Honda's Jab At Harley - Magna 750 Muscle Cruiser...

Today we're taking the 1997 Honda Magna 750 for a ride. How does this bike stack up against some of the other muscle bikes out there? And how does it compete with the Harley cruisers? I'll share my thoughts, impressions, and review of the bike in today's video.

tags: honda magna 750 walk around, test ride, review, impressions, thoughts, honest review

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[JonsMotoGarage]

Harley Killer or Wannabe? Let me know your thoughts below!

[dkernek]

I absolutely LOVED my Magna. Only bike I ever really regret selling.

[jamesbottger]

A buddy of mine had a 1st gen Magna (circa 1984), right after Honda dropped it's displacement down from a 750 to a 700 to avoid the tariff. There were several of us that had bikes living in the dorms on an Air Force base. We had this thing on the weekends when the grills would come out (and the beer), and guys would do burnouts in the parking lot. This guy was trying to do a burnout on his Magna, but he kept bogging it out and couldn't get the tire to break loose. He got frustrated, parked his bike, and was upset, claiming the bike was a dog. I got on the bike (with his permission of course) and did a burnout to the end of the parking, then did another coming back. I got off and said "nothin wrong with this bike." I told him to drop the hammer at about 8K and she does really nice smokies. He had no problem doing them after that....we did have to keep an eye out for the LEs though, they didn't take too kindly to this practice...at any rate, the Magna is hardly a Harley wannabe, it's V-4 separates it from any twin, and performance wise the Magna would smoke any Harley except the V-Rod...

[tenehaglendening]

Even though I have 2 harleys in the garage I had a 88 magna it's a awesome bike wish I never got rid of it.

[nightwing]

I have owned my 96’ Magna CD since 2000. It’s an awesome bike. It does have a couple of shortcomings. First off the rear drum brake. I did the bigger back tire mod and the brake is not real effective. I recently changed the shoes and it’s better, but a disk would definitely be an improvement. I am sure going back to the stock tire would fix this but I like the look. Besides for only having a single front disk it works well. The second is the fuel capacity. Let’s face it, 4 cylinders, 4 carbs, 4 exhaust pipes. This is a hot rod. And I have the K&N, Cobra pipes and DD shim and jet kit. Another gallon of gas would be a bonus. It will out accelerate many cruisers, sportsters, Vtx’s both 1300 and 1800, Fat Boys have been destroyed in a race by me. It is an awesome canyon carver and very dependable. I have heard that there’s not much you can do to customize the bike, no options for saddlebags etc and I call BS. I currently have viking bags on easy brackets but ran Mustang hard bags on ghost brackets until I moved them over to my Yamaha Raider. Back in the day, there was plenty of dress up options from Kuryakyn, Jardine, Cobra, V&H and a company called Cycle-istic who until the owner Dobie G passed away made quite a few aftermarket parts for Magnas as did Dave Dodge Racing. Realistically you are now talking about a bike that is for mine 26 making it a classic bike. Kinda like you fussing about not being able to get the newest parts for your 57 Chevy. My Raider has been hot rodded and in an all out drag race will probably take my Magna but now we’re talking about a 1900 vs a 750, both hot rodded, the 1900 better be able to hold its own. As far as handling the Magna will blow it away every time. And being that I’m in my mid 50’s, that 1900 is a beast so the Magna isn’t going anywhere. I used to ride with Southern Cruisers, Rolling Thunder and Patriot Guard but now find myself mostly commuting as many of my riding brothers are either hanging up the helmets or passing away. If you get the chance to pick up one of these to add to your stable, you won’t regret it. It’s not a twin so it won’t ride like one it will ride like what it is….aV-4 muscle bike fast light and nimble. And when you add a set ov V&H or Cobra pipes, K& N and the proper jets and carb shims to get rid of the stumble the sound coming from this bike is intoxicating.

[mr.nighthawk]

Jon: I'm not gonna risk dropping the bike.
Also Jon: drops the bike doing donuts.

[robignatov]

V45 was introduced in 1982. Also, they made a V30 Magna which was a 500cc V4 and the V65 Magna did very well....that’s why Yamaha made the Vmax.

[radricster]

Had a '96 Magna back in the day. Fantastic bike. Pretty quick once it got up on the cans around 7000 rpm. Riding position was only good for a couple hours, but you could be two hundred miles away by then!

[Supermankev]

I loved my 2001 Magna I owned that bike for 16 years I put over 100, 000 KM on it. It was a beast . I kept it so long because I never got bored riding it . It was like my best friend I owned it from new and when I sold it I sold it to a fellow Magna enthusiast . Now I ride a Big Harley Touring bike.Great video well done.

[thedriver]

Loved my '99! I spent 9 months on it touring around North America. It's a great long distance travelling bike when it is set up properly. I had the windshield a Mustang seat with backrest and forward controls and could do 12 hour days no problem! When I bought it my buddy bought a Harley, I had more power more performance and more chrome at half the price! And the kicker was self adjusting valves!!

[ИвайлоСпасов-цю]

Had v twin cruisers before my 97 magna, but the power wasn’t enough, wanted to get a fast bike with the comfort of a cruiser. The best choice I ever made. Good for cruising and amazing for cornering(for a cruiser). Once you get the hand of it and squeeze all the power, beats most 600cc sport bikes between stoplights...the look on their faces...precious. You don’t need to buy expensive pipes, just debaffle the stock ones and it becomes insanely loud. Love it, did a complete rebuild and full restoration, will never sell...only buying more bikes...

[stevenking]

Before I got my Harley's I owned two different Honda CX500C's. They were awesome bikes for power to weight with shaft drive and me not weighing much. They were fast. It's all about personal preference. Go for what you like and feels good to you!! Be Good and Be Safe!!

[WaldoWizard]

Speaking of 1997 magnas !! I have that bike! Bought it for 2 grand. Spent another 2 grand on tires etc, and another 600 alone on a corbin seat. Now what I was riding before? I sold my 2020 triumph rocket 3 . I know that you guys think I'm crazy but this bike is raw fun . I also had 2 harley Vrods and even a 2019 fat bob special. Trust me, this baby runs on regular gas and gets 44 mpg !! It's a keeper. Sails along at 85 mph revving at 6 grand, which is Nothing for this bike. By the way. It's almost 25 years old and only has 17 k miles on it, three thousand that I put on in the last 4 months since I bought it .

[theefireplaceguy]

I owned a 2001 magna. Great bike, but as I aged, it started to outride me. Have a Night train now. My friend owns my Magna. So, every now and then, I get to play on the Magna. Oh and it will slay any stock Harley even the new ones.

[devyngreen]

Just bought a 98 before the start of the year for 1k, rebuilt carbs and it already had cobra slashcuts on it. Riden a handful of hondas from shadow 750, 1100 ace, and valkyrie. For handling power and comfort it out performs all. Love it

[Silnt_Chas]

Currently running an 86 Magna 700. Love that bike. Awesome video by the way.

[packfan]

You're correct about the comfort of current bikes coming from a cruiser rider. The bikes I owned in the 90's, like a Nighthawk 650 and 750, and a Magna, road much better with a more comfortable suspension that my 2012 Kawi Nomad. Sometimes I think riding a mule would be more comfortable on the highway than my bike!

[MagnaV]

My 98 magna was my first bike. 2 years later I have bobbed it and gave it straight pipes. It's amazing. I'll never sell it

[dominicboland]

Hit the nail on the head! Just bought a 2000 magna for 3 thousand, my fist bike ever. Absolutely falling In love with this thing!!!!

[davidelizabeth]

The V4 engine is a different animal than a V or parallel twin. Not sure the cruiser crowd is necessarily looking for smooth, sportbike-like characteristics in their ride experience. But us personally, we dig the Magna! And nice 🍩 sesh!!! 👍 We'll see you on the next one...
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