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+--- Thread: Nighthawk (/showthread.php?tid=6507)
Nighthawk - j3gq_imp - 09-27-2021
For those of you who owned a Honda CB650 SC Nighthawk: any good or bad experience with it ?
riding, seat, vibrations, sound, quality of paint, corrosion issues, ...
Any information would be valuable, since I have been offered a real nice one.
Figured that she might be a nicy "other bike". What do you think ?
[attachment=14480]
RE: Nighthawk - LongRanger_imp - 09-27-2021
Have you ridden it yet?
RE: Nighthawk - TXBikerGuy - 09-27-2021
(09-27-2021, 05:37 AM)j3gq_imp Wrote: For those of you who owned a Honda CB650 SC Nighthawk: any good or bad experience with it ?
riding, seat, vibrations, sound, quality of paint, corrosion issues, ...
Any information would be valuable, since I have been offered a real nice one.
Figured that she might be a nicy "other bike". What do you think ?
[attachment=14480]
My single greatest motorcycle regret is selling my 1984 Nighthawk 650. Sold it in 2003 and it was in great condition. Never had any mechanical issues. Wanted a new 919 and didn't realize back then that a guy could have more than one bike at a time. I bought my current 1100 EX to be the bike that this Nighthawk was for me. Easy. Reliable. Smooth. Fun. Would buy my old one back in a heartbeat.
![[Image: f497019504b18171078848541bf4ae8a.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/202109/f497019504b18171078848541bf4ae8a.jpg)
RE: Nighthawk - j3gq_imp - 09-27-2021
(09-27-2021, 06:01 AM)LongRanger_imp Wrote: Have you ridden it yet?
No, she is half a day trip away. But I will certainly try and do so.
RE: Nighthawk - LongRanger_imp - 09-27-2021
Not to be snarky, but the reason I ask if you’ve ridden it is because you’ll likely get lots of opinions from those who have owned this particular model, and they’re all likely to be favorable opinions, but the only thing that matters is what YOU think of it. Only you can decide if the comfort, fit, vibration, style, etc., makes sense for you. Me? I think it’s a sharp looking bike but it is almost 40 years old. We’re all spoiled by newer technology (brakes, suspension, handling, engine performance). I fell into a similar trap several years ago when I happened upon a pristine low mileage ‘73 RD-350 and thought I just had to have it. It was not enjoyable to ride. Just something to consider.
RE: Nighthawk - GoldOxide_imp - 09-27-2021
(09-27-2021, 06:03 AM)TXBikerGuy_imp Wrote:(09-27-2021, 05:37 AM)j3gq_imp Wrote: For those of you who owned a Honda CB650 SC Nighthawk: any good or bad experience with it ?
riding, seat, vibrations, sound, quality of paint, corrosion issues, ...
Any information would be valuable, since I have been offered a real nice one.
Figured that she might be a nicy "other bike". What do you think ?
[attachment=14480]
My single greatest motorcycle regret is selling my 1984 Nighthawk 650. Sold it in 2003 and it was in great condition. Never had any mechanical issues. Wanted a new 919 and didn't realize back then that a guy could have more than one bike at a time. I bought my current 1100 EX to be the bike that this Nighthawk was for me. Easy. Reliable. Smooth. Fun. Would buy my old one back in a heartbeat.
My single greatest motorcycle regret is selling my 1984 Nighthawk 650. Sold it in 2003 and it was in great condition. Never had any mechanical issues. Wanted a new 919 and didn't realize back then that a guy could have more than one bike at a time. I bought my current 1100 EX to be the bike that this Nighthawk was for me. Easy. Reliable. Smooth. Fun. Would buy my old one back in a heartbeat.
![[Image: c31a077561e82d7220b911eebea47e59.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/202109/c31a077561e82d7220b911eebea47e59.jpg)
(+1) Beautiful. I had the '83 same model in metallic blue. Never had any problems with it. Regret selling it. Shoulda just kept it.
RE: Nighthawk - pekingduck - 09-27-2021
I have a 1979 CB650, same SOHC engine, and it is noticeably faster than the older CB500/550, but also noticeably less refined than the 1983 and later DOHC 650-700-750.
If you haven't ridden older bikes from the '80s, well they aren't nearly as refined as the CB1100. That one looks in great condition though.
RE: Nighthawk - GoldOxide_imp - 09-27-2021
Other than the rear drum brake, Honda really poured a lot of technology into their '83 CB650SC (and the 550 for that matter) and the stuff worked incredibly well and looked good at the same time.
I also had the exciting '84 CB750SC, but that is another story.
RE: Nighthawk - rboe - 09-27-2021
Had one in our shop. Very cool looking bike but the KZ550 came out in '81 and performance wise kicked it's bum.
So it had the looks but could not back up the looks with performance. Alas, I think it would sell better today as a very nice retro bike. Not so much then.
I never did take it for a ride.
RE: Nighthawk - j3gq_imp - 09-28-2021
(09-27-2021, 07:34 AM)LongRanger_imp Wrote: Not to be snarky, but the reason I ask if you’ve ridden it is because you’ll likely get lots of opinions from those who have owned this particular model, and they’re all likely to be favorable opinions, but the only thing that matters is what YOU think of it. Only you can decide if the comfort, fit, vibration, style, etc., makes sense for you. Me? I think it’s a sharp looking bike but it is almost 40 years old. We’re all spoiled by newer technology (brakes, suspension, handling, engine performance). I fell into a similar trap several years ago when I happened upon a pristine low mileage ‘73 RD-350 and thought I just had to have it. It was not enjoyable to ride. Just something to consider.
Wholeheartedly appreciate your comment !