2nd bike choice

STBernard

BlewBayou
Joined
Aug 10, 2009
Messages
271
Location
Bellevue, WA
Bike
2004 ST1300A
STOC #
8295
Another Vfr lover here. I have 3 of them plus the ST. A white 93. A yellow 2000. And a red white and blue 2007.
 
Joined
Apr 10, 2012
Messages
1,258
Location
Donegal, Ireland.
Bike
Vstrom 650
People seemed to like the old 650 better than the old 1000, but the new 1000 has been getting good reviews in the magazines. (Of course, almost everything gets good reviews in the magazines...)
On the forums there are lots of issues with the new vstrom 1000,maybe they will get them sorted with an updated model at some point,the extra power has to be good,just seems to be a lot of niggly issues with it,
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycles/suzuki-v-strom-1000-abs/review/
 

Mellow

Joe
Admin
Joined
Dec 1, 2004
Messages
18,827
Age
60
Bike
'21 BMW R1250RT
2024 Miles
000540
When I decided on the newer VStrom 650 I browsed the forums to see about issues and it was really hard to find one on the 650, both previous version and current... but the 1k had a few issues, I wouldn't say mind shattering issues, just a few... so I went with the 650.. I know nothing about the newer 1k, looks cool but suzuki doesn't have the fit-n-finish that I would say Honda does so I would wait a couple years to see if other issues exist on the new 1k bike..
 

dduelin

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Site Supporter
Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Messages
9,642
Location
Jacksonville
Bike
GL1800 R1200RT NC700
2024 Miles
006739
STOC #
6651
I've been thinking about getting a second bike for quick trips to town and shorter trips around here, like OzarkSTOC. I rode a CTX 700 yesterday at the Honda dealer. It was, compared to the 1300, super light and low speed handling was great. Of course, the power was lacking, but for as light as it felt, it was fairly stable at 65 mph in the wind. This board has always shortened my learning curve by others sharing their experience. Can I get some suggestions on second bikes others have purchased for the reasons above? Thanks.
I quite enjoyed the 29,000 miles I put on the NC700X. Honestly sometimes I wonder what possessed me to sell it. The CTX and NCX share the same frame and running gear and as you posted the platform feels very light and is stable at highway speeds and is nimble in the twisties. In addition to running around close to home I toured a lot on it and did many long high speed days in the saddle and two IBA rides. It did a lot of things really well and despite having only 50 rhp it never felt stressed doing it. They are inexpensive to buy and operate and have typical Honda build quality. The NCX cost me a nickel a mile to run, the ST has been 9 cents a mile.
 
Joined
Jun 18, 2012
Messages
59
Age
45
Location
Jacksonville Fl
Bike
2004 ST1300
As much as I love my ST, I was dying for a second bike. I really wanted something with a different personality. I ironically went back to my original dream bike from when I first got in to motorcycles. I ride it everyday with the exception of the 2300 miles I put on my ST two weeks ago. It is great for around town and I would like to put some bags and a windshield on it to make it better for longer hauls. The ST is the Swiss Army knife of motorcycles and there aren't many bikes I would consider much better. The biggest downside is the "dweeb" factor. I very rarely get compliments on it. I normally get questions like, "what kind of scooter is that" or "nice BMW". I think I got more compliments the first day on the VTX1800C than I have the last three years on the ST!
 
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Joined
Dec 27, 2004
Messages
829
Location
Medina, Tennessee
Bike
2021 Tracer 9GT
STOC #
375
Get a 2010+ KLR 650. Relative to a ST it is cheap, light, simple and it can go most anywhere. It is good at everything, excels at nothing, but there are countless upgrades/farkles out there and a tremendous following.
 
OP
OP
Papa

Papa

R.I.P. - 2020/02/10
Rest In Peace
Joined
May 15, 2006
Messages
1,501
Location
Missouri
Bike
Blue Breeze
STOC #
6388
Thanks for the suggestions. I guess I could sell or trade in the DRZ 400 as I don't ride it anymore. It's too tall for this shrinking old guy. Too buzzy and light for me at hi way speeds, and as for the woods, I get enough of a beating on the tractor bush hogging the fields. I guess I shoud have titled this thread "3rd Bike".:eek::
 

Bug Dr.

Extroverted Loner
Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
2,182
Location
Arkansas
Glenn, if you are just going to ride the bike around town and close to home I'd say get either a CTX or NC with DCT. I think the NC with DCT would be a great bike for a bunch of in town driving. The upright seating position lets you see well and the DCT keeps the clutch hand from getting sore. The NC is an easy bike to own and very economical.
Mike
 
Joined
Aug 30, 2011
Messages
259
Location
The Wilds of Western Wisconsin
Bike
ST1300A '10
.... Too buzzy and light for me at hi way speeds, and as for the woods, I get enough of a beating on the tractor bush hogging the fields. I guess I shoud have titled this thread "3rd Bike".:eek::
I went thru a couple of KLR's & have a DR650 at the moment as well. 'Great bikes but the thumper vibe does start to get to you, particularly at sustained highway speeds. I had westrom for a while as well (DL650) to try to fix that, a really nice bike that did just about everything pretty well except for one thing: I just never wanted to ride it- sold it within a year. To me the perfect 2nd (or in my case 3rd or 4th really) bike is a Bonneville. Big enough to be capable of anything but not so big that it gets in the way. And, like a well endowed girl in a tight sweater, it kind of hard to look at and not smile:
 

Outbackwack

Howard
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
749
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Bike
'13 Vstrom 650
STOC #
8055
I would do the VStrom 650 again in a heartbeat, cheap to buy, own, maintain and takes the same size tires as the bigger adv bikes so those choices are good. It's a vtwin and one of the smoothest engines I've ever had.
Since I now own Mellow's Vstrom I can attest to the validity of this statement :)

I enjoy the Vstrom so much I'm looking for another one to replace the ST1300 here in Boston. 300# lighter and 55mpg+ plus cheaper insurance. I can easily ride it 500 miles+ per day at 75mph. Downside? Chain.
 
OP
OP
Papa

Papa

R.I.P. - 2020/02/10
Rest In Peace
Joined
May 15, 2006
Messages
1,501
Location
Missouri
Bike
Blue Breeze
STOC #
6388
I went thru a couple of KLR's & have a DR650 at the moment as well. 'Great bikes but the thumper vibe does start to get to you, particularly at sustained highway speeds. I had westrom for a while as well (DL650) to try to fix that, a really nice bike that did just about everything pretty well except for one thing: I just never wanted to ride it- sold it within a year. To me the perfect 2nd (or in my case 3rd or 4th really) bike is a Bonneville. Big enough to be capable of anything but not so big that it gets in the way. And, like a well endowed girl in a tight sweater, it kind of hard to look at and not smile:
Eyeballing the Royal Enfield with a side car as well. Out of the box for me.
 
OP
OP
Papa

Papa

R.I.P. - 2020/02/10
Rest In Peace
Joined
May 15, 2006
Messages
1,501
Location
Missouri
Bike
Blue Breeze
STOC #
6388
Glenn, if you are just going to ride the bike around town and close to home I'd say get either a CTX or NC with DCT. I think the NC with DCT would be a great bike for a bunch of in town driving. The upright seating position lets you see well and the DCT keeps the clutch hand from getting sore. The NC is an easy bike to own and very economical.
Mike
Looking hard at those Mike.
 
Joined
Mar 7, 2014
Messages
8
Location
Vancouver Island
Bike
2009 ST1300
My vote for the wee. I enjoyed 70K kms of excellent travel including several long distance two-up trips on my 09. As I started reading in this forum it seemed to me that many ST owners had moved on to ST's. Both are quite sporty and yet comfortable, capable, reliable, long distance tourers. And, important to me, because of their long manufactured lives, lots of farkles are available for both bikes to make them even better. Lucky second owner of my weestrom. My used ST was well farkled so I came out even.
 
Joined
Sep 19, 2008
Messages
423
Location
CA desert/Montana
Bike
2009 ST1300
STOC #
326
For me, the CTX has too much overlap in function with the ST1300. I'd prefer something with a more extreme difference for a second bike. I read that you didn't like your thumper. The new Honda 500's (CBR, F, and X) intrigue me and I wish they'd used that motor in the new promised Africa twin or a different dual sport (the X really isn't a dual sport). They're 100 lbs lighter than the CTX too.
 

Bug Dr.

Extroverted Loner
Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
2,182
Location
Arkansas
(the X really isn't a dual sport).
A "dual-sport" is a relative term like "adventure bike". You can create both out of just about any bike. Before you make such statements you should look around for people who disagree with that statement. Start with HONDABIKEPRO, Ponyperformance and Bammamate and see how they use their NCs. A group of NCs did the WA BDR last year.
Mike
 

dduelin

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Site Supporter
Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Messages
9,642
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Jacksonville
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GL1800 R1200RT NC700
2024 Miles
006739
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6651
For me, the CTX has too much overlap in function with the ST1300. I'd prefer something with a more extreme difference for a second bike. I read that you didn't like your thumper. The new Honda 500's (CBR, F, and X) intrigue me and I wish they'd used that motor in the new promised Africa twin or a different dual sport (the X really isn't a dual sport). They're 100 lbs lighter than the CTX too.
100? Depending on the choice of 1 of 4 CTX models it is 38 to 60 lbs heavier than a 500X but feels lighter compared to the 500X because of the lower CG of the 670cc laid down engine carried low in the frame and the under seat fuel location.
 
Joined
Sep 19, 2008
Messages
423
Location
CA desert/Montana
Bike
2009 ST1300
STOC #
326
A "dual-sport" is a relative term like "adventure bike". You can create both out of just about any bike. Before you make such statements you should look around for people who disagree with that statement. Start with HONDABIKEPRO, Ponyperformance and Bammamate and see how they use their NCs. A group of NCs did the WA BDR last year.
Mike
Okay, the X isn't really a dual sport without modification. The relative part for me is cast wheels - I don't consider any moto with cast wheels as a suitable dual sport. I've been on dozens of dual sport rides where rims were bent (done it several times myself) and even cracked, and the bikes still finished. Wouldn't happen with cast wheels. Also, the suspension on those bikes are good for only the slowest of speeds on anything other than groomed forest service roads. Even with modification, the travel is still less than 7" (I think the X was 5" or possibly a little more).

So, relative to me, a bike should be suited for more than smooth forest service roads to be considered a dual sport. YMMV

edit: I got my weights from a quick google search, I forget where. The 500 was listed as 400 lbs and the 700 at 500 lbs. I stand corrected as to the weight. My current dual sport is a KTM950SE which weighs around 400 lbs and I can't ever remember a time when I wished it was heavier.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Aug 30, 2011
Messages
259
Location
The Wilds of Western Wisconsin
Bike
ST1300A '10
A "dual-sport" is a relative term like "adventure bike". You can create both out of just about any bike...
To me a dual-sport is still a usefully descriptive term, off and on road with with maybe a 70% bias toward dirt. To hit than you need a large wire wheel out front, weight under 400#, and a torq curve biased down low. A DR is the upper end of a proper dual sport, the 400 being better suited than the 650. Adventure bike is more of a marketing term (I'm well practiced in those black arts). Its sort of what they had to do when the GS's started to get huge & lost any real pretense of off road bias. Street bikes with dirt styling are adventure bikes, real dual sports these days tend to come in the color orange. You can of course take any bike anywhere and I have in fact taken a fully leden ST down the Valley of the Gods road but it wouldn't be the best tool for the job. Then again taking bikes to the edge of their design envelope tends to be where the most fun is to be had....
 
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