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Which bike? |
Honda CB500X |
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33% |
[ 6 ] |
Honda NC750X |
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16% |
[ 3 ] |
Kawasaki Versys-650 |
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50% |
[ 9 ] |
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Total Votes : 18 |
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1111112222222... |
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1111112222222... Derestricted Danger
Joined: 06 May 2017 Karma :
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Posted: 09:37 - 07 May 2017 Post subject: Decent bike for inexperienced rider? (Honda CB500X, NC750X) |
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Hi everyone, first post here, so lemme know, if I should change sth/post elsewhere.
TL;DR: Honda CB500X vs NC750X vs Kawasaky Versys-650 for a rider with 4 years on a Kawasaki KLR250 (couple months/year only).
I'm 25, 5'11'', 176 pounds. Have had a license for 5 years, have been riding my Kawasaki KLR250 mostly off-road and just short distances (doing over 100 miles was just really uncomfortable). Otherwise I was very happy with my almost 20 year old bike. I sold it almost a year ago, haven't ridden since.
I want something mostly for riding around town and weekend trips around Scotland. (Glasgow-Inverness, so about 200 miles), and the occasional trip to England (400+ miles).
I want to buy a brand new bike. I was thinking of getting either the CB500X or the NC750X, as they seem to be very efficient reliable bikes. Given that my only experience is on a 16kW KLR250, they both will probably feel very powerful for me, despite many people complaining that they are boring, no?
Alternatively, I've been considering the Kawasaki Versys-650 (or even the Versys-300?), but it will cost way more to buy and maintain.
Any advice would be much appreciated. Cheers!
Last edited by 111111222222222 on 12:31 - 07 May 2017; edited 2 times in total |
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M.C |
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1111112222222... |
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1111112222222... Derestricted Danger
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
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Posted: 10:59 - 07 May 2017 Post subject: Re: Decent bike for inexperienced rider? (Honda CB500X, NC75 |
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Ahoy, it's a perfectly sensible question. We do get a lot of people wanting to have their choice validated rather than really asking a question, so please excuse any cynicism.
You should have no problems shifting to a bigger bike. I swapped my ickle 125 for a GPZ500 and was comfortable on it by the time I'd reached the end of the road.
l8machine wrote: | I want something mostly for riding around town and weekend trips around Scotland. (Glasgow-Inverness, so about 200 miles), and the occasional trip to England (400+ miles). Off-road here and there, but nothing too crazy. |
That sounds like two bikes to me. A KLR250 equivalent with knobblies for offroad larks; plus something heavy, stable and faired or with a big screen with road tyres for the long hauls. This is where we all start shouting out our favourite 500cc+ hacks.
I would not want to take any of my bikes offroad. They're all too lardy and even the "80/20" Battlewing tyres on the GS are really just mediocre road tyres that can just about cope with firm gravel. Damp grass or soft ground, forget it.
l8machine wrote: | or even the Versys-300? |
Huh, that's new. Literally. Wet weight is "to be confirmed", which isn't hopeful. Suzuki's new Inazuma based V-Strom 250 is 188kg wet. That's also a thanks-but-no-thanks for offroad. [UPDATE] Looks like the Versys will be pushing 180kg with ABS, before adding any accessories or crash protection.
What's your budget, and are two bikes a possibility?
Aside, where are you off-roading near Glasgow? The local East Kilbride feds seem to take a dim view of it. I'll understand if you don't want to broadcast it. ____________________ Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike |
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1111112222222... |
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1111112222222... Derestricted Danger
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Posted: 12:29 - 07 May 2017 Post subject: Re: Decent bike for inexperienced rider? (Honda CB500X, NC75 |
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Rogerborg wrote: | Ahoy, it's a perfectly sensible question. We do get a lot of people wanting to have their choice validated rather than really asking a question, so please excuse any cynicism.
What's your budget, and are two bikes a possibility?
Aside, where are you off-roading near Glasgow? The local East Kilbride feds seem to take a dim view of it. I'll understand if you don't want to broadcast it. |
I probably shouldn't have mentioned off-roading. I've never done it in the UK, and wouldn't even know where to go. And you're absolutely right, that none of the options I mentioned will be good for any if that. I just want a comfortable bike for weekend trips. If I ever decide to get back in to it, I'll get a KLX 250 or equivalent, but not any time soon.
As for budget. I don't have one per say, and if there was a good reason to spend £12k on a bike, I could. But given that I don't want something too big, I was thinking 6-8k. |
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
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Posted: 13:08 - 07 May 2017 Post subject: |
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Ah, fair enough.
To be honest, any of your candidate bikes will do just fine. I use a faux-offroader as a general purpose bike; the neutral riding position is all day comfortable. 400 miles days are just fine.
Smaller bikes are fun, but I'd want at least a 500 for long trips. My GPZ500 was just about the minimum I'd want to use on a motorway, a CB500 variant will be similar. It's a bit lower capacity and down on power, but it gets decent long distance trip reports.
Bikes are very personal, so I'd suggest that you try out your candidates and see which one you prefer, rather than which one we like - someone here will recommend any of them, because like most modern bikes, they're all very decent.
I really can't fault my midi-GS for your purpose, by the way (the 800 twin, not the old 650 single). I can't say that I love it like my other bikes, but I can't find any reason to change it, especially on a wet windy day.
The Tiger 955 would be another decent candidate. Don't fret about the power, it'll only go as fast as you tell it to.
Sorry that this isn't particularly helpful, but my takeaway point is that there are very few bad choices in the 500 sector for your purposes. What a time to be alive. ____________________ Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike |
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1111112222222... |
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1111112222222... Derestricted Danger
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Posted: 18:19 - 07 May 2017 Post subject: |
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Rogerborg wrote: | Ah, fair enough.
To be honest, any of your candidate bikes will do just fine. I use a faux-offroader as a general purpose bike; the neutral riding position is all day comfortable. 400 miles days are just fine.
Smaller bikes are fun, but I'd want at least a 500 for long trips. My GPZ500 was just about the minimum I'd want to use on a motorway, a CB500 variant will be similar. It's a bit lower capacity and down on power, but it gets decent long distance trip reports.
Bikes are very personal, so I'd suggest that you try out your candidates and see which one you prefer, rather than which one we like - someone here will recommend any of them, because like most modern bikes, they're all very decent.
I really can't fault my midi-GS for your purpose, by the way (the 800 twin, not the old 650 single). I can't say that I love it like my other bikes, but I can't find any reason to change it, especially on a wet windy day.
The Tiger 955 would be another decent candidate. Don't fret about the power, it'll only go as fast as you tell it to.
Sorry that this isn't particularly helpful, but my takeaway point is that there are very few bad choices in the 500 sector for your purposes. What a time to be alive. |
Thanks. I'm test-riding the Hondas next week, and the Kawasaki the week after. It's just a pain that none of the shops have demo units in stock, so I have to wait to get the bike, when I have the money and want it yesterday! Cheers for the advice. |
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ScaredyCat |
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ScaredyCat World Chat Champion
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Posted: 19:31 - 07 May 2017 Post subject: |
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I bet you all think I voted for the NC750X... I didn't
Unless you want it for the specific reason it exists, commuting, I'd look at something else, hence the Versys vote. The NC does it's job and does it well it's just probably not the bike you're looking for (waves hand).
Numerous people have toured on the NC with no issues at all, they're perfectly capable of that, 2 up, with luggage. A group did the North Coast 500 a couple of months and had no complaints. You're not racing around if you're doing something like that, you're taking in the views. One of the riders on the NC forum has done over 140k miles in just under 3 years, so reliability isn't an issue. Short shifting isn't an issue for me, I suspect it wouldn't for you either but some people appear to require an automatic a bike that you don't need to take out of first gear during daily riding.
Try out all those bikes, I think you'll find the Versys bubbles to the top regardless of what I've put above. It'll do what the NC does, but give you the additional option of 'punching it' which you wouldn't have on the NC. I think you might find the 500X runs out of puff quickly, even though it revs higher than the NC.
For the money you're looking at spending, perhaps also consider the Tracer 700 or push your budget a little higher to the Tracer 900 - though you'd lose the economy of the 700 if you did.
I'm glad you identified the value of MC's comment quickly. This skill will be invaluable during your time here. ____________________ Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple |
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Wafer_Thin_Ham |
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Posted: 19:35 - 07 May 2017 Post subject: |
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Tracer 700 I'd wager will be a worthy addition to your list. Don't get an NC750, it's half a Jazz engine, and it's about half as much fun as a Jazz too. ____________________ My Flickr |
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chickenstrip |
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Posted: 21:39 - 07 May 2017 Post subject: |
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M.C wrote: | ScaredyCat wrote: | I'm glad you identified the value of MC's comment quickly. This skill will be invaluable during your time here. |
Don't get butthurt cos you've got a boring bike. |
Have you even got that Striple yet? ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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Posted: 22:32 - 07 May 2017 Post subject: |
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Should have had it today but collecting on Tuesday now. |
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
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Posted: 22:38 - 07 May 2017 Post subject: |
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Pretty judgemental for a bus wanker. ____________________ Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike |
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Posted: 08:08 - 08 May 2017 Post subject: |
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That's what I meant to say. Dunno where I got 955 from.
Good shout on the Tracer 700 too. How Suzuki can be asking £500 - £1000 more for an equivalent V-Strom baffles me. ____________________ Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 6 years, 355 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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