Webbiker
Site Supporter
Here's where I'm at.
- I'm looking for a long term do everything bike.
- I commute daily about 7 months a year rain or shine (a short distance thought)
- I want to explore backroads, but not really go off roads, so lotsa gravel roads
- to get to gravel roads a lot of tarmac is also needed
- I make maybe 1 longer trip per year IF I'm lucky (haven't been lately)
- no need to go fast or win races
- I would like to visit the track once or twice per year
I've so far chosen the NCX over the similar competitors like V-strom, Versys and such based on the NC's strengths
- frunk
- long warranty
- Honda build quality
- Low COQ
- Looks
- fuel efficiency
- good value for money
So what's the problem then? I'll tell you. My other choice is the KTM 690 Enduro R.
WHY you ask
- It is seriously light, 150 kg fuelled! The NC may FEEL light but is just ast portly as V-strom and the like
- It has some serious power compared to the weight
- it too has a similar tank under seat arrangement so it has an added bonus of low COG with light weight
- it would work well on track with a set of supermoto tires
- it has a much wider selection of "adventure" tires than the NC
- quality suspension with adjustability
The magazines say you cant take the NCX "adventuring" and we all know thats BS. The magazines also say you can't take the Enduro R on longer road trips. That's equally BS when reading the forums and owners trip reports. The 2014 Enduro R is claimed to have good fuel efficiency but I quarantee it's not as good as the NC. Then again, is it that important? No. The Enduro is high as a motherlover, but I managed fine with a XT660Z despite being a measly 173. SO thats not an issue. The NC will do gravel roads fine, but the Enduro might do them brilliantly and vice versa on the asphalt.
Some farkling is required no matter what the choice to get the either of the bikes to work both off and on road. As the bike is supposed to be a long termer the difference in price is not the deciding factor, but that said I would not mind saving 2000€ by getting the Honda instead of the KTM. Talk me over to the dark side.
- I'm looking for a long term do everything bike.
- I commute daily about 7 months a year rain or shine (a short distance thought)
- I want to explore backroads, but not really go off roads, so lotsa gravel roads
- to get to gravel roads a lot of tarmac is also needed
- I make maybe 1 longer trip per year IF I'm lucky (haven't been lately)
- no need to go fast or win races
- I would like to visit the track once or twice per year
I've so far chosen the NCX over the similar competitors like V-strom, Versys and such based on the NC's strengths
- frunk
- long warranty
- Honda build quality
- Low COQ
- Looks
- fuel efficiency
- good value for money
So what's the problem then? I'll tell you. My other choice is the KTM 690 Enduro R.
WHY you ask
- It is seriously light, 150 kg fuelled! The NC may FEEL light but is just ast portly as V-strom and the like
- It has some serious power compared to the weight
- it too has a similar tank under seat arrangement so it has an added bonus of low COG with light weight
- it would work well on track with a set of supermoto tires
- it has a much wider selection of "adventure" tires than the NC
- quality suspension with adjustability
The magazines say you cant take the NCX "adventuring" and we all know thats BS. The magazines also say you can't take the Enduro R on longer road trips. That's equally BS when reading the forums and owners trip reports. The 2014 Enduro R is claimed to have good fuel efficiency but I quarantee it's not as good as the NC. Then again, is it that important? No. The Enduro is high as a motherlover, but I managed fine with a XT660Z despite being a measly 173. SO thats not an issue. The NC will do gravel roads fine, but the Enduro might do them brilliantly and vice versa on the asphalt.
Some farkling is required no matter what the choice to get the either of the bikes to work both off and on road. As the bike is supposed to be a long termer the difference in price is not the deciding factor, but that said I would not mind saving 2000€ by getting the Honda instead of the KTM. Talk me over to the dark side.