Former V-Strom 650 riders who can tell me about the NT700?

conradical

Guest
Hi NT people!

Any riders here who went from a VStrom to an NT700?

I'm asking because a Suzuki VStrom 650 rider (about five years and only 25k miles or so), and I come to you with a dilemma and need some help.

I find myself doing much, much more highway and interstate riding on the VStrom instead of back dirt roads, and I'm thinking that I'm on the wrong bike.

I have just stumbled on the opportunity to look at a 2010 VT700 for a good price from the original owner, who appears to have oil and valve checks done at the proper intervals. It has 77k on the clock, which is not a concern.

Did anyone here own a VStrom 650 in the past and could provide some input?

My questions:

  • how do to the two compare in terms of stability on the highway and wind blast?
  • how tired you are after a 350 mile day?
  • Did either one feel taller or different COG than the other?
  • How do the two bikes compare for center of gravity?
  • did you have any pulse pounding moments on mountain curves on the NT, or is it just a bit boring in the twisties compared to the Strom?
  • Do you miss the VStrom torque when you are eating up interstate miles?
  • am I correct that a well maintained NT700 with 77k on the clock still has plenty of life let?

I would also love to hear your height and weight and inseam and rider style, just to get a sense of what you are like as a rider.

About me and my experience: 180 pounds, 5'10", in my late thirties. I love the Wee and her torque on the back highways and twisting mountain roads, but when I have to do 350 mile days on the interstate, it just doesn't feel like the right bike for 75mph or 80mph cruising all day long. The bike just feels like it's not at home on the highway as it is carving corners at heart-busting speed, and after 300 miles, I feel a bit windblasted and pretty tired. I have also dropped the Wee a few times because it's just a bit tall for me.

Would anyone be so kind to offer some input on their experience? What did you gain going to the NT? What do you miss about the VStrom?

thanks - Conradical
 
I owned a 650 Vstrom while waiting for the right NT 700 to come along. There have been a few occasions over the last 8 years of NT ownership where I have thought it would still be nice to own the Vstrom as it is a very capable bike which suited me well. The only downside I ever considered the Vstrom had was the chain drive.

I had a 2008 Vstrom and it had better fuel economy than my NT. Apart from the better fuel economy and chain drive I consider both bikes to be fairly equal.

I know this does not answer all your questions but hopefully it is helpful.

Seagrass
 
I've owned both bikes. I like the NT more than the V-strom. The big difference is the full fairing and the drive shaft on the NT. I use a laminar lip on the stock windshield to perfect wind management. The NT is a poor performer on gravel but good on the hard. They are both reliable and capable of achieving high miles. A member of this forum put 200,000 miles on an NT and replaced it with another NT. I'm 5'8" 165 pounds with 33 inch inseam. I sold my first NT then after a couple of years riding several other makes and models bought another NT. I also own an NC700 DCT and a WR250R. I like the NC for riding around town and use the WR for adventure rides and dual sport.
 
77K that's pauper mileage! Just last Oct 18 switched my silver @201,111 miles for a red @508 miles, and now riding it. I only sold it cause I wanted to get another soon and be able to swap over accessories before too long. The silver at that mileage was burning about 3 or 4 oz of oil in 8K mile oil intervals. Not bad, but over 200K was good enough for me, the most I ever put on a bike.
that seat!!!! I would get figetty and sore at :45. I bout a Russell DayLong seat - excellent. I did some 800 mile days in 2015 out west trip. Tired, but not sore
 
I'm not much of an authority, since I've only ridden a V-Strom for about 30 miles. I was surprised at how similar the two bikes felt to me in those few miles. My buddy who swapped rides with me felt the same way. We were riding on two-lane that had some curves for the first 15 miles and then on straight rolling hills for the last 15.

I swapped my second '99 Kawasaki Concours for my 2010 NT. I had about 170,000 miles on the two Connies and was afraid I'd made a mistake until I'd ridden about 30-40 miles. Since then, I've put 131,000 miles on my NT. Back on April 30/May 1, 2010, I did the first ever Iron Butt certificate ride in the whole Western Hemisphere on an NT. Since then, I've done another three Saddle Sore 1000s, and one Bun Burner Gold (1500 miles in 24 hours). Like Woodaddict, I added a Russell Day Long saddle to my bike, and it's a toss-up whether it or the Rostra electronic cruise control is the best farkle I've added to the bike. I've got Denali LED driving lights, the Honda "knuckle-buster" wind deflectors, the OEM undercowl, a Fenda Extenda, big pannier lids, and a V-Stream +4" windscreen on my bike, plus a bunch of other lesser farkles. The bike has worked well for me for everything from day rides to shopping to my 2013 "Post-Retirement Epic Ride to Alaska, the Four Corners of the United States, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador," an 80-day, 21,000-mile jaunt. During that trip, I spent three days "cruising at 80-85mph on I-8 and I-10 to keep up with traffic and the bike was fine at those speeds, although it's gas mileage dropped into the mid-30s.

I've had two final drive failures due to faulty maintenance performed by Honda dealerships, but one was completely covered by my extended warranty and the other was only about 1/2 price because of my original dealer's helpfulness (even thought they hadn't been the ones to screw it up.

I'll be riding this bike until I quit riding (I'm 76 and have had six knee replacements).
 
conradical said:
Hi NT people!

Any riders here who went from a VStrom to an NT700?

I'm asking because a Suzuki VStrom 650 rider (about five years and only 25k miles or so), and I come to you with a dilemma and need some help.

I find myself doing much, much more highway and interstate riding on the VStrom instead of back dirt roads, and I'm thinking that I'm on the wrong bike.

I have just stumbled on the opportunity to look at a 2010 VT700 for a good price from the original owner, who appears to have oil and valve checks done at the proper intervals. It has 77k on the clock, which is not a concern.

Did anyone here own a VStrom 650 in the past and could provide some input?

My questions:

  • how do to the two compare in terms of stability on the highway and wind blast?
  • how tired you are after a 350 mile day?
  • Did either one feel taller or different COG than the other?
  • How do the two bikes compare for center of gravity?
  • did you have any pulse pounding moments on mountain curves on the NT, or is it just a bit boring in the twisties compared to the Strom?
  • Do you miss the VStrom torque when you are eating up interstate miles?
  • am I correct that a well maintained NT700 with 77k on the clock still has plenty of life let?
I would also love to hear your height and weight and inseam and rider style, just to get a sense of what you are like as a rider.

About me and my experience: 180 pounds, 5'10", in my late thirties. I love the Wee and her torque on the back highways and twisting mountain roads, but when I have to do 350 mile days on the interstate, it just doesn't feel like the right bike for 75mph or 80mph cruising all day long. The bike just feels like it's not at home on the highway as it is carving corners at heart-busting speed, and after 300 miles, I feel a bit windblasted and pretty tired. I have also dropped the Wee a few times because it's just a bit tall for me.

Would anyone be so kind to offer some input on their experience? What did you gain going to the NT? What do you miss about the VStrom?

thanks - Conradical
Click to expand...
I bought my NT circa 2011 and still have her. I bought a 2014 FJR new about 2015. Last year, I bought Vstrom 650. The NT and Vstrom are apples and oranges.
I think they are about equal in stability at cruise. The V has more windblast but my Givi Airflo windscreen is pretty darned good at negating that. The V is head and shoulders above the NT for slow speed stability and not feeling top heavy. Both bikes I tour on and I do 350-400 mile days. I wouldnt say one is more tiring than the other. I dont think either bike is boring on mountain passes, but then I am not a peg dragger. The Vstrom may be a bit more torquey and seem to have more power but not so that it really matters. It is definately a smoother bike than the NT but the vibs on the NT never bothered me. People here will crucify me but IMHO a 77k NT, even if it is well maintained, has to be considered high milage. But if those are highway miles, I wouldnt be afraid of it...I would just expect the bike to go for a very low price. And I would make sure it doesnt burn oil and that all the systems are in good repair. The Deauville site on facebook is full of people with high milage NTs. Just remember that any bike as old as the youngest NT is getting up there, high or low milage......but you dont have to pay an arm and a leg for one either.
I am 6 ft 2 in. 162 lb. 34 in inseam. I am 70 and have been riding for 54 years. I dont ride agressively.
AT MY AGE if I could only have one bike it would be the Vstrom cause it is a very friendly bike. And I am not getting any younger. If I were 20 years younger, the NT has a shaft, integrated braking (the rear brake on a V is pathetic) and for a fee, big lids that let you actually carry a touring load. The Suzuki panniers are a bit too small, unfortuneatly, but I make do. The NT has better wind protection . Feel free to PM me or ask any questions here. I am a big booster or the NT and the V. I would reccommend riding an NT if possible before buying.
 
I think there is a noticeable difference in wind protection. The NT is more comfortable on long rides because of better wind protection. But I thought the Wee has a bit more power (probably from there more efficient chain drive) and one more gear. Other than that they are pretty similar.
 
Nick Wilkinson said:
Take what I say with a pinch of salt, as I have ridden neither. Regarding differences in handling, so much depends on the fitted tyres.
Click to expand...

Let me add to that thought. The skill of the rider has a lot to do with the handling as you are the handler of the machine. I have ridden some terrible motorcycles in the past 30 years of riding. You will learn the limitations of both the bike and of yourself. As long as you can work within those limits, you will do fine.
 
An advantage with the VStrom is that it is still in production which makes accessories and other aftermarket items more readily available to set the bike up to suit your needs. Lots of aftermarket stuff out there for the VStrom. Not so much with the NT.
 
I think the answer needs to be that he ride an NT. He will know after 5 minutes if it is him. Every bike has a feel to each of us. It doesnt sound like Con has had his V lowered but he is actually in more danger of dropping an NT than a V. If he likes to do 75 and doesnt mind the NT buzz, then the NT does offer better wind protection, although with the hand guards and Givi Airflow, the V is a nice cruiser and I have no regretts. Ideally, he should buy the NT if it speaks to him after a ride and then sell one bike after a month or so if he cant keep both. It is interesting that so many of us have had both bikes at one time or another. They appear so different at first glance yet I think they are so close that if I were younger, I would have a hard time deciding which one to keep or buy. But again if I were younger, the NT would probably win the day due to its big lids, shaft, wind protection, and seat height. It does get heavier as I get older.
 
Other than what was offered by American Honda, accessories for the NT were few and far between. I can't blame the US accessory makers because who wants to tool up for a low production bike?

My two bikes are quite different except for the name on the tank. My NC700X is a DCT model and of course it has chain drive. It is about 60-70 pounds lighter than the NT (ABS for both models) but its weight is down low plus its underseat fuel tank makes it feel like a heavy dirt bike when I push it around the garage. What appears to be the fuel tank is really a "frunk." Even with the most popular windshield - an adjustable Madstad - it has lousy wind protection and I've tried two other windshields!

While taking my morning walk, I saw two lawncare services cutting lawns so the grass growing season will soon be upon us!
 
Rode my XT today to see if I was missing anything in its comparo with the NT. Not much. The XT is light and nimble with an excellent engine that doesnt feel strung out at a true 75 mph (the XTs have spedos that read 10 percent high. ) I have a Madstad for her but the Givi works only a bit less well and looks a bunch better. New and old XTs have a bunch of aftermarket options available. If the bike had cruise (it and the NT have throttle locks), a shaft, and a bit bitter bags (not the 40mm ammo can bags some put on) the NT wouldnt be part of the discussion. I reguard the "get underway" assist function as a real plus. Let the clutch out too fast at a stop light and the engine puts out a tad more power to make sure you dont stall. Its very subtile but it works. That and the lightness and ease of paddling around and slow speed stability make this the go to bike for errends. The NT you have to be on top of it all the time at low speeds. Its a heavy bike in comparison.
 
Having had a 2010 NT700 and a 2009 V-Strom 650 at the same time, and then a 2014 V-Strom. The V-Strom has a smoother engine. The V-Strom is lighter and easier to ride in the tight twisties, and also is much better off the pavement. I have ridden both across the United States and the NT is a better long distance machine. Maintenance wise the V-Strom is much easier to work on for regular maint. . ..IE rear wheel R and R. With that all said I sold the the NT for a 2014 FJR and I sold the V-Strom for a Versys 1000LT SE. I am really a 4 cylinder type of guy. You really do need to ride the NT for a full ride and not just around the block. Good luck with your choice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom