Demo rides tomorrow...Time for something differant?

[y2blade]

I'm Demo riding a couple of 2nd bike options tomorrow, as I fancy something a bit different. (Obviously I'm keeping the FireBlade)

BMW F800GS:


Honda NC700X:


Nothing "thrilling" about either, but I love the look of both so going to try them out.

[Steve Evil]

I think the 800 will be the more entertaining of the two, but the Honda does look like a decent alternative for a scooter if you're commuting.

[MonkeyBusiness]

Look forward for hearing about the NC700.
Saw one the other day and they are a lot bigger than I thought. I like the look of them too.

[Steve Evil]

They're supposed to be very boring though, what's the purpose of the second bike Chris? Commuting or just general entertainment? I think the Honda might be a bit lacking if it's the latter.

[y2blade]

MonkeyBusiness said:

Look forward for hearing about the NC700.
Saw one the other day and they are a lot bigger than I thought. I like the look of them too.

tbh I never even knew about them until I saw one waiting to get on our ferry for the isle of man TT.

Chatted with the owner, he loved it...very well finished and well thought out too.

[y2blade]

Steve Evil said:

They're supposed to be very boring though, what's the purpose of the second bike Chris? Commuting or just general entertainment? I think the Honda might be a bit lacking if it's the latter.

FYI...people say Fireblades are boring
No such thing as boring bikes, just boring riders.


From what I've read they are cracking bikes, once you learn how to ride them...you have to ride them on the torque.
They are supposed to handle very well and generally be a good bike to spend time on/with....it will be a 2nd bike a bit of a hack I suppose (to fill the void left by the DRZ400S)
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/sear...


I'm open minded.

Edited by y2blade on Thursday 26th July 10:25

[RemaL]

Enjoy it mate

[Steve Evil]

y2blade said:

FYI...people say Fireblades are boring
No such thing as boring bikes, just boring riders.

This is true, I've had many a giggle on courtesy bikes, I just think that next to something like the excellent BMW it's going to feel a little flat.

[Yazza54]

I'd be interested to hear what you think of the honda too

[Yazza54]

Thought pothole would be all over your spelling by now

[sjg]

Be interested to see what you think - I rather liked the F800GS I tried, but the NC700 is an intriguing thing - perfect commuter fodder with the storage compartment, low-down weight and (in this weather) the hot bits a long way away from the seat.

[spareparts]

Be interested to hear your thoughts on the NC700.

For commuting, I think it really depends on what kinds of commuting you do: if it's purely urban/city commuting, I don't think you can better any 250cc+ scooter. Enough poke to overtake/sprint ahead of traffic from the lights, step-through convenience, weather protection and twist-go ease of use in stop-go traffic.

At least in London, I don't see the point of the NC700. No weather protection, storage only enough for your helmet, and physically shaped like a normal bike. And any purported fuel economy advantages of it's half-a-Jazz-engine are outweighed by depreciation as a new bike. For longer commutes, however, I can see it might appeal in a new age way.

One thing I like about a scooter is that it IS a scooter (ie, a certain degree of use/abuse seems more acceptable compared to a shiny geared bike), and [psychologically] justifies a 'proper' geared bike for pleasure/fun/proper road hooning.

[3doorPete]

I really like that F800GS, although if I was in that market I'd probably spend the money on a second hand KTM 990 Adventure.

Look forward to the reviews.

[em177]

Try a Tiger 800 as well

[spareparts]

3doorPete said:

I really like that F800GS, although if I was in that market I'd probably spend the money on a second hand KTM 990 Adventure.

Look forward to the reviews.

me likey the 990 too. Gotta be in Dakar blue!

[y2blade]

em177 said:

Try a Tiger 800 as well

No thanks.

[toxgobbler]

y2blade said:

em177 said:

Try a Tiger 800 as well

No thanks.

Why not? They hold up well vs. the F800GS (tried both back to back).

[em177]

toxgobbler said:

y2blade said:

em177 said:

Try a Tiger 800 as well

No thanks.

Why not? They hold up well vs. the F800GS (tried both back to back).

Just my two cents at the end of the day so you don't have to listen to me! But I found the Honda very almost dieselesque in its power delivery, with a very low redline. BMW is a great bike but just never got on with it. Tiger 800 XC has bucket loads of torque, very compliant over rough roads, very flick able in the twisties and great around town.

But I'm relatively new to the bike scene so probably amen't the worlds greatest judge.

[y2blade]

em177 said:

toxgobbler said:

y2blade said:

em177 said:

Try a Tiger 800 as well

No thanks.

Why not? They hold up well vs. the F800GS (tried both back to back).

Just my two cents at the end of the day so you don't have to listen to me! But I found the Honda very almost dieselesque in its power delivery, with a very low redline. BMW is a great bike but just never got on with it. Tiger 800 XC has bucket loads of torque, very compliant over rough roads, very flick able in the twisties and great around town.

But I'm relatively new to the bike scene so probably amen't the worlds greatest judge.

This is what got my attention from the reviews, it sounds like a great bike imho...I can't wait to try it.

[Stig]

y2blade said:

This is what got my attention from the reviews, it sounds like a great bike imho...I can't wait to try it.

If that's what got your attention, try a TDM900 too! Similar fuel economy, cheaper and is the most 'do-it-all' bike I've ever had.