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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: WAP on September 07, 2005, 10:02:34 AM

Title: Honda 450 Nighthawk
Post by: WAP on September 07, 2005, 10:02:34 AM
Anyone have experience with the 450 Nighthawks, especially of the female persuasion? My girlfriend is thinking of buying a 1985 model for her first bike. Looks to be a good bike for her from what little research i've done.
Title: Honda 450 Nighthawk
Post by: WAP on September 07, 2005, 10:03:33 AM
I probably should have posted this in Odds and Ends. Sorry.  :oops:
Title: Re: Honda 450 Nighthawk
Post by: Roadstergal on September 07, 2005, 10:09:33 AM
Quote from: WAPAnyone have experience with the 450 Nighthawks, especially of the female persuasion?

Did they come sexed?
Title: KZ
Post by: The Buddha on September 07, 2005, 10:25:46 AM
Yea like R'gal said ... buy my KZ440 ...  :lol:
Of the 4 in that category - my ranking is KZ 440 followed by xj 400 (AKA 400 maxim) then CB/CM though the wheels the CM's had were just gorgeous ... then GS 450.
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Honda 450 Nighthawk
Post by: jbeaber on September 07, 2005, 11:09:03 AM
My first bike was a Nighthawk 650.  The Nighthawks tend tobe good beginner bikes.  They are pretty forgiving if you accidently give it a bit too much throttle.  As long as she fits comfortably (mie was tall, but it was a 650), she should be all set.  They are also pretty easy to wrench.  Grab a manual and everything is pretty available to work on.  And, sadly, I have discovered they have great part-out value....  I got all my money back parting it out when the engine blew.
Title: Lemme guess
Post by: The Buddha on September 07, 2005, 11:46:07 AM
Quote from: jbeaberMy first bike was a Nighthawk 650.  The Nighthawks tend tobe good beginner bikes.  They are pretty forgiving if you accidently give it a bit too much throttle.  As long as she fits comfortably (mie was tall, but it was a 650), she should be all set.  They are also pretty easy to wrench.  Grab a manual and everything is pretty available to work on.  And, sadly, I have discovered they have great part-out value....  I got all my money back parting it out when the engine blew.

Engine blew ... on a 650 N'hawk ... OK lemme guess ... you left it on the side stand always, and you idled it for a long time at start up ... and it spun the #4 bearing or right side crank bearing ... Only problem I heard of on these. BTW easy to work on in some aspects, CCT, starter clutch etc were nightmares ... most of the rest was easy, carbs were an odd combo of easy and weird, and you let it sit for couple months and the fuel passage O rings will dry rot and it will leak a river when you start it.
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Re: Honda 450 Nighthawk
Post by: callmelenny on September 07, 2005, 02:16:15 PM
Quote from: WAPAnyone have experience with the 450 Nighthawks, especially of the female persuasion? My girlfriend is thinking of buying a 1985 model for her first bike. Looks to be a good bike for her from what little research i've done.

I once was in love with a female nighthawk 450. I would give it a  :thumb: