A change of jobs has introduced a 30+ miles cross country commute each way, every day.  I did look at another airhead to run alongside my R100, but they have gone up in price recently and getting a cheap bike to put a lot of miles on seems to consigned to history.

Enter the Honda NC750X.  Half a Honda Jazz engine, so a parallel twin, 270 deg firing order and lots of balancer shafts, only revs to 6500rpm.  Low outright bhp, but high low down torque.  Up to 80 mpg (uk gallons), 8000 mile service intervals, yada, yada. 

Funnily enough, rides like an airhead.  The X refers to its adventure bike styling.  Bought a manual, as good as the auto (dual clutch gearbox) is, its a 10kg luxury I can do without.

Keep my Airhead for the weekends.

There, they do say sharing your shame, somehow lifts the burden slightly.

Rev Light

Oddly enough, I've been noticing some of the adventure touring bikes myself lately, and consciously controlling the opening of my wallet.   

As nice as the R1200GSA is - it is just too much, in my book.  Especially pricewise.   I was looking at a 800GS XC (used) and also a 2-year old Yamaha Super Tenere.   But, I'll probably just plod on with my current stable of bikes, especially now that we're borrowing some money to make more house updates..

nhmaf wrote on 05/25/15 at 18:32:57:


I posted not so long ago in this very sub-board about my own foray into the world of Adventure Bikes - a KLE 500 Kawasaki...That project meanders along.....

However I did put some dirt miles on a F650GS BMW. Direct comparison to my current dirt transport, a 330 year old XT350, the 650GS is heaven on a stick. What a lovely, confidence inspiring little machine, heaps of get up and go and judging by the luggage kit the owner has for it, quite capable of carrying a load too.

And best of all they are dirt cheap.

Meanwhile, back int he real world, I will finish stripping the KLE frame as far as I intend to strip it this weekend and will then do a bit of painting. The engine awaits my attention, it is a lovely simple thing, but my goodness is it ever heavy, lifting it from floor to workbench was very close to be beyond me.

That's a pretty good looking commuter, Steve. 

Looks good!   I'd not have any qualms about riding that bike to work, or out on a tour!

Interesting accessory setup - and thanks for the write-up Dee!   Does look like a very good choice for a 'standard' does everything sort of bike.   

I gotta wonder a little about that luggage rack - does the front edge of it press against one's rear end/coccyx area?

I bought a 700X more than three years ago. Already covered more than 52 000km, and regard this bike as one of my best buys ever.

A couple of photos below :

nhmaf wrote on 05/24/16 at 19:16:52:


Ditto that!