Online tire source? Wife's new Magna needs a new set

[Al in Arkansas]

Picked up a sweet 2000 Magna for a decent price.  The Metzlers are a bit tired.  Time for a new set.  Any suggestions appreciated.  Not certain of which brand we'll get.   
Al

[BudMan]

I bet you're going to love that new 3rd Gen.  If you want any Magna information hit the Magna Owners Of Texas (MOOT) site and board.
Here's a link: http://www.magnaownersoftexas.com
There are members from all over the country, but the true clup area is TX, OK, AR and LA.

[Crazyhorse]

Ridedirect.com is the best place I've found. Good people and great prices. Free shipping over $200.00 order.

Mac

[Al in Arkansas]

Thanks Budman!  Just checked it out.  Great looking board.  I was hoping we could find an active board.  This Valkyrie board has spoiled me .  Kim has a 1985 700 and upgraded to this 2000.  There are some bargains out there right now.
Al

[Al in Arkansas]

Keeping tires on these motorcycles can be expensive - but well worth it!

[TearlessTom]

I use twobrotherstires.com ot of Atlanta Ga. Great guys, superfast shipping. I usually have my tires on my doorstep within 2 days of order. Great prices too.
Tom

[Cruzen]

These are the folks I use for tires.  Their prices are reasonable and their shipping is very quick.  This year I purchased tires for both my Magna and my Valk from them.  Besides the quick shippment they had excellent communication by email of my order details.

http://www.motorcycleproshop.com/tires/dunlop/honda.asp

On the Magna I run the Dunlop 555 series which is the stock tire and get between 12K and 13,500 on the rear and around 15-17K on the front.  This last set I had mounted in March I had the Dyna beads installed to balance the tire. Now after about 3K the tires are still perfectly balanced and smooth.  The tire pressure I run is mid way between Honda's recommended pressure as noted on the bike frame and the max tire pressure noted on the tire.

By the way, I have had four of the last generation Magna's and my current one a 2001 is my daily rider.  I run them up to around 80K then sell and find another low mileage one.  My riding is mixed between local and trips less than 150 miles one way.  My Magna is used year round but almost exclusively in the summer months because it does not have a windshield and does not put out as much heat as my Valk.  In a race, if she cranks on that Magna and gets it up on the cam which happens around 5,000rpm and she shifts around 9000 she'll burn you up till around 80 mph then you'll catch her.  The rev limiter kicks in around 10,200rpm but by 9500rpm you are past the peak HP and torque curves so you're just over revving at that point.  She'll also loose you on the tight twisties. 

I use the Saddleman seats on my Magna and IMHO, find them to be much better than the Mustang seats.  I have ridden as much as 550 miles in one day and 2200 miles on one trip and while it's no where as comfortable as the Valk it's not a bad ride because of the smooth engine.

The only weak link in the Magna is that you MUST lube the chain at least every 1000 miles and that spray stuff they sell is junk.  Using that stuff you'll be replacing the chain every 20K.  I lube every single link of the chain on both sides of the roller with 80/90 weight gear lube then I let the bike set over night before riding it.  This is Honda's recommended practice and in so doing my chains usually last 45-55K miles.  If I can, I wipe the excess off before riding it but usually don't have time to do so and it will spray over the back wheel.  I then clean that mess with Windex. 

Check out:
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/honda_magna_750/index.html

You can contact me off board for more info if you wish.

[Al in Arkansas]

Thanks Cruzen!  Awesome info.  I asked our local Honda Service manager about what the manual says about lubing the chain and he looked at me like I was crazy.  Recommended the spray stuff.  Glad to have your information on that!  My wife is deciding whether to ride it to the Smokies in October rather than ride behind me.  She hesitated to take her 1985 Magna that far, but really wants to take this one.  Each time we've gone to the Smokies she laments not having her bike for those awesome roads.  We'll do a 400 mile local ride and decide soon. 

Thanks again for the help!  Al

[Cruzen]

I asked our local Honda Service manager about what the manual says about lubing the chain and he looked at me like I was crazy.  Recommended the spray stuff.  Glad to have your information on that!  

Al, in my Honda owners manual for the 2001 Magna, on page 121, it shows a small hand pump style oiling can and states,
" Lubricate every 500 miles (800km) or sooner if chain appears dry.  Lubricant: SAE 80 or 90 gear oil.

Lubricate only with SAE 80 or 90 gear oil.  Commercial chain lubricants may contain solvents which could damage the rubber O-rings."

In another motorcycle hand book I have it goes as far as suggest that you should remove the chain and soak it in gear lube overnight once a year.  I don't go that far but if you like messing with stuff......

I would be interested to hear about the ride, what your wife thinks of the Magna and how it performs when compared to the Valk.  I think someone else on this board has both rides.  I'll be preparing my Interstate for three long weekend rides in September which is a prelude for what is planned in October and November.  It's been a rough summer here in AZ but the cooler temps are coming.

[makotosun]

Second Gen Magnas are great bikes. I've had mine since it was new but don't ride it enough up here in the Northwest. It is kind of like the little brother to the Valk. Mine has done the loop from Portland to Reno, and up through chunks of Southwestern Canada. I just added a factory fairing to make it a bit less tiring on road trips (when I don't take the Valk).



My wife decided to go with a Shadow for herself instead after the Magna tried to toss her off the back when accelerating! 

I just installed the Metzler tires and upsized the rear to a 170/80-15 which clears everything fine and adds a nasty attitude to the back end. I got them at http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/31/401/1/0/235/DEPARTMENT/Metzeler-Cruiser-Motorcycle-Blackwall-Tires-Tires.aspx in Medford.

If you can't fit it with the stock brake rod, an offset one is available at http://www.cycle-istic.com/ They also make some neat other little items for the Magnas.

A good forum for information is at http://www.magnariders.com/index.html. Lots of good info on the message boards. I think there is a Yahoo group about them too . . .

[roboto65]

I just stepped up to the Valk from the Magna I am still the Coastal Corrdinator for MOOT Magna Owner of Texas. As far as the Magna goes I liked my Mustang seat I put around 35000 miles on mine in a year and a half. A windsheild makes a big difference too otherwise the your arms get tired holding you against the wind.

It is a fast bike and will suprise the squids with there rockets the 170/80/15 in Metz makes turns a little slower but mangeable they are just as bad about not riding though and clogged slowjets so run the Seafoam or Techron choose your poison every once and a while.

 Dobie with Cyclistic makes some great add ons for the Magna . As for the chain wax lots use it most today are Oring safe but I had a electronic oiler from Pro Oiler fill it and forget it LOL

Second Gen Magnas are great bikes

Yours would be a 3rd Gen and I like the fairing very cool.

[Cruzen]

Ah another great Magna/Valk combination.  I'll bet there are more of those on this board.

Al, here's another one or two links to check out reports on the Magna.  In one they throw the Valk in and one of those Hardleys.  This was the third or fourth time this magazine tested the Valk and they really seemed to like it.

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/sport_cruisers_comparison/index.html

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/honda_magna_750/index.html


I would also like to hear your opinions on the Baby Dragon once you get an opportunity to ride it.