While I don't have too many connections, I do have one good one, and it leads to a buddy of mine who works for Honda (he's a pencil-pushing, number-crunch geek in their accounting department). Come to find out, the rising popularity of the cruiser, the desire for a sport bike, and the unfilled slot for a combination of the two has lead Honda to reintroduce the Magna, this time with some much needed improvements.
While I obviously couldn't get any pictures (he laughed when I asked for one) he did let me in on some of the juicy details . . .
The power plant would remain a 4-cylinder with similar high RPM characteristics (inline instead of V), but would be boosted to just under 1000cc. I think it was close enough to actually be classified in the 1000cc category. This would bring the HP at the rear wheel to 128! To put that in perspective the CBR1000 brings in around 145 hp, and the 3rd Generation Magna came in around 90 hp. Granted, the weight would be slightly higher, but due to shaving (lighter materials) here and there, the dry weight would come in around 540 lbs.
Other improvements include a 6-speed transmission that delivers the power to the rear wheel via a shaft drive. The Magna will be the only Honda cruiser with the extra gear, but they felt it necessary since it more closely resembled its cousin in performance, the CBR1000. Also, to help on longer trips, the tank has been enlarged, bringing the total fuel capacity to 5.1 gallons. That is still smaller than the "interstate" tanks available on many other bikes, the estimated 49 mpg on the highway will compensate for the smaller tank.
He said that while getting going was a big factor, the biggest improvement came in getting the Magna to stop. That was accomplished by altering two things . . . First, the rear drum brake is history, and has been replaced by a disc brake. Secondly, the front disc brake would be almost ½" smaller than the 3rd generation, bringing the diameter down to 12", but it would be accompanied by an identical disc on the opposite side (read: dual front disc brakes)! He also said something about having 3 or 4 calipers, but I kind of got lost there. Maybe I was too busy thinking about how to convince my wife that I "need" a new motorcycle.
The fourth generation makes its mark where the rubber meets the road. That is largely in part to the massive jump in power coupled with the increased width in the rear tire. The rear tire will be a 180/55R-17, the same one offered on the Rune (Honda's $28,000 beast that, with a small rider and a full tank of gas, will tip the scales at over half a ton). My friend says that he is not privy to the track/test results, but according to the whispers/smiles of all the test riders, the word is fast . . . real fast.
Unfortunately another big difference will be the price, which should msrp somewhere around the $10k-11k mark. Certainly that is high in comparison to previous models, but being that it will compete (and blow the socks off) the v-rod, which costs about $5000 more.
I asked about looks, though I certainly understand beauty is in the eye of the beholder. He actually drives a cage (go figure) but is a big motor cross rider . . . he likes red plastic and knobby wheels. Having said that, he said that the looks and style played a huge part in the design. Honda recognizes the near-cultic following of past owners, and did not want to lose the spirit of the muscle bike that the Magna embodied. I think his exact words were, "it gets a 10 on the cool factor." Obviously he has never sat on it much less ridden on one, but he said even from a distance it looks awesome.
Like always, Honda will only offer it in a few colors, and I think he said they would be black, red, and yellow. Sorry folks, orange scalloped tanks are not available. The other bad news is they are not ready to release it, and manufacturing will not begin for another 10 months. He said the official date to hit the market is scheduled exactly one year from today.
Until then, we are left with knowing one simple fact . . . the Magna will rise again! If you are interested in ordering one before production begins you can call Honda at (866) 784-1870 and ask for a Mrs. Fulls. From there April can further assist you.
Have heard many rumors that past few years of a 1000cc'er Magna revision.
Please dont take it personal when I say, I will wait till I see it with my own eye's...
Sounds like an April fool and what a sick cruel joke that would be! :twisted:
Was that last sentence a clue? :)
It would be nice if they brought back the Magna in that fashion, I might even give up track days for that. Naw, what was I thinkin'?
The phone number is Honda's Motorcycle Customer Service.... April Full though .... hmmm.
Got me. Too good to be true!
LOL, glad I read to the end before posting a response. I was about to go on a rant about how if it wasn't a v-4 powerplant it wasn't a Magna and how that would be like reintroducing the Valk with anything other than the boxer design engine.
So........just pretend I didn't say anything. LOL
Curtis
I repeat! :roll:
Have heard many rumors that past few years of a 1000cc'er Magna revision.
Please dont take it personal when I say, I will wait till I see it with my own eye's... :shock:
Greg at first I thought you were part of the ruse, but then I remembered that you were the one who let the snipe out of the bag! LOL
Curtis
Curtis, at the Dallas museum of nature history they have a SNIPE!!! LoL.