Nighthawk match-ups

[bajakirch]

Maybe the Stablemates area isn't best for this, but we'll go with it.

Nearly 2 years ago I made the conscious decision to get a MC. Having done only a bit of trail riding as a teen, I had no idea what to get. I had a few ideas based on visits to MC shops and websites, but that was more lust than logic. So I visited what is probably the largest MC forum out there and posted the question -- something like, "I haven't ridden a MC in nearly 30 years, I'm not all that adept at wrenching (but am willing to learn) and don't want something I'm going to be torn up over if I drop it. What would you recommend?"

The response was very helpful, as I got solid recommendations from a relatively knowledgeable crowd. This allowed me to develop a 'Hot List' to start keeping an eye out for. Right at the top of the list was 'Any Nighthawk'.

Now, it so happens that the best deal I could find at the time was on my NH. And don't get me wrong, I'm pleased as punch with my choice.

But today I was trying to remember what other bikes were on that list. Other than a vague memory of maybe a Suzuki Bandit, I can't remember any others.

So I thought I'd throw it out to you. If you couldn't have your NH, what (if any) bike(s) out there would be a suitable replacement? Reliable, easy to work on, available parts, economical, well-performing, etc.

[flynrider]

   No Nighthawk available?   That's easy, a Kawasaki Zephyr 750

[hppants]

Today, I'd look hard for a CB1000, a 1200 Bandit,  or a ZXR1200.  Someone here posted pics of a ZXR1200 and I think that is a cool looking bike.

I used to think I want a Hornet 919, but now I don't think it would make the top 5 now.

[SliverXZennon]

Someone here posted pics of a ZXR1200 and I think that is a cool looking bike.

+1, that is a sweet looking bike! Love the style, kinda retro and modern at the same time.

[Hondo]

I always had the itch for a 700S and a 1983 CB1000 Custom.

The CB1000C is like the big brother of the 750 Nighthawk series, and I bought that bike first-

[geemann]

That Kawasaki Zephyr 750 is crazy!  It's like kawa cloned the cb750 and rebadged it!  (or visaversa?!)

but I think I would go with the honda 919, just too sweet!

~G

[Wahrsuul]

IIRC, the Zephyr was the only bike the NightHawk beat in the time trials/drags.  Still, it's a cool looking bike. The best part - they made a 550, and 750 and....wait for it...an 1100!

[muttstang]

I'd go an FZ1, 919, bandit, maybe an M50 (not sure if I care for the cruiser riding position anymore)

[geemann]

IIRC, the Zephyr was the only bike the NightHawk beat in the time trials/drags. 

IIRC?

[Wahrsuul]

IIRC = If I recall correctly.

[luckylindy]

 I'm thinking of a Suzuki GSX 650 in the future.  Triple discs and FI would be nice, but I don't know if it would be as maintenance free and reliable as a NH.

[flynrider]

That Kawasaki Zephyr 750 is crazy!  It's like kawa cloned the cb750 and rebadged it!  (or visaversa?!)

  Actuallly, Kaw just cloned their old KZ750 from the early 80s.  The Zephyr used the same 738cc engine as the original KZ750-4 in 1980.

Now you know why they were called UJMs

[flynrider]

I always had the itch for a 700S and a 1983 CB1000 Custom.

The CB1000C is like the big brother of the 750 Nighthawk series, and I bought that bike first

  Beautiful bike, Hondo.   It's always been on my list.   Hey, did the 1000C retain the crazy 10 speed gearing that the 900C had?   That was a pretty cool feature.

[Hondo]

I always had the itch for a 700S and a 1983 CB1000 Custom.

The CB1000C is like the big brother of the 750 Nighthawk series, and I bought that bike first

  Beautiful bike, Hondo.   It's always been on my list.   Hey, did the 1000C retain the crazy 10 speed gearing that the 900C had?   That was a pretty cool feature.

Yep, a five speed tranny with a 2 speed HI/LOW range.

[Wahrsuul]

How does the Hi/Lo work?  5 speeds in each?  Selectable while riding?  Is it more like a 4x4 hi/lo trans?

[Hondo]

It has a standard five speed tranny shifter, and then thee is a 2 position output range shifter fo Hin or Low operations.

Low for around time/sporty riding and Hi for the highway.

You can shift the Hi/Low on the fly. What I do when I get on the freeway is to shift in Low , 1-5 gears, and then into High- it's like a 6th gear.

[fishball]

When I was searching for my first bike I had a budget of $2k.  I was looking for a mid-displacement bike and the few I remember searching for were...

Kawasaki Ninja 500r
Suzuki GSX700ES
Yamaha Seca II
Yamaha Maxim
Honda Interceptor
Kawasaki Vulcan 500
Honda Shadow

Once I read up on the Nighthawk it became my prime target.  Fell in love with the first one I saw in person but had to wait to find one in better shape.

[bajakirch]

Thanks fishball, your list reminded me that the Seca II and Shadow were also on my short list.

[detdrbuzzard]

That Kawasaki Zephyr 750 is crazy!  It's like kawa cloned the cb750 and rebadged it!  (or visaversa?!)

but I think I would go with the honda 919, just too sweet!

~G

reminds me more of a  '76 z1b 900 kawasaki

[spiritof86]

I really like the first gen Suzuki Bandit 1200.  I have visions of Wes Cooley dancing in my head, lol.

[Brittles]

IIRC, the Zephyr was the only bike the NightHawk beat in the time trials/drags.  Still, it's a cool looking bike. The best part - they made a 550, and 750 and....wait for it...an 1100!

I was never aware of that bike. The only Zhephyr I had ever seen, up until now, was an early 80's model that had a black exhaust with "Kawasaki" on the mufflers.........some gold accents I think.......interesting.

[flynrider]

I was never aware of that bike. The only Zhephyr I had ever seen, up until now, was an early 80's model that had a black exhaust with "Kawasaki" on the mufflers.........some gold accents I think.......interesting.

   The Zephyr was introduced in the early '90s as a retro bike.  It directly competed with Honda's recently introduced retro Nighthawk.  Kawasaki just reproduced their succesful inline four lineup from the 80s. The KZ550/750/1100 models were their premier UJMs in the early 80s.

   The bike you're thinking of, with the black exhaust and gold accents, was the Spectre series.  Basically pimped up LTD models (with shaft drive).  If I recall correctly, the Spectre came in 550/750/1100 sizes, like the later Zephyrs.

[Brittles]

I was never aware of that bike. The only Zephyr I had ever seen, up until now, was an early 80's model that had a black exhaust with "Kawasaki" on the mufflers.........some gold accents I think.......interesting.

The bike you're thinking of, with the black exhaust and gold accents, was the Spectre series.  Basically pimped up LTD models (with shaft drive).  If I recall correctly, the Spectre came in 550/750/1100 sizes, like the later Zephyrs.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[Wahrsuul]

I liked the look of the Spectre, but only the one with the black/gold/burgundy color scheme.  I think they were mid-80's bikes, I recall seeing them when I was looking at the GPz's - before the Ninja sport bikes.  Nave saw a Zephyr on the dealer's floor, and only seen one or two since.