The Design

Article’s Headline - The Magna Look : Different Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt. 

As wild as the new Magna looks now, these early design sketches indicate that the bike started out to be even wilder-looking yet. But Honda felt that one way or another, the 700 Magna had to undergo a radical styling change. The bike was beginning to look too much like the 700 Shadow, Honda’s own V-twin cruiser, and that similarity was confusing to many buyers.

But if you think you see something vaguely familiar about the Magna’s overall appearance, it’s probably because you’ve seen the work of its stylist before. He is Mr. Iwakura, who just happened to be on assignment to Honda Research of America at the time the Magna restyling project got underway. Iwakura has overseen the design work on previous Magnas, as well as the sport-touring version of the 1982 CBX Six. But perhaps Iwakura’s most significant project was the 1983 CX650 Custom. Not only was that V-twin model thought to have quite radical styling for its day, it also had one of the all-time great seating positions - which Iwakra copied when penning the new Magna.

If you’re familiar with Iwakura’s previous work, the new Magna probably won’t seem all that extreme to you. To be sure, it’s a little unusual to any eye, and most certainly will fuel countless sidewalk debates. But remember that one of Honda’s goals was to put some distance between the Magna and the Shadow. And in that respect, Mr. Iwakura has succeeded.