From bikes to bikes: part 5
Part 4: the loaner years
How bicycles taught me to love motorcycles: the Nighthawk summer
My extended government sponsored camping trip afforded me plenty of time for window shopping, researching, and conversation with motorcycle riders I happened to be stationed with. For a few weeks I even flirted with purchasing a new bike from the Military Auto Source dealership on the base.
For those who are sure what they want to ride and buy, MAS provides a great opportunity to purchase vehicles at discounted prices that will then be shipped directly from the factory to a person’s home following deployment.
Although I very seriously considered it, in the end I decided to wait until I got home, because I wanted to make sure that any new motorcycle I purchased would be one that my wife would enjoy as well. Even with a sizable discount, the financial risk of purchasing a bike whose pillion seat she would find uncomfortable was simply too great.
Choosing a refresher bike instead of a new motorcycle
After talking through the options, we decided to go the other way. Rather than get a new bike, I would focus my search on the used market. The plan was to get a reasonably priced refresher bike and ride it for a while. Not only did this give us time to shop for a long term purchase we both liked, it reduced the financial and emotional risks of any potential drops while I brushed the rust off my riding skills.
While perusing Craigslist towards the end of my deployment I discovered what looked to be the perfect refresher bike, a 1992 Honda Nighthawk 750. Not only was the price right, the bike was in overall good condition, essentially stock, and very close to my house. Best of all, after exchanging some emails, the seller was willing to hold on to it for a couple of weeks until I returned to the United States.
For many people, the Honda Nighthawk is about as basic as a bike can get, but it has always been a favorite of mine. The first motorcycle I ever sat on was a neighbor’s late 1970’s UJM whose brand I have long since forgotten. The Nighthawk was one of the last survivors of that genre of bike. That first impression has always stuck with me and on a visceral level still feels like what a motorcycle should look like.
Owning the Nighthawk would allow me to scratch that deep seated itch. Additionally, the upright riding position, reliable engine, and fairly strong aftermarket support would make the Honda a practical choice for dipping my toe back in the riding world.
Becoming a Nighthawk owner
Shortly after I came off orders this spring I found myself visiting the seller I met on Craigslist. First impressions were good and the bike rode just as well as advertised. It felt wonderful to be back on two wheels and everything seemed to work perfectly, despite its somewhat advanced age. Honda has a reputation for quality manufacturing, and the Nighthawk engine is known to be especially bulletproof.
We settled on a price and I rode home the proud owner of the final descendent of the Honda CB-750. My childhood self would have been incredibly jealous.
Over the next few months I made several small upgrades with the help of the Frank and Cheryl at Classic Cycles in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. A windshield and passenger backrest were installed. A USB charging port allowed me to use my cell phone for navigation. Soft saddle bags turned the Nighthawk into a perfect commuter and light-duty tourer.
In many ways, the Honda was the perfect combination of cruiser and sport bike. It brought together the best parts of both motorcycles I had previously owned. The Nighthawk combined the Virago‘s simplicity and classic looks with the flickability and sporty handling of the Ninja. The fact that I had access to a local shop who specialized in vintage Japanese motorcycles made it the ideal purchase for me at the time.
Perfect for one person, not so much for two
For nearly six months I rode the Nighthawk several thousand miles all over southeast Missouri and southern Illinois. It regularly took me to work and on weekend rides. Most importantly, it allowed me to get my riding skills back to where they once were.
Unfortunately, it had one fatal flaw. My wife was not comfortable on it. While great for the rider, the passenger pegs were set too high. The backrest never felt substantial enough and she constantly worried that her feet might make inadvertent contact with the high set tailpipes.
Although a summer of Honda ownership confirmed for us that Lily did enjoy riding with me, she never felt like she could truly relax on the Nighthawk. This fall we began looking at alternatives. We needed to find a motorcycle that we could both enjoy equally well.
