b r - Member
Only just managed to get back on the computer after last night, but as others have said; the Yamaha Tenere would be ideal if you like that style of bike.tbh The last type of bike a new rider ought to be looking at is a too-tall Enduro look-alike on (semi)knobbly tyres.
Far better to start with a normal road bike and learn the ropes and probably the best place is an UJM in sub-600 format (with ABS if you can find one).
Tenere's are very well respected adventure bike and it would really depend on what the OP wants to do with it. A pure road bike might not be ideal depending on use.
I think with bikes your heart needs to rule over you head. Buy a bike that hits the spot with both its ride and looks. There is so much choice out there now, in someways it's pretty hard to decide on the ideal bike. I'd definitively recommend getting test rides if you can. It might make you change your mind on what you thought would have been your perfect bike.
Stoner, get a test ride, Honda dealers are very accommodating.
I tested the new 750 and bought a used 700. There's not a huge difference between the two that I remember. Bit more power and some extra functions on the clocks (fuel computer, gear indicator)
I also tested the CB500X which was revvier and more fun, but smaller and slimmer. The NC was very similar, just more stable and solid, with all the power low down. At the time I preferred the 500x but thinking back m glad I bought the 700x as it's better on the motorway where I spend most of my time and the storage box ("frunk" as they say on the USA forum) is a major boon.
It nursed me through rain-mageddon Jan/Feb on the M3 with ease.
thanks PP. will do.
On paper I reckon it's the right bike for me. Will check with some demos.
I now know what a "farkle" is.
Everyday's a skool day 😉
b r - Membertbh The last type of bike a new rider ought to be looking at is a too-tall Enduro look-alike on (semi)knobbly tyres.
That is really excellent advice tbh. But yep let heart overrule head if you want, I did, just make sure you know you're doing it!
Stoner I was going to suggest the 750 rather than the 700 but if you're going for 2nd hand then you'll probably have to go for the 700. I got a 750 earlier this year after not having a bike for a very long time. It's a ridiculously easy bike. I'd echo pretty much everything that PP said although my mpg is a bit lower (70 ish) than his as I'm generally blatting around B roads in the NE Scotland so it's bound to be a bit less. One thing that the 750 has over the 700 is (apparently) longer gears so I can get to 60 in 2nd gear without red lining it. Whether that is important is up to you. I'd have liked a bigger fuel tank though!
Thanks gone fishing. I'd love the 750 but it's £1500 more than a 700 when I'm hoping to drop only £3k over part exchange in the first place.
I'd have liked a bigger fuel tank though!
I know what you mean, but does it really need it? Buttons to fill and I easily get 200 miles per tank (4 round trip commutes) and I once had 200 miles before reserve! 🙂
That said I'm a right old plodder on mine. it's not often I go over 75mph and usually cruise at 71-72. 🙂
I'd have liked a bigger fuel tank though!
I'm not a fan of overly large fuel tanks, you tend to fill them right up [I know it's not mandatory, but you do 🙂 ] and it slows the handling down, even on low slung tanks.
90 mins - 2hrs in the saddle and I like a break, so as long as the tank can cover that and a bit more for safety, I reckon it's about perfect
Well I was planning on some tours to the NW highlands so a bigger range would be good for me as 200 miles between petrol stations isn't unknown. Then again the front storage will take a 5l can so I guess that would be compensation.
That will have to wait until next year though as a shoulder op is beckoning.
Thanks for the replies. Had a chat with my local bike shop owner this morning: "Honest opinion - the '04 BMW F650GS you've got in the showroom or an '03 Transalp with 40,000 on the clock?"
"I'd have the transalp even if the BMW had only 1 mile on it - they're rubbish".
So, bought the Transalp.
Rich.
Good choice - enjoy
excellent choice. v jealous, always wanted a transalp but head over heart is looming.
The big new GS are amazing though - There's a chap comes into the pub occasionally who has done 150k on his without any rebuild. But I dont want to be a another middle aged man on a GS 😉
PP - I'm booked in at the local Honda dealer this lunchtime for a test ride on a transalp 700, and an NC750 (he knows and I know I am more likely to go for a s/h nc700, but he said it's worth comparing the nc750 and nc700 as the newer one has a lot more "go" apparently, but he'll get the 700 demonstrator up from their sister shop later in the week for me to go back to try as well. Will see what he will offer me for my PCX too.
The big new GS are amazing though - There's a chap comes into the pub occasionally who has done 150k on his without any rebuild. But I dont want to be a another middle aged man on a GS
I had one of the early ones R1100GS and the build quality was absolute rubbish - rust appeared everywhere on it, whereas my older VFR750 looked immaculate.
[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/5/10422127_1b226d976c_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/5/10422127_1b226d976c_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Vq8R ]My old BMW R1100GS[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people// ]brf[/url], on Flickr
Well that was an entertaining way to spend the day.
To my extremely naive, inexperienced, amateur, non-biking mind the trans alp was definitely more fun to ride than the nc750. The cockpit was more comfortable and it was much freer revving, more eager to get a move on. BUT the ride quality wasn't as good, it will do half the mpg of the NC, and being an eager twin if the throttle wasn't sitting dead still there was a constant feeling of acceleration /deceleration from the tiniest throttle inputs, which were unavoidable thanks to a slightly rocky ride. None of that is a problem for now and then fun and shits and giggles but for everyday and long range stuff I reckon it becomes tiresome
The NC however rides more like a diesel car, just enough throttle lag to iron out over twitchy fore and aft, but when you open the throttle intentionally there is a nice big grunt of low rev torque . engine breaking was much more sedate. The TA though was so much nicer engine braking than the hateful sv650 I did my test on.
The storage on the NC is a big plus, nothing on the TA.
I'm in Yeovil later this week so I can get a test ride on the sister shops nc700 demonstrator which is for sale and will be an interesting comparison.
But I think I will go for the NC it just depends on whether I get a new 750 on finance for 6-7k with farkles less PX , or a s/h 700 for 4,500 cash less PX plus some more cash for farkling.
