2010 NT 700V

[1TRAK]

Saw some old posts about the NT700 and would like to add my two cents. I'd been looking for a midsize sport tourer awhile and found the BMW F800 ST and NT 700V as the best candidates. I was looking for comfort, storage, weather protection and good handling. Went to the local BMW dealer and arranged a ride on the 800. Rode about 50 miles of city, twisties, and a couple fast sweepers. Pros were : quick, light, and it handled well. Cons were : vibrated a lot, little wind protection, not much storage, $11500. Went to Peacock Ltd. Baldwin Mi and arranged to ride the NT. Rode about 30 minutes of pavement, curves, and gravel. Pros were : comfort, weather protection, good handling, $8800. Cons : slow, bit heavy, can't remove bags. Bought the NT anyway and 8600 miles later glad I did. Still slow compared to rockets but the engine has good torque and averages 50mpg. Runs 75 to 85 no problem with just enough left when passing. Handles great in the mountains and is easy to ride all day. Did two tours last year, one to VA one to Southern IN and it worked so well we're heading to SD, WY, and CO this year. Great do it all bike for those willing to live with less speed and less flash.  RIDE SAFE!

[gritsngravy]

Nice choice.   Sounds like the bike was well designed for it's intended purpose.    

[atadaskew]

Glad you like yours.  I haven't seen any on the road.

The thing that bugs me about the NTV is that Honda's Pacific Coast of 20 years ago is arguably a better bike.  Same design purpose but the PC has more motor and less maintenance.

[gritsngravy]

I owned a  clean '94 PC 800 for a while.  Definately a cool bike, even had lights in the trunk to illuminate your baggage and the rare honda passenger backrest.    Now I wish I had held on to it but I made a tidy profit when I sold it to a PC fanatic.   An incredibly well made bike, all that plastic and no squeeks, rattles or buzzes.   Not perfect by any means, the '94 PC's were black and I found that thing to be quite hot in city traffic.  The bias ply tires didn't track and perform like modern rubber and the suspension was strictly for comfort.  Great for getting the groceries though.    


Is it a better bike than the NT?   Nah, now way.   The F.I.  engine, updated chassis, better tires and lighter weight make it a much more enjoyable ride.  Handling on the NT is so much more lively.   Almost bought one to replace the cruiser but frankly I'm just not ready to go gently into the night.    

[atadaskew]

Just noticed your avatar.  Did you trade in your Shadow for a BKing?

[Chuck 500]

+1 on the review of the NT700V.  I got mine December 17 and have 1500 miles so far.  Great bike.  Be sure to check out the new forum at NT-Owners.ORG.

Keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

[2DFlyer]

Did two tours last year, one to VA one to Southern IN and it worked so well we're heading to SD, WY, and CO this year. Great do it all bike for those willing to live with less speed and less flash.  RIDE SAFE!

What's this? A real owners experience!  Thanks for the review.  ABS?  Going west two up?

I owned a  clean '94 PC 800 for a while.  Definately a cool bike, even had lights in the trunk to illuminate your baggage and the rare honda passenger backrest.    Now I wish I had held on to it but I made a tidy profit when I sold it to a PC fanatic.   An incredibly well made bike, all that plastic and no squeeks, rattles or buzzes.   Not perfect by any means, the '94 PC's were black and I found that thing to be quite hot in city traffic.  The bias ply tires didn't track and perform like modern rubber and the suspension was strictly for comfort.  Great for getting the groceries though.    


Is it a better bike than the NT?   Nah, now way.   The F.I.  engine, updated chassis, better tires and lighter weight make it a much more enjoyable ride.  Handling on the NT is so much more lively.   Almost bought one to replace the cruiser but frankly I'm just not ready to go gently into the night.    

I had a '98 for a couple of years.  Two wheeled Accord was a pretty appropriate analogy.  I was amazed at what the trunk would swallow.  Lap top case back when lap tops took up your entire lap, mega sized diapers, etc.  Besides what you mentioned, the thing that drove me nuts is I never did find the engine.

[1TRAK]

I owned a  clean '94 PC 800 for a while.  Definately a cool bike, even had lights in the trunk to illuminate your baggage and the rare honda passenger backrest.    Now I wish I had held on to it but I made a tidy profit when I sold it to a PC fanatic.   An incredibly well made bike, all that plastic and no squeeks, rattles or buzzes.   Not perfect by any means, the '94 PC's were black and I found that thing to be quite hot in city traffic.  The bias ply tires didn't track and perform like modern rubber and the suspension was strictly for comfort.  Great for getting the groceries though.    


Is it a better bike than the NT?   Nah, now way.   The F.I.  engine, updated chassis, better tires and lighter weight make it a much more enjoyable ride.  Handling on the NT is so much more lively.   Almost bought one to replace the cruiser but frankly I'm just not ready to go gently into the night.    

Thanks for the info on PC vs NT. Rode once with a gent that had one and he really liked his.  As far as going gently into the night I understand the sentiment but have a twist on that. I've had bikes that would run a buck fifty and hold a line through 100mph sweepers, but frankly I never got comfortable with that. Blasting twisties as fast as I could though, that was always comfortable. With the NT you can still have fun in the twist, just without all the speed and adrenaline that go with the rockets. Maybe that IS going gently, but it doesn't feel like it.  RIDE SAFE!

[1TRAK]

+1 on the review of the NT700V.  I got mine December 17 and have 1500 miles so far.  Great bike.  Be sure to check out the new forum at NT-Owners.ORG.

Keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

Thanks for the post Chuck, I'll be checking that new forum soon. RIDE SAFE!

[1TRAK]

What's this? A real owners experience!  Thanks for the review.  ABS?  Going west two up?


No ABS on this one, got such a good price was willing to live without it! As far as two up I believe the NT would be pressed a bit in the mountains. My wife and I ride no problem here in Michigan but we really don't have much elevation. This year it's one up out west, next year we might ride together out east. SEE YA!

[gritsngravy]

Just noticed your avatar.  Did you trade in your Shadow for a BKing?

I did.  Actually it was a vtx 1300S I traded in on a left over Suzuki Bking.  Love my vfr but I also love big I4's.  The king has that MOTOR and a helluva lot of hardware to back it up.  Brakes,suspension its all good.

[atadaskew]

Sweet.  That's going to be one of those bikes that 10 years from now people will fawn over.

Thread jack off!

[gritsngravy]

Now who is Thread and why are you commanding him the jack off?!?  Sorry couldn't resist!