Newer Honda Nighthawks

[burbingus`]

Hello!

I'm new here. I currently drive an Isuzu Trooper that gets a wonderful 15 miles per gallon. I've been looking at some small displacement bikes and I like the Honda Nighthawk 250. Problem is, I can't find them. Even though there's an '05 model on the Honda website, about 5 dealers here do not have them.

Does somebody know where to get one? Or what about another bike that gets over 50 mpg that will be cheap to insure (not the ninja). I am 22, done with college, and I am a new rider planning on attending a safety course.

[flynrider]

Don't know where you can find a Nighthawk 250, but some other bikes in that same general class (performance and insurance) are the Yamaha Virago 250, Honda Rebel 250 , Alphasport/Hyosung 250.

[Grunt]

Your profile did not show where you live but a Honda dealer close to me has 1 in stock in Christiansburg, Virginia at $3248.00. (about 30 miles from Roanoke). http://www.duncanmotorsports.net Good Luck.

[sickchilly]

I'm relatively new to road bikes, but feel I can comment because I've been in your shoes very recently. Firstly, how tall are you? The NH is slightly taller than a Rebel, but not much. If you're anywhere near 6 ft, you'll tire of it really quick. Second, does your commute include highway speeds (anything over 50 mph)? If so, you'll quickly get annoyed with the power output of this bike...

I'd recommend the Virago over the Hondas simply because it has a slightly better position, a real V-twin and is slightly zipper due to a better power-to-weight ratio. But even on it, I felt cramped and felt I would tire of it's power quickly as I have a 20 mile freeway commute.

I tried on a Hyosung (Alphasports/Aquila) GV 250 and it feels like a much bigger bike. Very comfortable for me. It has a pretty impressive 250 motor too with a DOHC, 8 valve V-twin. It was much more zippy and had a much bigger feel than any of the 250 and under bikes out there. People seem to get 60 mpg and up with it too. I'd recommend it over any of the smaller road bikes. If you want a more sport/cruiser appearance, they have the SV 250. And if you want a more standard/sport bike, they have the GT 250... I think the GT is ugly, but that's just IMO. It looks like a mini Ducati Monster though... The Hyosung 250 bikes sure are a lot of bang for the buck. I may go back to see if I can convince the dealer to let me take it on on the highway to see how it goes on a 70 mph cruise. If it does well, I'd seriously consider it. Otherwise, I'm looking at a V-star 650 or Moto Guzzi Nevada... I've got a thing for shaft drive and Italians anyway.

If you do a lot of highway commuting, you might want to look up in the 500-650cc range. Honda Shadow VLX, Yamaha V-star, Kawasaki Vulcan 500LTD, etc... Still fairly light cruisers, not more than $6k and still 50+ mileage on most of them.

[jmillheiser]

there is also the Buell Blast. 500cc single and apparantly is quite capable of 60+mpg. And makes a good beginners bike. Pretty sure a GS 500 would be in this neck of the woods for MPG as well and has a bit more power too.

If you want some off-road ability in that equation there is the KLR650 which is a dual sport and should get decent MPG as light as it is.

[Robkhb]

I can speak from a little bit of experience on this...You will get very tired very quickly on a rebel or similar bike...I test drove the Honda Shadow 600vlx before I settled in on my Vulcan 500ltd...The Vulcan is much peppier and has no problems cruising on the highway at 70 and it is still up in the 50mpg+ range...I got my 2001 for under $3k...I would highly recommend it, but I am a bit biased..

[safety-boy]

Hi,

I recently took the MSF Basic Rider course, and I think I know where all the Night Hawks are

I almost never see a Rebel, Night Hawk, Intruder 250, etc. in a dealership. They seem to get donated to the MSF for their courses.

I always am told that you shouldn't buy a 250, because you will get sick of it. Mind you, that is from salesmen. I had a weekend of riding the hell out of a Night Hawk. They never let us get out of 2nd gear (I hit third on the sly a few times). Frankly, I like them. I have a cruiser now, and prefer the standard body style. The Night Hawk wasn't too small feeling. Mine didn't run so well, but those things got no love at all.

You still might look at something bigger - depends on where you are riding. In town, the Hawk would be good, but if you're near some backroads, I would try something else.

I am seriously considering the Super Hawk - 600cc, and appears to be the US version of the Brit's beloved Honda 600 Hornet. My wife's Suzuki LS650 gets better than 50mpg, or real close (hard to tell with no trip odom).

Look for a MSF course near you. They are typically at community colleges, and teach you plenty in the three days you are there. Saturday and Sunday are all riding, and you'll probably get the opportunity to become extremely familiar with a Night Hawk.

http://www.msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?sp ... rse%20Info

[Ninja Geoff]

I recently took the MSF Basic Rider course, and I think I know where all the Night Hawks are

If you're a big guy, you'll get annoyed with it's size reaaaly quick. The only one i've seen was at the MSF course, and i grabbed it because it was the BIGGEST bike. If you have big feet, that shift lever is gonna be a royal pain in the "O Ring". And it's drum brakes all around, i suggest going with at least 1 disc up front, just for safety's sake.

[safety-boy]

Seem to remember the foot brake was so close to the peg that you needed Barbie feet to operate it.

[Jamers!]

Even though there's an '05 model on the Honda website, about 5 dealers here do not have them.

Complain to the delears and ask them to get one a whole bunch or just ask em with a 6 pack of something eventually they should get you one.



JWF