Honda CB700SC Nighthawk S reviews

Bought the bike new in Dec 2003 as a close-out special. I'm over 50 and had not ridden since '85 when I sold my Yamaha 550 Maxum. After 2 years and 7000 miles on this bike, here's what I think: Definitely "low tech" by today's standards, but that suits me fine. Very stable and confidence inspiring for normal cruising and highway riding. Seat gets a little uncomfortable after 3 hours or so of riding. Gas mileage averages around 50 with cruise range over 210 miles before reserve. Very "cold natured" engine, but performs great after warming up. Absolutely reliable and no service problems so far. I should mention that I've found very few after market parts for this bike, which I find amazing since Honda made this bike for 13 model years with almost no changes. This bike will probably outlast me. If I do get rid of this bike it will be to upgrade to something more comfortable. Show less

I'm bit on the heavy side. So perhaps this is why I get saddle sore or this could be a common problem of the seat no matter who the user. So the seat is my complaint. The seat is thick in the passenger side so you can stretch to back there for relief. Funny thing is that my butt gets enough of the seat just about at the point where I need to jump off the saddle for a gas break - at about 160 miles or 3 hours. Air cooled engine so you do have to worry about bumper to bumper traffic in a hot day. When the engine is really hot the oil starts to cook so you'll smell oil fumes. that's your hint to find some wind, make your own by moving the bike through the air somehow, or park the bike off the road for a break. If you continue to roast the engine after the oil fuming stage then as with any overheating engine the head gasket may start disintegrating. Honda oil and oil filters are double or triple the price you'd get for whatever you can find in a local auto supply store. Get a nice Mobil 1 or similar high quality oil filter. The stock Dunlop tires are great. I've stuck with them for two tire changes already. It's tough to lock the rear wheel so don't be afraid to press it hard when you need to. Just watch the front brake. A locked front wheel will send you to the ground faster than you can realize. I wish anti-lock brakes were a standard on every bike on the road. The tach stopped working at 35,000 miles in my 3rd year of ownership. New replacement is $500. So I guess I'll be riding without a tach for the rest of the life of the bike. Proved to be the most flexible bike I've ever had. I've used it for travel, commuting, short hops, and general shopping. I use it more than my car - which explains the high miles. (Grin.) You can sport about with it in mountain curves, move on the Interstate for long distances, and cruise with the custom bikes on the blvd. Before, I had a CB360 for daily commuting and a 750 Magna for everything else. Now one bike does all. The black engine paint has started not to look as deeply black as it used to. I think the paint is losing its "blackness". I do about 47 average miles per gallon. Show less

I bought my '02 NightHawk in Jan of '02. I have over 20K miles on it. I moved on to a Kawasaki Concours and a Honda ST1100. My wife and son both rode the NH, but now I've gotten rid of the other bikes and I'm back on the 'Hawk. Why? It does everything I want pretty much the way I want it. Both the other bikes were very good at what they did, but between maintenance needs, plastic removal, bike weight and a few other things, it just wasn't worth it. With the exhaust and carb mod and the Avon tires, I can lean as far as the bike will allow and the power is good but in no way intimidating. With the small fairing I get 50+ mpg average riding/commuting. Reliability has been excellent, and I'm looking forward to many more years and miles. Show less

I've been riding for 25 years and owned just about every size and type of bike. Even after just getting off a Hayabusa, this bike was just plain fun. I bought it for my daughter, and when she wasn't looking, I'd ride it to work or to the store. Even interstate trolling was good, although I kept it around, under 70. With 70 mpg, zero problems and ideal for short riders and beginners, it is a solid hit. Show less

Just bought a 92 Nighthawk 750 in April 2005. I am the third owner of this bike, and I must say it has exceeded all my expectations. This is my second bike, I previously owned a 1985 Nighthawk 450. That bike was also solid, but after a few years was looking for something slightly bigger. I "kept it in the family" so to speak and am very happy I did, I will always be a Nighthawk fan. Just rode cross country on my '92 750 from New York to San Francisco and the bike was solid. The chain and sprockets were making noise midway through, but was my fault for not lubing them enough. A little spray every few hunderd miles and they are fine. As for performance, I find it more them adequite. I am not out racing, so highway speeds with ample power in reserve for passing is all I need. I'm not a heavyweight, but I've had this bike loaded down with gear up past 100mph more times then I should have. Reliability? not even an issue with this bike, I don't have to worry about it. Comfort is usually not an issue, but on long rides I would be better off getting some highway pegs as my legs do get stiff. Quality is great. Honda has not let me down yet. Show less

The Nighthawk is the first motorcycle I have ever ridden and what a great choice. Chose it over a V-Star 650 for the power, ease of maintenance (no valve adjustments-big $$)ultra comfortable riding position,handling and Honda quality and dependability. haven't been disappointed. I hope that my mileage (42 mpg) will improve as I lose weight and get better on the clutch. Would recommend this to everyone. Why did Honda discontinue it? The only other standard in the 919 and it's a crotch rocket dressed as a standard. Show less

I have a 92 Nighthawk 750 and it's a great bike, small and light enough for a commuter, yet able to cross the continent. Will cruise at 85 all day, no sweat. I've put about 5K miles on it since purchase and no troubles at all. Of course, as the "last of the standards," the seating position is comfortably upright, not hunched over like on a sportbike or unnaturally balanced on your backbone with legs splayed out, like a cruiser. Wish list: a 6-speed and shaft drive, and a longer kickstand as it leans quite a bit. That and a one-inch lower seat, but that's me. I have it set up as a sport tourer. Show less

I bought my bike in 1999 and it now (June 2005) has 10,000 miles on it. I have had about seven bikes and have been riding since 1966 and this is one of the best I have been on. It is great at cornering, has great speed (I've been up to 140), and performs equally well in town, on windy roads, and on the interstate. Of course, it is not an off road bike. The acceleration is strong. Other bikers think it is a small, weak bike until I leave them far behind. Show less

I have now logged my first 1700 miles in my first 2 months of ownership, and I thought it was a good time to write a review. This is my first bike, and long before completing my local MSF Beginning Riders Course (also highly recommended) and acquiring my motorcycle license, my research had really focused me on this bike. I thought that the size and power would be good for me as a beginning rider, without being overwhelming. That has been the case completely. The weight might be a little heavy for smaller/less sturdy riders, and as with any bike you're the master of your own destiny, i.e. a bike is only as dangerous as your throttle hand makes it, but it's quick enough to keep me excited about riding and it's detuned enough that you can twist away at that throttle without getting any accidental air under your front tire plus you get excellent reliability. I use it as an everyday commuter bike, and, of course, as a fun bike. I've had some scary moments locking up the rear wheel under heavy braking half a dozen times or so, once for more than 30 feet, but have yet to high side it fortunately. I'm a little bit of a thrill seeker (unfortunately for my long-term living prospects), so more conservative riders shouldn't probably worry about this - that's just what happens when the car in front of you stops and you're doing 65+. Great buy!! You won't regret it. Show less

I bought a new '03 last July (04). don't worry. My review is valid because this bike hasn't changed in years. First, let me address power: It's no crotch-rocket but it will carry my 235 lbs over 75 mph. So, for commuting and around-town and state highways, it is plenty quick. You should avoid Interstates though many would say that is true with any bike. Some of my trips have required time on I-40 however and the CB250 was fine. I commute mostly and get around 70 mpg. The bike is solid - typical Honda - you can't break it. After 5,000 miles I've had no problems whatsoever. The bike is now "broken in" and its character changes. It's quicker and more responsive than what the reviews indicate. On overnight trips I get the same 70 mpg - go figure! It really turns heads too!! Show less