which bike is good for ALL weather conditions?

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So am I and why would you want a rev limited 700 that is heavier and more expensive than a free revving 500.

I ride an ST1100 in Aus and regularly get up to 7-7500 rpm when passing a trailer train and there is immense torque on the V4 which will pull even in top gear from 2,000 rpm. But riding aggressively 5000-7500 is the range on almost any bike and some of course much higher.
Both kid and I rode the 700s and hit the rev limited and number of times in a casual demo ride.

You wind it up smoothly and then BLLLLAAATTT you hit the rev limiter...you need decent bandwidth riding twisties and even getting out of gnarly traffic.
If the CB500x did not exist there might be a case for the NC700x but there is nothing I can see that would be attractive beyond wanting a bit more torque for two up riding - which it's clearly not designed around.

All I can tell you is go demo one.
I'm sure one can adapt - but why bother when a lighter, cheaper, free rev machine is available.
 
MacDoc said:
So am I and why would you want a rev limited 700 that is heavier and more expensive than a free revving 500.

I ride an ST1100 in Aus and regularly get up to 7-7500 rpm when passing a trailer train and there is immense torque on the V4 which will pull even in top gear from 2,000 rpm. But riding aggressively 5000-7500 is the range on almost any bike and some of course much higher.
Both kid and I rode the 700s and hit the rev limited and number of times in a casual demo ride.

You wind it up smoothly and then BLLLLAAATTT you hit the rev limiter...you need decent bandwidth riding twisties and even getting out of gnarly traffic.
If the CB500x did not exist there might be a case for the NC700x but there is nothing I can see that would be attractive beyond wanting a bit more torque for two up riding - which it's clearly not designed around.

All I can tell you is go demo one.
I'm sure one can adapt - but why bother when a lighter, cheaper, free rev machine is available.
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Bear in mind I'm not arguing with you, just trying to understand.
I can see how stepping off a V4 regularly running 5000-7500 would give you the bllllaaattt sensation on NC700 but would you get that sensation if all you knew was KLR? My sons DR650 falls flat on it's face at 6000rpm and nobody ever comments on that rev limit. It's never an issue. Would he like to replace that 650cc engine with a 500 capable of 9000rpm? I don't think so.
A bigger engine has to work less to make the same power. It's that understressed feel of the bigger engine going the same road speed that I would be looking for.
A test ride would crack this nut:)
 
Being a torque lover, I never rev to limiters anyways. I short shift and ride low rpms even on my KTM.
On my GSXR1000 I used to roll thru Deals Gap in 3rd gear....It's just the way I ride....smooth and quiet.
So I really liked the 700X. I never got to try the 500 so I can't compare the two.
 
New it would definitely be the cb500x for me, but for a used, inexpensive bike, I love my 650 Versys as an allrounder.
 
Bear in mind I'm not arguing with you, just trying to understand.
I can see how stepping off a V4 regularly running 5000-7500 would give you the bllllaaattt sensation on NC700 but would you get that sensation if all you knew was KLR? My sons DR650 falls flat on it's face at 6000rpm and nobody ever comments on that rev limit. It's never an issue. Would he like to replace that 650cc engine with a 500 capable of 9000rpm? I don't think so.
A bigger engine has to work less to make the same power. It's that understressed feel of the bigger engine going the same road speed that I would be looking for.
A test ride would crack this nut
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My main bike tho is the Burgman 650 and it regularly winds past 6500 in the twisties with the power button on and certainly into 7500 when passing and that's the computer running the bike smoothly on aggressive riding. In regular ECVT mode it rarely goes above 5500 so riding the 700 that way certainly would be effortless and the flat torque is what Honda was after and like the ECVT on the Burgman....roll and go..

I just found the annoying blatt and no power when rolling it on disconcerting. I will wind out the KLR above 6500 regularly accelerating in Aus as it needs it just to keep up with traffic but it's a closer ride to the 700 but again I'd not want to hit the stoppers artificially....cuz Honda says it's there.

As I said - without the CB500x - the 700 looks a decent offering. But too many positives for the lighter bike and I think a popular price point new. Shades of the older Honda 450 Super Sport way back in the late 60s. 410 lb so very similar to the current CB500x which 470 cc.

cbk2ind.jpg

One is up at the Forks today.....
 
I saw a grizzled vet all comfy in the sun pecking on a laptop. And a white Burgman parked beside Martys old airhead. My math tells me that was you. Re: the Hellcat.....looks like we're not going to see eye to eye. While my buddy had one of those I had a Z1. And would have it no other way;)yeehaaaaa
 
Some kind of dual sport with ABS would be ideal for all conditions. Versys (does it come with ABS here?), VStrom 650, many BMWs. Maybe something like an F800S/ST/R but it won't be as good in the dirt. I'd suggest a more super moto style bike but sumos with ABS seem to be pretty rare unless you get into the higher CC ones by Aprilia, Ducati, etc.
 
Are dual sport bikes like the F series from BMW Kawi KLR650 that much better compare to a SS riding in the city as well?

I am particularly interested to see how it compares to a SS bike riding along side street car tracks.

In dry weather, its not that big of a deal but could still get hairy at times.... but when the roads are wet, its kind of scary making a turn on them. Would a dual sport solve that problem?
 
IMHO so-so. In some instances I find the SMC harder to ride in the city than the F2. Most handlebars are wider than clipons, good thing I have bark busters :). A tall bike is harder to balance. On the other hand the suspension on the SMC makes the city seem like smooth tarmac.

Streetcar tracks are a ***** regardless. Tires or bike won't make a difference.
 
A heavily biased vote for the 650 Strom here. Very comfortable for long distance riding and handles the curvy roads just fine. Will do packed dirt and gravel just fine and I ride mine as a daily rider 12 months/yr in all kinds of weather.
 
shanekingsley said:
A heavily biased vote for the 650 Strom here. Very comfortable for long distance riding and handles the curvy roads just fine. Will do packed dirt and gravel just fine and I ride mine as a daily rider 12 months/yr in all kinds of weather.
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The new 650 V-Strom didn't really generate much hype, but it's apparently one of the best values out there. Decent on asphalt roads, gravel roads + extra clearance for dirt roads. No real serious flaws, not super-heavy, farkle as you please.

Definitely not a dual sport, but the dualies seem to need so many uprgades and fixes just to be properly useable. I think it could pull a sidecar too.
 
SkyRider said:
hi! thinking about getting a different bike. done with the SS scene for now. need a bike that is proven to be reliable in long distance, rain or shine, tarmac or mud and etc etc. not snow obviously lol. what bike would it be? a bmw?

thnx
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I think most here seem to be skipping over the mud requirement. If you plan on venturing offroad with it get an adventure tourer. BMW f800gs or Triumph Tiger 800xc are 2 great bikes and will do EVERYTHING you listed right out of the box.
 
Flywheel said:
The new 650 V-Strom didn't really generate much hype, but it's apparently one of the best values out there. Decent on asphalt roads, gravel roads + extra clearance for dirt roads. No real serious flaws, not super-heavy, farkle as you please.

Definitely not a dual sport, but the dualies seem to need so many uprgades and fixes just to be properly useable. I think it could pull a sidecar too.
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The Strom has a bit more clearance than my Tiger 1050 for off road but I've taken the Tiger off road nonetheless with sport tires on too. Pluses for the bike I ride are that the engine is simply fantastic; detuned from the sporty Triumph 1L engines for manageability around the streets but plenty of top end when you want it; I'm still staggered at how quickly the thing gets to 100kmh+. Ergos are good but they need a little tuning for me...many people find them just fine though.

Downsides: suspension (most people tinker with this on many bikes so it's not just a Tiger 1050 thing) and low beam lights are just terrible (solved hopefully with supplementary LED driving lights).

For the 90% plus on road riding I do this bike is great and I read that the 800XC is pretty good too.
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