Riding and Owning the Honda Magna V65 Motorcycle

Information About Owning and Riding the VF1100C or Honda Magna V65

Oct 25, 2009 Linda Gentile

Last produced in 1986, the powerful V-Four Honda Magna V65s still remain popular. Inexpensive and reliable, the VF1100C offers intense, exciting speed.

Honda produced its Magna V65 from 1983 to 1986, and even today the VF1100C has a strong presence. At the time of its creation, this bike was once one of the fastest production motorcycles in existence. At 589 pounds wet weight with a 31.6" seat height and 62.8" long wheelbase, the V65 Magna is not a bike for short people.

However, this writer, who is one such short person, was able to tip-toe the V65 by removing the seat and replacing it with suitably-secured towels and a jacket. Presumably, an equally determined short rider could bridge the gap more realistically with raised boot soles and a custom seat.

Given how much literal bang there is for the buck on these older bikes, the effort may be worth it. Magna V65s can be picked up in good condition for under $2000, still accelerate to highway speeds in seconds, and get 30-40 mpg.

The Magna V65 is Fun to Ride

The Magna V65 is a smooth, easy ride. Gaining speed is absolutely effortless, with the gears whizzing by on the digital dashboard indicator until they hit sixth, or overdrive. Handling is easy, with the cycle very willing to lean – sometimes, perhaps, too much. The VF1100C has been criticized for being top-heavy, i.e. it sometimes leans more than the rider intended, and does not return quite gracefully to the upright position thanks to a higher-than-average center of gravity.

The V65 Magna is equipped for longer journeys with a physically-large 4.5 gallon tank. It has around 100 hp of power at the rear wheel. For this rider's longer (250-mile) journeys, though, the ergonomics of a lower seat were wrong, with excess strain on the wrists. Taller riders fare better with a more level fit to the handlebars.

At slower speeds, the Magna is well-balanced and easy to control, with a dashboard heat indicator to warn of overheating. Magnas are liquid-cooled, so handle stopped traffic better than air-cooled motorcycles, but the built-in fan is still a necessary addition to the cooling system.

Magna V65s Have Some Technical Issues

The Magna V65 is well-noted for certain issues. Its worst quirk is that due to poor engine design, the rear camshaft tends to die for want of lubrication. The camshafts can be replaced, but the process is involved and requires a willingness to play mechanic.

The automatic fan switch often dies after several years, too, so many Magna owners end up fitting a manual switch. The auto-cancel function of the turn signal indicators also tends to fail in these motorcycles.

This notwithstanding, Honda Magna parts are cheap and plentiful, and the bikes are still going strong. Parts can be picked up new, or on Ebay or equivalent sites, and at least one Ebay vendor specializes in the V65 Magna. Alternatively, the rider can pick up a donor bike or engine and cannibalize it for parts.

While technology has overtaken them for faster, more efficient motorcycles, the Honda V65 Magna is still a long way from dying out. With its throaty, angry roar and eyeball-flattening acceleration, this motorcycle makes for an exhilarating, inexpensive ride.

The copyright of the article Riding and Owning the Honda Magna V65 Motorcycle in Motorcycles/Off-Road is owned by Linda Gentile. Permission to republish Riding and Owning the Honda Magna V65 Motorcycle in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Honda Magna V65