[motor]

Sorry for the long post but need some advise Stromtroopers...
am suppose to go ride a NT700V today, as in within a few hours but uncertain if I should do the trade as well as spend the money.
Thanks for any input

Had a vstrom650 2009 abs but had a weird rattle/pitch sound I could not stand though did hear it on one other 2009 (I think) 650 but not others. Fast forward to my 2008 vstrom dl1000 (non-abs of course), 17,800 miles; traded a guy straight up his for mine. Present day...have put only 1,000 miles on the bike in a year. Grand thoughts of using it on some grass/dirt/gravel roads riding here/there or even up in GA never happened. Normally drive a car to work, 3 miles each way.

Hopefully no flames but considering trading it in on a left over 2010 honda NT700V with abs. Dealer is offer 4,500 in trade though of course the are not discounting their bike another $500 more like I would like but they are offer it for $10,450 plus my trade-in of $4,500. Thoughts on each bike below

Vstrom good pionts (for me)
1. ease of access to bike for service, I pay the dealer to do that stuff so less cost taking plastic parts off
2. plenty of power and, for the most part, smooth enough for me
3. Louder then I might like but nice exhaust note
Bad points (for me)
1. I must not love it since I don't ride it
2. A bit tall in the saddle for me (30" inseam) but I can hold her up just not flat footed on both legs
3. Chain and side bags that have mounts attached to me; turn on off design 3 point mount.

NT700V
Good points to me
1. I hear it is like a pacific coast, not entirey bad in my book
2. entergated side bags, shaft drive (rode beemers for many years)
3. suppose to be very dependable, though so is the dl1000
4. small fairing and manually adjustable windscreen
5. Might be the best trade-in money I could get for the Vstrom with the economy the way it is now days.

Bad
1. probably like the weestrom in that at the higher speeds it will not be as smooth as the dl1000; once going 65 to 80 (have not ridden it yet though)

My ride has these things on it -
Strom cases
SW Motech locking racks
Stebel horn
Givi crash bars
V-stream windshield
Handlebar rises (I like these a lot)
Continetal Trail Attack tires (as if I would know what those are by looking)
Gold Chain
New brakes front and rear
Runs Amsoil since new
Above info is from first owner

 

[garvinzoom]

Ride the NT and decide if you will ride it more than you have the Vee to justify the money your gonna lay down. Your DL1000 sounds very nice to me......

 

[motor]

yes the dl1000 has many nice traits but it is a bit louder then I'm used to coming from beemers, st1100, etc. Once riding down the road it is fine, be it a bit taller then I would like. Just getting old I guess (almost 54)...
the idea of a simple motorcycle to go here and there about town that has side bags not too large, wind protection, smooth ride and quite motor all seem good at this point in my life.

Will go give it a ride now, should be on it in about 90 minutes

 

[biker128pedal]

3 miles from work. Get a bicycle or Ebike.

 

[Phinhead]

I was shopping for an NT when I ran across a Wee deal I couldn't let go. For me, it would be the perfect commuter.

 

[WeThereYet]

Don't agonize over this. If ithe deal is not a definite yes, then it is a no.

 

[rconti]

I don't understand bad point #3.

Only you can say if it's worth it to you.

You say you must not love the Vee because you don't ride it. Did you ride the Wee more? Or have you had previous bikes you rode more? Are you sure it's not that you're just not that into riding? Spending many many thousands of dollars just to repeat the same mistake seems a bit silly, so I hope you're sure you'd ride the 'right' bike.

If you WOULD ride the right bike, then if the N700 speaks to you, do it!

But to me, $10k sounds like a lot of money to spend on something you're not sure about.

 

[darkjedip]

The NT has not sold very well, so you could probably get a good deal. I've looked at several and would probably have bought the NT if I didn't have the wee. Like the shaft drive and overall honda fit and finish; i'm a big Honda fan.

 

[freecat]

I would go for it if I were you, but I would try to negotiate a better deal on the Honda. The non-ABS ones are selling in the real world (i.e. not asking price, but actual selling price) for around $8000. I would try really hard to get the guy to come down to $9500 for the ABS model.

As for the DL1000, why trade it in? Why not sell it here and get a bit more?

 

[V-Storm]

The NT700V does seem like a "Pacific Coast Version 2.0". I almost bought one of the originals when it came out, but the windshield routed the air right into my face in a test ride. The NT looks really appealing to me, but just wondering if it will have enough power for its weight. Otherwise seems nice. Man I miss shaft drive...

 

[bjgolly]

NT700

Went thru the same drill you are in now over the NT. My 04 ST 1300 that had servered me well for 127,000 had suddenly gotten too heavy for these old 74 year old legs so had thought the NV would be a great next ride. Had access to ride one and came back underwhelmed. The performance level was way short of what I had anticipated; seeming about like my 90 600 Transalp. It handled well, the suspension was acceptible, was quiet, and had resonable wind protection. Rode it about 25 miles then got back on the ST and thought "No way"; there was no fun factor with the 700. The bike would make an excellent "tool" to ride as a form of transportation.
Had been following the fever of the Wee crowd here and had considered it as a possible for the ST repacement. Had a chance to pick up a well equipped 06 for a great price so got it with the knowedge that I could move it if it didn't foot the bill.
Have put about 2200 miles on the wee in the last month and am happy to have gave it a try. It is about 90 lighter, is a hoot to ride, gets 50-55 mpg, easy to work on,and appears to be as dependable as the Honda. It's much noiser, suspension is not as good, is taller, and in the general moto crowd it's a Suzuki. But.........I have had many bikes over the years and one of the main criteria is that it must make me feel like" dam this is a fun bike to ride"
The NV failed badly in that department. Let us know what you decide.

 

[Big B]

Another over-priced bike from Honda.........the Dullville!!!!!

 

[motor]

Good information in the replies, thanks all.

In answer to bad point #3 on the dl1000...
I like the tone of the dual exhaust just not how lound it is lol.

Ended up doing the right/wrong thing, went to the bank and paid 3 grand towards the pricinple on my mortgage...its is at a high rate and I owe more then the house is worth. Felt good afterwards then bad later in the day since I did not buy the new bike but would have had to finance $3,500 once all was said and done.

Had a darn zero interest check for 12 months too boot I could have used. Don't know, old age, maybe getting smarter on how I spend what little spare money I have...sometimes one is just not sure on such things.

I do like riding still, just a low sound shaft drive sort of guy I guess, oppose twin bmws from the old /5 days. As with all bikes we would like to tweak them a bit, for me the dl1000 would be great if it was not chain, engine and exhaust not so loud and not so tall. Though the dl1000 is what it is and does what it does well. Enjoy the extra highway power over the v650 of course...if only that vstrom 650 i had did not have a 'nails in a coffe can' sound issue that dealers said was normal, i might have kept it...lighter then the dl1000, not as loud and was not as tall. Loved that orange color in 2009 but got the abs silver at that time.

Hum, did not think to try to sell the dl1000 on the forum but could give it a try. If indeed it could bring more then 4,500 it might be worth it though trading it in would lower the tax on a nt700. Just need someone in Florida looking for what I got right
Ride safe all

 

[mountainmeterman]

Smart Money

Here is my advice, which might be worth what you paid for it. Seems to me that you want a bike on hand for those rare moments when you have the time and desire to ride. If that is the case, I would not buy a new, or even a late model, rapidly depreciating bike, especially if I could otherwise offset high interest debt (good job on paying the $3k against your mortgage principal). Here is a thought. Since you are considering the NT700, take a look also at a much earlier but similar '81-'82 GL500I (Silver Wing Interstate). You get a large fairing, integrated luggage, shaft drive, quiet ride, interesting engine layout, ease of maintenance, and somewhat of a semi-classic. But they are slow by modern comparison, and underpowered for two-up riding. Good running examples are commonly posted for $1,500 from what I've seen, and I am actually considering one myself. You could also consider the rarer '83-'84 GL650I, which is faster, but I gather that parts are relatively more scarce. Personally I would rather my money perform than my toys. Good luck.

 

[motor]

Interesting thought on old gl650 silvering. A guy gave me a old Bet up one of these then it fall sideways onto my car in the one car garage, sold it to someone to use as spare parts. Thinking though that vintage is too old a model to consider.

I do have an old shake, rattle and roll hd Electra gide 93 up at my brothers place two hours north of me. Only down side on that ride is the fish tail pipes that came on it...louder then I would pick. It would be a tight fit but might be able to put it in my garage with my Prius for awhile. With the old bat wing fairing I enjoy the ride though brakes and suspension are not tops. Had a 2007 road king with the new engine and it wanted to bake me to death due to heat coming off that rear jug/exhaust cross over...it was also sold.

Don't know, seems like a light weight ride for the city and a true touring ride is best combo. Another 8 years of work before I can retire and do rallies out od state anytime wanted so seems a waste to spend big money on a touring bike right now. Heck I would take the hd out of state but too hot to do that in the summer time on vacation to me.

Had a 2005? Gl1800 smooth as butter, extra gear or electric windshield would have been nice though. Still it was too much like a Honda accord to me but know others swear by them for city and touring. Had a burgman exec 650 but suspension was a bit hard to me.

Wonder what a late model gold wing gl1500? Would be as a new ride one day. Maybe a bit less Honda accord feel then the gl1800 yet funner ??? around town then a gl1800?

Will work on posting a ad on the site to sell the vstrom dl1000 and see what happens.

 

[bikefree]

You did the right thing. Don't go in debt on a motorcycle. Ride the one you have that is paid off. If you are swimming in cash, get the bike you want but it doesn't sound like you ride that much anyway. Plus, the Deuville sounds like a sensible bike for a commuter, but not a "I love it so much I just have to get it" bike. Sounds like a bicycle would be better for you. Then you can ride to work every day in the FL sunshine and get in shape in the process.

Good information in the replies, thanks all.

In answer to bad point #3 on the dl1000...
I like the tone of the dual exhaust just not how lound it is lol.

Ended up doing the right/wrong thing, went to the bank and paid 3 grand towards the pricinple on my mortgage...its is at a high rate and I owe more then the house is worth. Felt good afterwards then bad later in the day since I did not buy the new bike but would have had to finance $3,500 once all was said and done.

Had a darn zero interest check for 12 months too boot I could have used. Don't know, old age, maybe getting smarter on how I spend what little spare money I have...sometimes one is just not sure on such things.

I do like riding still, just a low sound shaft drive sort of guy I guess, oppose twin bmws from the old /5 days. As with all bikes we would like to tweak them a bit, for me the dl1000 would be great if it was not chain, engine and exhaust not so loud and not so tall. Though the dl1000 is what it is and does what it does well. Enjoy the extra highway power over the v650 of course...if only that vstrom 650 i had did not have a 'nails in a coffe can' sound issue that dealers said was normal, i might have kept it...lighter then the dl1000, not as loud and was not as tall. Loved that orange color in 2009 but got the abs silver at that time.

Hum, did not think to try to sell the dl1000 on the forum but could give it a try. If indeed it could bring more then 4,500 it might be worth it though trading it in would lower the tax on a nt700. Just need someone in Florida looking for what I got right
Ride safe all

 

[ken mier]

A 1500 goldwing would be a step in the wrong direction from the 1800, in terms of heft and handling. If you are not afraid of a little age, the '86-'87 1200 goldwing would be a better slightly 'livelier' choice. Lots of '86's, not many '87's; stay away from '84-'85's due to potential stator issues if not looked after.

How about a shaft drive Shadow or Magna?

 

[johnnail]

NT700 is just too under powered for me.

 

[rconti]

It's a shame what Honda did to the VFR line, and the N700 is no alternative.

 

[DougInKY]

My poor Honda Pacific Coast has 160,000+ miles on it. I have put all but 25,000 of those miles on it myself. I really needed a different bike to make my main ride. I kept the Pacific Coast as i am really attached to it, besides it's the 15th one made - a collector). I was just getting ready to pull the trigger and buy a NT700V when my son called me about his bike. A 2007 Wee with only 5,005 miles on it. I ended up buying his bike. I have put a bunch of farkles on it, but knowing me, I would have done the same on the NT700V as well.

I don't feel that out of the box, the Vstrom (the Wee) rides the pavement as nicely as the NT700V or my Pacific Coast (I have put Hagon shocks on the back of the PC and Progressive springs in the front, so that adds a bias as the PC rides like it is on rails now). Do I regret not buying the NT700V instead of helping my son sell the Wee? Nope, not at all. The Wee is a hoot to ride, both on pavement as well as on dirt/gravel roads. All I had to do to it to settle it down and make it really rideable was to put a fork brace on it.

You say that you have a 30 inch inseam and find the bike "a little" tall. I too have a 30 inch inseam (actually 31 inches but men's pants come in 30 and 32 for inseam and I wear 30's). I found the bike a little too tall as well when I bought it. I quickly got used to it after 1,000 miles in the first month I owned it. Now it feels just right.

All that plastic on the NT is something you need to think about. I know that dealer's routinely screw the plastic up on the Pacific Coast, breaking tabs and not fitting panels correctly. I remove and replace all plastic myself on the PC now, but I also do almost all the work on it myself too - don't trust others with my bikes. When I do the work, I know it is done right.

Which bike do you need? Only you can answer that. With the NT700V you would get a bike that has shown that it is pretty much bullet proof (lots of couriers in Europe ride them and they want reliable bikes). With the Strom, you also get a bike that it pretty much bullet proof (see this forum). The NT has better weather protection, the Strom better performance. It all comes down to that personal factor - which do you feel the best on...