I too have just purchased a 2011 NT700VA Pearl Black 4900 miles

Trialsntribs

Joined
Jul 27, 2025
Messages
5
Location
Cedaredge, CO.
Bike
2011 NT700VA
Hi all, I thought I'd introduce myself. I live in western Colorado and have been motorcycling for years. Goldwings, BMW's, Pacific Coasts, Naked Bikes, Cruisers, Motocross, Enduro, and trials. Not much makes me happier than being on two wheels. I commuted for years and toured a lot. Now days as a retired old guy, I'm selling my Burgman 650 and moving back to a motorcycle. I got into scooters when I purchased one for my wife who is vertically challenged. She stopped riding so I took it over and put about 10k miles the last couple years. It's just not the same. I pick the bike up tomorrow and have about a 175 mile ride home. I'm a little concerned with the tires since they are original but plan on limping it home. The rear tire seems a bit hard to find and I've spent some time reading prior posts. I'd prefer to stay with the stock tire size, rather than change. Once home, I'll go through the bike thoroughly, change oil, brake, antifreeze fluids, new plugs, check brakes and change tires. Anything else anyone can think of? The adventure begins! Wahoo
Ps; I have a week long fishing trip that starts Wednesday, so if I don't get back to anyone in a timely fashion, Thanks in advance and I'll post more soon. I can't wait to tap into this wealth of knowledge. Dan
 
Greetings! I am also an old retired guy, having been on bikes most of the last 55 years. I am 11 months and 12,000 miles on my NT700V - whatever name they call the red.
 
Welcome, congrats on the bike.
The pannier latch system is a weak point. Visit some posts here, get a close look when you get home with the new ride, and consider reinforcing the latch posts with epoxy, JB Weld, or something similar. Several have gone to external latches also.

Arknt
 
Thank you both for the welcome. Thanks too for the mention of the latches. I'll re-enforce those as soon as I can, though they are in good shape. I don't want future problems with them. I've followed these bikes since they were released in the states, that was one of the check list things I had my nephew look at. He happens to live 2 or 3 miles from the current owner.
Small world. Dan
 
Welcome and in addition to reinforcing the Pannier latch posts, also reinforce the post where the lids cord stay connects.
 
FYI I M H O JB weld is great stuff but brittle when used on flexing plastic. What ever glue came with my fairing repair kit was great. Kind of welded things.
 
Thanks all.

I made the trip yesterday and found the front tire in worse shape than I thought. 4900 miles and the left side down to slick the right side had some tread left and cupping was present. The rear tire looked good with quite a bit of tread left. Surprised that low of miles and that worn of a front tire. I don't know how well the prior owner kept up with tire pressures. They were low when I picked it up. I tried to keep my speed at 55 for a while, but when highway speeds hit 75, I felt like I was the frog in frogger. I had to speed up so I didn't end up an oil spot in the road. I did get to use Colorado's new lane filtering law when I hit stopped traffic on Vail pass. I did a little over 2 miles of filtering until I got to where single file traffic started. That saved me, my bike, my clutch, my crotch, and my sanity.

First impressions: I'd never sat on a NT. I was surprised at its sport bike seating. Way more forward leaning than expected. I had thoughts that it would more closely match the Goldwing and Pacific Coast. I might roll the handlebars back just a bit. The dash is very nice with easy-to-read gauges. Nice having ABS again. The power band is interesting. Correct me if I'm wrong... the bike only seems happy above 3750 RPM's. This is a pretty clean bike that had been owned by a 85 year old that decided to upgrade to a BMW K1200. He and His brother are setting off for a weeks long adventure, so maybe motorcycling keeps you young. Gas mileage seems to be really good at the speeds I was traveling.

My week long fishing trip starts tomorrow, so the maintenance will what until I return.
 
Trialsntribs said:
Thanks all.

I made the trip yesterday and found the front tire in worse shape than I thought. 4900 miles and the left side down to slick the right side had some tread left and cupping was present. The rear tire looked good with quite a bit of tread left. Surprised that low of miles and that worn of a front tire. I don't know how well the prior owner kept up with tire pressures. They were low when I picked it up. I tried to keep my speed at 55 for a while, but when highway speeds hit 75, I felt like I was the frog in frogger. I had to speed up so I didn't end up an oil spot in the road. I did get to use Colorado's new lane filtering law when I hit stopped traffic on Vail pass. I did a little over 2 miles of filtering until I got to where single file traffic started. That saved me, my bike, my clutch, my crotch, and my sanity.

First impressions: I'd never sat on a NT. I was surprised at its sport bike seating. Way more forward leaning than expected. I had thoughts that it would more closely match the Goldwing and Pacific Coast. I might roll the handlebars back just a bit. The dash is very nice with easy-to-read gauges. Nice having ABS again. The power band is interesting. Correct me if I'm wrong... the bike only seems happy above 3750 RPM's. This is a pretty clean bike that had been owned by a 85 year old that decided to upgrade to a BMW K1200. He and His brother are setting off for a weeks long adventure, so maybe motorcycling keeps you young. Gas mileage seems to be really good at the speeds I was traveling.

My week long fishing trip starts tomorrow, so the maintenance will what until I return.
Click to expand...
I find the seating position most comfortable. Keeping RPMs above 3,500 is a good thing to keep in mind. I travel on state highways and farm roads mostly - 60 -70 mph. Averaging 54 MPG.
 
I was just reading another post and saw the mention of needing a spare crank position sensor. Does anyone have that part number? Thanks, Dan
 
Here's what I have on the shelf waiting to be used:

30300-MEW-921
Generator, Pulse

I should clarify this is for a 2010 NT700V, could be different for yours.

Based on another thread here

Crank Position Sensor | Technical-NT700

HI all, I need to replace mine, I got the 19 code, hot /no start condition here in South Florida. I have been searching the manual and the site, there are a lot of posts but one thing I am unsure of is the parts list needed. Is it only the sensor? No gasket or other small bits? If no...
www.nt-owners.org
 
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Trialsntribs said:
Thanks all.

I made the trip yesterday and found the front tire in worse shape than I thought. 4900 miles and the left side down to slick the right side had some tread left and cupping was present. The rear tire looked good with quite a bit of tread left. Surprised that low of miles and that worn of a front tire. I don't know how well the prior owner kept up with tire pressures. They were low when I picked it up. I tried to keep my speed at 55 for a while, but when highway speeds hit 75, I felt like I was the frog in frogger. I had to speed up so I didn't end up an oil spot in the road. I did get to use Colorado's new lane filtering law when I hit stopped traffic on Vail pass. I did a little over 2 miles of filtering until I got to where single file traffic started. That saved me, my bike, my clutch, my crotch, and my sanity.

First impressions: I'd never sat on a NT. I was surprised at its sport bike seating. Way more forward leaning than expected. I had thoughts that it would more closely match the Goldwing and Pacific Coast. I might roll the handlebars back just a bit. The dash is very nice with easy-to-read gauges. Nice having ABS again. The power band is interesting. Correct me if I'm wrong... the bike only seems happy above 3750 RPM's. This is a pretty clean bike that had been owned by a 85 year old that decided to upgrade to a BMW K1200. He and His brother are setting off for a weeks long adventure, so maybe motorcycling keeps you young. Gas mileage seems to be really good at the speeds I was traveling.

My week long fishing trip starts tomorrow, so the maintenance will what until I return.
Click to expand...
I have heard all sorts of therories on tire cupping but the end is the same. Replace. I now get less cupping by far with Michilen road 6s. Make sure forks have all fasteners tight to torque settings. Be careful while filtering in the US. In states where it is not allowed, it can create road rage. My state Patrol capt told me just taping on your brake lights to deal with tail gaters can attract bullets. Bikes shouldnt be lugged for sure but I never noted a place where my NT seemed happy. Once I was blasting down a road, I90, in montana, at 80, happy as a clam, when I went to pass a truck....the throttle was wide open as I was heading into a wind. Just remember, as we all should, your bike's limitations...power if not one of the NT's long suits.
Pass a truck on an NT, and you pray there is a God
Pass a truck on a VFR and you KNOW there is a God.
Pass a truck on an FJR and you can SEE God.
 
Coyote Chris said:
I have heard all sorts of therories on tire cupping but the end is the same. Replace. I now get less cupping by far with Michilen road 6s. Make sure forks have all fasteners tight to torque settings. Be careful while filtering in the US. In states where it is not allowed, it can create road rage. My state Patrol capt told me just taping on your brake lights to deal with tail gaters can attract bullets. Bikes shouldnt be lugged for sure but I never noted a place where my NT seemed happy. Once I was blasting down a road, I90, in montana, at 80, happy as a clam, when I went to pass a truck....the throttle was wide open as I was heading into a wind. Just remember, as we all should, your bike's limitations...power if not one of the NT's long suits.
Click to expand...

Coyote Chris said:
Pass a truck on an NT, and you pray there is a God
Pass a truck on a VFR and you KNOW there is a God.
Pass a truck on an FJR and you can SEE God.
Click to expand...
Yes, one needs to be carful in all situations.
 
Chucksklrst said:
Yes, one needs to be carful in all situations.
Click to expand...
We have wonderful forum members whose names I wont mention who let their brain stop riding the bike for one second and have regretted it.
I have no idea why I have been so lucky over 60 years...but I spend lots of time trying to maintain lots of distance between me and cars and blankety blank semis who like to drift over the centerline on the interstate. I have decided after this last 3600 mile trip to Osh that people on the interstate are brainless. They have no idea who you need to PASS a vehicle using the gas peddle, pull in when appropriate, and continue using your speed control. Curiously, the car to semi ratio back east is much higher than out west, and less pickup trucks to boot. Also, if you are forced to use back roads of wisconsin for detours, they let their deer hiding trees grow right up to the highway.
 
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