Bike choice advice/ opinions
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Bike choice advice/ opinions
Would like to here people’s views on the 650 v strom/ Honda nc750x as a road bike.....please mention year of bike.
Recently bought a Cb500x, great bike but compared to the bmw F650Gs ( twin 800cc) it felt frantic and the suspension didn’t damp much out on less than perfect road surfaces. Going any distance on the bmw felt much nicer on my body ( I suffer with fibromyalgia and as such have finally sold my innova as it’s taking its toll on my body ).
The bmw was great, but not without it faults, used to cut out, abs stopped working, sometimes didn’t start when the starter switch was pressed. It left me wondering what was going to go wrong next, however the engine, long gearing and comfort was great.
I’m considering a few different bikes, Honda nc750x, Suzuki v strom 650, would love the beemer back but I have my doubts......I have also considered a Honda crf250l for just taking it easy on country lanes.
Only drive one up and do usually anything from 20-100 miles just used for chilling out.
Cheers
Wuyang
Recently bought a Cb500x, great bike but compared to the bmw F650Gs ( twin 800cc) it felt frantic and the suspension didn’t damp much out on less than perfect road surfaces. Going any distance on the bmw felt much nicer on my body ( I suffer with fibromyalgia and as such have finally sold my innova as it’s taking its toll on my body ).
The bmw was great, but not without it faults, used to cut out, abs stopped working, sometimes didn’t start when the starter switch was pressed. It left me wondering what was going to go wrong next, however the engine, long gearing and comfort was great.
I’m considering a few different bikes, Honda nc750x, Suzuki v strom 650, would love the beemer back but I have my doubts......I have also considered a Honda crf250l for just taking it easy on country lanes.
Only drive one up and do usually anything from 20-100 miles just used for chilling out.
Cheers
Wuyang
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Re: Bike choice advice/ opinions
Quite a few NC750 owners on Maxi Muppets forum. Might be worth asking there, too.
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Re: Bike choice advice/ opinions
I've owned every version of the V-Strom 650 except the latest (which will change fairly soon)
The last was an 11 Plate (I think) only changed as i PX'd it for the litre version.
Strom have a huge worldwide dedicated following and as I pointed out to my mate who has just bought one-
a V-Strom will do everything you ask of it but excite.
They are a tried & trusted lump,loads of modifications and bling available often second hand. You have choices of spoked or cast wheels.
Usable off road
The suzuki finish is lower end,depreciation bites because of Suzuki sales incentives.
They are known to get milky oil in the sight window.
Their service intervals are still fairly low (I believe increased to every 7.5K now) though I like oil change every 4k
Suzuki custom luggage is pitiful in internal capacity
Suzuki have had their fair share of recall (which manufacturer hasn't nowadays)
The lastest JPS & Djebel colour schemes look amazing
Currently on 2/3/4% deals
I've looked at the NC,they have a following, fantastic mpg choice of manual or DCT (I think the DCT was made and only suits the 750cc lump)
Popular with couriers due to service intervals.
Due to low grunt of engine I wonder how flexible off road
Likely would've owned one but bought the X-ADV instead.
CRF-250L sensible money over the overpriced Rallye
Tiring on long journeys but capable off road. Not suitable for short folk. Saddle thin (I have more fat on my arse)
Complaints about the stock tyres (same as the CB125/MSX) worth changing straightaway.
All good bikes all built down to a budget rather than up to a standard.
If it was me and buying new for long term I'd go V Strom
But reading your fibromyalgia comment NC/DCT likely suit you.
Lots of demo bikes to try at dealers
The last was an 11 Plate (I think) only changed as i PX'd it for the litre version.
Strom have a huge worldwide dedicated following and as I pointed out to my mate who has just bought one-
a V-Strom will do everything you ask of it but excite.
They are a tried & trusted lump,loads of modifications and bling available often second hand. You have choices of spoked or cast wheels.
Usable off road
The suzuki finish is lower end,depreciation bites because of Suzuki sales incentives.
They are known to get milky oil in the sight window.
Their service intervals are still fairly low (I believe increased to every 7.5K now) though I like oil change every 4k
Suzuki custom luggage is pitiful in internal capacity
Suzuki have had their fair share of recall (which manufacturer hasn't nowadays)
The lastest JPS & Djebel colour schemes look amazing
Currently on 2/3/4% deals
I've looked at the NC,they have a following, fantastic mpg choice of manual or DCT (I think the DCT was made and only suits the 750cc lump)
Popular with couriers due to service intervals.
Due to low grunt of engine I wonder how flexible off road
Likely would've owned one but bought the X-ADV instead.
CRF-250L sensible money over the overpriced Rallye
Tiring on long journeys but capable off road. Not suitable for short folk. Saddle thin (I have more fat on my arse)
Complaints about the stock tyres (same as the CB125/MSX) worth changing straightaway.
All good bikes all built down to a budget rather than up to a standard.
If it was me and buying new for long term I'd go V Strom
But reading your fibromyalgia comment NC/DCT likely suit you.
Lots of demo bikes to try at dealers
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- Posts: 829
- Joined: Fri May 11, 2012 10:12 pm
- Rides:: None at present
- Location: Sheffield
Re: Bike choice advice/ opinions
[/quote]
125ercrazy
Thank you for taking time to write all that....very interesting. Always fancied a vstrom, I’m not too bothered about excitement more about meeting the needs of my body. Also nice that you can get the givi air flow screen for the vstrom, I had one of these on my honda sh300. I think if I remember rightly you can get a peg lowering kit as well which would be good for me.
Thanks
Wuyang
125ercrazy
Thank you for taking time to write all that....very interesting. Always fancied a vstrom, I’m not too bothered about excitement more about meeting the needs of my body. Also nice that you can get the givi air flow screen for the vstrom, I had one of these on my honda sh300. I think if I remember rightly you can get a peg lowering kit as well which would be good for me.
Thanks
Wuyang
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Re: Bike choice advice/ opinions
Or I have trouble getting my leg over,big tall bikes,but would/could try the Royal Enfield interceptor 650cc.Different to what you want may be need.
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Re: Bike choice advice/ opinions
Ive just bought a 2019 cb500x, big difference to the previous model. 2 up the suspension is quality, you really need to test one , its like a totally different bike. Im well happy with mine. I rode an NC before this , and to me there was no contest.
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Re: Bike choice advice/ opinions
I like v twins personally so would opt for the V Strom or even the latest SV.
A friend (in his eighties) has an NC750 which he has had lowered by the local Honda dealer, he loves it now, reckons it's totally different to ride. Lowered front and rear, side stand shortened but you need a ramp to get it on the centre stand.
A friend (in his eighties) has an NC750 which he has had lowered by the local Honda dealer, he loves it now, reckons it's totally different to ride. Lowered front and rear, side stand shortened but you need a ramp to get it on the centre stand.
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Re: Bike choice advice/ opinions
Upgrade the suspension on the cb500x? Have had mine done and it's a world of difference.
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Re: Bike choice advice/ opinions
One of the long term contributors on our W800 Facebook page says the same thing.
I first met him when he owned a Bonneville Scrambler. He traded it for a 650 V-Strom (IIRC not his first)
He traded the Strom for his W800 definitely with heart not head. He's happy he did but still rates the Strom as the best bike for doing everything, except stirring the soul.