Honda VF500C Magna V30 reviews

Bought this from a friend with 59,000 km on it. Didn't even want it really, just needed a bike in a hurry. Had the wrong bars on it and ran like garbage. Changed out the bars for correct ones and did a few things to improve rideability. Fell in love with it! A rocket on 2 wheels that sounds like nothing else. Have 109,000 km now and runs like Jack the bear. Very nimble bike, took it on many long trips with no issue even though it's 40 years old. Comfortable to a point, souple hours and 200 km and it's time to get off and gas up anyways. Silky smooth engine! Show less

I absolutely love my Magna. It will run with, and outrun most of the Big Boys all day long. Looks are Top-shelf even thought it is 27 years old. I have owned it for 2 years. The original owner almost never rode it, and I put new Metzlers on it after a slide out. Show less

I'm 55 years young as the wife would say, and over 39 years of riding all kinds of bikes. I would like to say that for the price and pound for pound, there is no better bike than my 99 Magna. It's plenty fast off the line and just keeps on pulling all he way to its red line and holds that line in most any S curve. The breaks could be a little more reassuring, two disks up front and one in the back would be nice. But the stock lay out gets the job done. The comfort is just a soft seat away from being perfect. This was easily corrected by taking off the stock vinyl, replacing the foam with a stiffer denser foam and reinstalling the new seat cover, all for under a 100 bucks. As for the looks of the stock Magna, the design has withstood the years and in my opinion looks better than most new bikes. What that leaves me to mention is the quality of this bike. Mine is 12 years old with over 20k and my bike could pass for new, and runs as well or better. Everything should be built as well. This may be my last bike and if so I'm happy to have it. Show less

I bought a new 2003 Honda Magna in December of 2002. I have put 13,000 miles on it since then. I still get a thrill every time I crank down on the throttle. I've kept mine in mint condition with service at the local Honda dealer twice a year. I'm considering putting performance pipes on it and getting the carburetors rejetted. It's too bad Honda does not make an equivalent model any more. Mine is going to wear out sometime and there are no similar bikes available. Show less

I have owened a 1984 V-65 Manga for about 9yrs and it has been a great bike . This bike is super fast. This bike is in its own class and very reliable. The handling is great with a smooth ride and comfort is pretty good on the road. Show less

I've only owned this bike for a couple of weeks but it is quite a bike. I bought a V4 1983 Sabre at this time last year when I got a deal I couldn't refuse. The Sabre is too big for me and I finally found a 2003 Magna in mint condition with a Mustang seat which is very comfortable. The Vance and Hines exhaust are very loud and I may switch back to the old pipes if I can find someone to buy these ones. While I love the bike, I'm somewhat disappointed with all the downgrades from the first generaton V4 Manga that came out in 1982. Shaft to chain drive, six speed to five, twin front disc to single. But all in all this is a very nice bike. Not much out there with a 28 in. seat height that is comfortable performs like the V4. Show less

Well, I sold my 500 Magna to buy this 1995 750cd, the 500 was fast, but the difference is like night and day. I have a lot of upgrades on this cruiser. I'm planning on getting another for a street racer. I just love this bike! I didn't ride for 20 years and am sorry I didn't get one of these when I could have gotten one new! I wish they would make a new one 1000 cc with 6 speed and disk brakes all around with a bigger tank. Show less

I bought this bike from a fellow that only added 1600 miles to it since new in 96. Thats not many miles in 8 years. I now have over 12000 miles on it and it continues to run strong and dependable. It has lots of power to out run most Harleys and sports around the corners to leave em in the dust. I recommend a Magna as an all around fun bike that won't dissappoint you or your wallet. Show less

I bought my Magna new in 97 and moved from Michigan to Kansas to Colorado. This bike has cruised the expressways in Detoit, the Great Plains of Kansas and the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. I've changed oil and lubed the chain and tightened it on occasion. I've changed the coolant and brake fluid at 16K but that's it. The performance has been great! The reliability has been perfect. It has surprised a lot of people who have ridden in the twisties in the mountains with me. We have always gotten compliments on the looks. In 2003 I gave the Magna to my wife and bought a Yamaha FZ1. She has riden it for 2 years and just loves it. My nieghbor recently took it for a ride and unfortunately totaled it. We were crushed. We've been looking for a replacement bike for a month and My wife has now told me we are not looking at anything else. She will not want another bike unless she has another pristeen Magna. Anybody have one for sale, reasonably close? Help me Please. What a great ride. Show less

My 1997 Magna is hands down the best bike I've ever owned in 32 years of motorcycle riding. It looks good and sounds great with Cobra pipes. It has a nice sound that almost (but not quite) reminds me of a Sportster, but all I have to do is blip the throttle and the Sportster is in my rear view for keeps. My bike was rejetted for the pipes and I don't have the flat spot that I've heard others complain about. My only gripes are (1) the small tank, which requires refilling at somewhere between 85-110 miles depending on how spirited my riding is, and (2) the stock saddle, which is great for around town but really starts to hurt your derriere after about one hour of sustained riding. The riding position and handling are a great improvement over the VT500C Shadow I owned before the Magna. I disagree with the reviewers who say this bike needs a 6th gear. The close ratio 5 speed is fine for me although I wish top gear was just a little smaller to keep the engine revs down. Show less