Another Newbie

[ColinWB]

Hi, I'm Colin. I'm not a keen motorcyclist yet, was last on a bike about 40 years ago as a teenager on a mate's farm. Planning to do CBT in July and DAS shortly after that, so I can tour on a bike. Looking for suggestions/recommendations for suitable bikes. I don't want a racer, so the fastest/most powerful bike is not a requirement. It should be able to do the North Coast 500 without fuss, not struggle up steep hills, carry me and my clothes with a sleeping bag and mat and small stove with small pots and pans and kettle. Fuel efficient with good range so I don't have to worry about refuelling all the time and reliable, of course, so I don't get stranded in sparsely populated areas. Does that bike exist?

[Bender]

Welcome  

 

Honda any one above 150 and below 1000 

[ColinWB]

Thanks Bender. I have a mate whose nephew did it on a KTM 125 Duke. Nephew said it was murder, surprise surprise, so would you really want something just above 150?

[Fiddlesticks]

Hi

[Bender]

Budget ? Honda Deauville, storage, shaft drive, not sporty, highly underrated 

[ColinWB]

Up to £8k. I've done a bit of looking around, a nice Honda dealer suggested the NC750X, said it's a bit like the Deauville with fantastic fuel consumption, generally a great all rounder.

[Fiddlesticks]

Have fun! Sit on as many as you can and enjoy the window shopping. Insurance quotes will differ greatly depending on the bike.

[ColinWB]

11 minutes ago, Bender said:

Budget ? Honda Deauville, storage, shaft drive, not sporty, highly underrated 

Just read MCN review of the Deauville, well worth looking into thank you.

[Bender]

24 minutes ago, ColinWB said:

Up to £8k. I've done a bit of looking around, a nice Honda dealer suggested the NC750X, said it's a bit like the Deauville with fantastic fuel consumption, generally a great all rounder.

Yup you have a lot to choose from in that budget 

[Simon Davey]

Welcome to the forum Colin. 

You could get a nice BMW GS1200 in that budget. 

A bike that'll tour forever, be very comfortable, reliable, and have great balance and handling without being sporty. 

[bonio]

19 minutes ago, Simon Davey said:

Welcome to the forum Colin. 

You could get a nice BMW GS1200 in that budget. 

A bike that'll tour forever, be very comfortable, reliable, and have great balance and handling without being sporty. 

That's a great bike for the kind of use you describe. But honestly, I'd get something cheaper that you're comfortable riding,  and be able to swap it for your dream bike after a couple of years.... your dream might have have changed by then.

[jr71]

test ride as many bikes as you can. get a feel for the types you like. dont want to spend thousands on a bike only to discover you dont like it.

[Pie man]

Suzuki V-Strom. Bombproof engine, excellent fuel efficiency and a good selection of luggage options along with plenty of poke for those roads and light enough to pick up without having arms like popeye

Edited June 17, 2024 by Pie man

[ColinWB]

52 minutes ago, jr71 said:

test ride as many bikes as you can. get a feel for the types you like. dont want to spend thousands on a bike only to discover you dont like it.

Thanks, I intend to. Thinking a bit more about it, £8k is a lot to spend on a first bike so I'll be looking for something substantially cheaper, maybe around £5k.

[ColinWB]

I've seen quite a few of them - Suzuki V Strom - on the roads, they appear to be good but I'll not know until I try it if it's right for me. What capacity is the best all rounder?

I thought I had quoted Pie Man n my answer but obviously not 

Edited June 17, 2024 by ColinWB

[RideWithStyles]

as bender said first but to point it further, a single cylinder if your on a budget but a twin cylinder below 600cc will be the sweet spot.

[bonio]

Any 600cc+ bikes will do what you want. An 800 will do it comfortably.

Thinking about it, a Tiger 800 would be a great bike to consider; stick it on your list.

[Capt Sisko]

That suggestion of an NC750X from your dealer is absolutely spot on. Some don't like them as it's a 750 and only produces 58hp at 6,000rpm, but as a bike for someome rejoining the fold that's more than enough, plus the peak torque come in at a sensibly low RPM as well. MPG is brilliant and the engine is sort of based on half a Honda Jazz the reliability is outstanding. I suspect it'll tick a awful lot of your boxed. Buy secondhand, DTC if that's your thing and you won't go wrong.

[ColinWB]

1 hour ago, Capt Sisko said:

That suggestion of an NC750X from your dealer is absolutely spot on. Some don't like them as it's a 750 and only produces 58hp at 6,000rpm, but as a bike for someome rejoining the fold that's more than enough, plus the peak torque come in at a sensibly low RPM as well. MPG is brilliant and the engine is sort of based on half a Honda Jazz the reliability is outstanding. I suspect it'll tick a awful lot of your boxed. Buy secondhand, DTC if that's your thing and you won't go wrong.

Given he saw what I was looking at and listened to my questions before showing me the NC750X, he likely thought the same as you about it being the most suitable bike for me. It felt just right sitting on it in the showroom, but I'll only really know when riding it, won't I? So I've been reading the reviews and it seems to be no fuss, no frills, capable and reliable, frugal with fuel and 16k miles between valve clearance checks. All sounds very good. One question, with the fuel filler beneath the pillion seat, has anyone had an overspill when filling up and what were the consequences? That's two questions, actually 

[JRH]

The only possible issue with the NC750 is the range. Mpg is great but they have a smallish tank, 3 gallon

[JRH]

Range isn’t too bad after all. Just been out with a mate on a NC750X and he returned 82mpg. Which beats the guide of 60 to 70.

[ColinWB]

Thanks to all who have given me advice so far. NC750X will be my first test ride after getting my full licence 

[ColinWB]

I completed my CBT yesterday, and posted about it on another thread in the CBT Experiences section so I'm not going to repeat it here, except to say I will benefit from getting road experience on a 125 instead of going straight to DAS. The bike at the centre was a Benelli BN125 and it felt like a great wee bike, does anyone know if there are any pitfalls in buying and owning one?

[RideWithStyles]

Hi and congratulations.

You will gain experience if you stay on a 125 over say to rush to a DAS especially if you have no other road experience from say car license. DAS increases costs greatly, But if your circumstances are well aligned DAS in the long term is cheaper and better. Even after you pass you cmdont have to go for the biggest bike possible, if your happy with say a sub 600 and a2 bike you can just stick with that.

 

With a benelli and I’ve had one - no don’t do it!!! A used (even very well used/abused) jap bike or even if your risky type a European model will be better in every way.

[ColinWB]

Thanks RWS, always good to learn from a previous owner . I've seen some less than complimentary reviews of the Honda CB125Fs rusting quickly but if they are still a class above the Benelli then they'll be a better deal all round. I've been driving for a long time and cycling even longer, but I don't cycle at motorbike speeds, being no spring chicken or Tour de France professional, so two wheel experience at motorbike speed is what I need.