This is my first post and wanted to introduce myself. My name is John and am signed up for the BRC in March (cant wait!! ) I have been reading this forum and I think you guys are providing an invaluable service to us newbies. I bought my first bike yesterday from my friend. It is a Honda Magna 750 (2003) for real cheap and the bike is cherry. I have been reading your suggestions for first bikes and I know this bike is more of a "grey area" bike. I figured after the BRC that if I cannot handle the bike right away I will either live on a parking lot or get a smaller bike and park the bigger one. This weekend I am going shopping for my helmet, jacket and gloves.
Thanks again for all the wonderful information you guys provide!!
Welcome to the site! It's always good to have another person on from Va.
johnb757 wrote: I know this bike is more of a "grey area" bike. I figured after the BRC that if I cannot handle the bike right away I will either live on a parking lot or get a smaller bike and park the bigger one. This weekend I am going shopping for my helmet, jacket and gloves.
A 750 is normally ehh to grey area, but that V-4 cruiser is more of a wolf in sheeps clothing. Much more on the bad side of grey if even grey at all. Good luck with it and I like your mindset.
Hello, I am new to this forum as well. I am not as new to riding as you though I have been riding for 4 years now almost 5 actually. I am a 24 year old living in Chicago, so I do a lot of riding outside of Chicago for many reasons. I am in Wisconsin and Michigan a lot so I can get on open roads. I am always looking for new roads to ride, so if you have a fun route or a great place to visit please post it on my map site, the link is below. I am an affiliate of allstate and thus I am using their sites right now. Thanks
I have been in the bike twice since I got my gear. First day I was able to make some turns and put my feet down quite a bit. Keep in mind I have never riden a motorcycle. The second day I did much better I was able toward the end to make u turns on it (street is about 16- 20 feet wide) and did it consistantly. I just had to remember to SLOW DOWN, turn my head in the direction I was going and made a slight adjustment in counter balancing. Its more of the legnth of the bike than the power that has been the issue I think. I am having so much fun learning and reading the advise on this forum and Capt. Crash's videos
I've always liked those. Too bad Honda discontinued the model (or maybe it was just too innovative for its time; look at all the power cruisers around now).
A friend was selling his Magna and I seriously considered it for my first bike, but eventually decided to get something lighter and less powerful. Good luck though, and it's great that you're taking the BRC!
"If you ride like there's no tomorrow, there won't be."
As an ex-owner of a V-45 Sabe, the sister model of the Magna, I can say without a doubt that you bike is not a "grey" area bike, it is right out there in the red zone. While not on par with the power of todays bikes and engines, it is still a fairly powerful bike. Also unlike the Sabre which was more of a Sport Standard with better handling, the Magna was more of a straight line drag cruiser, fast in the straights but reportedly a right bear in cornering. Really it is a bike suited for a more experienced rider then a newbie. You would be better off parking it for a season and picking up something a bit smaller and easier handling for a season or two in order to get some experience under your belt before tackling that monster.