Author Topic: I've seen the future, and it was 1989  (Read 2065 times)

Offline twowheeladdict

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 6149
I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« on: September 14, 2020, 08:31:52 PM »
https://huntsville.craigslist.org/mcy/d/trinity-honda-pc800/7189592307.html

Did they make this for some futuristic movie and then decided to sell some to the public?   :popcorn:
2022 Moto Guzzi V85TT Guardia D'onore
2018 V7 III Carbon Dark #0009 of 1921
2018 Road Glide Special
2021 Kawasaki KLX300SM
2017 Suzuki Van Van 200
2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom

Bert Remington

  • Guest
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2020, 08:53:26 PM »
When I got back into motorcycling, I started with a PC800.  I really liked it and would be riding it today except my knees couldn't take the bending needed for the fixed seating position.  Otherwise very comfortable, very civilized, very convenient.  And it did draw attention, not quite as much as the RE I purchased later but usually questions every third time I parked.

Honda had their motorcycle design group provide the powertrain and suspension and their new automotive group in Torrance provide the body and ergonomics.  It was intended for commuters in business suits.  It almost worked but times weren't right as SUVs emerged to rule the roads.

The PC800 demonstrated once again that Honda could design and build any damn thing they wanted to in spite of the naysayers.  An amazing company that has changed the motorcycling world for the better.

Online Antietam Classic Cycle

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 14141
  • Happily stuck in the past.
    • Antietam Classic Cycle
  • Location: Rohrersville, Maryland
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2020, 09:05:18 PM »
Referred to as the "Honda Fondue" by my friends and I.  :grin:
Charlie

Online JJ

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 19635
  • Life is meant to ENJOY...not "endure."
  • Location: Village of Oak Creek, Arizona
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2020, 09:14:11 PM »
These Pacific Coast 800's are very collectible today and have a passionate "cult following..." (just sayin') :thumb: :cool: :smiley:
Life Member: MGNOC L-772, AMA, HOG
'98 V10 Centauro GT
Village of Oak Creek, AZ

Wildguzzi.com

Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2020, 09:14:11 PM »

Offline Kremmen

  • New Egg
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2020, 09:23:54 PM »
Honda was the future in 1999, too. https://thekneeslider.com/when-will-honda-produce-the-nas/

Never happened though. Like the Indian road version of the Britten V1000, or any of the weird stuff I like.  :tongue:

Offline alanp

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 1737
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2020, 10:29:02 PM »
Looks fun to work on   :shocked:
Niwot, Colorado
'08 1200 Sport - Black
'16 V7II Stone - Black
Previous Guzzis
'07 Griso, '07 Norge, '03 California SS, '02 California SS, '02 V11 Lemans,  '83 Lemans III, '77 Lemans

Offline Perazzimx14

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 5974
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2020, 04:06:54 AM »
A Paso with integrated panniers



2021 Moto Guzzi V85TT Guardia D'onore
2017 V7 III Carbon Dark #0008 of 1921
2017 Road Glide Special
2020 Kawasaki KLX300SM
2016 Suzuki Van Van 200

Offline twowheeladdict

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 6149
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2020, 06:02:50 AM »
When I got back into motorcycling, I started with a PC800.  I really liked it and would be riding it today except my knees couldn't take the bending needed for the fixed seating position.  Otherwise very comfortable, very civilized, very convenient.  And it did draw attention, not quite as much as the RE I purchased later but usually questions every third time I parked.

Honda had their motorcycle design group provide the powertrain and suspension and their new automotive group in Torrance provide the body and ergonomics.  It was intended for commuters in business suits.  It almost worked but times weren't right as SUVs emerged to rule the roads.

The PC800 demonstrated once again that Honda could design and build any damn thing they wanted to in spite of the naysayers.  An amazing company that has changed the motorcycling world for the better.

Thanks.   :thumb:  So not for dome futuristic movie then.

I agree that the Japanese companies in general can afford to take risks as since hhey sre huge diverse companies.

The Honda Fury, and CTX 1300 come to mind. 

I met a guy who collects one year bikes.
2022 Moto Guzzi V85TT Guardia D'onore
2018 V7 III Carbon Dark #0009 of 1921
2018 Road Glide Special
2021 Kawasaki KLX300SM
2017 Suzuki Van Van 200
2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom

Online tazio

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 2730
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2020, 06:15:57 AM »


 
Take me a little further back to the future...(1955)
Current Fleet
2015 Moto-Guzzi GRiSO
1972 Aermacchi Harley-Davidson 350 Sprint
1967 Kawasaki 650 W2TT
1966 Triumph Bonneville

Online nick949

  • All you have to do is decide what to do with the time that's given to you.
  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 3200
    • Nick Adams Writing
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2020, 06:30:23 AM »
The Honda Pacific Coast had always been on my short list of weird bikes that I really liked the look of. 
The my friend Norm had one for a while so I got to ride it.  Despite its extravagant and sexy styling it was as dull as dishwater to ride. Get a big Burgman instead.

Nick
« Last Edit: September 15, 2020, 06:30:46 AM by nick949 »

Offline larrys

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 1425
  • Location: SE CT
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2020, 07:17:18 AM »
Largest displacement scooter, ever.
Larry
'13 Monster 1100 EVO
'95 Cal 1100
'68 Bonneville

MGNOC 7248

Online Ncdan

  • Global Moderator
  • Gaggle Hero
  • *
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 5878
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2020, 07:36:49 AM »
The PC was a very capable trust worthy bike that was supposed to replace the midsize tourer GL500 and  650 line of mids. However for what ever reason they just didn’t catch on. I figured that the majority of motorcycle enthusiasts thought they were to scooter like, that’s all I could figure.
« Last Edit: September 15, 2020, 07:38:33 AM by Ncdan »

Offline Lannis

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 26507
  • Location: Central Virginia
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #12 on: September 15, 2020, 07:45:21 AM »
Fay and I had a big time in Colorado with our PC800.









That day was around Leadville and down to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

It was a nice, maintenance free, good handling, standard transmission bike which ran exactly the same, thanks to the Honda CV carburetors, whether it was at 5200 feet in Denver, 7500 feet in Idaho Springs, or 14,200 feet at the top of Mt. Evans.   Some fuel injected bikes won’t even compensate for all that altitude …

Collectors like them!   

Lannis
"Hard pounding, this, gentlemen; let's see who pounds the longest".

Online Ncdan

  • Global Moderator
  • Gaggle Hero
  • *
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 5878
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #13 on: September 15, 2020, 08:20:34 AM »
Fay and I had a big time in Colorado with our PC800.









That day was around Leadville and down to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

It was a nice, maintenance free, good handling, standard transmission bike which ran exactly the same, thanks to the Honda CV carburetors, whether it was at 5200 feet in Denver, 7500 feet in Idaho Springs, or 14,200 feet at the top of Mt. Evans.   Some fuel injected bikes won’t even compensate for all that altitude …

Collectors like them!   

Lannis
Nice looking in red! They are high dollar when they come available, more than they sold for when new in many cases. How did they do riding two up with gear?

Online willowstreetguzziguy

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 1186
  • Location: Lancaster, PA
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #14 on: September 15, 2020, 08:23:24 AM »
I’m glad to see the future was much brighter than Honda’s Pacific Coast in 1989!
2008 Guzzi 1200 Sport 
1993 BMW K75S Pearl White (sold)
"Going somewhere isn't why you ride, riding is why you go!"    Moto Guzzi... because the only person I have to impress is me.

Offline blu guzz

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 1138
  • Loves to ride
  • Location: Northern Kentuycky
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #15 on: September 15, 2020, 08:30:21 AM »
they were like a guzzi in that there were brand new 3 year old models available after honda quit making them.
there was a big ad campaign at the time to market these to non-motorcyclists and bring in more riders.  a laudable goal.  but, at that time, all of the 3 piece suit types were starting to be lured in by the siren song of the v twin ( the other v twin with the cylinders in the wrong direction). they wanted to get out of those suits on the weekends and play dress-up in some leather and chains on the weekends.
Blue Guzz

Offline Lannis

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 26507
  • Location: Central Virginia
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #16 on: September 15, 2020, 08:51:11 AM »
Nice looking in red! They are high dollar when they come available, more than they sold for when new in many cases. How did they do riding two up with gear?

Fay and I are pretty long legged when you add up all four legs, and we like lots of room.   The PC800 had lots of room, plenty of power, and the suspension hauled our 400 pounds total along very well on those Rocky Mountain roads.

I checked the oil, tire pressure, and put gas in it and that was all I ever did to it.   It had a belt drive, the nice 800cc V-twin engine which was smooth, quiet, and had plenty of power to pull us both up those long hills.

If you wanted a unique, collector touring bike that will attract attention wherever you go, and Guzzi-level attention at that, these things are very ride-able, easy-to-live-with ones.

Lannis
"Hard pounding, this, gentlemen; let's see who pounds the longest".

jwinwi

  • Guest
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #17 on: September 15, 2020, 09:24:55 AM »
Fay and I are pretty long legged when you add up all four legs, and we like lots of room.   The PC800 had lots of room, plenty of power, and the suspension hauled our 400 pounds total along very well on those Rocky Mountain roads.

I checked the oil, tire pressure, and put gas in it and that was all I ever did to it.   It had a belt drive, the nice 800cc V-twin engine which was smooth, quiet, and had plenty of power to pull us both up those long hills.

If you wanted a unique, collector touring bike that will attract attention wherever you go, and Guzzi-level attention at that, these things are very ride-able, easy-to-live-with ones.

Lannis

Pretty sure every other PC800 ever made had shaft drive...

Online Ncdan

  • Global Moderator
  • Gaggle Hero
  • *
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 5878
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #18 on: September 15, 2020, 10:03:49 AM »
Pretty sure every other PC800 ever made had shaft drive...
I was wondering about that myself however didn’t want to stir the nest 😂😂😂

Offline Lannis

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 26507
  • Location: Central Virginia
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #19 on: September 15, 2020, 11:40:42 AM »
Pretty sure every other PC800 ever made had shaft drive...

I Godfrey, you're right.   I guess I knew at the time that it was shaft drive, but I'd talked myself into a belt over the years.

Just goes to show how little I even looked at it.  I rode it 10 or 12,000 miles that year, all over Colorado, and didn't care about anything going on under all that plastic except the tire pressure .... !

Lannis
"Hard pounding, this, gentlemen; let's see who pounds the longest".

Online JJ

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 19635
  • Life is meant to ENJOY...not "endure."
  • Location: Village of Oak Creek, Arizona
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #20 on: September 15, 2020, 12:54:56 PM »
"Who's that GEEZER on a red PC800 Honda appliance scooter?!?" :laugh: :grin: :laugh: :grin: :wink: :thumb: :cool:





Life Member: MGNOC L-772, AMA, HOG
'98 V10 Centauro GT
Village of Oak Creek, AZ

Offline Lannis

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 26507
  • Location: Central Virginia
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #21 on: September 15, 2020, 01:15:37 PM »
"Who's that GEEZER on a red PC800 Honda appliance scooter?!?" :laugh: :grin: :laugh: :grin: :wink: :thumb: :cool:





He's a gray-bearded old wampus, for sure ... but the bad news is that he's the same age as YOU are!   :embarassed:

And it's NOT an appliance, it's a piece of quality Honda furniture ....



Lannis
« Last Edit: September 15, 2020, 01:16:46 PM by Lannis »
"Hard pounding, this, gentlemen; let's see who pounds the longest".

Offline Two Checks

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 6035
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #22 on: September 15, 2020, 02:39:50 PM »
We used to call it the Pathetic Coast.
I knew a guy who had two C10 Connies and sold em and got two PCs. He didn't regret it. He said the PCs were turnkey bikes.
Kind of like the Popi kitchen gadget. Set it and forget it.
1990 Cal III f/f  "Il Duce' III"
1987 1000 SPII "Il Duce' II"

Offline DesertPilot

  • Gosling
  • ***
  • Posts: 254
  • Location: Mountain View, California
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #23 on: September 15, 2020, 03:02:34 PM »
Remember the commercial?  It was one of the most... um... remarkable motorcycle commercials ever made.

"Introducing the Pacific Coast, from Honda..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYxdpFsr8Ro

"It is the beginning.. of a new day..."
« Last Edit: September 15, 2020, 03:11:37 PM by DesertPilot »

Online JJ

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 19635
  • Life is meant to ENJOY...not "endure."
  • Location: Village of Oak Creek, Arizona
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #24 on: September 15, 2020, 04:17:06 PM »
He's a gray-bearded old wampus, for sure ... but the bad news is that he's the same age as YOU are!   :embarassed:

And it's NOT an appliance, it's a piece of quality Honda furniture ....



Lannis

I admit, at the tender age of 66, I had to look up the definition of........"WAMPUS" :laugh: :grin: :wink: :rolleyes: :shocked:





Only kidding about the Honda PC800.  Everyone I know that has owned and ridden one...RAVED about it...and yes...they are a quality piece of Honda history and machinery. :thumb: :cool: :boozing:
Life Member: MGNOC L-772, AMA, HOG
'98 V10 Centauro GT
Village of Oak Creek, AZ

Offline Tom

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 28584
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #25 on: September 15, 2020, 05:42:05 PM »
Largest displacement scooter, ever.
Larry

Ahem.....Correction ....it's now the automatic Goldwing that Honda is putting out.  The Convert use to be it.   :wink:

When someone mentions Tupperware on a motorcycle. This motorcycle is the image that I have.
« Last Edit: September 15, 2020, 07:04:33 PM by Tom »
From the Deep Deep South out in left field.  There are no stupid questions.  There are however stupid people asking questions.  🤣, this includes me.  😉

Offline Burkslaw

  • Hatchling
  • **
  • *
  • Posts: 130
  • Location: Sugar Hill, GA USA
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #26 on: September 15, 2020, 06:21:26 PM »
Owned one a couple of years ago and thought if I could only own one motorcycle, something that could do everything in moderation, it would be a Pacific Coast. Then I realized I could still own several motorcycles, and I sold it.                                       


Online Trialsman

  • Gosling
  • ***
  • Posts: 362
  • Location: Pittsburgh
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #27 on: September 15, 2020, 07:22:48 PM »
I owned one for 16 years and it never let me down.  You turn the key, hit the starter, and go.  Although it looked a little like a scooter it was deceptively quick.  I made a few visual changes to help it out.  First was to cut the disc guard to expose the disc and more of the front wheel.  Next was two simple 1/4" wide pieces of reflective tape placed in such a way that the broad rear trunk looked like it had two saddlebags.  I actually liked the looks of it and I went all over the country with it, but it was BORING.  My wife asked me about it and I told her it just didn't make me smile.  She told me I deserved a bike that did.  I sold it the next week and bought a Norge 8V...then a Stelvio....then a V85TT.  I smile a lot now.
2010 FE570 Husaberg
2019 Alta Redshift EXR
2019 Alta Redshift EXR - clone
2021 Moto Guzzi V85TT Centenario
2024 Stelvio V100

Offline Tom

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 28584
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #28 on: September 15, 2020, 07:27:09 PM »
I get your face hurts.   :grin:
From the Deep Deep South out in left field.  There are no stupid questions.  There are however stupid people asking questions.  🤣, this includes me.  😉

Offline redrider90

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • Posts: 2448
  • Location: NC
Re: I've seen the future, and it was 1989
« Reply #29 on: September 15, 2020, 07:52:29 PM »
I remember in the mid 90's, 4 of us on Guzzi's in WV on our way to New Cumberland for Memorial Day rally. We were riding hard and came up on a couple of these PCs. I had never seen one. They road hard with us through the twisties and it took us awhile to get around them cause the were riding fast. I was really impressed with how well they took the curves.
Red 90 Mille GT

 

20 Ounce Stainless Steel Double Insulated Tumbler
Buy a quality tumbler and support the forum at the same time!
Better than a YETI! BPA and Lead free.
Advertise Here