Old Night-hawk had shaft final drive, but the Magna has a chain. The final drive systems of both bikes would give their identities away too. That only a long stare at the engines helps tell them apart for sure. Styling closely parallels that of the discontinued 550 Nighthawk, so much so Honda is exploring new marketing territory with the V30 Magna. These three very different motorcycles giveĪnyone who likes custom styling room for choice in the 500 division. Only competitor, Kawasaki, with its shaft-drive KZ550 LTD, the third and final Honda offered last year has been discontinued, leaving the in-line market to its
Well as the most and best power in the class. Looks the part of the boulevard loafer, has a more bearable seating layout, as
With its Harleyesque looks and extreme riding position. Honda hasĪll V-engined bets covered this year, offering vees of two speeds: the Magna and Nothing else, possesses the most sophisticated engine in the class. This year, Honda fills the V-4 gap with the V30 Magna, a machine which, if Was a vertical twin (not all that popular anyway) or a V-4 (quite popular). In-line foursĬould be had in any flavor, and there was even a V-twin. Models available covered most conceivable design permutations. Last year was quite aĭifferent story, with each of the big four building middie-cruisers. Running this year, offering a total of three models. Herd in the middleweight chopper class of 1984. Rugged times in the motorcycle industry have substantially thinned out the The VF500C Magna V30 was fitted with a 14 Liters fuel tank. The front suspension was a Telescopic air assisted 140mm wheel travel while the rear was equipped with a Single shock swing arm 115mm wheel travel. Stopping was achieved via 2x 255mm discs in the front and a Drum in the rear. It came with a 100/90-18 front tire and a 130/90-16 rear tire. Power was moderated via the Multiple plate coil springs. The engine featured a 11.0:1 compression ratio. The engine was a Liquid cooled cooled Four stroke, 90°V-four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.