CobraJet
New Member
There is no tone or snark in my post, just honest curiosity
Had you taken a test ride on an NC, or read anything, or heard about them these past few years, prior to purchase? What exactly was it about the 700 that appealed to you enough in the first place to buy it, if I may ask?
The NCX vs FZ-09 (and IMHO the FZ-07, too) seems quite a different mindset! I would have thought: NC700X/650VStrom/Kawasaki Versys or ER6-N, etc., etc.
But considering between getting a CBR-like bike or a 650VStrom-like bike?
From a sporty 600 CBR four, to a rather rorty sporty 900cc triple is a comparo I can readily accept, but to go in the opposite direction seems...well, strange. Especially if there is no long riding, no commuting, and no rain. No offense but baffled I be lol!
It seems like you should cast a lingering look at the new CBR650R maybe
I bought the CBR600F4 new in 2000, when I was a spritely 44 years old. Now on the eve of my 59th birthday, I thought I needed something more forgiving on my body. I only became interested in getting a replacement when I spotted a Super Ténéré at the local dealership while I was in getting my annual inspection. However, it was just too big. I tried to talk myself out of buying ANYTHING, but my poorly running CBR pushed me to buy something new. My first research led me to the FZ-09, and I was ready to lay down the cash (I walked in with my checkbook, title, and a pen), but as I stated the owner no longer takes trade-ins, only consignment. I wasn't prepared to write a $9300 check. HOWEVER, the owner did lay the seed in my head by recommending the NC700X.)
Over the next couple weeks I continued to try riding my CBR with it's bucking carbs, and finally got so pi**ed I decided to visit a dealership in another town and see if he had an FZ-09 and would take my CBR on trade. He didn't (nobody else close does), and wouldn't tell me how much they would offer me for trade-in ("the boss needs to look at your bike"). But, we did talk a lot, and I sat on a few bikes, and the NC700X was the most comfortable. My ride home that Friday afternoon ended back at the original dealership, checkbook in hand, ready to talk turkey! He had a 2014 NC700X in the warehouse AND it was on a sales promotion, so it was going to be almost a thousand cheaper than the FZ-09 at the bottom line. (Today I would gladly pay that extra $1000!)
So, it was more-or-less a spur of the moment purchase driven by emotion, and a little research. The reviews and Youtube videos made the NC700X sound like an amazingly smooth bike with good torque. To me it isn't smooth and has almost no torque. I was swayed by it's good looks, reasonably low price, and glowing reviews. The fact that is incredibly economical, reliable, and practical weren't lost on me! But, in the end I am none of those things.
I drive a very unorthodox Isuzu VehiCROSS as my daily driver, with a 70 Torino Cobra and 82 Mustang GT for backup. Before the CBR600F4 I had a CB750 Nighthawk, only because I was trying to save my marriage and my wife and I bought identical non-current year bikes at a steal of a deal. Prior to that I rode a 76 KZ900! That was a hoot! Big upgrade from my little Yamaha DT250. When I traded in the Nighthawk, I was actually thinking about an RC-51, but the same guy that sold me the NC700X also talked me out of the RC-51. Wise choice?? Probably. I would love to have had a chance to ride an RC-51, though. I'm fighting the fact that I'm getting OLD! The CBR makes me feel both young and old at the same time. Under leathers and a helmet you can't see the wrinkles and grey hair. But, the sore back and cramped hands remind me that I'm not 20 anymore! When I'm riding the NC700X I feel more like that old man, putting around town on a "sensible" machine. Sorry, that's just the way it is. I think I need my CBR back for the adrenalin rush. I promise I won't try to do 140 mph again! But, I would like to get some sense of power when I twist the throttle. I'm working on it...
