Well you're right about the top end not being so old school, but I was
referring to the in-line 4 cylinder and naked style of the bike. I
mean this was 2003 and still no gas guage (though I don't miss it
because when she hits 125 miles I know it's time to fuel up). Yes v-
twins are really old-school and yet more popular than ever. If I ever
run into a clean 700 or 750S, I'll probably pick it up..what were
those 1984-86 era? Smiles per mile equation is definetely the way to
go.
On Oct 18, 9:36 pm, Dennis Hammerl <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 40 year old ? If you reference the in-line four, I suppose so. How do you
> feel about HD twins ? Now that's old school. The four valve head is not a 40
> year old thing for bikes. I'm glad you fell in love with it, a lot of us
> have. Some, like myself, just think the 700/750S was the best of the bunch.
> Six speed, shaft drive, double disks and the like. I haven't the foggiest why
> the Euro market gets the neat stuff. Be nice for us too.
> Yeah, 40MPG is little off, but then you might be turning the wick a bit more.
> I use the smiles per mile equation. Ride happy.
>
> --- On Sat, 10/18/08, yankfroggy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> From: yankfroggy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: [Nighthawk Lovers] 2003 Nighthawk - 2000 mile report
> To: "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" <nighthawk_lovers@googlegroups.com>
> Date: Saturday, October 18, 2008, 3:21 PM
>
> After a long absence from riding I bought a very clean 2003 Nighthawk
> 750 last March. I have been using it as a daily commuter for my short
> hops that are 50% freeway, and 50% city streets. It had 6400 miles on
> the odo when I got it and is just turned 8400. I've enjoyed 3 or 4 day
> trips carving around mount Tamapais and winding roads in Marin and
> Sonoma counties including HWY1.
>
> My impressions of this bike are very good. It's not as nimble or quick
> as the latest Italian or Japanese crotch rockets, but it is
> surprisingly close in performance considering its weight and the age
> of its design. I find its power curve to be comfortable and its
> handling simple and re-assuring. What it lacks in peak performance, it
> makes up for in riding stance and comfort.
>
> It's actually quite fast and powerful when you get past the halfway
> point of its rev band, and I always feel confident merging onto the
> freeway. I do wish it had a 6th gear. This would improve freeway
> cruisng greatly. I've stretched her legs only up to 110mph and there
> was still room left, so top speed isn't an issue for a commuter, but
> it would have been more pleasant at lower rpms even at speeds around
> 75mph.
>
> I'm 6'2" and weigh just over 200lbs and although the brake set up
> is
> minimal in my opinion (one disc in front and just a drum in back), it
> has been adequate for me (I think the large front disc helps). Having
> said that I wish we had the extra discs as they do in overseas. It
> discourages real quick and short hops, while encouraging smooth
> comfortable cruising.
>
> Nontheless I'm kind of addicted to the throttle and although I haven't
> done a detailed calculation,
> I think I'm only getting about 40mpg which is less than I had
> expected.
>
> The shifting is clunky at slow speeds but becomes dramatically better
> (smooth and quick) at higher speeds. The exhaust has a pleasant sound.
> It ain't boy racer, but it has an authorative rumble and sounds
> especially bad ass when downshifting from 4-3 and 3-2.
>
> The younger crowd like this bike's looks ("cool old-school, look at
> all those chrome pipes, where's the radiator?,etc." )
>
> Bottom line impression: The Nighhawk doesn't excel in any one area.
> However it does everything better than expected for a 40 year old
> design. It's greatest asset is how competent it is in all functions,
> plus it has great value and incomparable reliability. It is the
> perfect bike in my opinion, and as far as it's looks...well I'm in
> love.
>
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