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PACIFIC COAST Full-coverage convenience

OKAY, FIRST THINGS FIRST. Yes, Honda's Pacific Coast, now in its second year of production., is still controversial. Yes, some people will still think of it as a scooter with an overactive metabolism. Yes, even though its price has been held at last year's level ($7698), the PC will still be seen by many as obscenely overpriced.

It’s no great industry secret that the 1989 Pacific Coast, which debuted with fanfare and a flurry of ads in “mainstream” publications, did not attract as big a following as Honda had hoped. Even so, there was alot to like about the aero-styled roadster. And for 1990, there are even more reasons to like the bike, because, by Honda’s count, there have been a total of 62 detail improvements over last year’s machine.

No. we won’t go into all of them here, and many are so minor that they’re all but unnoticeable. For instance, Honda says that some of the bike’s various body panels now have slightly different mounting tabs, while others have had ribs moldedin to stiffen things ups a bit.

One change that is apparent is the PC’s new paint. Gone is the rather uninspiring cream color, replaced by a splashy red.

Another change is a response to complaints about last year’s windshield. which generated a lot of wind noise. This year’s shield is slightly bigger than before, and has been rotated forward by a few' degrees, giving an effective increase in shield height of 2 inches.

Unfortunately, all is still not well with the windshield. While cruising at speed is now slightly quieter, wind buffeting has increased. Additionally, the lower bodywork still funnels air towards the rider’s ankles and up his pant legs. A motorcycle that promises such aerodynamic efficiency should do better than this.

At least the Pacific Coast's strong points remain intact. Its 800cc, VTwin engine, while no powerhouse, nonetheless does good work, aided by a river-wide powerband. And the bike’s chassis retains its light steering and ability to zing accurately through corners. And if two-up touring is your game, the PC’s broad, stepped saddle is still one of the best in the business.

The bike’s easiest-to-like features remain its two integrated saddlebags, accessed by tilting-up the rear of the wrap-around tail section. The storage areas will easily haul home enough beer, chips and TV dinners to keep the average bachelor alive for a week.

Convenience, then, is the PC's calling card. Unfortunately for Honda, though, not many people are subscribing, and the Pacific Coast’s future looks almost as shaky as that of international communism’s. That’s too bad, because beneath its urbane bodywork and despite its piercing price tag, the Pacific Coast is one very good motorcycle. —David Edwards