Honda Nighthawk Quality Questions

[noahdog]

So I'm thinking of getting a CB650 or 750 Nighthawk for a daily rider. I'm needing something with a 2 up seat setup so I can take the wife and/or son for a ride and I really like the looks of the Honda Nighthawks. I'd probably keep it mostly stock unless it's one of the years with the ugly ass square headlight and guages in which case I'd be swapping those out but otherwise I think I could just jump on and ride it stock. From some quick searching on crazedlist.org it looks like I can pick one up for under $1500 in decent condition.

The question is how reliable are they. I know they made them for at least a decade so are there years that are better than others? Is the 650 or the 750 better or perhaps even the less produced 700 versions?

I figured you guys were the people to ask.

 

[Swagger]

I had a friend who rode the 700 version and it was a NICE bike. In truth, it's a Honda so it's not going to suck. There will be things you need to address like any old bike but you're not starting with a bad one at all.

 

[noahdog]

I do really like the look of the 700 but they made way fewer of them so it may be harder to find one I like and in my price range. For some reason I like the 650 and the 700 more than the 750 models. While I'd prefer to have a bigger engine style may win out in the end, especially depending on the price.

 

[Aetsh]

The smaller ones are kinda wimpy, but the bigger ones seem to do the job well, and stylish.

Reliability is never an issue as long as its been taken care of!

 

[crazypj]

650 is better bike, had many years of development (motor based on 1972 CB500F)
CB550/700/750 is DOHC with hydraulic tappets, not one of the best.
750/900 motor is better but that has issues with cam chain/tensioner/ignition (usually owner problem, either didn't service or plain abuse)

 

[noahdog]

650 is better bike, had many years of development (motor based on 1972 CB500F)
CB550/700/750 is DOHC with hydraulic tappets, not one of the best.
750/900 motor is better but that has issues with cam chain/tensioner/ignition (usually owner problem, either didn't service or plain abuse)

Well I guess it's better to be lucky than smart. I just picked up an 1983 650 today for $300. Sounds like I not only scored a hell of a deal I lucked into the best one.