Honda Magna

Advantages: Versatility
Disadvantages: Lack of low end power delivery

...I started riding motorcycles in 1997 on a '94 Kawasaki Vulcan 500, which is a great starter bike by the way, moved on to a '99 Honda CBR600F4, and then to an '01 Suzuki Hayabusa. As invincibility wanes (I just turned 35), I found myself looking back to a cruiser for the comfortable fit of a molded seat and a bit of relief for my aching lower back. So I buy an '02 Honda Magna (yes, I know this is about the Interceptor - just hang in there) figuring it's the perfect combination of cruiser feel but with sport bike punch. How can you miss when it comes with the original sport bike engine that launched it all? All was fine for a whole 4 months when I realized I missed the exhilaration of twisting the throttle and shooting down the road like a scalded dog. My fiancée gave me that look all men know, the "I TOLD you you wouldn't like... Read review

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Advantages: POWER, handling, smoothness, stability
Disadvantages: Some may need time to adapt to riding position

...on my old Honda Magna. And fuel mileage is decent depending on how you ride. Spirited riding will get you usually low 30's for mpg. Tamer riding will yield around 40mpg. A 6.x gallon tank means you can usually get about 200 or so miles before hitting reserve the bike. Braking is simply excellent. The dual discs up front a marvelous job. I find the linked braking system (LBS) to be just fine and easy to adapt to. In short this bike has great stopping power. The stock seat so far is very good in my opinion although I haven't gone on rides longer than 80 miles. Riding 2 up on this bike is also a breeze. You hardly notice there is a passenger on it. However, the stock seat lends to your passenger sliding forward a bit, which can be annoying. An aftermarket Corbin Gunfighter and Lady supposedly is much better. To round it all... Read review

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Advantages: fuel economy, power-to-weoght ratio, manuverability, performance, reliability
Disadvantages: smaller engine for highway, soft suspension

...complaint I have is the headlight dies with the engine, so if you stall, or suffer engine failure, you lose your headlight. I solved this by installing a pair of 6 volt riding lamps running off of auxiliary batteries and completely self-contained away from the bike's electrics. This bike is incredible fun to ride, it will wheelie like you wouldn't believe, it will ride over obstacles a lesser bike (With firmer suspension) would run and hide from. With the oversize luggage rack, I can carry anythign from a home theater system to a bicycle on the back, and have. I have also carried a two-person toboggan, a full pack of rock climbing gear, a six person tent and lumber supplies, a set of motorcycle wheels with tires, and more. I enjoy riding the XT more than any other bike I've ridden, including my dad's BMW R1150R and friend's Honda Magna... Read review

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