Newbie here (not to motorcycles) Just bought my first Magna (95) and found this site, seems like it's the most active I've seen so far. With all that being said you probably guessed I'd have questions. LOL
What do they sound like with stock exhaust? Previous owner decided to drill big holes where the rivets used to be so now the endcap/baffles are wire tied to stay on. Is there an online owners manual/repair manual showing oil cap. plug gap ect..... general maint.
Having a sport bike for many years I'm used to tight front suspension do the Magnas tend to have a springy feel? Or should I look into replacing the front fork seals and making sure theres the right amount of oil in them? (they don't leak)
Also does anyone on here ride one with drag bars? If so do you have to stretch to reach them, what does it ride like with them? Not sure why I would want to put some on, just like the looks it gives the bike.
Ok that's all for now I'm sure I'll have more but I'll try to search first for the answer instead of asking the same question that's been gone over a million times.
Well welcome to the MOOT forum!!!!!!
1st question the stock pipes are quite !!!!!
2nd yes there is we have it around here somewhere LoL
3rd Magnas are soft in the front from the factory most go with the progressive front springs and this tightens things up great
4th The drag bars are abit of a reach but with the right risers it is not bad
Keep them coming the questions that is !!!!
And again Welcome to the forum!!!!
Woo-hoo you guys are on it quick! My mind is blank right now but I see in you rpic you have a windshield, any reccomendations on what kind to go with? I don't want on to big but I don't want it to just be there for looks, I want it to function as well.
Welcome to the forum, and congrats on Magna ownership!
As mentioned a spring upgrade and maybe a increase in oil weight will decrease the springy'ness of the front end.
Drag bars, well there are several option, you can go with taller risers to help bring em closer or you can find a set of the T-Bar type drag bars, they dont use risers they have them as part of the bar. I have seen them up to 8" of rise on sites such as Cruiser Customizing and J&P Cycles.
Enjoy the new steed!
Welcome to the MOOT forum. Be sure and sign up for the listserve for emails. There are many q&a session there. Also check out the "tips & tricks" section (left side of the main page). As roboto said, the stock pipes are pretty quiet. Many guys, myself included like that, especially on a long ride (less tiring that loud pipes). There are others that have done a mod to the stockers (see tips and tricks), while still other go with after market. Get together with other owners with some of these options and pick the one you like best, before you dive off and spend a bunch of money.
Definitely progressives springs, many go with shocks to. Springs are a great bang for the buck. You will probably want to find an owner's manual on ebay. Always nice to have it handy.
There aren't many drag bars that I have seen, and most of those are for folks that find the stock bars uncomfortable. Good Luck, you are probably already in love with your Magna.
Oh yeah, you are probably want a new seat after you take a long ride. Corbin for one up, Mustang for 2 up is what most prefer.
Quote from: dnjinozwindshield, any reccomendations on what kind to go with? I don't want on to big but I don't want it to just be there for looks, I want it to function as well.
I believe I have a Honda line windshield. It was there when I bought it. The slip string air flow is about 3 to 6 inches over my head. I am about 5 foot 10.
I have a Memphis Shades windshield and really like it because it comes off so easily. If I am going on shorter rides I always remove it to enjoy the breeze and on longer road rides leave it on. You will not find a nicer, more helpful forum anywhere.
I use Memphis because of cost and fell into a deal. I use a 19" Fats for the winter and a 17"Slim for the summer. I have a set of brackets on each so removal and install is simple and fast.
I believe National Cycle uses a different higher quality plastic than Memphis does though. If I were doing it again National would be given strong consideration.
Welcome to the group!
Maggies are great rides !!!
Mine came with the windscreen on it and I only take it off when the temps get up above 100.
Welcome aboard! You'll find the folks more than helpful around here, whether you're an old hand or a newbie.
I also have a '95 Magna and I find it to be great for commuting as well as cruising. After riding a V-4, I'll never go with a V-twin. I'm happy to have the Memphis shades, but I also like it w/o the windshield. Having the Mustang seat also made a big difference in the ride vs. stock. Is your '95 also the stock yellow?
Ok first off looks like I will be looking into the front end rebuild (this winter) I don't like that feeling when it bounces around and skips in mid corner if theres a slight bump in the road.
Drag bars are still up in the air?
What is this "listserve"
If I can find a good deal on stock pipes I think I'll give them a try, my other bike makes plenty of noise. I bought the Magna for daily commuting to work so I'm sure the neighbors don't like it when I leave for work at 2:30 a.m.
WIndshield.......I like the idea of being able to remove it without alot of wrenching.
I think it's supposed to be a stock yellow 95. It went through a knock over by a truck so the previous owner had to replace the tank, so now it's a solid yellow but the tail section is black with yellow scallops, the front fender is yellow but the side covers are solid black. I guess you could say I have a mutt. LOL
I've only rode a couple v-twins (cruiser style) (used to own a tl1000r way different than a cruiser v) and I must say the power delivery and smoother feel is WAY BETTER then a v-twin. Not for sure but I think I could take some bigger 1000cc v-twins with my little 7-fiddy. LOL
Ahh you have a Deluxe that the PO didnt put a Deluxe tank on when the topple occurred!
Progressive Springs will help with the handling dips on corners.
Quote from: Greg CothernAhh you have a Deluxe that the PO didnt put a Deluxe tank on when the topple occurred!
Progressive Springs will help with the handling dips on corners.
Deluxe, I like that word. Now if it was still in "deluxe" condition it would be even better. :D
Quote from: dnjinozI bought the Magna for daily commuting to work so I'm sure the neighbors don't like it when I leave for work at 2:30 a.m.
I must say the power delivery and smoother feel is WAY BETTER then a v-twin. Not for sure but I think I could take some bigger 1000cc v-twins with my little 7-fiddy. LOL
Working nights I come home between 1 and 4am. So when modifying my mufflers I took that into consideration. I have a Harley friend that works the same hours and some of his neighbors don't have the appreciation for load pipes save lives philosophy. The loud vibrations he puts off will set off car alarms.
Somewhere is a good article on acceleration, and the Magna did very well even with the 1800's.
Here's info on the listserv: http://www.magnaownersoftexas.org/email.htm
When I had my '99 I preferred the stock pipes. The modded ones didn't sound good to my taste, and the Vance and Hines while sounding great are just a bit too loud. I preferred to stay in stealth mode when I could not contain my exuberance with the throttle while playing in city traffic. Less attention the better, especially of the law enforcement variety.
As mentioned, the Progressive fork springs will firm up the front end. Also a braided brake line will get rid of the spongy feeling in the front brakes.
Your Magna can beat any v-twin up to 1500cc. The few that you can't outrun in the straights, you can leave behind in the twisties.
Welcome to the forum.
Curtis
Quote from: Curtis_Valk
Your Magna can beat any v-twin up to 1500cc.
I like the sounds of that.
Quote from: Curtis_ValkWhen I had my '99 I preferred the stock pipes. I preferred to stay in stealth mode when I could not contain my exuberance with the throttle while playing in city traffic. Less attention the better, especially of the law enforcement variety.Curtis
I still run in stealth mode. :wink:
The only mod that i have not done yet is the progressive spring mod.
its next on my list.
So far..Forward controls and Corbin seat are all that I have modded on the bike.
If your like me you will love this bike!
Quotednjinoz wrote:
I bought the Magna for daily commuting to work so I'm sure the neighbors don't like it when I leave for work at 2:30 a.m.
I must say the power delivery and smoother feel is WAY BETTER then a v-twin. Not for sure but I think I could take some bigger 1000cc v-twins with my little 7-fiddy. LOL
Working nights I come home between 1 and 4am. So when modifying my mufflers I took that into consideration. I have a Harley friend that works the same hours and some of his neighbors don't have the appreciation for load pipes save lives philosophy. The loud vibrations he puts off will set off car alarms.
I hit the road at 3:30, 4 am...My Cobras are pretty quiet when she's idling at 1-K. When I have the choke out or start out, it gets louder. Fortunately, most of my neighbors are far enough away that it's not a problem. The one closest to me has an idiot 25-yr-old son who parties all night outside in the summer and set off roman candles not only on July 4th, but the Monday AFTER! Drove my dog nuts. Needless to say, I could care less what they think of the bike.
speaking of bad neighbors hers a site for locating any for when you move... some of them are pretty funny. http://www.rottenneighbor.com/
Welcome, I know I'm late, but I haven't been on the forum too much.
I've got the Vance and Hines pipes, and yes they're loud, but I like 'em :D
I also have drag bars, with what I think are the stock risers, but not entirely sure. I like them, but I've never known any difference. I'm 6'2", and have long arms/torso so reaching isn't much of a problem for me.
Couple pics of my bars.
(http://www.thehoffmanns.com/pics/magna_sm2.jpg)
(http://www.thehoffmanns.com/pics/magnaredriver.jpg)
I have been behind 2fs2ns and when he says it is loud I agree it is very loud. I wear a full face helmet to muffle his pipes. :lol:
lol, i'll apologize every time, but I'm not changing them out!
Not near as bad when you're on the bike, but I probably wouldn't want to ride behind it for very long either.
Welcome aboard, DNJInOz! I'm a newbie here myself and have found the folks in this forum to be wonderfully friendly, very knowledgeable, and extraordinarily helpful.
By the way, I have a '95 with stock exhaust, and it is quiet compared to a straight-piped bike, but I would not want it any louder. My usual riding buddy said that it sounds quiet but still has a definite growl to it from his typical vantage point of 150' or so behind me. I don't think you'll be unhappy with the stock exhausts.
Quote from: MagnaDaddyMine came with the windscreen on it and I only take it off when the temps get up above 100.
Since you mention it, I finally decided to do just that with the 100+° metro Atlanta steambath we were having for a few weeks back, and after removing the "Deluxe" :roll: fairing that came with my VF750CD, I have noticed strange, new sensations! I can feel cooling air! I can hear things around me besides the buffeting off what some might jokingly call a windshield! I no longer feel like a bobblehead doll at speeds above 45 mph. I might wind up putting it back on when the temperatures drop into the 30s (°F, that is), but for now taking, that fairing off trumps putting on the Corbin seat as the best mod I have done to the bike.