It's just my size!! (Honda NT700)

[still kickin]

R6 our size is the same. I think the 800ST is the best all-around model I have owned. To give you an idea I bought and sold 7 bikes in the last 2 years. I have noticed that about every 2 months a used ST(lowered suspension) will hit the market. By watching the BMW websites, you will be able to locate one if you decide.

I really relate to your opinion on the heavier sporttouring models like the FJR. Finding a good bike with hard luggage under 500 pounds is a challenge. Good luck.

[R6Chick]

I really relate to your opinion on the heavier sport touring models like the FJR. Finding a good bike with hard luggage under 500 pounds is a challenge. Good luck.

If they could just balance them a tad better and set the center of gravity lower the heavier bikes would not be so horrible. The biggest thing I noticed on the bikes I have ridden when I wasn't moving was how really top heavy they are.

[volleykinginnc]

One thing is certain...you won't be picking up any chicks on it.

[R6Chick]

One thing is certain...you won't be picking up any chicks on it.

My husband will be happy to hear that.

[sammyseaman]

R6 our size is the same. I think the 800ST is the best all-around model I have owned. To give you an idea I bought and sold 7 bikes in the last 2 years. I have noticed that about every 2 months a used ST(lowered suspension) will hit the market. By watching the BMW websites, you will be able to locate one if you decide.

I really relate to your opinion on the heavier sporttouring models like the FJR. Finding a good bike with hard luggage under 500 pounds is a challenge. Good luck.

The key is to find a bike you really like and put aftermarket bags on it. They usually aren't as nice looking as a bike with integrated luggage but what the hell. You don't need a big bike to tour.

[coho]

One thing is certain...you won't be picking up any chicks on it.

My husband will be happy to hear that.

At least he'll say he is...  




 

[R6Chick]

At least he'll say he is...  

 

Since I am the one riding it I think he would be... wait...  

[R6Chick]

The key is to find a bike you really like and put aftermarket bags on it. They usually aren't as nice looking as a bike with integrated luggage but what the hell. You don't need a big bike to tour.

I don't need it to be pretty as much as I need it to be functional. I keep looking at my GSXR and figuring out how to mount some Givi bags on it. They don't make the mounting hardware for sport bikes so I would have to engineer and fabricate that on my own. I need to find a friend who welds and has a machine shop and is better at design than I am.  Any volunteers?

[Phodius]

Anyone have experience with one of these?  http://powersports.honda.com/2010/nt700v.aspx

I think I want one.

You might also want to take a look at the V-Strom DL650.

[volleykinginnc]

At least he'll say he is...  




 

haha....errrrr....naughty thoughts abrewing!

[Giaka]

I don't need it to be pretty as much as I need it to be functional. I keep looking at my GSXR and figuring out how to mount some Givi bags on it.

I put hard bags on my CBR, wish I would have just tossed one of these on instead.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/919/181/

[Jason F.]

love it when people gripe about tall seat height. Anything short of a dirt bike with a supermoto wheel setup is too short for me and a fair number of my riding friends. Most of us are constantly lamenting the ridiculously low seat heights found on so many current models. I am sick of being cramped up on bikes with too little room between the seat and pegs. I just do not get it since it is much easier to offer a lower seat contour, a lower seat mounting position, or a suspension lowering dog bone kit than it is to somehow raise the same bike for average or slightly above height male. I am not some yetti height human either at just barely 6' 2". All you short guys quit your bitching and leave one for the rest of us.

[R6Chick]

love it when people gripe about tall seat height. Anything short of a dirt bike with a supermoto wheel setup is too short for me and a fair number of my riding friends. Most of us are constantly lamenting the ridiculously low seat heights found on so many current models. I am sick of being cramped up on bikes with too little room between the seat and pegs. I just do not get it since it is much easier to offer a lower seat contour, a lower seat mounting position, or a suspension lowering dog bone kit than it is to somehow raise the same bike for average or slightly above height male. I am not some yetti height human either at just barely 6' 2". All you short guys quit your bitching and leave one for the rest of us.

Dude, who pissed in your wheaties? My husband is well over six foot tall and one of our friends is taller than he is. They have a much easier time finding a good ergonomic fit than the smaller people. Tall seat height and long reach is an issue for me and short seat height with short reach is an issue for them. Just because us short folk we complain about ergonomic issues for us does not take away your jolly green giant issues. You are welcome to piss and moan with the rest of us.

 

[Jeff]

I don't need it to be pretty as much as I need it to be functional. I keep looking at my GSXR and figuring out how to mount some Givi bags on it. They don't make the mounting hardware for sport bikes so I would have to engineer and fabricate that on my own. I need to find a friend who welds and has a machine shop and is better at design than I am.  Any volunteers?

Paging JustCallMeChris

[Giaka]

 I am not some yetti height human either at just barely 6' 2". All you short guys quit your bitching and leave one for the rest of us.

Because you are as tall as you are you have no limitations other than comfort so its you that needs to stop bitching. Trying being a bike enthusiast and only being 4'11".

[Jason F.]

Because you are as tall as you are you have no limitations other than comfort so its you that needs to stop bitching. Trying being a bike enthusiast and only being 4'11".

You miss my point. I can think of numerous current offerings that offer very low seat heights. More and more manufacturers are offering multi position saddle mounting points, lower saddle options, and lowering kit options as extremely easy and cheap/free changes to fit shorter riders and women with traditionally shorter inseams. BMW in particular is even doing it on many of their traditionally taller Adventure style bikes. What the manufacturers are not getting done is often addressed in the aftermarket for reasonable costs.

There are little to no options to increase leg room on most bikes. Commonly available rear set components raise and move rearward the foot control locations. If you want to drop pegs for more leg room you are looking at custom built or modified components. Like wise many common touring seat companies such as Corbin frequently loose set thickness/height when they make a saddle for a bike. The Corbin on my Bandit lost nearly an inch and a half of seat height so I went back to the stock seat. A raised seat would be a custom order in almost all cases and adds significantly to the cost.

Bars are easy to change and adjust but seat height and frame dimensions are not easy to stretch for longer legs. I applaud Honda for making the bike a bit taller and proportioned to fit average to slightly taller folks. I work with 20 people, 18 of them male 16 of which are over 5' 10". 12 are over 6' and 4 are over 6'2". I do not have a single riding partner that is under 5' 10" save for one female rider. Heck my wife is 5' 9" and finds most current bikes too short in seat height and too cramped in leg room to do any serious long distance days.

While some stats may show the average male height to be 5'9" or whatever it is currently listed as but that is not the experience I have. Maybe we grow them taller in my area but I have meet very very few short people. Try being an average height and a small displacement bike enthusiast. I just do not feel like folding myself in half to fit on bikes that appeal to me in terms of price/features/fuel mileage/ect.

[falconati]

Maybe you should be shorter then, hmm?  Ever think about becoming shorter?

[R6Chick]

Maybe you should be shorter then, hmm?  Ever think about becoming shorter?

I totally pictured Stewie from Family Guy saying this.  

[Robert_C]

I went and looked at one today. I hadn't intended to; but, I was looking at a V-Strom 650 and decided to stop and look at the Honda dealers offerings. The, "local," dealers are over a hundred miles away.

At 5'6" one of my concerns was the hight of the Strom. The salesman was quick to say that they could lower it before delivery. They didn't have an ABS one; however, for just looking it was not that important. If I got to the point of placing an order I am sure they can get an ABS model in.

I looked at the NT700v second and I was impressed by the sense of quality as compared to the Strom; of course, for $3000 I expect some difference. It seemed a bit lower than the Strom. I am basically looking at commuting (thus the ABS) and solo-travel (visiting my kids and the like). Living in Northern California (Yreka) I also have the opportunity to hit several twisty roads on a regular basis.

The only thing that keeps me thinking Strom is that I like to hit dirt roads. I do not do any serious off-roading (I have a Honda trail 90 for that), just forest service and logging roads. I have about six months to decide (one semester left for my MBA).

[cyclopathic]

I rented an F800ST last February and rode it about 600 miles.  In the end I didn't think it was that much better than my Ninja 650.  Fit and finish was definitely better but power was about the same and it was a little heavier and harder to manage in a parking lot.  I have put some more forward-lean handlebars on my 650 and it has almost identical ergonomics as the ST, but a little lower seat.  The best thing about the ST was the suspension.......definitely a cut above the stock Kawi, but with Race Tech Gold valves in the forks, I'm getting there.  The ST had heated grips, ABS, and hard bags which made it about a $13,000 motorcycle.  I put heated grips on my 650 for $40 and Givi bags for about $900 and still have less than $8K in it.  I don't know why people don't take the Ninja 650 seriously.....maybe its the stupid name or the way it is promoted as a beginner bike, but I have 54,000 miles on mine and it has been completely trouble free.  It's a perfect sport tourer for my 5' 5" 145 lb 69 year old body.

I just rode my '06 (the same silver as you have) C-2-C.. 17 states, 9.5K in 22days, 2up with 85lbs load.. IMHO while there were no issues in HP dept going over high passes  there are a few areas in which 650r is lacking to be a good tourer. One is the limited range; while MPG stayed over 50, there are parts of country where you don't have gas station for 100mi+. Second it doesn't handle too well if you put a pillion and load Givis. 650r short wheelbase puts too much weight behind rear axle, lifts front and creates really unbalanced feel. F800ST may not feel as quick in parking lot but those 2 extra inches they moved rear wheel back makes huge difference when you load bike.