Honda VF500C Magna V30 reviews

I've owned my 1998 Honda Manga now for 3 years and put 6000 miles on it. The previous owner put 18,000 miles on it. Regular maintenance is the key to putting miles on the bike. The only down side to the Magna is, it needs a bigger gas tank. The Magna is a great bike and it's well respected among the hardcore bikers. In fact Motorcycle Cruiser magazine has always put it in muscle cruiser tests with bikes such as the Honda VTX, Valkryie, Yamaha V-Max, Harley V-Rod etc. The Magna held its own against these other bikes even though it had less than half the dispacement. I keep thinking of trading up for a VTX... but why? Show less

I have about 2,000 miles on a '98 I bought in AZ. I've had seven bikes previous - all kinds: bmw, Yamaha, triumph and this is, by far, my favorite rig. Reasons to love it are many. 1) It's very quick. 2) It rips through corners 3) Love the chain drive, great acceleration. 4) It's comfortable as far as bar reach and the "sporty" peg position gives you more leverage in turns. Downsides are few: 1) Rear brake is a bit mushy 2) Stock seat is inhuman. 3) Not a GREAT touring bike - gets a bit buzzy above 75 mph. Get a Mustang seat - it is the best I've ever had. Overall, I love my Magna. Show less

My first bike was a 600. After riding it for two weeks, I was not impressed with the bike. I went back to the dealer to return the bike, behold there was this awesome machine looking sleek and powerful saying "buy me and you won't be disappointed", so I did. WHAT A MACHINE! This is one powerful and easy handling bike. I've upgraded the exhaust to a Vance and Hines exhaust. I've also installed the Mustang seat with the driver and passenger backrest. The only thing Honda needs to do is to make it with a bigger gas tank and a six speed transmission. Also find another location for the helmet lock and more accessories. Thanks Honda for a great motorcycle. "BRING BACK THE MAGNA" Show less

This bike has comfort, style, power, reliabilty, and handles great. After riding it for a year I'm so glad I chose a Magna. The V4 is as smooth as it gets. Show less

If you're looking for performance at the best price in the cruiser category you found your motorcycle (leg room aside). If you're looking for a return on your investment then buy a house because motorcycling is for passion not profit. I pretty much live in Harley territory and I haven't been beaten by a Harley yet on my 99 Magna. Which just kills them when they find out it's only a 750. I've raced from a dead start and a rolling start to give them a chance. As you will notice most of them don't understand weight to power ratio. So I chuckle when I hear "but I got a stage 3 kit with eagle heads!". Which will cost you about $10,000 extra on that HOG. I paid $7,500 for my Magna and next to the Vmax, Vrod(porche motor not Harley), and Valkerie, the Magna is next in line for performance cruisers. This is a fact. So in short, YES it is the best performance you can buy for your money. Show less

This bike is awesome! Smokes any cruiser on the road except a Harley V Rod, a Yamaha V Max, and the Honda Valk, and it even keeps up with the Valk, up too around 100mph before the Valk pulls away (I know because my father has a Valk and we have tested). In the short run though the Magna will even handle the Valk. If you have this available to you then go and buy it right now before the owner gets smart and keeps it or someone else who knows better buys it right away! I wouldn't get rid of mine unless they bring it back out, I love it so much!! Show less

The Magna is an incredible motorcycle that almost has the speed of a bullet bike. The Interceptor engine was taken and put into a cruiser and what came of that was remarkable! I love my Magna and it devistates me to know that Honda stopped making it! This is the number one bike for a LOT of people. GREAT FOR WOMEN! What were they thinking when they quit making it??????? Show less

Handles like a sport bike. Almost sounds like one. However, with four pipes the tone when rpm's are lower. It does need a bigger tank and aftermarket pipes with a jet kit to increase performance and drive distance. It could also use a bigger sprocket in the front (or smaller in the rear) for lower rpm's at interstate cruising. A sixth gear in this bike would have been awsome. All of these things are minor compared to its factory state. I would recommend this bike to anyone who likes a sport engine cruiser! Show less

I traded in a 2002 Vulcan 750 for a 1998 Magna. People think I am crazy, but my Vulcan's driveshaft assembly broke and left me stranded on the Garden State Parkway. I had no choice but to get rid of the bike and only a Honda Dealer was willing to accept it on trade in that condition. I've owned a Ninja, TW200, Virago and a Vulcan. Hands down, the Magna is the smoothest, quietest, most powerful engine I have ever experienced. The Magna handles well and has a nice soft ride to it. Being 5'6", the ergonomics fit me perfectly. Taller riders may be cramped because the bars have a short reach and the footpegs are rearward, keeping my knees bent at a right angle. The seating position is more upright than I expected. This makes for more comfort. The Magna is absolutely a blast to ride, however, I do have some suggestions to improve the Magna, if Honda decides to bring it out of retirement: (1) Make the ignition and steering lock one unit and place it in the dashboard. (2) A hinged fuel cap. (3)Increase the fuel capacity to 4.5 gallons. Show less

Wanting to get back into riding after 35 yrs, I started looking at Harleys. My first cycle was a Honda 305 Scrambler so I checked out a nearly new 2002 Magna from a private owner, and the looking was over. What an awesome machine. Looks are killer, runs like a screamer, and is very easy, comfortable, and confident on mountain roads or Atlanta's freeways. Quality engineering and performance is just what you would expect from Honda, and if you compare the total cost of ownership, you will be hard pressed to beat the Magna. Show less