Honda Pacific Coast
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Honda PC800 Pacific Coast is a motorcycle introduced by Honda in 1989. Its unique styling, practicality, and excellent handling characteristics have earned it an avid following, despite its discontinuation after 1998. According to Honda Motorcycles North America, over 11,000 PC800s were produced and sold in North America between 1989 and 1998.
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[edit] Specifications
The Pacific Coast is powered by a 800cc liquid-cooled V-twin powerplant, lifted with minor modifications from the Honda Shadow VT800C. Power to the rear wheel is translated through a five-speed gearbox with a hydraulically-actuated wet clutch, and delivered aft of the transmission by shaft drive. Braking is achieved with two hydraulically-actuated disc brakes in the front, and a more traditional rod-actuated drum brake on the rear wheel.
- Bore x stroke: 79.5mm x 80.6mm
- Carburetion: Two 36mm diaphragm-type CV
- Wheelbase: 61.2 inches (1554.5mm)
- Seat height: 30.1 inches (764.5mm)
- Fuel capacity: 4.2 gallons (15.9L)
- Claimed dry weight: 584.2 lbs (218.0kg)
- Measured wet weight: 640.0 lbs (238.8kg)
[edit] Marketing and Sales
The prevailing attitude at Honda was to entice would-be riders into the showroom who would not otherwise entertain the thought of owning a motorcycle. The Pacific Coast was marketed as a sensible urban commuter; evidence of this is prevalent throughout its design. Its styling, while aggressive for the time, is very practical, smoothly integrating two panniers into a large lift-up trunk located under the passenger pillion. Like its larger siblings, the Honda Goldwing and the Honda ST1100, the entire chassis is wrapped in plastic--affectionately referred to by PC800 enthusiasts as "Tupperware"--thus concealing the vast majority of the motorcycle's mechanical underpinnings, and because of this, the PC800 is often mistaken for a scooter rather than a motorcycle. Often it is necessary for a PC800 owner to point out to the untrained eye that its large wheels and 5-speed gearbox firmly plant the PC800 in the "motorcycle" camp.
As the PC800 was aimed primarily toward first-time motorcycle owners, Honda engineers concentrated heavily on user-friendliness and ease-of-ownership. Instrumentation is very friendly and car-like, and all switches and controls are large, clearly marked, and easy to operate. The engine was designed with automatic hydraulic valve lash adjustment, eliminating the need for manual valve adjusting. Fuel consumption averages a miserly 40 to 50 miles-per-gallon in mixed street and highway use. Handling is very tame and forgiving, and well-suited to riders developing their road skills--acceleration is brisk, but not more than the beginning rider could safely be expected to handle. Self-canceling turn signals were standard equipment (until the 1997 model year, when they were dropped). A seat height of 30.1 inches ensures rideability by all but the shortest riders, and its full, integrated fairing and windshield are moderately effective at shielding its rider from the elements. The 1989 and 1990 models featured an optional Kenwood AM/FM radio, later dropped for the PC800's reintroduction.
Poor sales in 1989 and 1990, largely attributable to its high sticker price--almost $9,000 in 1990--led Honda to pull the Pacific Coast from the lineup after the 1990 model year. A groundswell of positive consumer feedback led Honda to reintroduce the PC800 in 1994 with a slightly lower price, but disappointing sales plagued the PC800 throughout its entire production run. The PC800 was ultimately discontinued from the Honda Motorcycle worldwide lineup after the 1998 model year.
[edit] Model History
While the mechanical and aesthetic elements of the Pacific Coast remain virtually unaltered throughout its history, the colors in which it was offered have not.
- 1989: Introduction year. Pearl White with silver trim.
- 1990: Candy Apple Red with silver trim. Troublesome alternator stator problem addressed. Model is discontinued after 1990 model year.
- 1994: PC800 reintroduced into North American market. Kenwood AM/FM stereo no longer offered as a factory option. Black with silver trim.
- 1995: No changes. Black with silver trim.
- 1996: No mechanical changes. Red with graphite grey trim.
- 1997: Self-canceling turn signals discontinued. "Tupperware" cowling on the front wheel pared back to reveal a more traditional motorcycle-style "naked" setup. Other minor, largely cosmetic changes aimed at lowering production costs, implemented.
- 1998: No changes. PC800 is again discontinued from Honda Motorcycles lineup.
[edit] Loyal Following
The sheer uniqueness of the Honda Pacific Coast has allowed it to achieve something of a cult status to a rare breed of non-traditional motorcycling enthusiasts. The Internet is host to several discussion groups related to the Pacific Coast. PC800 owners from around the world gather yearly for the Annual Pacific Coast Highway Ride, where owners ride their machines up California's picturesque Pacific Coast Highway--the road after which the PC800 is named.
Christoffer M. Carstanjen, 33, of Boston, Massachusetts, was killed aboard United Airlines Flight 175 when it was flown by terrorists into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Carstanjen was on his way to California to attend the 2001 Pacific Coast Highway Ride. The Yahoo! Group IPCRC (the Internet Pacific Coast Riders' Club) prominently honors his memory on its main page.
[edit] External links
- The Internet Pacific Coast Riders' Club (IPCRC)
- Honda PC800 Internet Listing Directory (maintained by Leland Sheppard)
- Motorcycle Online--The Honda PC800 Pacific Coast: Born to be Mild
- In Memorium: Christoffer M. Carstanjen
- Dutch Honda PC800 Riders club (in Dutch only)
