How many miles is too many miles on a magna

[Chad in Michigan]

I'll sell you my '95 for $5000 Tons of aftermarket goodies too really, 2k to 2500 is a really good deal if it's not beat up. I live in Michigan, probably 4-5 hrs from you.

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[MarylandMagnav45]

Newbie Question Here please bare with me.

I am going to look at a 1996 Black Magna.  It has 64,000 kms (39,000 miles)  yes I am from Canada.  I have seen pictures of it and it looks good.  Pictures can be deceiving though.  The problem is that I am a 7 hour drive one way away from the bike.  I was wondering how many miles you guys have on your bike or how long these bikes last.  Is it worth a 7 hour drive or should I run the other way.  This is going to be my first motorcycle (I have owned dirt bikes before)  I love the look of the magnas, and you can't go wrong with a Honda......can you.  I talked to him on the phone and he said that it runs good and is ready for spring.  He was asking $3000 and I got him down to $2500 on the phone. (That is $2000 U.S. dollars at todays currency exchange).  Thanks for any help in advance.  Sorry for the long post

Brad

Like i said earlier, driving 7 hours to go buy a bike sounds a little much.  I know the pressure can be intense especially if you think its a good deal or that the prices will go up etc...

I'd just wait...wait for a "deal" to be closer, and be more realistic about options.

Do you definitely want a honda magna?  I'm not saying go for a Harley, but there's other bikes to consider from Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, KTM, BMW, etc....and other Honda bikes that are Vtwin and reliable like the Spirit, the Shadow, etc...

Is this your first bike?

[dgc67]

Umm, Dan???  did you fall and hit your head??

[magnagregcan]

64000 km is not bad. I bought a 2000 in 2001 with 2441 km on it for $7600.00 CDN. It now has 56,000 + km on it and runs like a swiss watch. Just regular oil change and maintenance and tires etc.
I drove to Maryland in December 2007 from Halifax NS (like a 3 day trip!) for a 1995 with 4100 miles on it. $2500.00 US.
I considered that a super deal.
$2500.00 CDN for a 96 with that many miles on it...........I'd have to think real hard on that one.
If I sold my 2000 this season, with 56,000 km on it, I'd probably ask $3500.00 CDN. It has a fork brace, progressive springs in forks, led lights for signal, brake, and licence plate, headlight modulator, air horns, custom carrier, powder coated rims and forks, fly screen. No, not a penny less! (Now that I look this over - it ain't for sale! lol)
They are great bikes.
Someone asked me why I bought a 2nd Magna: the answer just popped out of my mouth "because I liked the first one so much"!
Not many people can say that about their second bike, especially if it's the same as the first one.
Cheers!
Greg

[hootmon]

It has a fork brace, progressive springs in forks, led lights for signal, brake, and licence plate, headlight modulator, air horns, custom carrier, powder coated rims and forks, fly screen. No, not a penny less! (Now that I look this over - it ain't for sale! lol)

[MarylandMagnav45]

Umm, Dan???  did you fall and hit your head??

Like I said, a 7 hour drive is just a little much for the "deal" especially since "looking" at the bike is a 7 hour trip.

That's like me going back up to Rochester, NY to look at a bike to buy. 

I'd only make that trip if a guy was selling a brand new 2009 Yamaha Vmax with 6 miles at a price of $2,000.  That's right, two grand.

Maybe then I would torture myself with that drive just to buy a bike.

Bty, I did hit my head this morning under my deck, repairing a weak section.

Thanks for your concern 

[Magniac]

My '94 Magna, bought in '99 with 7400 miles on it, is rapidly approaching 90,000 miles (not km) and runs like a top. Had the valves checked once, in spec, and replaced the clutch plates at 60,000 miles. Other than that, just tires, chains & sprockets. If I don't get 200,000 miles out of it, I'll be disappointed. At my current rate of usage, that should occur in the year 2020, assuming I last that long. ;^))

[Charles S Otwell]

Dan, I think in all fairness you should mention that your not really happy with your Magna because you got ripped off at your local dealership.

[MarylandMagnav45]

Dan, I think in all fairness you should mention that your not really happy with your Magna because you got ripped off at your local dealership.

Ouch.  I felt a little prick in my side with that comment.

Sure, you're right Charles, I probably am bitter about that.

In all honesty though, i'm just trying to look out for his interest.

Some deals sound too good to be true!  Especially 7 hours away...

[Charles S Otwell]

It's impossible to tell someone if any bike at any price is a good deal, but,  if  it is a good bike, that is a good price and since he would be saving around $1,000.00 over the average price we normally see for a third gen Magna a 14 hr trip would work out to about $70.00 an hour in savings, it would be worth the trip to me. There are no guarantees. I will say this, two not even three thousand dollars will buy you a better bike than a third gen Magna, at least not around here!!!

PS A seven hr trip in Texas is not all that far I guess it all depends on your perspective ..

[MarylandMagnav45]

It's impossible to tell someone if any bike at any price is a good deal, but,  if  it is a good bike, that is a good price and since he would be saving around $1,000.00 over the average price we normally see for a third gen Magna a 14 hr trip would work out to about $70.00 an hour in savings, it would be worth the trip to me. There are no guarantees. I will say this, two not even three thousand dollars will buy you a better bike than a third gen Magna, at least not around here!!!

PS A seven hr trip in Texas is not all that far I guess it all depends on your perspective ..

I know of a bike, an 883 Harley Sportster!!!!  Vroom Vroom!

[Charles S Otwell]

I know of a bike, an 883 Harley Sportster!!!!  Vroom Vroom!

   

$3,000.00 won't buy you much of a Sportster, and an 883 Sportster at any price won't touch a Magna. If you buy a Harley that will stay with or out run a Magna you sure won't get it for $3,000.00 it would be more like $30,000.00 ..

[MarylandMagnav45]

I know of a bike, an 883 Harley Sportster!!!!  Vroom Vroom!

   

$3,000.00 won't buy you much of a Sportster, and an 883 Sportster at any price won't touch a Magna. If you buy a Harley that will stay with or out run a Magna you sure won't get it for $3,000.00 it would be more like $30,000.00 ..

LOL.  You missed my sarcasm.  This is well known especially on this forum (harley dislike).

[bradk600]

Thanks for all the replies guys.  I am going to have to think this one over.  I told him that I would call him back next week.

[Charles S Otwell]

Brad, good luck with what ever you decide and let us know how it works out for you. I hope we didn't wear you out with all the bantering back and forth , it's all good natured, some of us just can't help ourselves.