From: patlo@microsoft.com (Pat Loughery)
Subject: Re: CB750 Nighthawk - impressions
Date: 02 Sep 92 16:32:48 GMT
Organization: Microsoft Corp.

In article <1992Sep1.175928.19754@tamsun.tamu.edu> peram@cs.tamu.edu wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
>    I went to the local Honda dealership and saw the
>    '92 CB750 Nighthawk.  I liked the driving position
>    and the looks of the Black model.  I would like to
>    know if there is anybody who has ridden them who
>    can tell me about the feel, ride, acceleration,
>    durability and reliability of these models.

I'm approaching 10K miles on my '91 bought new about a year ago.  Here's some 
impressions; I think I have others in a mail folder somewhere and I'll forward
them on to you if I can find them.

Good points:

- Standard seating position makes all but the highest of mileage days comfy - 
  (with a windscreen).
- Extremely low maintenance machine
- Low price (more later)
- handles quite well - on a recent trip to the Oregon coast, I was riding through
  corners without a problem that FJ riders were scraping centerstands on
- manageable powerband, nothing too nasty but you can keep up with bigger bikes
  because it's easy to ride.  When I was still in break-in, a foolish friend of
  mine who had just bought an Acura Integra wanted to race.  I kept it under 
  the 4K limit and had no problems :-)
- comfy for 2-up travel.  If I was going to keep it for a long time, I'd slap
  a Corbin saddle on it.
- big tank means adequate range - around 170-190 before reserve.  Best for me was
  around 220, worst about 130 in horrendous headwinds.
- Durability and reliablility I can't give you specifics on.  The engine design
  is basically unchanged for almost a decade.  In standard state of tune it'll 
  likely last as long as you will.  I haven't had a problem yet with the bike 
  being unreliable.  It was running rich over the last service interval, so the 
  plugs were fouled, but no problems there.
- I like the styling (didn't say I *loved it*, but i like it).  Many people come
  up to me and tell me about the mid-80's Nighthawk they rode for quite a while.

Bad points:

- Above about 300 miles a day, you get butt burn.  Like any other bike.  But, the
  seat is so blasted wide you can pretty much move anywhere you want to.
- Worst point for me: I hate the handlebars; to ride in a relatively upright 
  position forces my elbows wide and gives me shoulder and neck cramps.  I'm still
  looking for a good set of replacement bars, but frankly I'm not sure what I want.
  I start getting stiff (my neck does) at about 150 miles.
- Notchy shifting.  This is cured by 2 things: Run a synthetic oil (I use Golden
  Spectro 10W/40 and absolutely love it)  Lube and adjust your chain regularly.
  Sometimes it's amazing how a well-lubed chain cures clunky shifts and missed
  shifts.  I lube about every 200-300 miles, but I ride in rain, dust, etc. YMMV.
- Optional centerstand for the bike is $75.  I haven't yet found a used one
  or found out if centerstands for older CBs will fit.  That would really help
  doing the chain lube, oil change, basically everything.

> 
>    The local dealership quotes $4200 + TTL and a
>    Houston dealer quotes $4000 + TTL.  Is this a good
>    price or can it be reduced furthur ?

I paid $4000 + t/l in Aug '91 for a '92 model.  They can be found a couple hundred 
cheaper.  You should be able to get a '92 for under $4K also.  If you're not in
love with the black finish, I'm fairly confident you could find a red '91 for, 
oh, maybe $3500.  What *I* would do, personally, is pick up a used '91 or '92.
Going price seems to be under $3K, closer to $2500.  These typically aren't thrashed
on or high-mileage machines.

Bottom line:  Yeah, I'll probably get rid of it.  I'm looking at the Duc 907s right
now (get to test ride one today, will see what kind of deal the salesman can work).
If that deal doesn't go through, I'll sit on the bike and probably keep it when 
I get a 907 in the spring.  I might sell it to my now-bikeless brother for a song.
We'll see.

Any questions?  Feel free to mail me.

--------------------------------------------------------------
      Pat Loughery [Patlo@Microsoft.com] Seattle, WA
     '91 Nighthawk CB750 - DoD #393, AMA #639366, VME
        Proud Winner, 1992 GPNDG "Two Way-Up award"
--------------------------------------------------------------
"Then Bush responded to questions about whether he would drop
out of the race by holding up a half-eaten ear of corn to the
questioners, a gesture he did not explain." - Boston Globe 8/3
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> 
>    Thanks
> 
> Suresh