) than the Magna.

Yamaha V-Max: Mold-Shattering Power Cruiser

Then got here the Yamaha V-Max — the only real survivor of the 80s energy cruiser warfare. This one nailed down the components, becoming the fastest and most powerful cruiser for years to come. This was Yamaha’s bullet of alternative for the bull’s eye, the V65 Magna. The V-Max was brutally quick and intimidating even at a standstill; its eye-flattening acceleration made it an prompt cult traditional. The similar can’t be mentioned for the Magna or the Madura.

All in all, the V65 Magna had a little bit of an id disaster. It was a performance-oriented bike with lazy dealing with or an uncomfortable cruiser with an keen throttle. The imperfections didn’t matter for many house owners, although. Honda bought the Magna items quicker than it may manufacture them, outselling even the Sabre V65 and the VF1000F! So, let’s name it what it was: a reinterpretation of the cruiser phase. It set the groundwork for the Madura and the V-Max, and lots of different energy cruisers that adopted. A listing that in the present day consists of the Ducati XDiavel or the Triumph Rocket 3.