A Good Problem to Have

RedNigel

RedNigel

Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
378
Location
Richardson, TX
Bike
2010 Red NT700
My oldest brother died a couple of weeks ago. Really great human being and good riding companion. I will miss riding and chatting with him.

I wont believe it til I see it with my own eyes but I have been told that he left me one of his bikes. A 2018 Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport with the trick brakes and trick suspension parts. A very nice piece of kit and a barrel of monkeys to ride and sounds amazing.
However, its not my cup of tea, plus I don't think that I can afford to maintain it over time. I fear that if I keep it there will come a point where either a repair or maintenance job will cost more than I can stomach and I will end up selling it for a song. I don't want that to happen.

Now Kyle, My Departed Brother suffered from HTC his whole life. (horse trader's disease) and I know he would not have kept the Duc long term. He was always wheeling and dealing. Knowing him the way I do, he would expect me to parley this Ducati (and the NT) into something I could enjoy. So I have right now a short list of candidates.

My main 2 requirements/wishes are
Less weight
Lower seat height


1. Honda Rebel 1100T. The seat height paired with less weight than the NT700 and standard cruise control are a huge draw for me. My concern is how many low mileage Rebels I see online. Do they have issues or are people just buying them and finding out it's not the right bike for them?

2. Yamaha XSR700. This bike has a 270degree flat plane crank and a great exhaust note plus gobs of power and looks like would be a blast to ride, but it would need some farkle money spent to make it usable for long distance. It also looks a bit too industrial or agricultural.

3. Kawasaki Z650RS. I am in love with the aesthetic of this retro Kaw. Along with great looks, it has more power than the NT and weighs more than 100# less. It would also need a little fairing and some luggage solutions. Just a beautiful bike

4: The most sensible choice but not sexy
Honda NC750X DCT
All I would have to do to make this bike do what I need is buy a tail bag. While the seat isn't any lower than the NT, the bike is much lighter and that funky motor is very low slung so the bike feels very light

Feel free to share opinions and other candidates
 
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All four of your choices would serve you well with varying degrees of farkling.

The Rebel has a low seat and a tiny fuel tank. The panniers appear to be rather small, but looks could be deceiving. My biggest complaint would be the appearance. I just can't learn to like a bike whose fuel tank looks likes it was placed on top of the frame with no concern for aesthetics. It is just butt ugly IMHO.

I like the Yam and that engine is a peach but it would require a fair amount of farkling to make it suitable to touring. The accessory catalog for the bike is rather meager at the moment

I think the Kaw is the best looking bike in the bunch and the lightweight is appealing. It too has a meager accessory selection for touring.

The NC750 is probably the best choice out of the box, but some folks have said that the engine doesn't seem too sporty if that would be an issue.

One bike that is not on your list but worthy of consideration would be the Suzuki V-Strom. A fuel tank that is comparable to the NT and has an abundance of accessories both OE and aftermarket. It sits a tad high but the suspension is easily modified to lower it and is very economical to do so.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your brother and riding buddy. Good riding buddies are hard to come by.......

Mike
 
I would look into the Vstrom 800 RE, I found the 650 lacking in passing power, great bike but you have to plan your passing vs something with a little more umph.
 
I would vote for the V-Strom......but given that you are looking for a low seat height the NC750 dual clutch would be my choice. I have been eyeing one myself even though seat height is not a problem for me yet. With that said my 2013 V-Strom is my favorite bike in my garage.

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Chucksklrst said:
I would vote for the V-Strom......but given that you are looking for a low seat height the NC750 dual clutch would be my choice. I have been eyeing one myself even though seat height is not a problem for me yet. With that said my 2013 V-Strom is my favorite bike in my garage.

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Chuck what brand/model is that seat thing you have?
 
Mellow said:
I would look into the Vstrom 800 RE, I found the 650 lacking in passing power, great bike but you have to plan your passing vs something with a little more umph.
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Joe if I could go back in time i would buy that Orange Weestrom from you. It was a sweet looking ride
 
How was the Coleman seat pad? My Bead Rider ceramic bead seat gave up the ghost this summer. I had a wooden bead rider before and neither one lasted more than two years. I'm gonna look at an Airhawk as well.

Mike
 
The Coleman work OK, better that the stock seat on both the NT and the V Strom. You get what you pay for. It was worth the 20 bucks + a few more. I tried an Airhawk for a few weeks but it never worked for me. Always felt like I was packing a load.

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Mellow said:
I would look into the Vstrom 800 RE, I found the 650 lacking in passing power, great bike but you have to plan your passing vs something with a little more umph.
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Interesting perspective. My experience is quite different. After owning a yellow V-Strom for a year and a half, I found it was way more power than I needed!
But, following a CRF300 Rally, and a CB500X before it, you might understand why.
The Strom is a beautiful bike, great for touring with cruise, just not quite what I wanted. It weighs 100 pounds less than a NT700, has more power and a six speed. Just what every NT owner was always dreaming of!
If you had any interest Red, I would consider selling it. Guess I am also afflicted with horse traders disease. LOL
 

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I like my 2020 Triumph Tiger 900 GT LRH. It is a stock OEM Low Ride Height suspension model.
Here is a link to the 2022 LHR model. Compared to the NT: It is 100 lbs lighter; 50% more power (50% more cylinders, 3), lots of torque, 1.5" lower seat height (I had the seat modified for lower yet), cruise, fancy ride/power control, 6 speed, etc, ... but chain drive. I have a local dealer, but no problems other than a battery since new. YMMV

Chris and I breaking camp at Arches NP (all time favorite camping spot) Fall 2020. Removable Triumph (Givi) side cases open open either from top or side.
 

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