1982 Honda CB650SC Nighthawk review from United States of America
"A unique looking and practical bike that just got old"
What things have gone wrong with the motorcycle?
The thing leaked oil from day 1, and luckily the dealer was nice enough to repair it for free even though it was 17 years old at the time. Then the timing chain broke.
Then the fuel petcock failed and would leak on my clothes.
The piston rings wore out, and it started to blow blue smoke and run poorly.
The carbs need an overhaul.
This bike has an air-cooled engine, and as such, needs to keep moving for the engine to be happy.
General comments?
Overall, a fun standard motorcycle. It is heavy, but it was pretty quick and fun. Not super maneuverable though.
I really miss this type of motorcycle. It seems like many times your only choice on newer motorcycles is a cruiser, or a sport-bike. This Nighthawk fit right in between. It is comfortable and sporty, and the riding position is superb, especially compared to the tankhumpers on the sport-bikes.
This is actually the CB650SC Nighthawk. It has the 4 tailpipes that when polished look amazing. It gets pretty decent mileage considering it's age, and still gets a few looks because it has such a unique look. Unfortunately the Nighthawks after this one didn't have as much personality.
More Honda CB650SC Nighthawk reviews
| Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Acceleration marks | 6/10 |
| Roll-on Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Handling marks | 6/10 |
| Braking marks | 4/10 |
| Reliability marks | 5/10 |
| Comfort marks | 8/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 19000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 22500 miles |
| Date of Entry | 16th November, 2006 |