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Picked up a non-Suzuki the other day.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
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Guest

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Picked up a 1985 Honda V65 Sabre the other day. Always liked the look of these. I really wanted to see how much power they actually had, claimed 121 HP.

A couple of pics:









I've had limited time riding it, so far, but I like what I have experienced. Yes, it is fast, but I still think my '82 GS1100E is faster..... maybe quicker. It is a smooth runner, I'm looking forward to some more saddle time to see what it's really about.
 
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I remember back in "83", when they were first introduced, they were to be the fastest Honda out, V-4 and all. We found out quickly, in our area, the in line 4, CB 1100 F's were quicker than the V-65's
 
gorgeous bike my frined had one and I got to drive it for a full day way back when
big heavy and well behaved sticks tot he road like glue
 
rphillips said:
I remember back in "83", when they were first introduced, they were to be the fastest Honda out, V-4 and all. We found out quickly, in our area, the in line 4, CB 1100 F's were quicker than the V-65's
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The specs are impressive.... I haven't had enough saddle time to dispute them, just my first impressions are that the big inline 4's are quicker (more scary fast) machines. I do like the bike, it's looks, it's handling, etc.
 
rphillips said:
I remember back in "83", when they were first introduced...
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Me too. That was back when the Japanese knew how to design beautiful motorcycles instead of Transformers. The V65 was a gorgeous bike. Their 700S and 650SC were on the showroom all at the same time.
 
I swear I saw the same bike, same color and everything, leaving the Love's station in my town Sunday. Looked like stock muffler on it though. Beautiful machines.
 
My 82 1100EZ used to nick the V65 by a length or two most every time, mostly at the launch. They pulled the same, but the GS got a better holeshot. I liked the looks, except for the radiator, and they have a very tall 6th gear that was great.
 
RedBaron said:
I swear I saw the same bike, same color and everything, leaving the Love's station in my town Sunday. Looked like stock muffler on it though. Beautiful machines.
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It wasn't me.... lol! I think it's a sharp bike, also. Funny thing is, over on the V4 Forum, they think the Sabre is the ugly stepchild of the V65 Magna.
 
Naw, the Magna don't impress me near as much as the Sabre. Really nice bike, That's my opinion, & ought to be yours. Hey Dog, Please don't take this wrong, but do those pipes look a little...different,,,,odd,,,not impressive,,, not bad, just not as attractive as they could be.
 
rphillips said:
Naw, the Magna don't impress me near as much as the Sabre. Really nice bike, That's my opinion, & ought to be yours. Hey Dog, Please don't take this wrong, but do those pipes look a little...different,,,,odd,,,not impressive,,, not bad, just not as attractive as they could be.
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You mean the Kerkers on the V65? I believe they are 1980's vintage mufflers. The down pipe and collector are stock pipes, Kerkers are slip-ons, if you will. I'm not ashamed of them, I would rather have stock mufflers, though.
 
Mind me asking what she set you back? I've seen a few in my area and always wondered what they were worth.
 
Be wary of the tranny! I got a V45 and it was allot of fun! But it wouldn't hold second unless you held the shifter up.... I watched a V45 interceptor loose it's tranny completely... LOL It sounded like nuts and bolts in a blender... BUT my buddy did limp it home, then bought an Aprilla RSV. I rode with a Magna once, We were pinning it, he was in 2nd and the bike sounded like it just went into neutral during acceleration. Pulled over and the guy said it wouldn't grab in 2nd anymore.

Yay... #V-4 Problems.

2nd gear/tranny is their Achilles heal I've heard and definitely seen.
 
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Jedz123 said:
Be wary of the tranny! I got a V45 and it was allot of fun! But it wouldn't hold second... I watched a V45 interceptor loose it's tranny completely... LOL It sounded like nuts and bolts in a blender... BUT my buddy did limp it home, then bought an Aprilla RSV.

2nd gear is their Achilles heal I've heard.
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Yep, I'm well aware of the second gear issue. I consulted with a couple of V65 guys prior to purchase who informed me of the questions to ask. There's no issue with the one I bought (hopefully) as far as I know, the seller is a motorcycle guy (he has 18) so I sort of trust his opinions, also. I was also told that the second gear issue generally occurs before 20,000 miles or so. Mine has 42,000 miles on the clock. Time will tell, nothing is guaranteed on a used bike.
 
Ya, many of the bikes of that era had issues with 2nd gear. Honda and Yamaha especially were susceptible. I've seen Yamaha Cavalcades go for real cheap because of it. Ole Suzies seemed to avoid much of that except in extreme cases. They were built like a brick outhouse. As long as we ignore the electrical issues or course.;)
 
suzuki_dog said:
Yep, I'm well aware of the second gear issue. I consulted with a couple of V65 guys prior to purchase who informed me of the questions to ask. There's no issue with the one I bought (hopefully) as far as I know, the seller is a motorcycle guy (he has 18) so I sort of trust his opinions, also. I was also told that the second gear issue generally occurs before 20,000 miles or so. Mine has 42,000 miles on the clock. Time will tell, nothing is guaranteed on a used bike.
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Good to know :). I loved my V-4 750 Saber, just couldn't really justify holding on to it, I ended up trading it for a GS with complete R&R sand stator failure... LOL felt more at home with that.
JTGS850GL said:
Ya, many of the bikes of that era had issues with 2nd gear. Honda and Yamaha especially were susceptible. I've seen Yamaha Cavalcades go for real cheap because of it. Ole Suzies seemed to avoid much of that except in extreme cases. They were built like a brick outhouse. As long as we ignore the electrical issues or course.;)
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LOL Yeah... You can limp it home with a blown 2nd gear. Not so much with a blown R&R or stator... Unless you buy a couple of Batteries and have someone follow you home. I may have done that once :rolleyes:
 
Jedz123 said:
Good to know :). I loved my V-4 750 Saber, just couldn't really justify holding on to it, I ended up trading it for a GS with complete R&R sand stator failure... LOL felt more at home with that.

LOL Yeah... You can limp it home with a blown 2nd gear. Not so much with a blown R&R or stator... Unless you buy a couple of Batteries and have someone follow you home. I may have done that once :rolleyes:
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I've pushed more than one bike home with electrical issues..... hopefully those days are over?
 
I would own a nice Sabre if the money was there. I care less about the ugly Magnas. I think the Japanese back then got together and decided they would all make their parts money on 2nd gear issues, LOL. To be fair, it was mostly Yamaha, the famous triples were notorious. But I've passed on a Kaw and a Sabre for that reason.
 
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