rainrider
New Member
Well, actually I had an FJR for 3 years that I commuted on everyday here in Seattle rain/dark/cold (sometimes sun!) but I was ready for something new I decided that I would get the legendary BMW 1200GS (2007). I mean, everyone loves the big 1200GS and it's the 'best' bike you can get...right? I read that online and I saw the magazine covers, and I even saw Ewan and Charlie on TV having a great global adventure on them. I see them all over Seattle and their riders look so damn ready for anything and all have so many stickers that I was convinced that as soon as I got one I'd be in motorcycle nirvana. So even though I test rode the 800GS and liked it a lot, as soon as I found a low mileage 1200GS (11,000 miles) I bought it and was a member of the club. I rode it for 3 months and sold it to by the NC700x. The GS is nice, but the NC is great.
What's the change like? First, the NC700x isn't as cool looking as the 1200GS. It's just not. It holds it's own, but the GS is a looker that is just total eye candy. I miss being admired by cagers, but prefer now being looked at by other bikers wondering what I'm riding and why - if they know what the NC700x is. I'm old enough to prioritize comfort and handling now over looks. I've been riding 20 years and the GS just wasn't a good commuter, unless you're lucky enough to have one of those sweeping corner mountain commutes that was always over 40 mph. Its boxer engine was not great at super low speed traffic jam crawling. It lurched to the side from torque, and it's throttle at low speeds was clunky at best. It was super heavy to push around my driveway when it was off, and a bit high off the ground in true duel sport fashion. I got 38 mpg, plus I was freaking out thinking that some day I'd need to take it to get final drive service for $1000. So the bike itself was really wonderfully made and thought out, but I wasn't using it for what the nerds in Germany were planning for when they built it. Great machine, but not for me and my average commute in real world crappy traffic and tiny parking garage spaces.
I found an NC700x used from a non Honda dealer 'used' with only 24 miles on it. Yes, twenty-four. Short story - guy bought it without wife's permission and had to return it. My win. Anyways, the NC700x feels like it was made for my body type. I'm 5'10" 180lbs and I can make it do anything without pushing or pulling it hard. It was so comfortable when I rode it at the dealer (used bike so I could test drive it) I was worried it was too good of a fit and was looking for the passion. Glad I bought it, because the passion is there when you're happy with your commute and an always confident rider. Once I added $1000 of farkles to it (ex BMW owner thing to do) I felt the bike was ideal. I ride in a full Aerostich suit and Arai XD3 (big visor) helmet so the luggage was necessary as the frunk didn't hold my lid, sadly.
The difference in the BMW 1200GS and the nc700x comes down to these things for me:
1. The 1200GS suspension is much better than the NC700x. No comparison. I miss the BMW when the roads get bumpy.
2. The NC wins for running costs. Affordable bike, I'm getting 70mpg in traffic, vs 38 with the BMW, and the accessories are cheaper.
3. The NC wins for weight and maneuverability. That's something that is at the core of driving a bike. The NC is never intimidating. Love at first ride.
4. The NC wins for originality. I'm glad to not be in the GS club anymore. I don't want to be a popular kid anymore, I want to just be a happy rider.
5. BMW just switched to Japanese style left hand dual turn signals. I hated the BMW left and right individual grip signals. Hated them. NC700 win.
6. Both the NC and the GS had about the same functional power. Argue this however you want, but in my law abiding real world commuter life the roll on power was the same. I never scraped a knee, never hit 100mph. As unsexy as it is I spend most of my time avoiding being hit by the minivan by changing lanes, or driving in the gap of traffic on the highway.
So while I thought the GS would be the end all be all of motorcycle riding, it wasn't for me. I was a cool kid for a while, and glad I tired it. It's a great bike, and well engineered, but I wasn't using it for what it needed to used as. I'd choose it if I were going off road on very flat and wide roads, but still not for adventure exploring. The GS is a dream suspension. I miss it and that's the only gripe I have about the NC. I'm glad that I dared to be different. I save money, enjoy riding, and just feel independant (from marketing and branding propaganda) on the NC700x.
What's the change like? First, the NC700x isn't as cool looking as the 1200GS. It's just not. It holds it's own, but the GS is a looker that is just total eye candy. I miss being admired by cagers, but prefer now being looked at by other bikers wondering what I'm riding and why - if they know what the NC700x is. I'm old enough to prioritize comfort and handling now over looks. I've been riding 20 years and the GS just wasn't a good commuter, unless you're lucky enough to have one of those sweeping corner mountain commutes that was always over 40 mph. Its boxer engine was not great at super low speed traffic jam crawling. It lurched to the side from torque, and it's throttle at low speeds was clunky at best. It was super heavy to push around my driveway when it was off, and a bit high off the ground in true duel sport fashion. I got 38 mpg, plus I was freaking out thinking that some day I'd need to take it to get final drive service for $1000. So the bike itself was really wonderfully made and thought out, but I wasn't using it for what the nerds in Germany were planning for when they built it. Great machine, but not for me and my average commute in real world crappy traffic and tiny parking garage spaces.
I found an NC700x used from a non Honda dealer 'used' with only 24 miles on it. Yes, twenty-four. Short story - guy bought it without wife's permission and had to return it. My win. Anyways, the NC700x feels like it was made for my body type. I'm 5'10" 180lbs and I can make it do anything without pushing or pulling it hard. It was so comfortable when I rode it at the dealer (used bike so I could test drive it) I was worried it was too good of a fit and was looking for the passion. Glad I bought it, because the passion is there when you're happy with your commute and an always confident rider. Once I added $1000 of farkles to it (ex BMW owner thing to do) I felt the bike was ideal. I ride in a full Aerostich suit and Arai XD3 (big visor) helmet so the luggage was necessary as the frunk didn't hold my lid, sadly.
The difference in the BMW 1200GS and the nc700x comes down to these things for me:
1. The 1200GS suspension is much better than the NC700x. No comparison. I miss the BMW when the roads get bumpy.
2. The NC wins for running costs. Affordable bike, I'm getting 70mpg in traffic, vs 38 with the BMW, and the accessories are cheaper.
3. The NC wins for weight and maneuverability. That's something that is at the core of driving a bike. The NC is never intimidating. Love at first ride.
4. The NC wins for originality. I'm glad to not be in the GS club anymore. I don't want to be a popular kid anymore, I want to just be a happy rider.
5. BMW just switched to Japanese style left hand dual turn signals. I hated the BMW left and right individual grip signals. Hated them. NC700 win.
6. Both the NC and the GS had about the same functional power. Argue this however you want, but in my law abiding real world commuter life the roll on power was the same. I never scraped a knee, never hit 100mph. As unsexy as it is I spend most of my time avoiding being hit by the minivan by changing lanes, or driving in the gap of traffic on the highway.
So while I thought the GS would be the end all be all of motorcycle riding, it wasn't for me. I was a cool kid for a while, and glad I tired it. It's a great bike, and well engineered, but I wasn't using it for what it needed to used as. I'd choose it if I were going off road on very flat and wide roads, but still not for adventure exploring. The GS is a dream suspension. I miss it and that's the only gripe I have about the NC. I'm glad that I dared to be different. I save money, enjoy riding, and just feel independant (from marketing and branding propaganda) on the NC700x.
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