NT700 vs. R1150RT

That sounds familiar. He may be the guy who put a series of videos on line about maintaining the oil heads. Very comprehensive and one of the reasons I was contemplating the purchase of an RT. Covered every maintenance item I could think of, including adding a vent and even a drain plug to the rear drive.

The shimming procedure was so simple and easy to do that I still wonder why people are still having problems. First thing I'd do if I bought a suspect beemer would be to have that alignment done (and vent added if it did not have one) just so I would not have to worry about it.
 
Hey Charlie b...I was in the same boat last year..looking for new tourer but trying to stick with a lightweight shaft drive do it all kind of bike...the choices are very minimal...I considered waiting for the new FJ 09 Yamaha until I discovered it was just another chain drive adventure sport tourer!...If I wanted a chain drive there were many options out there, but it seems the manufacturers don't consider the shaft drive an important feature as much as I do..I really liked my R1100 R, but the love affair did not last because of the issues that followed...The only other tourer I thought about was the outstanding FJ1300 but when I took a test drive I soon realized that I could not live with the added weight..so here I am with my NT.yeah sometimes wishing for a little more and another gear...but overall I am pretty happy with my limited choice...
 
I always wondered why there were so few touring bikes in lower weight ranges. I guess there just isn't as big a market...or...maybe cause you can turn just about any bike into a touring mount so why bother making one.

I really had hopes for the F800ST/GT, but, I think it has had dismal sales as well.

And, it is adventure bike 'season' now days.
 
Ultimately I chose to keep my NT versus going to the Yamaha FJ09. A nice bike really, but again a chain drive and almost no protection against the elements. Is there a shaft drive motorcycle out there in the 700-800 cc range? I took a friend's Kawasaki 300 out this past week for about an hour ride. What a hoot, but, long term for a lot of reasons, it wouldn't work.

Terry
 
I am beginning to think a maxi scooter will be the substitute for my NT when the day comes. Nothing else seems to come as close.
 
Shaft drive bikes? MOTO GUZZI :D :D :D

Mine is an 850, naked weight is just over 500lb from factory. Mine is at 550lb with the fairing and cases. Of course the same exact bike can also have an 1100cc motor in it. The small blocks are lighter. The current V7 is 400lb. No fairings avaialble that I know of. But, if you are handy I would bet the SPIII fairing I have on mine could be made to fit (I had to weld two mounting brackets to the frame). And it has better wind protection than the NT. Adds another 30lb. And you can usually pick them up cheap as NOS or slightly used, kinda like the NT. Current models come with ABS and traction control.

Yes, learn to work on it yourself :D

PS no I do not work for MG :D
 
Warren said:
I am beginning to think a maxi scooter will be the substitute for my NT when the day comes. Nothing else seems to come as close.
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+1. I was just reading the review of the new Yamaha T Max twin cylinders 530 cc All I can say is Wow!..Seems to tick all the boxes...then I see on U Tube they are lenghtening the rear swingarm ....converting to chain drive and and invented a whole new game Drifting these things! Wheels a spinning and burning rubber everywhere..Here we go !
 
I suspect that Yamaha figures that if they make an FJR900, it will cannibalize sales from the 1300. I figure they would be right. I would really rather not have a 650 lb., 130 hp, 150 mph motorcycle.
 
I suspect you are right and I agree with you. The hp race is getting a bit out of hand, IMHO. But, when in my thirties I would have taken one in a heartbeat.

I wish Honda would come out with another good sport touring bike, but, I think until the SUV/ADV craze blows over that is what the mfgs will concentrate on.
 
charlie b said:
I think until the SUV/ADV craze blows over that is what the mfgs will concentrate on.
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I'm not so sure it will blow over any time soon. The SUV/ADV concepts offer a lot more functionality and adaptability than a "one trick pony" single purpose vehicle. Looking at smaller ADV bikes the 650cc Wee Strom can be set up to do about anything, sport tour, off-road, commute, whatever. A single purposes bike isn't nearly as adaptable nor as marketable in the international markets where it really matters. I have to admit that if I had bought my Wee Strom before the NT I wouldn't have bought the NT. The Wee provided all the requirements I needed to acceptably do what the NT does well, commute and tour, and gave me a street / trail bike, with better performance, for less money than the NT. I don't believe the bike that will do everything exceptionally well will ever be built. At least I hope not or I won't be able to justify owning more than one bike! But if someone tries to make it I'll bet it will be an Adventure style bike, not a touring bike, or a cruiser, or a sport bike.
 
But, the ADV/SUV craze isn't about an 'all around' vehicle, it's about 'looking' the 'outdoor' part. Kinda the opposite of the HD crowd. The Starbucks cruisers vs the bar cruisers.
 
I agree, there are plenty of the posers out their on all types of bikes and vehicles. But in the big Third World international market I suspect function wins over style a bit more often. And that is the major market, not North America or Europe.
 
On the other hand, BMW has made a nice living selling R-series bikes over the past few decades. The earlier ones, say before the '80's, weren't big, fast, and powerful. But then, they didn't break much either.
 
I hope you don't mind if I jump in here. I went from an NT 700 to an FJR 1300 and have not been sorry that I made the change. I must admit that I have to be a lot more cautious in and out of parking spaces because of the extra weight. There were a couple of times I had to enlist a passerby to help me back out of a parking spot that I failed to notice I was facing slightly downhill. While I don't fully use all the extra horsepower, it makes for a very smooth ride and a lot less shifting.

I could go on and on so pm me if you want any specifics.
 
its just rain said:
I hope you don't mind if I jump in here. I went from an NT 700 to an FJR 1300 and have not been sorry that I made the change. I must admit that I have to be a lot more cautious in and out of parking spaces because of the extra weight. There were a couple of times I had to enlist a passerby to help me back out of a parking spot that I failed to notice I was facing slightly downhill. While I don't fully use all the extra horsepower, it makes for a very smooth ride and a lot less shifting.

I could go on and on so pm me if you want any specifics.
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I concur fully, FJR is a lot more bike for about the same investment and all the power you would want , a lower center of gravity , and a very slight increase in weight and running at 70 -75 fuel consumption is very similar.

Eldon
 
Speaking of the FJR, you all have read and seen pictures of my FJR, NT700, ST1300. In my case the the FJR replaced my aging ST1300 and also my NT700. I owned the ST13 for its performance, smooth V4 cylinder motor, and comfort on the long haul supper slabbing trips. I owned the NT because it was so much lighter and easier to ride in the city and mountains than the ST13 was. The Gen III FJR to me meets both bike requirements of the ST and the NT. A smoothness and power of the ST1300, and the light weight and handling, with the economy of scale that the NT provides. I consider myself fortunate that I have had the means and opportunity to own all three of these bikes. All three are great machines and each persons requirements are different, based on their life experiences of wants and needs. Which ever bike one chooses, one can't go wrong.
 
While I agree that the FJR (and Connie and Triumph) are great bikes, I do not want a 130hp and over 600lb machine.

I wish someone would come up with an aftermarket fairing, a la Vetter (but lighter and less ugly), and I could choose a mid-size bike to turn into a touring mount.
 
The most fun I have ever had on motorcycles were on ones that were 350cc and smaller.
 
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Daboo said:
I would question the idea that the weight difference is slight when it moves you into the category of not being able to back out of a parking space without help. He's not a small guy. Does the FJR need a reverse gear? ;)

As far as "about the same investment", that's comparing apples to oranges. The 2015 FJR is $16,890 as a starting price. The NT isn't sold new anymore. When I bought my new NT, it was only $6995. That's not the same investment.

I don't want a motorcycle capable of hitting 140 mph in a state with the speed limit being only 70 mph. As charlie b wrote, "I do not want a 130hp and over 600lb machine." I'll go lighter before I go heavier.

Chris
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MSRP on a new NT abs was 11000 dollars. Ad all the extras ie cruse control, factory heated grips, Factory Lower faring, Honda pannier liners, etc that all comes standard on the new Gen III FJR and one will be approaching the cost of the FJR. Maybe not quite as much but then the FJR also gives you a two way adjustable seat, electric wind shield, more engine umph, two more cylinders. Removable panniers with working latches, that don't break. Yes also a few more pounds. All in all, I would say the FJR vs the NT at MSRP the FJR Gen III is a slightly better buy. Trust me when the NT was dropped it also was a hand full to pick up. Just ask Phil. As I said before each person has to make their own choices for their own reasoning and none of it is wrong or bad.


I already stated why I bought my FJR. Had my ST1300 not had the years and miles on it I would still have it and my NT.
 
Well if the FJR needs a Reverse so do all Harleys, and all of the clone cruiser bikes, as well as the BMW's ETC . Anyone that has been riding bikes since 88or 89when Honda brought out the first GL1500;s with reverse has dealt with learning to read a parking space that is on a downward slop, or off camber too much to park in, I will say the only thing I missed from the GL 1800 is the reverse. I did consider a new HD which one can do a reverse installation on. But in that regard I can do the same on my 01 ultra and put in a 96 C.U. Inch kit and basicly have a new one less the ABS that is now available from HD and was not a option in 01.

As for being bi or small I am definatly not big, nor super strong like a good percentage of you young guys are 68 inches in stocking feet, 190 lbs less riding gear with a true 30 inch inseam.

I paid full retail price of $11,199 and waited for three months for my 2011 because I wouldn't even consider a NON ABS, I took delivery of it in JAN of 13. By the time it was farkled with everything but electronic cruise I had about re invested.

I paid $13,000 out the door for my 2014 FJR ED plus title and lic fees that you pay on anything with a tirle,I did take the D-2 denalies,the Stebil air horn, the 50 litre Shad top box, and the highway pegs off of the NT, as well as the FUZE block. I added canyo cages a bright turn signal led indicator system, a Dash shelf, and a rear subframe stiffener , and a higher Yamaha touring windshield. I am in the FJR for about the same money as the NT, NUT with ESA, traction control better lights, better luggage and enough power to get out of most anythings way short of it being a ZO^ ETC. Wi;; I ever use all the power available? no , but If I should need it it is there. Same with the corvette, I will never use all of its capabilities, but it is a pleasant feeling to know if you need it all you have to do is put your foot down!

I don't regret the NT and the 50,000 on it's clock , but too many times I found myself needing more power and it was not there. In hind sight I paid too much for the NT, but I wanted it so I bought it. If I had wanted a R-1200 RT I would have bought it. IF I were real weight conscious and didn't mind going to downtown Seattle for dealer service I probably would buy the Super Lejarro Ducatie that weighs less than 400 lbs and is faster and quicker than the FJR, and uses the dreaded chain drive :smile: and is somewhat over $ 50,000.00. Of course theni would just have to have the slightly expensive Ducatie carbon fibre helmlet to go with it in matched pain for a price tag of $ 3500.00 dollars!
 
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