I just acted my age, and bought a sensible motorcycle...

My V-Rod weighs 620 unladen, the gear I typically carry all the time probably adds another 50. I'll be 70 this year and not nearly as "virile" as I once was and have been giving the notion of a lighter weight mount for casual day tripping some serious thought. Looking at middle weights, mid size Triumph triple or perhaps the Kaw W800, though that Honda looks interesting as well.
I'll have to give it more serious attention though before I buy, most of those modern looking bug bikes have seats that are just awful.
 
Mailman said:
Got a photo of your new bike? 🙂

I am actually a big fan of that bike! After I sold my XS’s and was looking for a modern replacement , that bike was on my short list. I tried to find one , but none were to be had at that time.
This was the one I wanted right here,
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It has a similar riding position to my old Suzuki V Strom which was a great all around bike, but I think this Honda has a really great motor design that, as you said, gets phenomenal gas mileage and really good low end torque. I would still buy one in a heart beat. ❤️
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@Mailman, after having ridden the bike for around 3500 km, in Norway, Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark, at speeds between 80 and 140 km/ h (around half of them with a passenger and full bags), I can only recommend you go and test ride one. The engine is really a peach, pulling nicely from 2000 rpm in sixth, and the only noticeable vibration is under heavy load/ throttle. It sort of feels like an extremely well behaved 90 degree V-twin, having a satisfying "throbbing" character. Yesterday, i rode 320 km/200 miles without passenger, but with side and top cases, then filled the tank. See pic...
 

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Bike looks great, congrats. Near mind what others say, I like the look. I actually looked at one of these before I bought my Moto Guzzi. When looking at the bike I noted the lower HP, but after riding my 40hp Shadow this spring, I realized the 58hp you have would have been more than adequate for my riding style. The dealer commented the bike was designed as a commuter or for pleasure riding - not as a high performance ride. He did comment, as you gave noticed, the fuel economy is amazing.
 
arcticXS said:
Yesterday, i rode 320 km/200 miles without passenger, but with side and top cases, then filled the tank.
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Thanks for the update and recommendation! If I get the opportunity, I will definitely take one for a spin!
bosco659 said:
I actually looked at one of these before I bought my Moto Guzzi.
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Great minds think alike! Before buying my Suzuki, I looked for the Honda and none were available, then I actually put a deposit on a Guzzi identical to yours and then was told it would take 6 months or more to get the bike, so I got my deposit back! :doh:
Oh well, it’s all good. 😉
 
Mailman said:
Thanks for the update and recommendation! If I get the opportunity, I will definitely take one for a spin!
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It's a bike I've sometimes thought about, not taken very seriously mind. But today looked at a couple reviews. One chap had a NC 750 X on long-term test for a m/c magazine and, well, at first he hated it. The low power, the DCT auto-clutch system, the looks, everything.

But after a few hundred miles and a few touring trips, he completely changed his mind. Once he realised it actually had enough power in the real world, once he got used to the semi-auto transmission - he came to look at 'normal' bikes as a real faff - and he came to really love it's practical features like the 35 litre storage compartment where the fuel tank usually sits. Big enough to hold a full-face helmet or shopping or whatever. And the all-day comfy saddle. Comfortable for pillions too. And the low maintenance and the high fuel economy. Went on to buy one for his own use.

He says the bike does a lot of things very well, but has the usual Honda lack of character as well as a lot of 'strange' features, so he suggested it's not a bike you ought to make your mind up after a short spin . . .
 
I just had a quick look and although my Moto Guzzi claims to have more ho and torque, the Honda NC750 performance specs for acceleration and speed are relatively equal. That said, I’d say it’s no slouch for everyday riding. I’d like to take one for a spin one day. There’s lots of practical reasons to get one. I particularly like the storage in the “tank” area.

Nice choice @arcticXS
 
Raymond said:
It's a bike I've sometimes thought about, not taken very seriously mind. But today looked at a couple reviews. One chap had a NC 750 X on long-term test for a m/c magazine and, well, at first he hated it. The low power, the DCT auto-clutch system, the looks, everything.

But after a few hundred miles and a few touring trips, he completely changed his mind. Once he realised it actually had enough power in the real world, once he got used to the semi-auto transmission - he came to look at 'normal' bikes as a real faff - and he came to really love it's practical features like the 35 litre storage compartment where the fuel tank usually sits. Big enough to hold a full-face helmet or shopping or whatever. And the all-day comfy saddle. Comfortable for pillions too. And the low maintenance and the high fuel economy. Went on to buy one for his own use.

He says the bike does a lot of things very well, but has the usual Honda lack of character as well as a lot of 'strange' features, so he suggested it's not a bike you ought to make your mind up after a short spin . . .
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Hi, Raymond:
Do you mean, this fella, Chris Moss? Yeah, he had me convinced for a while, but he spent another £3500 on getting it right and i would buy the kawa z900rs for that money.
jay
 
jaybar6 said:
Hi, Raymond:
Do you mean, this fella, Chris Moss? Yeah, he had me convinced for a while, but he spent another £3500 on getting it right and i would buy the kawa z900rs for that money.
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Yeah, that's the fella. IIRC he spent a load of dosh on the suspension, but he did say that an owner could spend a good deal less and still improve the bike enough.

I was interested that he never came to love the bike, more appreciate it.
 
ckahleer said:
I see the NC750 as a modern version of the Pacific Coast 800.
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Sort of, I guess. Definitely designed for practicality and low cost, not for boasting rights at the bar. That said, I am totally convinced it would easily pull away from for example any stock air cooled Sportster 883 or 1200 over any distance, from quarter mile to iron butt rally. Despite the Sportster's classic good looks......
 
jetmechmarty said:
It’s character. Whether you appreciate it or hate it, a Sportster has character and plenty of it.
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Absolutely. There are some really cool Sportsters out there, like Storz tracker conversions, Mule's tracker builds, the Stonebridge MoCo featherbed Sportster cafe racer, many XLCR replicas. And the original XLCR and XR1000. All very cool bikes, to the point where I have entertained the idea of a Sportster street tracker. But a stock one with a 16 inch rear and short shocks never tempted.....
 
arcticXS said:
Definitely designed for practicality and low cost, not for boasting rights at the bar.
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Call me crazy but I think it’s a great looking bike. And I think being fuel efficient and reliable and well designed doesn’t make it boring, to me it makes it exceptional. I no longer have the need to ride like my hair is on fire. 😄
 
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