I've always found that line of bikes interesting. Don't really understand the negativity you hear from time to time about the low revs. Lots of bikes don't rev high and they have gearing to match that characteristic. Did Honda screw this up?
Yes...worst demo ride my kid and I ever took was on the NC700....shift through the gears and then at 6500 rpm hit a marshmellow with accompanying bleat....then repeat.
They moved the 700 engine to a cruiser style where it might work,
The CB500 engine tho and that series is brilliant for a solo rider and cheap with ABS and lots of farkles available for it. Nice option underneath the Wee.
There was a nicely equipped NC700 here in Cairns for $2000 less than a CB500x ( salesmen said the owner did not like the NC ) .
He'd sold every CB500x that came in for full pop and not a nibble on the NC700.
I swear Honda has a committee to define how to make bikes more boring. The specs on the CB650F look great, but damn if that wasn't the least interesting bike I tested in that class.
That might explain weak Honda sales.
The question is how much power do you actually use. For daily riding, 40-50hp is enough and still fun. These 100hp 600 supersports bikes are exciting when wound up...but by then you are just waiting to get nicked, it's only a matter of time. From what I see, most supersports road riders don't even use the bikes as designed, they wobble low speed in corners and juice it up on the straights. That gets old.
I keep thinking I'd like to go back to a litre bike, and it's not the purchase price, but I have a real issue of being an enabler of the insurance/government scam in Ontario.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I am planning to do a few test rides this summer before making up my mind since there are many options now... ninja 250/300, cbr 300/500, yamaha R3, ktm 390, etc.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I am planning to do a few test rides this summer before making up my mind since there are many options now... ninja 250/300, cbr 300/500, yamaha R3, ktm 390, etc.
the only other option you didn't mention was the gt250r, only real advantage on this bike over others is this is the only quarter litre class that offers true super sport riding position. But if he's asking upright position then the other bikes are good options.
I had a GS 500 - was too slow
shadow 750 - still pretty slow and sluggish cornering was really slow
sv650 - this was a pretty fast vtwin, great commuter, however when needed the higher end power wasn't there, long distances were not as smooth as I would of liked
bandit 1250 - is perfect for me so far - still a great commuter, power is there when needed, decent on long hauls and great on highways, insurance is really not that bad, pretty economical still for a 1250
the only other option you didn't mention was the gt250r, only real advantage on this bike over others is this is the only quarter litre class that offers true super sport riding position.
I had a GS 500 - was too slow
shadow 750 - still pretty slow and sluggish cornering was really slow
sv650 - this was a pretty fast vtwin, great commuter, however when needed the higher end power wasn't there, long distances were not as smooth as I would of liked
bandit 1250 - is perfect for me so far - still a great commuter, power is there when needed, decent on long hauls and great on highways, insurance is really not that bad, pretty economical still for a 1250
Went from a 250 LTD to 1100 Magna to 1000 Concours to 650 WeeStrom. Thinking about maybe going to a Honda 300 at some point.
I've test ridden the CBR250RA and liked it. It seemed a lot smoother and faster after I'd gotten a few years under my belt.
I downsized once after a total loss on a bike. I up sized again the second I had the funds. Every time since then whenever I think about downsizing a wave of nausea is followed by hysterical laughter.
Downsized from a KLR 650 to a CRF250L, and the only thing I missed was some torque and range. Everything else was better, for what I do. I'm also going to sell off the GL1200 this spring. Fun bike to ride, but definitely not what I'm interested in doing anymore.
I'd not only recommend downsizing but also correcting the number of pistons in your bike. Anything more than 1 is wrong. Sumo + Dual Sport + Enduro
yes, but I think it would mean I need two bikes. The current big one does it all for me. I don't think I could get the same flexibility out of a smaller bike on its own.
Went from a 650R to my 125. Could use a touch more power for the highway only because I speed. It'll do 150 fairly easily but hills and high winds can be harder. A 250 2 stroke would have enough.
Basically now I ride at redline whereas before I was always babying it because in town I'd be speeding by second gear.
Might suck with a passenger. I haven't tried since I got this bike. I've strapped 70 lbs of luggage to it without too much trouble.
I was thinking of getting a CBR125 for commuting. Not to replace my Harley, but because 90-100mpg is sooo tempting compared to a car. I haven't made good on it yet, mainly because I'm leery of the little 125's abilities to keep up safely with traffic on highway 410. I could go 250cc, but that drops fuel mileage to 70mpg, so no way. I want freedom from oil cartels. I just might do it.
I was thinking of getting a CBR125 for commuting. Not to replace my Harley, but because 90-100mpg is sooo tempting compared to a car. I haven't made good on it yet, mainly because I'm leery of the little 125's abilities to keep up safely with traffic on highway 410. I could go 250cc, but that drops fuel mileage to 70mpg, so no way. I want freedom from oil cartels. I just might do it.
You might be a candidate for a first gen NC 700S then. I think that thing pushes 70 mpg and you get integrated storage to put stuff in for the commute. Similar fuel economy to a 250cc but with more capability.
I really need to try a NC 750S on one of the demo days...
I swear Honda has a committee to define how to make bikes more boring. The specs on the CB650F look great, but damn if that wasn't the least interesting bike I tested in that class.
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