New rider with a "new" 1985 CB650SC

[gorbunok]

I took the MSF course in July and bought this bike the following weekend. The guy was asking $750 and I didn't bargain: the engine sounded great, it had new tires, new battery, new seat, new brakes and freshly cleaned carbs. The seller had just bought a new Monster and said that he couldn't go back to riding the Nighthawk. I've been commuting on it almost daily into New York City, an 80 mile round trip. Just starting to get used to the crazy drivers on the parkways and cabbies on the streets. Those of you riding around New York know what I'm talking about. The recent temperature drops led me to buy the windshield and the mitts, which still do not keep the hands from freezing when it gets into the 20s. Suggestions from cold-weather riders greatly appreciated. Considering getting the 4 into 1 pipe for it closer to spring. Worthy spend?

[fortyhourdays]

   I'd say you got a great deal

[Brittles]

Those bags look really nice. Who makes them?

The stock exhaust works best imo.

[gorbunok]

Brittles, the bags are Expedition from Moose Racing. Learned about them on this forum. Very easy to install. They're small, but enough for a few tools, lunch, rain gear and gym clothes.

[coffee_brake]

Keep the stock exhaust, you'll thank yourself later when you learn more about this model. Some bikes love aftermarket exhausts, but the novice rider with a Nighthawk best stick with stock, until you learn all about tuning.

Here's the end-all, beat-all answer to keeping your hands warm in winter:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOURMASTER-SYNERGY-ELECTRIC-HEATED-GLOVES-8765-0005-05-/140681702718?pt=Apparel_Merchandise&vxp=mtr&hash=item20c1486d3e

They come off the bike and go to work in your bag; no wires to cut, nothing to steal.
No further purchase of controller, these come with one already in the box.
I've been wearing mine for three winters now and they are durable and let me feel the controls like normal gloves. They work when they're wet, and they can function as unheated winter gloves too.

Nice 650. You couldn't ask for a better standard for both commuting and touring, Ducati be darned.

[SirSeanSean]

Welcome to the forums. Nice 650 you have there. Like CB said, best to keep the stock exhaust. Ride Safe.

[gorbunok]

Thanks CB, I'll definitely try them. What's the coldest you've worn them? I wear liners, winter riding gloves, plusthe big mitts and the problem is mainly in the tips of the fingers. Do they direct heat to the fingers or just the palm?

[ExTex]

You have to remove the center stand to use the 4-to-1 exhaust.
I need my center stand for maintenance....

Nice Bike.

Ride safely,

[sman]

Looks like a beauty for the money! I would keep the stock exhaust as well. I find there are always less hassles with stock vs modified.

[jts6yf]

I have the MAC 4-1 exhaust on my bike. Runs decent with it on but it was a necessary purchase because the bike shop wouldn't pass my safety inspection with the old exhaust. And I was able to retain the centerstand function.

[Doby Pilgrim]

That was a great buy on your Nighthawk! Last winter it got down to -20F here in Santa Fe for over a week. I rode every day. The best thing I ever put on my bike was a set of ShowChrome black heated grips. Cost at my local shop was $75 and it took all of 20 minutes to install. I ran it directly to the battery. The only thing you HAVE to remember is to turn the thing off when you shut your bike down. I'd say with those elephant hands, your windshield, and a set of heated grips you should be good at least down as far as I was. I don't like battery powered gloves because the batteries always go down after about an hour, and I don't like plugging gloves or a vest to my bike. So for me at least, the heated grips were the way to go. I've missed three days of riding in the past 2 years, and have ridden the equivalent of an Iron Butt (plus 400 miles) in late February without being too uncomfortable.

[gorbunok]

Last winter it got down to -20F here in Santa Fe for over a week. I rode every day

I am impressed! Few weeks ago I rode in 10F and one way or another the cold got into the mitts and my fingers started going numb after about 30 minutes. I can see how the heated grips can help the mitts stay warm. Thanks for the tip!

jts6yf: how does the bike feel with the Mac compared to before? Any trick to keeping the center stand?

[Hawks_Nest]

Welcome to the forum. I am on the other side of the river.

Heated gears can extend your riding season.  I ride with heated jacket liner with temp controller in NJ winter days. When your body core is warm, you don't feel cold at your extremities (fingers and toes).   Not sure how much extra juice available from your 650 alternator though.  Had no issues with my NH750 to date because I always run the temp controller somewhere in the middle. It is too warm if I don't use the controller.   

Ride safe.

[wiskey]

Very clean!