Honda CB 650SC Nighthawk

Nighthawk defined: A bird to steal in the dead of the night.

Once upon a time, a committee at Honda had a pretty intriguing idea. Looking around at cruisers on the one hand and sport bikes on the other, the think-tank members wondered whether they could blend elements of cruiser styling with those from functional sport bikes. The Nighthawk became a bird apart—a functional motorcycle with an arresting appearance. In 1982, the Nighthawk, priced at $2748, was a bargain. Still, the motorcycle looked unusual.

Nineteen-eighty-three stretched the boundaries of taste. Once enthusiasts decided motorcycles didn't have to have a particular look, tastes proved downright eclectic: Shadows, Interceptors, Gold Wings, Magnas, etc.

Beneath the Nighthawk trappings lies Honda's basic eight-valve, single-overhead-cam, four-cylinder 650; this engine has roots in the original 500/550 series which is to say, Honda has more than a decade of experience building these motorcycles. The 650s are as reliable as stones and may last longer.

Think of the 650 Nighthawk as a motorcycle for worriers who hate to worry. Worriers-gather themselves up to full fret at the thought of sixteen-valve engines, secondary radiators, and the possibility that they'll arrive at the parts counter an hour after the last part was sold. Six-fifty Nighthawk owners rest assured that every mechanic who can pronounce the word "Honda" knows something about the CB650.

Although the new-generation 1983 Nighthawk has superseded the eight-valve Nighthawk series, Honda engineers kept the 1982 650 current to the end. The leading-axle front fork carries Syntallic bushings for friction-free action, and Honda's latest front disc brakes with twin-piston calipers are first rate. The front suspension is telescopic adustable: air-adjustable fork. The twin shocks have two-stage rear damp and five spring-preload positions. The handlebar is adjustable, 30mm vertically and 25 degrees horizontally. Nice.