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Changing NC700S for a Hornet, good or bad idea..?

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goto10
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PostPosted: 11:47 - 12 Sep 2015    Post subject: Changing NC700S for a Hornet, good or bad idea..? Reply with quote
I'm thinking of P/Xing the NC700S for a Hornet (of about the same age), the NC is brilliant at what it does (my commute is 400 miles a week), but it's a bit dull - that said I'm struggling to justify changing it but I just want something a bit peppier. I was thinking of getting a new CB650F but I can't fit a centre stand to it which puts me off - I've since been looking at Hornets and think it could be a good replacement (plus they're £2k cheaper)
I've seen a pair of nice ones at the same dealer from where I bought the NC 3 years ago, one's a 2011 and one's a 2012, both similar specs with C-ABS - they look slightly different, is there a better model year to get? The mileage on them is irrelevant because I'm going to stick on tens of thousands of miles - so the newer one is the seemingly obvious choice.
My NC is a '62 plate and had its first MOT today (passed) - it had brand new PR4 tyres a couple of weeks ago, ~50k miles, full Honda history, Cat D (as per BJG moment - new handlebars/levers/gear lever/scratches), it's just had a new battery but it's almost due a major service (Valve clearance check, new brake pads etc, probably £500~£600 to spend)
I could sell it privately for more money, but they've offered me £1.5k p/x for it as it is. (This is the easy/lazy option, but it's hassle free and doesn't require seeing any tyre kickers wanting to ride it around the block)
I reckon I can get the 2012 Hornet for £4.3k without much bartering (I'm aware that it's not the bargain of the century) , so it'd cost me an extra £2.8k (£2.3k in real terms, because I wouldn't need to pay for the service that's due on the NC) - any thoughts, is this a rubbish idea overall? I'm assuming the Hornet is going to be a pretty solid workhorse, just dearer to run with more oil changes needed.

Here's the 2011 (8.3k miles - £4.4k)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201504132561080/
Here's the 2012 (9.8k miles - £4.5k)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201507155218316/
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grr666
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PostPosted: 11:57 - 12 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Buy my ER6, it's newer (June 2013), cheaper at 4k on the nose and with just 3500 miles on the clock in almost showroom condition.
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goto10
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PostPosted: 12:04 - 12 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
grr666 wrote:
Buy my ER6, it's newer (June 2013), cheaper at 4k on the nose and with just 3500 miles on the clock in almost showroom condition.


Does it have ABS? (I'm not entirely opposed to something else but I'm pretty much set on a Hornet...)
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Last edited by goto10 on 12:14 - 12 Sep 2015; edited 1 time in total
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ForestRunner
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PostPosted: 12:07 - 12 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Do it.

I traded in the 125 for a 99 hornet.

I commute all year by bike.

It is not a sensible choice. It is however great fun Very Happy Tank range is too small and the air gets thick very quickly. I told the guys at work I fancied a new breed 300 for the frugal commute and that I didn't need much power.
Balls to that Very Happy Love that area above 10,000rpm and it keeps making me grin. All impracticality is forgotten once you get it buzzing well.
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grr666
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PostPosted: 12:31 - 12 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
goto10 wrote:
grr666 wrote:
Buy my ER6f, it's newer (June 2013), cheaper at 4k on the nose and with just 3500 miles on the clock in almost showroom condition.


Does it have ABS? (I'm not entirely opposed to something else but I'm pretty much set on a Hornet...)

No ABS, I searched one out without it tbh. I prefer bikes without it myself, although most new bikes seem to
have it these days. Have a think about it, no pressure here. I can PM you some pics if you 'd like.

I've been offered 3400 book price for it as a Part ex but it's too clean and undamaged to let it go for that.
Unlike a hornet, it does rev out at about 10500 but the mid range power is pretty good.
And in my humble that's better for road riding anyway. Whatever you decide you'll be glad you did I reckon.
The only reason I'm getting rid is because I want a hooner for me and a bigger comfier, more powerful but sedate
bike for those pillion rides out with my wife on the back.
I've realised there isn't a real 'do it all' option so two bikes it is.
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wr6133
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PostPosted: 12:35 - 12 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Keep the NC to commute to death, it's ideal for it.

Take your 2.8k and buy anything from an old hornet to a fireblade and see some change left over.

You now have a fun bike that isn't going to get commuted in to the ground and an old Cat D NC that gets great MPG and can be commuted till the wheels fall off.
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Slacker24seve...
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PostPosted: 16:21 - 12 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
MrGs1 wrote:
Buy two bikes one to ride into the ground which you already have and a nice one for sunny days.


Do this. Hornets are good bikes but the fuel range is pathetic. Keep the NC and get an early R6, Tuono, TL or something and give it a good thrashing.

A Hornet doesn't make much sense as a plaything, there are more fun options. They are however a good starter bike and do it all bike, provided you don't mind filling up more often.
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 16:28 - 12 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
For me, commuting kills the fun in biking. So I also say, keep the NC for that, and use the extra cash for something for the weekend to put the smile on your face. With winter approaching, maybe even use that time to save a bit extra for the fun bike to be even nicer.
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wristjob
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PostPosted: 19:06 - 12 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
grr666 wrote:

No ABS, I searched one out without it tbh. I prefer bikes without it myself,

.

what do you prefer about non abs?
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Wednesday Biker
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PostPosted: 19:58 - 12 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bad idea
Don't get ripped off by a dealer.
Pay you crap money for your bike and charge you top dollar for theirs.
I've done it before but never again.
If you want another bike put yours on bike trader instead of gumtree and buy an older, cheaper, mint hornet for a lot less.
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goto10
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PostPosted: 22:19 - 13 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
grr666 wrote:
No ABS...


Unfortunately that kills the idea for me, as a bike for year-round commuting I feel a lot happier knowing the ABS is there.

Quote:
Keep NC...Buy weekend toy


Keeping the NC and spending the £2~£3k on something for the weekend does sound like a good idea, but all of my riding takes place getting to & from work, I don't really get to ride for pleasure very often so I'd just have a shiny bike sat there all year round whilst I still trudge to and from work on the NC.

That said, for £1.5k it probably _is_ worth keeping it and buying something like the Hornet for work anyway - insuring two bikes won't cost me much more than insuring one - it's a bit of an extravagant spare though, and I doubt I could sell the idea to the wife...

(Unless I can think of a bike for £2k~£3k that has ABS, revvy 600cc and a relaxed NC700esque riding position)
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daifuco
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PostPosted: 00:03 - 14 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Well I am in sort of your position (I will once I pass the damn mod2) I have tried a late hornet and indeed it is a lot of fun but for commuting so much I would get something more neutral.
My main choice is a well kept late 650 bandit. I am learning on one and I think it is a lovely bike good for almost everything.
Also a good alternative I would love to try is a BMW F800R.
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daifuco
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PostPosted: 07:01 - 14 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Well I am in sort of your position (I will once I pass the damn mod2) I have tried a late hornet and indeed it is a lot of fun but for commuting so much I would get something more neutral.
My main choice is a well kept late 650 bandit. I am learning on one and I think it is a lovely bike good for almost everything.
Also a good alternative I would love to try is a BMW F800R.
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bikertomm
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PostPosted: 09:28 - 14 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hold on, what's the point in buying a shiny new-ish hornet if your putting 10k miles on it on the regular?

Mines on 34k now and doesn't miss a beat or show any signs of battered-ness.

A great all-rounder, very responsive and quick (first big bike) certainly trys to pull your arms off. 60-100mph in no time. 150+ mile tank range. You do have to rev it though - could become tiresome? Aswell as running costs. Thumbs Up

https://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o520/bikerrtomm/20150906_142949_zpsdzm3pkns.jpg
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instigator.
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PostPosted: 11:40 - 14 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
bikertomm wrote:
You do have to rev it though - could become tiresome? Aswell as running costs. Thumbs Up


Very much so. You have to make it scream to get the thing moving - zero mid range. Still fun though.
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bikertomm
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PostPosted: 12:10 - 14 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
instigator. wrote:
bikertomm wrote:
You do have to rev it though - could become tiresome? Aswell as running costs. Thumbs Up


Very much so. You have to make it scream to get the thing moving - zero mid range. Still fun though.


I don't know about that - I was referring to pure speed you will want to be above 7k! And it takes off!

But, its still perfectly useable down low, I can see perhaps if your coming from a 1000 it may seem worse but I have no comparison!

More torque than the CBR600 I think as it was designed to be tuned more for the midrange. Makes a nice burble anyhow! You can be in sixth at 30mph, it will literally do anything you want. A great all rounder. Thumbs Up
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instigator.
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PostPosted: 12:23 - 14 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
bikertomm wrote:


I don't know about that - I was referring to pure speed you will want to be above 7k! And it takes off!


Depends how fast you ride I guess. I ragged the sh1t out of my hornet when I used to commute 40 miles each way. It's a fun ragging but it can get a little frustrating if you've never experienced anything more powerful.
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goto10
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PostPosted: 12:28 - 14 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
bikertomm wrote:
Hold on, what's the point in buying a shiny new-ish hornet if your putting 10k miles on it on the regular?




I'm certainly not precious about it being shiny or new - but I want ABS (or even better, C-ABS) - there doesn't seem to be many near me that are much cheaper (that have ABS) - I'm happy to look at any age, any mileage or Cat C/Cat D etc.

bikertomm wrote:

Mines on 34k now and doesn't miss a beat or show any signs of battered-ness.

A great all-rounder, very responsive and quick (first big bike) certainly trys to pull your arms off. 60-100mph in no time. 150+ mile tank range. You do have to rev it though - could become tiresome? Aswell as running costs. Thumbs Up

https://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o520/bikerrtomm/20150906_142949_zpsdzm3pkns.jpg


I like revvy engines - the NC makes me long for one even more. Having two bikes and keeping them in rotation sounds good in theory and is my current favourite option, not sure how it would pan-out in the real world (I'm betting that the dull one would languish on the driveway)

daifuco wrote:
...Bandit...

Not really considered these, might also look into them a bit more - I can see ABS models for less money than a Hornet. (Still prefer the latter though)
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ScaredyCat
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PostPosted: 13:50 - 14 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
In your situation changing your bike, helmet and textiles/leathers are all good ideas. It'll take KTM man a bit longer to identify you that way.
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iooi
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PostPosted: 14:55 - 14 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
goto10 wrote:

(Unless I can think of a bike for £2k~£3k that has ABS, revvy 600cc and a relaxed NC700esque riding position)


Should be able to pick up a Versys for that amount Smile
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Slacker24seve...
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PostPosted: 21:31 - 14 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Why is ABS such a big deal?
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goto10
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PostPosted: 10:25 - 15 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Slacker24seven wrote:
Why is ABS such a big deal?


Just personal preference. Some prefer it without, I prefer it with - horses for courses and all that.

I recall a moment on my old ER5 on the A13, it was cold & dark and a Transit van swung straight into my lane as I was just starting to pass him, I snatched the brakes and briefly locked the front wheel up, I managed to modulate the pressure and unlock the wheel, but IMO it was more luck than judgement that I didn't bin it - that was the moment I started shopping for a new bike with ABS.

My rationale is that it doesn't interfere with my daily riding but it's there as an insurance policy against me snatching the brakes and locking the front wheel up on a wet/greasy road.
I'm on the bike for up to three hours a day, doing the same route day in, day out - it's not inconceivable that I might be daydreaming and miss a situation developing and need to brake sharply - in an absolute stop-or-die moment on a cold wet road, I don't think I'm skilful enough to bet my life on not locking a wheel up and sliding/dropping it.

I've had the NC for three years and I recall it properly kicking in on two occasions, I would say that it saved my bacon on those two occasions, this is enough for me to want it.

If it was a sunny-day-only sports bike, then I probably wouldn't worry about it having ABS _as_ much, but I'd still choose an ABS model if I had the option.
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goto10
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PostPosted: 22:37 - 15 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have a test ride on Sat, I'll see how it feels.

Weirdly I was asked if I still had the paper counterpart for my licence - I said that I did, but I also mentioned that it's all online now and the paper counterpart is defunct - they seemed aware of this, but they prefer the paper version. (Which is essentially as useful as providing them with Paddy's 33bhp certificate)
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barrkel
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PostPosted: 00:00 - 16 Sep 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
I wouldn't commute without ABS, given a choice. Commuting means riding in almost all weathers, and doing it in London means filtering, random pedestrians, and many clueless Boris bicyclists. ABS makes the all the difference for an emergency stop on a greasy day.

Also it lets you ride faster in the wet because you can reliably stop with heavy braking. Not that that's a good idea.

Personally I love my commute. It's a close second to lunchtime as my favourite part of the work day.
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