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Author Topic: New bike - For the daily Commute  (Read 6959 times)

Offline steve hawkins

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New bike - For the daily Commute
« on: May 25, 2015, 02:21:32 PM »
A change of jobs has introduced a 30+ miles cross country commute each way, every day.  I did look at another airhead to run alongside my R100, but they have gone up in price recently and getting a cheap bike to put a lot of miles on seems to consigned to history.

Enter the Honda NC750X.  Half a Honda Jazz engine, so a parallel twin, 270 deg firing order and lots of balancer shafts, only revs to 6500rpm.  Low outright bhp, but high low down torque.  Up to 80 mpg (uk gallons), 8000 mile service intervals, yada, yada.  

Funnily enough, rides like an airhead.  The X refers to its adventure bike styling.  Bought a manual, as good as the auto (dual clutch gearbox) is, its a 10kg luxury I can do without.

Keep my Airhead for the weekends.

There, they do say sharing your shame, somehow lifts the burden slightly.

Rev Light
Steve Hawkins R100 (that wants to be an R65)

Offline montmil

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2015, 04:31:28 PM »
Ease up on yourself, Steve. [smiley=steinigung.gif]

Bunch of us have additional bikes that are not from the Motorrad shed. Doesn't make you a bad person. Incidentally. if you don't post up a photo, well, you know... the bike doesn't exist.
Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

Offline nhmaf

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2015, 06:32:57 PM »
Oddly enough, I've been noticing some of the adventure touring bikes myself lately, and consciously controlling the opening of my wallet.  

As nice as the R1200GSA is - it is just too much, in my book.  Especially pricewise.   I was looking at a 800GS XC (used) and also a 2-year old Yamaha Super Tenere.   But, I'll probably just plod on with my current stable of bikes, especially now that we're borrowing some money to make more house updates..
Airhead #12178 ? BMWMOA #123173 ?BMWRA #33525 ?GSBMWR #563 ?1982 BMW R65LS ?1978 BMW R100/7 1998 Kawasaki Concours

Offline Tony Smith

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2015, 06:46:04 PM »
Quote

Enter the Honda NC750X.  Half a Honda Jazz engine, so a parallel twin, 270 deg firing order and lots of balancer shafts, only revs to 6500rpm.  Low outright bhp, but high low down torque.  Up to 80 mpg (uk gallons), 8000 mile service intervals, yada, yada.  



Photos God damm you, photos!!!!!
1978 R100RS| 1981 R100RS (JPS) | 1984 R65 | 1992 KLE500 | 2002 R1150GSA |

Offline Tony Smith

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2015, 06:51:39 PM »
Quote
Oddly enough, I've been noticing some of the adventure touring bikes myself lately, and consciously controlling the opening of my wallet.  

I posted not so long ago in this very sub-board about my own foray into the world of Adventure Bikes - a KLE 500 Kawasaki...That project meanders along.....

However I did put some dirt miles on a F650GS BMW. Direct comparison to my current dirt transport, a 330 year old XT350, the 650GS is heaven on a stick. What a lovely, confidence inspiring little machine, heaps of get up and go and judging by the luggage kit the owner has for it, quite capable of carrying a load too.

And best of all they are dirt cheap.

Meanwhile, back int he real world, I will finish stripping the KLE frame as far as I intend to strip it this weekend and will then do a bit of painting. The engine awaits my attention, it is a lovely simple thing, but my goodness is it ever heavy, lifting it from floor to workbench was very close to be beyond me.
1978 R100RS| 1981 R100RS (JPS) | 1984 R65 | 1992 KLE500 | 2002 R1150GSA |

Offline steve hawkins

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2015, 12:02:44 PM »
Me picking it up:
Steve Hawkins R100 (that wants to be an R65)

Offline montmil

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2015, 03:32:27 PM »
That's a pretty good looking commuter, Steve.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

clonmore1

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #7 on: May 26, 2015, 04:24:58 PM »
Steve, that looks like it could be a lot of fun on the ride to work!

Great colour and those tyres look nice too

Offline nhmaf

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2015, 08:04:50 PM »
Looks good!   I'd not have any qualms about riding that bike to work, or out on a tour!
Airhead #12178 ? BMWMOA #123173 ?BMWRA #33525 ?GSBMWR #563 ?1982 BMW R65LS ?1978 BMW R100/7 1998 Kawasaki Concours

Offline DeeG

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2015, 11:30:22 AM »
Spouse has an NC700X that he uses as a commute bike. Its a pretty awesome bike.  I love the fuel tank 'trunk' and how easy it is to work on.  And the fuel economy..... He averages about 75 mpg.

Its his 'go to' bike for trips as well.  recently took it back to MN to visit parents.  Bike now has SW Motec tail and pannier racks, Wolfman panniers, and a rack that replaces the pillion seat made by a guy in western Washington state.  Its nicely made, and has an opening to replace the fuel cap without having to unload the baggage on the seat.

Bike loaded up for 10 day trip:



I don't have any pictures of the pillion rack installed on our bike, so I will steal a couple from the guy that built it.

Pillion rack installed (photo courtesy of HondaBikePro)


Top view of pillion rack in unfinished state (photo courtesy of HondaBikePro)
Dee G
1978 R45/N ?
1978 R80 w/hack
1971 R75 (swb)

Offline nhmaf

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #10 on: June 07, 2015, 12:23:22 PM »
Interesting accessory setup - and thanks for the write-up Dee!   Does look like a very good choice for a 'standard' does everything sort of bike.  

I gotta wonder a little about that luggage rack - does the front edge of it press against one's rear end/coccyx area?
Airhead #12178 ? BMWMOA #123173 ?BMWRA #33525 ?GSBMWR #563 ?1982 BMW R65LS ?1978 BMW R100/7 1998 Kawasaki Concours

Offline DeeG

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #11 on: July 06, 2015, 11:03:22 AM »
Quote
Interesting accessory setup - and thanks for the write-up Dee!   Does look like a very good choice for a 'standard' does everything sort of bike.  

I gotta wonder a little about that luggage rack - does the front edge of it press against one's rear end/coccyx area?


he has never mentioned it doing that.  We just stuck new tires on it yesterday, and I was chosen to be the test ride guinea pig.  he wimped out and rode the CB500X to work this morning. If I get my tail in gear, I can get the ride in before the temps climb over 100F.  I'll let you know if I can feel it or not.

Dee
Dee G
1978 R45/N ?
1978 R80 w/hack
1971 R75 (swb)

Danie

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #12 on: May 24, 2016, 01:08:34 PM »
I bought a 700X more than three years ago. Already covered more than 52 000km, and regard this bike as one of my best buys ever.

A couple of photos below :
« Last Edit: May 24, 2016, 01:14:01 PM by Danie »

Offline nhmaf

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #13 on: May 24, 2016, 07:16:52 PM »
Hi Danie!

It has been quite some time since we heard from you - glad to see that you're back!
Airhead #12178 ? BMWMOA #123173 ?BMWRA #33525 ?GSBMWR #563 ?1982 BMW R65LS ?1978 BMW R100/7 1998 Kawasaki Concours

Offline montmil

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Re: New bike - For the daily Commute
« Reply #14 on: May 25, 2016, 08:08:01 AM »
Quote
Hi Danie!

It has been quite some time since we heard from you - glad to see that you're back!

Ditto that!
Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet