Shaft bikes.......Help me please guys!

[Cakeious]

Hi all,

I’m new to this, never signed up to a forum before.

So my question for you knowledgable lot is...

I am having to purchase a newer bike due to the ulez charge in London. (Selling my 03 fazer 600 if anyone’s interested )

Due to the round trip of just shy of 100miles to work, I have been toying with the idea of a shaft bike, this is also due to me and the mrs wanting to go on long haul trips. I’ve looked at various bikes and read various reviews and I just do not know what to do for the best.

So far my choices seem to be

Crosstourer 1200
Gtr 1400
Nc 700 (I think that’s the right one)
Fjr 1300

I need it to be good in to city centre as well as 2up and on me own days for a little blast about.

Any help, advice or anything worthwhile would be much appreciated!

Ride safe
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[MarJay]

My advice? Don't restrict yourself to shaft drive. I do 100 miles a day on an old VFR800, and I only lube the chain every few days. It's not that much of a pain really.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Cakeious]

Thing is it’s not just about the lube/adjusting chain, it’s costs of C&S and the amount of miles I’ll do in the year will be silly.

Adding to that as I said me and mrs want to go away to Europe etc on it, it seems logical to go down that route.
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[Bhud]

If you're looking for an NC700 look out for the weak clutch basket issue. It's just something I heard. Some of these were fitted with lousy clutch baskets that were known to suddenly fail. Something to investigate and read up about, if you're tempted by a low mileage early one.

[doggone]

I had a thing for shaft drive bikes but it really isn't worth worrying about even if you do daily commute or huge euro tours.
Chains on bigger bikes last many thousands of miles with minimal maintenance.

[Riejufixing]

[MarJay]

[Polarbear]

[Robby]

I have a shaft drive bike - Guzzi V9. Because you don't have a cush drive, or just due to the design of the engine and drivetrain, it is more jerky around town than a chain or belt drive.

I also wouldn't choose a shaft driven bike specifically to save money. A chain and sprocket set isn't that expensive and lasts a long time. A shaft drive setup should last as long as the rest of the bike, but if anything does go wrong it tends to be an expensive and time consuming repair.

If you want to save money, look at the total cost of ownership. Fuel burn, service intervals and tyre size should be the main things to consider. Tyres in particular - you don't want to be stuck with odd sized wheels that only a couple of companies make tyres for.

Generally, you don't save money by buying something unusual. Shaft drive bikes are unusual.

[stevo as b4]

What's the choice like of shaft drive bikes in 2019. I ask as manufacturers have been cost cutting, and cheaping out on bikes spec, quality and finish for a decade or more, and also turning out loads of half hearted cheap to produce but lacking in potential to thrill, or blow your load on spec and componentry.

So with shaft drivers more expensive to make and design, I thought that most firms were making less and less shaft drive bikes, even in the traditional sector of big tourers etc?

I know you can't get a shaft drive 125/250, but in the 80's there was a fair amount of Jap middle weight machines in the 500-900cc class available in shaft drive. Is the choice more or less now?

[Polarbear]

[c_dug]

I love a big shaft, I've had 3. My previous bike was a 99 Fazer so maybe some relevant advice.

My current ride is a 1200GS, which I didn't expect to like, it's the polar opposite to the Fazer which I loved. I have to say the GS is actually a nice way to cover some miles, it's deceptively quick and nimble with a great turning circle for it's size which helps with filtering. It is heavy at walking pace, and mines been fitted with Wilbur's adventure suspension and an adventure seat, which makes it a little too tall for me to be comfortable at traffic lights (and I'm not particularly short). I'll be taking it around Scotland in August and it'll no doubt excel at that.

There are horror stories with shafts going wrong, but between the GS, NTV600 and Diversion 900 I've owned, shafts have never caused me any trouble at all.

Chains are a doddle really, I think I only adjusted the chain on my VFR800 once in 12,000 miles of ownership, but I still don't see myself choosing to commute on a chain drive bike again.

I'd like something a bit sportier than the GS next, so will be looking at possibly a BMW K model (R or S) or maybe a VFR1200. The R1200S looks nice to me, but seems to get really poor reviews.

Anyway, I'll hang onto the GS until at least next summer so it's a way off for me yet.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[RhynoCZ]

Does anyone know the weight difference between the chain, belt, shaft?
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Polarbear]

[sickpup]

I'm confused as to why people think parts for shaft drive bikes are expensive. I just picked up a 2nd shaft, UJ and Bevel box for an NT700 for £75 delivered.

All modern shaft drive bikes have cush drives including Moto- Guzzis. Chances are the jerkiness is FI related.

ST1300 and NT700 both use 17" tyres so rubber is no problem.

A shaft is cheaper to run and more reliable than a chain but does sap power.

[Grubscrew]

Pan was a shaft, my Fjr is too, great solution to final drive of a bike....let’s face it ,chain driven bikes are a tad archaic so close to the dirt of the road etc.
If you have a busy life then a shaft bike is great, one thing less to give you do.
I see the Honda VFR1200 Cross tourer also has one, as do a handful of other adventure bikes. Way to do imho.
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FJR1300/CBR1000F

[BTTD]

[temeluchus]

its pretty rare for the actual shaft and gears to go on a final drive. Keep an eye on the final drive bearings when you change tyres and it should outlast the rest of the bike.
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[Freddyfruitba...]

Just to add my voice to the mix; I'm now on my first shaftie and am a big fan. I'm unaware of any practical difference while riding the bike, and I have to say that no more chain maintenance is an utter joy...
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KC100->CB100N->CB250RS--------->DL650AL2->R1200RS->R1250RS

[sidewinder]

Low mile 900 diversion and keep the fazer
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"Nitrous is like a cheap hooker, you want to hit it but are scared of the consequences

[thx1138]

[Shaft]

Hello there. guess what kind of bikes I like

[Riejufixing]

[Grubscrew]

I once had a VT500 Honda, that too was a shaft drive, one of the smaller capacity machines, however there was a bike called a Nimbus, that was a relic of old times....nothing new about shaft drive bikes, just think it cost more to produce maybe.
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FJR1300/CBR1000F

[chickenstrip]