Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast?

"Bingo" <nospm DeleteThis @nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Xns94F8D89967FFEnospmnowherecom@216.196.97.136...
 > "Robert Bolton" <robertboltondrop DeleteThis @gci.net> wrote in
 > news:10biaotnfq1b773@corp.supernews.com:
 >
  > > I've been thinking that even though I enjoy my Nighthawk 750 I should
  > > start trading bikes just to experience different rides.
 >
 >
 > Robert,
 >
 > You didn't mention what year 750 Nighthawk you own. It may be a
 > clasic/collectors dream.
 >
 > Can you announce the age?
 >
Same as yours Andy, a 1992. It's a fun bike.

Robert<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast? 

Robert Bolton wrote:
 >
 > I've been thinking ... A 1995 Pacific Coast ...
 >
 > The road I take for pleasure is two lanes with a lot of wind and sightseers
 > so I can expect to be pushing against winds as high as 50 mph and I'd want
 > to pass during some relatively short straightaways between curves at times.
 > I found a site that shows the PC800 torque to be pretty constant at slightly
 > above 25 ft.lb for most of it's range. My Nighthawk is significantly above
 > that and peeks in the mid 40s I think. PC800 horsepower seems to mimic the
 > Nighthawk curve somewhat from 3000 to 5500 rpm and seems to have the same
 > gearing in 5th gear (60 mph at 4k rpm) but weights an extra 120lbs more than
 > the Nighthawk.
 >
 > Think the PC800 would haul 350lbs against a 50 mph headwind at 60 mph say
 > and still have some acieration left?

Nope. I had a PC800. Great commuter, cavernous storage, ultra-low maintenence,
easiest bike I've ever owned to clean, quietest bike I've ever owned (and I
*love* a quiet bike) and different enough to stand out in a crowd. But, whoa,
was that bike underpowered. Honda really blew their power to weight
calculations on that bike. I weigh under 200 in full riding gear (or, at least
I did when I owned the PC and the bike weighed 630 pounds, and 825 pounds
was just too much for a peak of 48-52 horsepower. My persponal reaction is that
you would probably be less than happy with the PC after coming off the
Nighthawk.

Tim<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast? 

"Tim Morrow" <tomorrow.DeleteThis@Erols.com> wrote in message
news:40B92FE2.6A046483@Erols.com...
 > Robert Bolton wrote:
  > >
  > > I've been thinking ... A 1995 Pacific Coast ...
......
 >
 > Nope. I had a PC800. Great commuter, cavernous storage, ultra-low
maintenence,
 > easiest bike I've ever owned to clean, quietest bike I've ever owned (and
I
 > *love* a quiet bike) and different enough to stand out in a crowd. But,
whoa,
 > was that bike underpowered. Honda really blew their power to weight
 > calculations on that bike. I weigh under 200 in full riding gear (or, at
least
 > I did when I owned the PC and the bike weighed 630 pounds, and 825
pounds
 > was just too much for a peak of 48-52 horsepower. My persponal reaction
is that
 > you would probably be less than happy with the PC after coming off the
 > Nighthawk.
 >
I just got back from an 80 mile run down the road I was talking about. A
head wind of maybe 20 mph heading out to what they call 20 Mile River (40
miles away though) to see how the Hooligan dipnetting was going. Totally
dead. The 20 mph tail wind was nice coming home but I ended up being behind
about 6 cars doing 5 miles under the speed limit. I was thinking of the
PC800 while I was working my way forward between corners. Even the
Nighthawk strains when the wind really gets blowing on that road.

I'm now 222 without gear now but the wife's only mid 120s thanks to her
surgery. I really need two bikes, but it's hard to justify that given a
riding season that's 6 months at best due to temperature, and taking maybe
another month out for rain. Even this one gets gummed up from sitting all
winter.

Guess I'll pass, in part because I'm not really ready to part with the
Nighthawk I think. Maybe I need to rent a Harley for a day and see just how
difficult the weight is around town. I know I had to pay close attention
when riding my dad's Electraglide around town when a teen.

By the way, my sarcastic reply to your response to Bubba and Bubba Jr was
directed toward them and not you. It dawned on me after making it that it
could be taken either way. They are definitely Certified as Mag said, and
it was good of you to stand up there.

Robert<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast? 

"Robert Bolton" <robertboltondrop.DeleteThis@gci.net> wrote in message
news:10biaotnfq1b773@corp.supernews.com...
 > I've been thinking that even though I enjoy my Nighthawk 750 I should
start
 > trading bikes just to experience different rides. A 1995 Pacific Coast
has
 > popped up in the paper for $3700 OBO, so I've been thinking about buying
it
 > to ride for a few years. One of my main criteria for a bike is that it be
 > suitable for going to and from work (which involves 6 miles of highway and
6
 > miles of traffic lights) and to be able to easily run to the store. I
don't
 > see a problem using the PC800 for that.
 >
 > The road I take for pleasure is two lanes with a lot of wind and
sightseers
 > so I can expect to be pushing against winds as high as 50 mph and I'd want
 > to pass during some relatively short straightaways between curves at
times.
 > I found a site that shows the PC800 torque to be pretty constant at
slightly
 > above 25 ft.lb for most of it's range. My Nighthawk is significantly above
 > that and peeks in the mid 40s I think. PC800 horsepower seems to mimic
the
 > Nighthawk curve somewhat from 3000 to 5500 rpm and seems to have the same
 > gearing in 5th gear (60 mph at 4k rpm) but weights an extra 120lbs more
than
 > the Nighthawk.
 >
 > Think the PC800 would haul 350lbs against a 50 mph headwind at 60 mph say
 > and still have some acieration left?
 >
 > Any Opinions? I might just ride a little more with the added weather
 > protection as we get a little rain here but there's something to be said
for
 > a little performance.

PC800 was a very underrated bike. Great commuter and tourer. Good
protection, smooth as glass, and with proper care will run forever. However
it gets no respect and has absolutely no attitude, if that stuff matters to
you. Price sounds fair as well, depending on condition and extras. It has
a fanatical following. Check out <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.PC800.net" target="_blank">www.PC800.net</a>

If gas prices continue to rise as the libs would want, Honda may bring out
an updated version as the Accord/2

My lady will not trade hers for anything else out there.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast? 

Robert Bolton wrote:

 >
 > Think the PC800 would haul 350lbs against a 50 mph headwind at 60 mph say
 > and still have some acieration left?

Nope. It's an immense simplification, but let's just say the combined speeds
would be the equivalent of 110 mph. From my experience with a bike with
approximately the same hp in winds that strong, you'll be lucky to maintain
60 on anything but dead flat / downhill stretches.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast? 

One day in rec.motorcycles, Also Sprach Robert Bolton:

 >
 > "Tim Morrow" <tomorrow DeleteThis @Erols.com> wrote in message
 > news:40B92FE2.6A046483@Erols.com...
  >> Robert Bolton wrote:
   >> >
   >> > I've been thinking ... A 1995 Pacific Coast ...
 > .....
  >>
  >> Nope. I had a PC800. Great commuter, cavernous storage, ultra-low
 > maintenence,
  >> easiest bike I've ever owned to clean, quietest bike I've ever owned
  >> (and
 > I
  >> *love* a quiet bike) and different enough to stand out in a crowd.
  >> But,
 > whoa,
  >> was that bike underpowered. Honda really blew their power to weight
  >> calculations on that bike. I weigh under 200 in full riding gear
  >> (or, at
 > least
  >> I did when I owned the PC and the bike weighed 630 pounds, and
  >> 825
 > pounds
  >> was just too much for a peak of 48-52 horsepower. My persponal
  >> reaction
 > is that
  >> you would probably be less than happy with the PC after coming off
  >> the Nighthawk.
  >>
 > I just got back from an 80 mile run down the road I was talking about.
 > A head wind of maybe 20 mph heading out to what they call 20 Mile
 > River (40 miles away though) to see how the Hooligan dipnetting was
 > going. Totally dead. The 20 mph tail wind was nice coming home but I
 > ended up being behind about 6 cars doing 5 miles under the speed
 > limit. I was thinking of the PC800 while I was working my way forward
 > between corners. Even the Nighthawk strains when the wind really gets
 > blowing on that road.
 >
 > I'm now 222 without gear now but the wife's only mid 120s thanks to
 > her surgery. I really need two bikes, but it's hard to justify that
 > given a riding season that's 6 months at best due to temperature, and
 > taking maybe another month out for rain. Even this one gets gummed up
 > from sitting all winter.
 >
 > Guess I'll pass, in part because I'm not really ready to part with the
 > Nighthawk I think. Maybe I need to rent a Harley for a day and see
 > just how difficult the weight is around town. I know I had to pay
 > close attention when riding my dad's Electraglide around town when a
 > teen.
 >
 > By the way, my sarcastic reply to your response to Bubba and Bubba Jr
 > was directed toward them and not you. It dawned on me after making it
 > that it could be taken either way. They are definitely Certified as
 > Mag said, and it was good of you to stand up there.
 >
 > Robert
 >
 >
 >

You're going through what I've been going through.

I bought a Yamaha V-Star 650 as my "trainer", and I see no reason to
discard it. Well, most of the time. I love the gas mileage for
commuting. It's dependable as hell as long as I run a half bottle of
carb cleaner through it every 10,000 miles. But, like I see here,
there's that possibility that the grass is always greener on someone
else's bike.

I've looked at the PC800. I've looked at the Nighthawk. I've looked at
the bigger version of my V-Star. I've even looked at the Suzuki V-Strom,
which I still think is cool. But I've decided to stay with my Star, just
because I like the damn thing so much.

Get yourself a windshield and saddlebags for that Hawk. Then a nice
thick leather jacket, some thick denim bluejeans and leather biker boots.
Maybe some loud pipes. Don't forget the white T-shirt and Brylcreem.
Then cruise California Hwy 1 up to Big Sur. You'll never look back....


--
Vic Sagerquist
aa#2011
Supervisor, EAC Department of little adhesive-backed "L" shaped
chrome-plastic doo-dads to add feet to Jesus fish department
______________

It's my funeral and I'll fry if I want to...<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast? 

Robert ...
Folks that own PCs love 'em, but I'm not quite sure that I'd wanna own
one. They're kinda like the Hawk. Not outstanding on any one particular
point (comfort maybe?) but does everything well.
I ride my Hawk very little now I have the Magna and the Ace.
If I faced the driving conditions you face on a regular/daily basis, I'd
be looking at a few other options before committing on that PC.

The Magna is kinda like a Hawk on steroids.
Have you looked at 'em?



moto

Hippo sweat has been found to contain large amounts of UV protection,
along with some antibacterial properties.
It's red, and it stinks.
Just who paid for that piece of research?



'02 750 Ace..... The Twin
'01 Magna.... Black Magic
'95 750 Nighthawk.Big Red (now 4 sale)
'95 Helix....... Little Red
 >> Stay informed about: Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast? 

"Vic Sagerquist" <address.DeleteThis@withheld.com> wrote in message
news:Xns94F91315EA2Avicman@216.148.227.77...
 > One day in rec.motorcycles, Also Sprach Robert Bolton:
.......
  > >
  > > Guess I'll pass, in part because I'm not really ready to part with the
  > > Nighthawk I think. Maybe I need to rent a Harley for a day and see
  > > just how difficult the weight is around town. I know I had to pay
  > > close attention when riding my dad's Electraglide around town when a
  > > teen.
  > >
......
 >
 > You're going through what I've been going through.
 >
 > I bought a Yamaha V-Star 650 as my "trainer", and I see no reason to
 > discard it. Well, most of the time. I love the gas mileage for
 > commuting. It's dependable as hell as long as I run a half bottle of
 > carb cleaner through it every 10,000 miles. But, like I see here,
 > there's that possibility that the grass is always greener on someone
 > else's bike.
 >
 > I've looked at the PC800. I've looked at the Nighthawk. I've looked at
 > the bigger version of my V-Star. I've even looked at the Suzuki V-Strom,
 > which I still think is cool. But I've decided to stay with my Star, just
 > because I like the damn thing so much.
 >
I checked out a bunch of bikes during a bike show this spring. The V-Strom
was one of the bikes with an upright sitting position but the seat felt like
it might get uncomfortable after awhile. FJR1200 was nice but the
handlebars were a little too Sport for me. The world needs a less than
600lb upright tour bike with a good fairing and some horsepower. The Road
Star Midnite was the best feeling tour/cruiser to me. Didn't sit on the
Wing or Electraglide as they are not really in the running. The Volusia
felt like I was sitting on the floor with my legs out in front of me. There
was an Aprilia Caponord and Ducati Multistrada that felt nice but they were
both basically 1000cc hotrod versions of the Nighthawk with a small fairing.
Almosty as upright as the Hawk, high seating, slightly lower footpegs I
think. The Caponord seat felt like it might get to you, but then it's an
adventure bike. I find Guzzi's attractive but haven't sat on one. We'll
see.

 > Get yourself a windshield and saddlebags for that Hawk. Then a nice
 > thick leather jacket, some thick denim bluejeans and leather biker boots.
 > Maybe some loud pipes. Don't forget the white T-shirt and Brylcreem.
 > Then cruise California Hwy 1 up to Big Sur. You'll never look back....
 >

Hey, HWY1 is what the PC800 is for.

Robert<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast? 

"moto" <motownmoto.DeleteThis@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:13079-40B9C7C0-9@storefull-3271.bay.webtv.net...
 > Robert ...
 > Folks that own PCs love 'em, but I'm not quite sure that I'd wanna own
 > one. They're kinda like the Hawk. Not outstanding on any one particular
 > point (comfort maybe?) but does everything well.
 > I ride my Hawk very little now I have the Magna and the Ace.
 > If I faced the driving conditions you face on a regular/daily basis, I'd
 > be looking at a few other options before committing on that PC.
 >
 > The Magna is kinda like a Hawk on steroids.
 > Have you looked at 'em?
 >
I have pretty poor posture actually (I'm sitting in my computer chair,
slouched down with my leg calves resting on top of my desk as I type). I
recently bought some clamp-on hi-way pegs and placed them as low on the
engine guards as I could. It took all of two minutes to decide that was not
good. Placing my feet forward makes me bend and sit on my tail bone. I can
imagine all kinds of torturous lower back pain trying to ride like that for
the long term. So to answer your question, I'm really leery of cruiser
positions. Perhaps some would be Ok with enough wind protection to take all
wind pressure off of you.

The Moto Guzzi EV Tour looks interesting, although it doesn't have any
weather protection to speak of. It's got style, some horsepower, and a low
red-line. I like the idea of running down the highway at reasonable rpm.

Robert<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast? 

Robert Bolton wrote:
 >
 > Think the PC800 would haul 350lbs against a 50 mph headwind at 60 mph
 > say and still have some acieration left?
 >
 > Any Opinions? I might just ride a little more with the added weather
 > protection as we get a little rain here but there's something to be
 > said for a little performance.
 >
Bike was too sensible for the public in general, but a great idea by Honda.
IMO, the bike will be a bit weak in the knee for 350 lbs and a 50 mph wind.
I mean, it'll work, but the passing will be scary. Even if you dropped 150
lbs in weight, it'd still be a toughie.

-paul<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast? 

Vic Sagerquist <address.DeleteThis@withheld.com> wrote:
 >
 > Don't forget the white T-shirt and Brylcreem.

And *don't* for get that a "little dab 'l do ya!"<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast? 

On Sat, 29 May 2004 20:00:51 -0800, "Robert Bolton"
<robertboltondrop RemoveThis @gci.net> wrote:

 >Guess I'll pass, in part because I'm not really ready to part with the
 >Nighthawk I think. Maybe I need to rent a Harley for a day and see just how
 >difficult the weight is around town. I know I had to pay close attention
 >when riding my dad's Electraglide around town when a teen.

I don't know what a PC800 is liek to ride but I have ridden a KZ650,
basically similar to a mighthawk but lighter as well as a Honda CX650
and BMW K100RS.
Around town, the worst was the BMW. It was too tall and quite heavy
feeling. Come to a stop just slightly off balance and you have to
wrestle it to stay vertical.
The KZ was decent, made good power, was stable. A little tall but not
too bad. Also a little ungainly in stop and go.
The CX650 was similar to the KZ but slightly better road manners. It
was down considerably on power though. Not much of a handicap as I
didn't want to play boy racer any more. It would have struggled two up
though.
So far, the Harley has been the easiest bike to ride I have ever
owned. It handles like a dream. It's stable at high or low speed.
(high being relative) It goes as fast as I need to go and never feels
heavy due to it's much lower centre of gravity.
Mine is a Dyna though which is much different than a 'Glide.
--
Bob Mann
Some people just don't know how to drive...
I call these people "Everybody But Me,"<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast? 

"Bob Mann" <wiley48 RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bqrkb053b3ip5ffag4so8v5q3uialor0tv@4ax.com...
 > On Sat, 29 May 2004 20:00:51 -0800, "Robert Bolton"
 > <robertboltondrop RemoveThis @gci.net> wrote:
 >
  > >Guess I'll pass, in part because I'm not really ready to part with the
  > >Nighthawk I think. Maybe I need to rent a Harley for a day and see just
how
  > >difficult the weight is around town. I know I had to pay close attention
  > >when riding my dad's Electraglide around town when a teen.
 >
 > I don't know what a PC800 is liek to ride but I have ridden a KZ650,
 > basically similar to a mighthawk but lighter as well as a Honda CX650
 > and BMW K100RS.
 > Around town, the worst was the BMW. It was too tall and quite heavy
 > feeling. Come to a stop just slightly off balance and you have to
 > wrestle it to stay vertical.

The Nighthawk used to feel top heavy to me but I've gotten so comfortable
with it that I don't think about handling it any more. I freeze my buns in
the spring and fall though, which is one reason for my interest the PC800.

Robert<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Replace my Nighthawk 750 for a Pacific Coast?