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In the world of cruisers, where everybody is trying to look alike, sound alike and perform alike, the Honda Magna 750 simply refuses to conform. It is undeniably a cruiser, yet, with its 90-degree V-4 engine and radical appearance, it looks like no other boulevard crawler.
Cruisers are usually sluggish handlers, but the Magna makes quick work of winding country roads. And while cruisers are usually heavy on low-rpm power but run out of steam toward the top of the rev range, but the Magna is a veritable rocket ship that hits peak power - some 80+ hp - and 9800 rpm available. That's enough to outrun virtually every big twin you can bring to the line. Maybe this bad boy deserves more respect. It will probably surprise you to learn that the Magna is Honda's third biggest-selling cruiser, behind the Shadow 750 ACE and 600 VLX, and has a devoted following. Magna owners are proud of their bike's hot rod reputation and we've seen some way cool customized Magnas.
Spend a few honest minutes gazing at a Magna and its looks really start to grow on you. The styling is very clean, with the engine and exhaust dominating the view. Exhaust pipes flow from the motor then taper together ahead of short, slash-cut mufflers, and since there are two mufflers on each side, the Magna looks just as nice from the right or the left. It's a seriously custom look that comes right out of the box.
Also serious right out of the box is the Magna's performance. The mild exhaust note belies the power that lurks beneath the tank. Blip the throttle and the motor responds right now. Pin it and the bike surges forward. Acceleration builds as the tach needle sweeps across the dial and you struggle to maintain your grip on the bars. The powerband is not as wide as most cruisers, but if you're willing to keep the gearbox stirred the Magna rewards you with breathtaking amounts of power. It you're the kind of miscreant who likes to leave long darkies on the concrete, this is your bike.
All this potency is a result of technology at work on most modem motorcycles but conspicuously absent on most cruisers. While most cruisers use two valve engines operated by old fashioned pushrods and fed by a single carburetor, the Magna is powered by a four valve, overhead cam engine with four 32mm carburetors. One of the advantages of the 90-degree V-4 is near-perfect primary balance that eliminates most vibration - again, quite a departure from the common cruiser.
When the road gets curvy you'll find yourself even further in front of the traditional cruisers. For all of its power, the Magna is still a middleweight and, as such, screams around curves where big twins are forced to tiptoe. Heeled over in a bumpy curve the Magna maintains its composure beautifully, snapping into the next comer with just a quick jab on the bars. Brakes do a more than adequate job of keeping things under control.
Riding position is closer to that of a standard than a cruiser. The rider sits upright, leaning into the wind just a little, and the pegs are farther back than most cruisers, giving the rider some support from his legs. With a 65-Inch wheelbase the Magna is plenty roomy for two-up riding, and the wide, flat, well-padded seat makes daylong rides possible. The suspension works pretty well in cruiser situations and only shows its limitations when the envelope is pushed into sportbike territory - a place the motor wants to go.
The Magna's attributes combine to give the rider versatility unavailable on most motorcycles. It's nimble like a standard, comfortable as a tourer, quick off the line like a hot rod, cuts corners like a sportbike and cruises like a...well, a cruiser. As you shop for your next motorcycle don't overlook the Magna. Those boys on the v-twins (who think they're so bad) will be asking, "what was that?"
What better engine to power a 750cc performance cruiser than a V4 derived from Honda's championship winning superbikes?
That’s right. The heart of every Magna is its high-revving, short-stroke V4. Blessed with four carburetors, four valves per cylinder and double overhead camshafts, Magna’s 748cc V4 spins to rpm other cruisers only dream about. Yet, with its 10.8:1 compression ratio and optimized bore/stroke configuration, the VF750’s abundant low-end torque is always ready.
It may sound like a superbike, but the Magna has cruiser ‘attitude’ with a low 710mm seat height, a detachable rear seat and a stretched 1,652mm wheelbase.
The 'Power Cruisers' category that had been occupied by the Kawasaki Eliminators and the Yamaha V-Max, (as well as the 1980's Magna's), was bolstered in 1993 with the Magna 750. As an early release 1994 model, Honda sought to capture the market for powerful cruisers by lifting the engine from the VFR750 and slotting it in a cruiser chassis. The engine itself was beautified by the addition of chrome and some extra fins, and by the chromed 4 into 4 exhaust. The seat was kept very low, at 28 inches, with the passenger seat being detachable.
The all new frame was complemented by 41mm forks, dual shocks, and a single disc on the front. A drum brake was used on the rear. A few internal changes were made to the VFR engine for use in the Magna, including a different crankshaft, a 5 speed transmission and chain driven cams. Smaller carbs were also utilized. The changes resulted in a stronger mid-range pull, and a very broad band of power. Power is 78.2bhp@9000rpm, with torque of 48.2ft/lb's@7250rpm.
| Magna VF750C -
1994 -
2003 Specifications
(Price 2003 - $10,699.00 Cdn) |
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Engine: |
748cc liquid-cooled, 90-degree, V-four, 360° crank |
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Bore and Stroke: |
70mm x 48.6mm |
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Compression Ratio: |
10.8:1 |
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Power: |
78.2 bhp @ 9000 rpm - Redline 9750 rpm |
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Torque: |
48.2 lb-ft @ 7250 rpm |
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Valve Train: |
DOHC; four valves per cylinder, shim-under-bucket |
| Lubrication | Wet sump 3.8 liters |
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Carburetion: |
Four Keihin CV 34mm downdraft, flatslide |
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Ignition: |
Solid State |
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Transmission: |
Five-speed, close ratio, Wet, multiplate clutch |
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Final Drive: |
O-ring-sealed chain, No. 530 chain, 40/16 |
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Front Suspension: |
41mm cartridge fork - 150mm (5.9 in.) travel |
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Rear Suspension: |
Dual shocks w/ five-way spring preload adjustability 100mm (3.9 in.) travel |
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Front Brakes: |
Single 316mm (12.4 in.) disc with twin-piston calliper |
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Rear Brake: |
Drum - single leading shoe |
| Rake / Trail | 32° / 5.2 in. |
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Front Tire: |
120/80 V-17 Dunlop K555F 61V - Cast-alloy, 17 x 3.0 in. front rim |
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Rear Tire: |
150/80 V-15 Dunlop K555 70V - Cast-alloy, 15 x 3.5 in. rear rim |
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Wheelbase: |
1652mm (65.0 in.) |
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Seat Height: |
710mm (28.0 in.) |
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Dry Weight: |
229 kg (505 lbs.) |
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Fuel Capacity: |
13.5 L - res 3.3 L (3.0 Imp. gal - res 0.7 gal) 87 octane minimum |
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Performance: |
Quarter-mile acceleration 12.71 sec. @ 102.9 mph |
| - 200 yard top-gear acceleration from 50 mph - terminal speed 74.3 mph | |
| - 3980 RPM top gear at 60 miles per hour | |
Engine
Chassis/Suspension
Additional Features
V-4 Engine
The Magna's revolutionary V-4 engine design offers smoothness, reliability and outstanding performance. The design's 90-degree cylinder configuration provides perfect primary balance that virtually eliminates bothersome vibration and the need for an engine counterbalancer. Liquid cooling offers reliability and long engine life, while dual overhead camshafts and four-valve-per-cylinder technology are employed for high levels of performance.
Direct Actuation Valve Train
Rather than moving each valve via a rocker arm, the Magna's engine utilizes direct shim-under-bucket valve actuation. The system, while being more compact and lighter than a conventional rocker-arm setup, is highly reliable during high-rpm use and offers extended valve-adjustment intervals.
1994: The VF750C Magna was sold in 1994 and was available in one of three colors:
Magna Red, Black, or Pearl Shinning Yellow.
The serial number began JH2RC430*RM000004.
1995 - The VF750C'Magna was sold in 1995 and was available in one of two colors:
Candy Glory Red or Pearl Shinning Yellow.
The serial number began JH2RC430*SM100001.
1995 - The VF750CD Magna Deluxe was sold in 1995 and was available in one of two color schemes:
Pearl Paragon Purple with Pearl Fadeless White or Black with Pearl Salem Mint. The mini fairing had a two- tone color pattern.
The serial number began JH2RC433*SM000001.
1996 - The VF750C Magna was sold in 1996 and was available in one of four colors:
Pure Red, Pearl Shining Yellow, Black, or Orange. The gas tank logo was redesigned.
The serial number began JH2RC430*TM200001.
1996 - The VF750CD Magna Deluxe was sold in 1996 and was available in one of two color schemes:
Pearl Paragon Purple with Pearl Fadeless White or Black with Pure Red. The two-tone color patterns were redesigned.
The serial number began JH2RC433*TM000001.
1997 - The VF750C Magna was sold in 1997 and was available in just one color:
Black.
The serial number began JH2RC430*VM300001.
1997 - The VF750C2 Magna was sold in 1997 and was available in one of three color schemes:
Pure Red with Black, Orange and Black and Black with Pearl Shinning Yellow.
The serial number began JH2RC433*VM200001.
1998 - The VF750C Magna was sold in 1998 and was available in just one color:
Black.
The serial number began JH2RC430*WM400001.
1998 - The VF750C2 Magna was sold in 1998 and was available in one of two color schemes:
Black with Terra Silver Metallic or Black with Pearl Sparkling Blue.
The serial number began JH2RC433*WM300001.
1999 -
Colors: Black, Black & Orange
2000 - Colors: Black
2001 - Colors: Black
2002 - Colors: Black
2003 - Colors: Candy Blue
