Other Bikes that You Love

Okay, so I have caught the bug to purchase another bike (this would be in addition to my Silverwing which I would plan to keep). I would like one that is a bit quicker than the Swing and handles very well on the road, but is also comfortable for 2-up riding and might be OK to take off pavement just a little too. I know that there are a lot of very experienced riders on here who have ridden a lot of different bikes over the years. What are some of your favorites and why?

Your being a youngster at age 56 allows you the luxury of throwing your leg over a seat that is considerably higher than the Swing's. As soon as you said you might do a little gravel roading, I ruled out what I now own; an F6B. I LOVE my bike!
That being said, I can suggest you test drive, if they permit you, a Suzuki 1000 V-Strom, 2013 or newer, a new to the US Kawasaki 1000 Versys, a Triumph Explorer 800 triple, and whatever iteration of the BMW 800 series that might suit you. These bikes are all fast, have tested well in the magazines, and are popular. However, you will find all of them top heavy compared to the Swing. I'm sure there are more, but these 4 come to mind right now.
Let us know how your test driving goes.

Terry:
I had to chuckle at your list. You exactly nailed my short list so far. I would also like a chance to try a Honda CBF1000 if I could find one. I have ridden the Tiger 800XC and I loved it! I found it to be easy to throw around, nimble, and plenty quick.

I saw in a another post that you now have a Honda F6B. I love the look of that bike and could readily see myself riding one of those too. It would do everything I want in spades - except the gravel...

I was quite content with my SWing but my wife did not like the 2-up part of it. Soooo I looked around and purchased a used GL1800 (Goldwing). What a beast but oh can that bike devour the miles. I thought I would have to sell the SWing but have been able to talk my sweetie into keeping both!
Oh, happy days! And actually the wife has been on the Goldwing twice since last November... sigh
But I have to keep the battery charged (oh horrors) so I rotate the bikes.

NT700V---might work for you---drive shaft---doesn't break---built in luggage---my area dealers seem to have nice used/left overs on floor.

Having purchased/blew money on over 75 new bikes----NT is best in recent memory, and around now---2 up ok---AND standard windshield up to almost 70mph works fine!----2 up lite off road/slow works with caution.

Nut and screw valve adjustment. Good tire selection. Bike is heavy like SilverWing. Enjoyable ride.

john grinsel wrote:

NT700V---might work for you---drive shaft---doesn't break---built in luggage---my area dealers seem to have nice used/left overs on floor.

As Capt. Kirk used to plead with Chief Engineer Scott on Star Trek,
"more power, Scotty!"

Scotty's answer? "I'm giving her all she's got, Captain"  (Insert appropriate Scottish brogue)

This may be the scenario with an NT700V.

I would suggest the couple of BMW's and the Vstrom since you may want to go somewhat off road. Even the 650 Vstrom is pretty powerful from what I understand. If you don't really need the off road capability a Honda ST1300 or the Concourse would be really good as well. I'm not sure if the NT700 would give you want you want since it is pretty similar to the power of the SWing.

bigbird wrote:

Scotty's answer? "I'm giving her all she's got, Captain"

As Capt. Kirk used to plead with Chief Engineer Scott on Star Trek,
"more power, Scotty!"

"I've 'go-ot' to 'ave more 'toe-ime!'

Anybody who is critical of NT 700 actually had one for at least 10,000 miles? or even ride a lot?

john grinsel wrote:

Anybody who is critical of NT 700 actually had one for at least 10,000 miles?   or even ride a lot?

I don't think you have to ride hundreds of thousands of miles to know that a 700 cc twin weighing more than a Silverwing will have similar performance to a Silverwing, especially 2-up. The OP wants more power and performance. He will need to consider at least an 800 cc engine combined with less weight than a Silverwing to attain that goal.

I think you do----ride one down the highway-----not a scooter----works fine at N American speeds.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. If I was looking for a bike for only on-pavement riding then the BMW, ST1300, Concourse, and FJR would definitely be in the running. They are all very capable and comfortable rides, but probably a little heavy for what I am trying to do. There is a lot to like about the NT700, but the reviews I have read suggest that the performance would be very similar to my Swing, so I think it would fall short of my objective here. KYM and Ducati both make some interesting rides, but they also tend to be a bit pricey. Does anyone have any experience with their recent bikes in the 800cc to liter range?

Ok here is the perfect ride! Just bring dosh. The Yamaha Super Tenere. Fantastic adventure bike with more than enough power to do freeway riding! I look longingly at these but fortunately I don't really need a dual-sport anymore.

Just write them a check and don't look at the price

bigbird wrote:

john grinsel wrote:

Anybody who is critical of NT 700 actually had one for at least 10,000 miles?   or even ride a lot?

I don't think you have to ride hundreds of thousands of miles to know that a 700 cc twin weighing more than a Silverwing will have similar performance to a Silverwing, especially 2-up. The OP wants more power and performance. He will need to consider at least an 800 cc engine combined with less weight than a Silverwing to attain that goal.

Not true!! I have a Suzuki GSF650 that can quickly leave the swing behind. It can also pull away from my brothers 1100cc virago and my friends 1100 vstar!! The bike is very nimble and a pleasure to handle. The only thing gained by bigger cc's is a higher insurance rate. All that being said the Suzuki doesnt have the creature comforts of the swing especially with its slight leaning forward riding stance. My wife likes the swing because its a more relaxing ride (so easy and tempting to break the law on the Suzuki .)

hotwings wrote:

bigbird wrote:

john grinsel wrote:

Anybody who is critical of NT 700 actually had one for at least 10,000 miles?   or even ride a lot?

I don't think you have to ride hundreds of thousands of miles to know that a 700 cc twin weighing more than a Silverwing will have similar performance to a Silverwing, especially 2-up. The OP wants more power and performance. He will need to consider at least an 800 cc engine combined with less weight than a Silverwing to attain that goal.

Not true!! I have a Suzuki GSF650 that can quickly leave the swing behind. It can also pull away from my brothers 1100cc virago and my friends 1100 vstar!! The bike is very nimble and a pleasure to handle. The only thing gained by bigger cc's is a higher insurance rate. All that being said the Suzuki doesnt have the creature comforts of the swing especially with its slight leaning forward riding stance. My wife likes the swing because its a more relaxing ride (so easy and tempting to break the law on the Suzuki .)

hotwings, you need to qualify the statement "Not true!!" The GSF650 can do the things you say, but it is not a twin cylinder and certainly weighs less than the Silverwing.

The GSF650 is a very nice bike, but does not meet the criteria the OP is using in his search.  The big VStrom and the Super Tenere are both nice choices.

john grinsel wrote:

Anybody who is critical of NT 700 actually had one for at least 10,000 miles?   or even ride a lot?

John,

When I made my post about the NT it was to say that it really doesn't meet his needs to go off road and it doesn't have the increased amount of power that the SWing has. When I bought my CTX700 I looked for the newest 'used' NT I could find in the ads. I remember when they were sold here new and I really liked the bike a lot. I also didn't mention the CTX700 since it doesn't meet the 'wants" that "The Scootist" was wanting. The CTX is a very nice bike but it has about the same power and speed as the SWing but I feel it is quicker off the line.

I forgot about the Yamaha Super Tunure as well. I like the looks of it but have never sat on one but I remember them being somewhat expensive.

For occasional off-road use, I'd go for a WeeStrom.  "Power" is subjective, and I think a question to be answered is how often and where can I use the power?

I have an NT700V with 17,000 miles.  It has a lot more power than my Burgman 400...but it goes on the same roads at the same speeds.  I could rev it to the redline at 8500, but I don't.  Why?  Because I have cars in front of me.  Even if I'm going to accelerate from a stop light...why race away like I'm drag racing?  Even taking it easy and upshifting at @4000 rpms has me leaving the cars around me behind, if I'm first in line at the stop light.  And once I'm up to speed...how fast can I go?  The speed limit on the nearby freeways is only 60 mph and occasionally the traffic will be moving at 70 mph.  I'm just not the type who believes the laws are to be ignored just because I'm on two wheels and not four.  I detest the riders who weave in and out of traffic, turning the road into their own personal racetrack.  And once you're up to speed...do you keep twisting the throttle on and off to get the feel of all that power?

Another bike the OP might consider would be a BMW F800GT.  The GT is outfitted for sport-touring and does an excellent job of carrying one or two people anywhere.  It's light.  Powerful.  And with the luggage, you can take the bike on some trips with the missus.  I think it also has an electronically adjustable suspension.

The NT700V is a wonderful bike.  The reviewers are generally coming off of sport bikes with 120 hp that can pop wheelies at 140 mph.  So yes, the NT seems dull in comparison.  

Here's a great YouTube review of the F800GT and two competitors.


Towards the end, the reviewer makes a comment about the Deauville (NT700V).  Something like how it is in a class of its own.  Even though my Burgman 400 had more usable storage, better wind protection, cheaper maintenance, better gas mileage...I didn't ride it after getting the NT.  I sold it last spring to a nice couple.  

I think John Grinsel wrote once that the NT has the best wind management of any bike he's owned recently.  I'll second that.  With the larger lids for the panniers, you get around 60 liters of storage.  It has shaft drive and a bullet-proof Honda engine.  And as long as you keep it to something near the legal speed limits, you'll find it handles corners quite well and eats up the miles on the freeway.

Chris

Chris,

I remember when they were being sold here and I used to go to the shops just to sit on them and look at them. I'm really surprised they didn't sell better here. I'm not sure if they quit selling them because Honda thought the CTX or NC was going to take it place but it was a very comfortable bike to sit on.

I really liked the shaft drive and the storage of the bike. But I think I would've had to buy handlebar risers, which would not be a big deal at all, and I have always had to buy an aftermarket windshield on every bike I have ever had. What kind of mpg's are you getting Chris? I have read that most are getting about 55 mpg.

55 mpg is a good figure to estimate your range with. On a road trip, I get high 50s to low 60s.

When I bought it, I knew what I wanted to do for modifying the bike. Risers with a Powerlet outlet were one of the purchases. I bought the lower cowl fairing, which protects the feet from rain. I also got the larger pannier lids which increased the storage capacity a bunch. I didn't mess with the windshield. It works just fine for me...but then I'm not that tall.

I think the reason it didn't sell well initially, was the high MSRP. The 2011 with ABS like I bought had an MSRP of $11,200. At that price, I just couldn't bring myself to buy one. But when I bought mine new two years later in 2013, it was sold for $6995. At that price, it was a steal. There are lots of them still around on Craigslist and eBay. I've seen prices down at about $4500 now. At that price, if this is the kind of bike someone is looking for, it is a steal.

Earlier, someone wrote about the amount of power and the weight of the bike. Yeah, you can compare bikes statistically like that, but nothing really works except to sit on a bike and ride it down the road. The Burgman scooter I had was better in almost every way you could quantify on a list. But I only rode it a few times in a year, and none in the last six months before deciding to sell it. There was something you couldn't quantify that made me pick the NT day after day, and leave the Burgman behind. Just because a bike probably has a similar amount of power to a Silverwing, doesn't mean the riding experience is the same.

Chris

I went the other way. I used my Silverwings, Burgman650 and now the BMW650GT for riding forest service roads. Not quite Jeep trails but gravel and dirt roads with some rutting and pot holes. The scooters handled surprisingly well for these conditions. We have hundreds of miles of these State, BLM and Forest Service roads. I was surprised when I started using the scooters on those kinds of roads how well they work even with their small diameter wheels. The CVT is a boon in those conditions.
For my second bike I have a '95 BMW1100LT. 100hp and it only weighs about 50lbs more than my scooter. Plenty lively in the twisties, comfortable, very nimble and fun to ride. Once in a while you have to get the heart rate up a bit. I'm still surprised how inexpensive these K bikes are. Mine had only 11,000 miles on it. $2800 for what was originally a $16,000+ bike. That was the second one I bought for that price, the other one a '94 had 70,000+ miles but was unscathed hardly and rock chips in the paint. Ran like new as well. $2800 for that one too. I only sold it because I'd found the low mileage one and had an offer for the '94. ABS and heated grips on both too. The Honda Deauville would be a great starting point.

I did several trips with my daughters where we'd take a fun motorcycle (scooter) ride on the Burgman, and then exchange our riding gear for some hiking gear and take off for the day on a trail. At the end of the hike, we'd reverse the process and have another fun ride back home. You're right...the CVT really helped...well, except when I was riding over a mile downhill on a steep forest road with switchbacks. With the standard CVT of the Burgman 400, it wouldn't stay in gear.

You do bring up a good point though, if one reads between the lines. You found some great rides for an inexpensive price by looking for used bikes. The BMW650GT hasn't been out for long, but the Burgman 650 and Silverwing scooters have been out for years with few changes. You don't get much by buying a new bike...except the satisfaction of watching the depreciation cost fly out the window.

Chris

The best 'bike I ever owned was a T140V ....



If you can find one, give it a go, you might be pleasantly surprised

If nothing else, the British upright twin is to me the epitome of a motorcycle. I wouldn't want to have my old '49 Thunderbird back to make a long trip on but it was a beautiful machine.

What about a Vetter Hurricane, triple was a lot smoother running engine than the twin

jdeereanton wrote:

hotwings, you need to qualify the statement "Not true!!" The GSF650 can do the things you say, but it is not a twin cylinder and certainly weighs less than the Silverwing.

The GSF650 is a very nice bike, but does not meet the criteria the OP is using in his search.  The big VStrom and the Super Tenere are both nice choices.

The GSF650 only weighs around 21 lbs less than the swing, with my givi saddlebags on i think the weight would be pretty much equal. IMHO i dont think a big cc motorcycle is needed to have the neccessary power to ride two up. My brother has said (after he saw the 650 suzuki can pull away from him  ) that his next motorcycle will be under a 1000cc so his insurance rate will be cheaper, gas mileage better, etc.

In my opinion the desire to take a ride off road occasionally means that you will end up sacrificing a comfort ride for the majority of your riding. It's a compromise I was not willing to make over the years.
I rented a Honda Varadero 1000  in 2007 and toured the UK for a month and have test ridden the BWM and Suzuki Vstroms and at the end of the day the high centre of gravity (check your inseam measurement or you will be spending money to lower the seat height), off road tires, firmer suspensions and hard seating just did not thrill me when riding on pavement for distance. Probably fine for a quick frolic in the woods or a short commute. I couldn't wait to give the Varadero back to the dealer.
Although not a big cruiser fan my personal favourite for comfort was my Suzuki Volusia Intruder. The 800cc twin was powerful and the seating position comfortable and perfect for me, I'm 5'-11".
I now find the Swing more than capable in terms of power (comfort pretty good) and have not been outgunned except for on the higher freeway (motorway) speeds where the Swing suffers a little in the top end, stability and handling departments.

If you are able to keep the Swing and have a bike for the occasional off road excursions then the cross over bikes may work for you. Good luck hunting!

The Bern wrote:

The best 'bike I ever owned was a T140V ....

They ride great (apart from numb hands), handle great, have nice power, nice sound, but what percentage of UP time did you have? How long did you have it? How many miles did you put on it?

I rode a lot on Triumphs, but I was also scared to take them out of town. Others had better luck.

Honda S90

One of my favorites was the venerable Honda S90. It would scoot along at over 50 mph two-up. Handled nice, get incredible mileage, was fairly quiet, didn't vibrate enough to hurt your hands and felt so nice to shift. Some models had an aluminum cylinder with cast liner. It took a few minutes to put a higher CR piston in one, and I liked that if you didn't go extreme. They would last for years. I saw one, think it had the original chain, same owner, 68k miles.

Another bike was the 1962 BMW R50. The most outstanding characteristic was that you could basically buy it, ride it around the world as long as you wanted, then give it to your grandson. I have seen great engineering in modern cycles. power, mpg, handling, etc etc but... this was magnificent in a way that is hard to define. Just 'quality'.

Thubbadubba wrote:

The Bern wrote:

The best 'bike I ever owned was a T140V ....

They ride great (apart from numb hands), handle great, have nice power, nice sound, but what percentage of UP time did you have? How long did you have it? How many miles did you put on it?

I rode a lot on Triumphs, but I was also scared to take them out of town. Others had better luck.

I had it for 3 years, brought it new & sold it when my daughter was born (money was tight).
The only down time I had was after I got a corner wrong, hit a small tree & bent the forks, mechanically it never missed a beat.
As for miles I have no idea but it was my everyday transport, longest single run was Tonbridge to Lands End, which was about 670 miles round trip.

[quote="The Scootist"]
... I would also like a chance to try a Honda CBF1000 if I could find one.  

My current stable includes a 2005 Silverwing and a 2011 Honda CBF1000. I find the CBF to be very complementary to the Silverwing for the type of riding I do (touring, back road exploring and some gravel). I enjoy the comfort of the Silverwing and the versatilityof the CBF. When sold here in Canada, Honda advertised the CBF1000 as an "adventure bike". I'm not certain if the later model CBF1000 was available in the US.

Since 2005 when I bought the Swing, I've owned 2 BMW F650GS's (1-single, 1-twin, both factory lowered versions) and now the CBF. Being of reduced inseam I need a bike with lower seat height or at least some adjustability; the CBF provides the range of adjustment I need. All of the other bikes suggested are good choices.

My limited inseam narrows my bike choices considerably. So, before lusting after the tall bikes, I made a shortlist of the shorter bikes that I could handle, and from there I looked for features that were appealing to me. It stops me from even looking at bikes that I know I cannot handle unless Medicare covers longer inseam surgery, without long waiting lists !!!
I recently bought a Honda 1100 ACE Tourer , 1998, 74,000 km. Looks to be in great shape, but haven't ridden much due to some ongoing health issues. It fits me great, and the seat height is marginally better than the SWing. If I get the asking price for it the SWing will go; if not I'm keeping it.

cotetoi have you listed your scooter in the for sale section here on this site? Good luck with your "new" to you 1100 ACE Tourer. I hope you have many miles of safe riding with it. I would keep the Silverwing for a little bit to make sure you're happy with your new ride. It's also nice to have a backup bike. If you do end up selling your Silverwing I hope you can get what you want for it.
And remember you don't have to leave us just because you changed bikes. Let us know how you like your 1100 after you put some miles on it. Also give us a review with the pluses and negatives compared to the Silverwing. Again good luck.

cotetoi wrote:

My limited inseam narrows my bike choices considerably

I lusted after the Honda dual-sport 250cc. Fabulous bike. But too tall for my comfort. Getting too old and stiff to be throwing my leg over that tall saddle. Then not being able to touch the ground adds some drama.

My 2006 Goldwing is a great ride

model28a, I think I'm gonna hang on to the SWing for a bit. I took it for a spin the other day and I marvelled ( yet again) at how smooth and quiet it is. It does make for a very good alternate ride in case the other one needs attention. I sold my 750 ACE, and missed it so badly that I went for the 1100. I like the very different ride characteristics of both bikes. I hope I can afford both for a while. Unless, of course, someone shows up and offers oodles of cash: who knows !!!