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

[R6Chick]

I went and looked at the BMW F800ST last week and really liked it. It is a good size and ergonomically fits me well. It feels like it would be equally good for the daily commute, errands, a bit of twisty riding, and the long trips. I have sport bikes in the garage so a really powerful motor/fast bike is not what I am looking for. I got a whole stable of powerful bikes. The F800 or NT would be an addition to the stable.  

I have not had the chance to swing by a dealer that has the NT700 on the floor to look at yet but am looking forward to checking one out still.

[custodian]

After checking out the BMW... do you feel that it would be worth the extra $ over the Honda after the addition of the side cases?

[R6Chick]

After checking out the BMW... do you feel that it would be worth the extra $ over the Honda after the addition of the side cases?

That is something I an still weighing in my mind. The F800ST realistically is in the $13,000 range. They are gonna nail you for another $900 for the side case and $500 for the trunk. So roughly $15,000 for the BMW. The NT700 will likely be only $2000 or $3000 less.

Honda's and BMW's are both pretty much bullet proof. Maintenance intervals are comparable. BMW parts may sometimes take a while to get but I think parts for the NT700 will be about the same because they are not a high volume sales bike for Honda in the USA.

So I am not sure if the BMW is worth the extra bucks yet or not.

[cyclopathic]

After checking out the BMW... do you feel that it would be worth the extra $ over the Honda after the addition of the side cases?

it is up to you.. for me would be hard to justify buying F800 (or NT700 for that matter) over Versys.. add all furkles (cases, touring windshield, heated grips, etc) and you are still 1/2 the F800 price and about 3K less then honda.

[R6Chick]

it is up to you.. for me would be hard to justify buying F800 (or NT700 for that matter) over Versys.. add all furkles (cases, touring windshield, heated grips, etc) and you are still 1/2 the F800 price and about 3K less then honda.

The Versys is not the style of bike I am looking for and the ergo's simply do not fit. To tall and the reach is uncomfortable. Not only am I short legged but I am short armed. I am no mood to work my ass off to make a bike fit.  I have ridden some friends and I a did not enjoy it. Just getting on the bike and  off the kick stand is effort. With luggage on an loaded up it would be a pain in the ass to man handle that thing around when I was not moving at speed. It may not be as heavy as the FJR or ST but it will still be about as much man handling for me.

[custodian]

So I am not sure if the BMW is worth the extra bucks yet or not.

Despite the perceived quality of the BMW... I am leaning toward the Honda also.

For me... the distance to a BMW dealer vs. the proliferation of Honda dealerships closeby is going to be a factor also.

I am jonesing to trade in the Buell... newcycleitis has infected my soul... despite the Buell running better & better as the miles accumulate.

I have 10 more payments on the loan for our Colorado... I figure that I will not visit dealerships to kick tires until mid-winter and see what units are left over in the spring for my purchase.

[atadaskew]

So I am not sure if the BMW is worth the extra bucks yet or not.

Don't forget the BMW gives you better suspension and 30 more hp.  There's a reason it costs more.

[still kickin]

R6- I just talked with the owner of RKA. He said he is finishing a set of soft bags made for sportbikes. You might send them a email. Secondly is a used like new 800ST out of the picture? It just kills me to pay sticker. Later

[R6Chick]

R6- I just talked with the owner of RKA. He said he is finishing a set of soft bags made for sportbikes. You might send them a email. Secondly is a used like new 800ST out of the picture? It just kills me to pay sticker. Later

I used to race with Richard in the AFM 250p class long ago. I have a set of his luggage for my R6 and use them currently on my GSXR. I am sick of soft luggage that is tedious to put on/take off, takes extra effort to make water proof, and cannot be locked. This is one of the main reasons I am looking for hard luggage. I love my RKA bags but I am tired of the extra effort to use them. I am getting old and lazy.

Bank will not finance used bikes plus I have had just about enough off buying other people's headaches. I out a lot of miles on my bikes and buying used means I will be getting a new bike a couple years before I intended. Besides, I have never paid sticker for a bike yet!

[still kickin]

You go Girl. It is definitely a buyers market right now. Good luck.

[R6Chick]

I got the chance to look at the NT700 today. After getting to sit on both the BMW F800ST and the Honda NT700 I would have to say your bang for the buck buy is with the Honda. Maintenance intervals and effort for each is comparable but parts availability appears better with the Honda. Ergonomically both machines fit very well and I can easily move both onto the center stand on my own. On the ground handling is also comparable. The BMW has a couple of extra features that or too small to make a difference and certainly not worth the significantly higher price tag.

 

[R6Chick]

MSRP

Honda NT700 Base price incl ABS & side luggage & center stand as standard $10,999
Loaded $11,899

2010 NT700V ABS2010 NT700V
Accessories Selected:
Heated Grips   08T50-MEW-100   $189.95
Heated Grips Attachment   08T49-MEW-100   $109.95
Rear Trunk (Silver)   08L55-EWL-170G   $392.95
Rear Trunk Base   08L42-EWL-800   $162.95
Rear Trunk Bracket   08Z51-MEW-100   $43.95

We can assume approx same cost as BMW for lowering $250 and $495 in destination handling fee's.

Total base cost before tax, licensing, haggling, etc

$12,644  (120 bucks less than the F800 standard package)

==============================================

BMW F800ST

Base MSRP with no luggage, no center stand, no ABS, no heated grips: $10,905

Standard Package: $12,525
* Heated Grips
* ABS
* On Board Computer
* Center Stand

Options
* Low Suspension including Low Seat (29.9 inches): $250
* Heated Grips: $250
* ABS: $900
* Center Stand: $175
*Actual price determined by dealer. Price excludes taxes, license, options and $495 in destination/handling charges. Prices and specifications subject to change without notice.

*** I could not find pricing on the online BMW site for saddlebags and trunk. When I was at the dealer I was quoted $600 just for the trunk and IIRC $900 for the saddlebags****


Total base cost before tax, licensing, haggling, etc

$16,095

===========================================

So list price for the bikes works out to a $3451 difference.

Is a BMW worth the extra money? I am still not sure. Of course there is more to a bike than its purchase price but it is a good place to start when making comparisons.

[atadaskew]

Can you take them for a test ride?

[custodian]

Looks like you are coming up with the same conclusions about these 2 mid-size tourers that I am finding... a little more money for the prestige of the BMW roundel.

Remember... the dealership you purchase at or the one you use for warranty/service/parts can make or break the relationship.

Check out this dealer's accessory pages...

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=44628

[R6Chick]

Can you take them for a test ride?

I can take an F800GS for a test ride. It is the same engine but different ergo's and everything else. The BMW places around here do not have an ST available for test ride.

The Honda I am unable to test ride as there are no Honda dealers here that offer test rides.

**When I say around 'here' I mean anything within 60 miles.**

[atadaskew]

That's too bad because that 30hp difference and quality of suspension may change the way you feel after a ride.

Hey, offering up other peep's bikes  ,  aren't you friends with Bluepoof?  She has a BMW 800... that bike would feel closer to the St than the 800gs.

Anyway, I agree with you that the $16K for the 800St is too much.  If it was me I'd find a nice used one, but I see the attraction of a warranty.

[R6Chick]

That's too bad because that 30hp difference and quality of suspension may change the way you feel after a ride.

Hey, offering up other peep's bikes  ,  aren't you friends with Bluepoof?  She has a BMW 800... that bike would feel closer to the St than the 800gs.

Anyway, I agree with you that the $16K for the 800St is too much.  If it was me I'd find a nice used one, but I see the attraction of a warranty.

The 30HP difference and suspension differences do weigh on my mind. It is one of the things that is keeping me waffling between the two. Used is not off the list of possibilities but it is lower on the list.

I do not know Bluepoof personally but I know people who do. I figure I will meet her eventually. The Bay Area bike scene is large but also very small. I doubt there is more than two or three degree's of separation between anyone around here who rides.

[sammyseaman]

Anyway, I agree with you that the $16K for the 800St is too much.  If it was me I'd find a nice used one, but I see the attraction of a warranty.

  and $12,000+ is crazy for that 700. Man, there has to be more reasonable options out there  

[atadaskew]

  and $12,000+ is crazy for that 700. Man, there has to be more reasonable options out there  

No kidding.  As a comparison, you could get a new Harley Sportster 1200 with factory hard luggage for less than that.  1200cc near maintenance free motor (just oil/plug changes), belt drive, way more torque.  Doesn't the Honda require valve adjusts every 8K miles?

I'm not saying to get the Harley because that's a completely different type of ride (cruisers like the Kawi 900s are about $8K with similar features), but just showing how crazy expensive that 700cc Honda is. It's not like it has leading edge techno anywhere on it.  And yeah, that BMW, like I mentioned before, is nutty $ for new too.

Another tangent... how's about the Yam Tmax super scooter?  More fun to ride than the Honda 700.  Faster, handles better, better suspension, better brakes, lots of inboard storage (plus available top case), much much cheaper... ($8K)
Or the Piaggio MP3 500..

[sammyseaman]

No kidding.  As a comparison, you could get a new Harley Sportster 1200 with factory hard luggage for less than that.  1200cc near maintenance free motor (just oil/plug changes), belt drive, way more torque.  Doesn't the Honda require valve adjusts every 8K miles?

I'm not saying to get the Harley because that's a completely different type of ride (cruisers like the Kawi 900s are about $8K with similar features), but just showing how crazy expensive that 700cc Honda is. It's not like it has leading edge techno anywhere on it.  And yeah, that BMW, like I mentioned before, is nutty $ for new too.

Another tangent... how's about the Yam Tmax super scooter?  More fun to ride than the Honda 700.  Faster, handles better, better suspension, better brakes, lots of inboard storage (plus available top case), much much cheaper... ($8K)
Or the Piaggio MP3 500..

With options like that I have no idea how Honda plans on selling very many Dullvilles. They must know that "Honda Guys" (and gals) will buy anything they put out. And at any price