This site really does not focus on 'the New Magna' that much.   However, a lot of the concepts herein are so general that they cover any of the V-4 family.  For those of you who are unfamiliar, the 'New Magna' refers to the 'Magna' VF750 manufactured from 1994 to present.  Although it is a good bike in its class, it is my opinion that Honda missed its mark on what the Magna should be.  The following letter to Hoinda illustrates this point.

I have nothing against the new Magna as a stand-alone bike. I haven't rode one yet, but that's not the difficulty I have with the it. I have given it a close inspection in the showrooms and on the street, and read all the literature. When I think of a Magna, I want to think of a high tech, high performance, state of the art cruiser. My difficulty with the new Magna is that Honda seems to have sacrificed a lot of high tech and performance in the '96 (and in some cases the 87 & 88) Magna, and tried to substitute style and advertising. This is only my opinion, and I am trying not to sound negative. The old Magna was a state of the art machine back in the '80s. The 90's Magna has single disc front brakes, chain drive, no front end stabilization, drum rear brakes, etc. What I would like to see in the new Magna (whether it would be a V45 or V65) is a high tech cruiser brought into the 90's. I would like to see shaft drive (of course), triple disc, six piston caliper front & rear brakes, larger gas capacity, more advanced front & rear suspension, a 700 engine with the performance of an 80's 1100, etc. . . . You see, you got me started!

The 90's Magna is a good bike, but not what I would personally want. In my opinion, Honda has stripped away the very thing that made the Magna desirable, and went for the Harley look & attitude. You know the attitude. It says, "you don't have to make a good bike (or car), as long as you advertise that's its a good bike, people will buy it, and pay lots of money." The new Magna does have nice wheels, though! For those of you who feel the same way, read on!

Below is a copy of the letter I sent to Honda concerning the new Magna. They replied a few months with a sort of a form letter, which you can read below. For those of you who remember what a Magna is supposed to be, I urge you to write Honda! The only way they will know we are unhappy, and that we don't want substandard, old technology modern cruisers is to write them & voice your opinion! The Valkryrie is a step in the right direction, but still doesn't compare to a 10 year old Magna!! Also, It looks like a page out of the 50's!!

3-7-95
Editor
Honda Riders Club of America
Editorial & Production Offices
Vreeke & Associates
31324 Via Colinas, Suite 116
Westlake Village, CA, 91362

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my feelings on Honda's new Magna. What sparked this letter is the article I saw in HRCA bulletin a couple of months back. I have always thought that the Magna was one of the best production motorcycles ever made. This applies to both the V45 and the V65. My Preferences tend towards the V65, but the V45 was just as much of a gem in its class. The motorcycle was removed from production in 1988, and I thought that if I wanted to have a Magna, it would mean used motorcycles for the rest of my life. This wasn't such a bad idea, and I have been doing this for years in order to have a Magna. Can you imagine my delight back in '93 when it was announced that Honda was bringing back the Magna in '94? This meant no more used motorcycles, I could buy a new Magna!

Unfortunately, when I saw this new "Magna" in the magazines, I was bitterly disappointed. There is almost no resemblance between the "old" Magna and the new Magna. Not just its looks, either. Back in 1982-1988, the Magna was a state of the art machine, now its just a cheap Harley clone. What is Honda doing? The new Magna has none of the appeal or the technology of the old Magna. Honda could have made many improvements to the "old" Magna to bring it into the 90's, while keeping the high tech, state of the art machine. Instead, Honda comes out with this motorcycle. The chain drive as opposed to shaft was a disappointment. The seat is a joke. The fact that the new Magna has only a single front disc and no front stabilizer is an insult. The "detuning" and watering down of the fantastic V-Four engine is uncalled for. The comparisons of the old and new could go on and on, with the new Magna the loser. I won't linger on the comparison, I will just fester in my disappointment and resign myself to purchasing used motorcycles, or maybe switch to the V-Max.

I would like an answer, however to a few questions. Why did Honda make this motorcycle? Is it just to capitalize on the Harley market? Why didn't they put the effort into the Magna that they put into some of their other motorcycles? If people want a Harley, they will buy a Harley, not an imitation. I did not buy a Magna because it looked or ran like a Harley. I bought a Magna because I wanted a high performance, high-tech cruiser. I was happy with Honda, and always thought they made excellent motorcycles, and they still do. Some of their motorcycles are still the best. Is the same division that's responsible for the Magna the same one who designs such fantastic motorcycles as the VFR? The CBR? The Shadow? The Goldwing? All these motorcycles have improved over the years, and today are probably some the best motorcycles in their class. The Magna has taken a giant leap backwards, and it is disappointing that Honda would even call this a Magna. I think they have missed the point totally. Instead of a Magna, maybe they should call it a "Fat Guy." Harley Davidson found the key to sales a while ago: You don't have to make a good motorcycle, you just have to advertise that it's a good motorcycle and people will buy it. Is Honda going to follow the same path? If they are, the advertising for the Magna is a good start, but its not going to work. Harley has that market cornered.

I personally would pay more for a version of the Magna for the 90's. The concept of a high-tech performance cruiser is still appealing to me. Other people feel the same way, illustrated by the success of the V-Max the past 10 years. This new Magna is useless. Am I alone in my disappointment? Are there any other Magna riders who feel the way I do? Is there a club or association of Magna owners like there are for the V-Max? I would also like to know where I could obtain records of sales quantities of the various Honda models, and more information on the above mentioned subjects in general.

Please answer the above questions. I know they seem rhetorical, but the are not. I have enclosed a stamped, self addressed envelope for your reply. I will have heart failure if I see this letter printed, since I see nothing but letters of Honda praise in your magazine. However, in a way, this is a letter of praise. Praise for the VFR, CBR, Shadow, and Goldwing. Praise for the Magna of the 80's, and what Honda can do with a performance cruiser if they want to.

Thanks for Listening

Tony Donisi

HRCA # HM707110

PO Box 5948

Manchester, NH 03108-5948

And Hondas reply: