Looking for a new bike!

[pais]

 Thinking hard about a new cycle. Really like the Honda NC700/750 and the Kawasaki Versys 650/1000. Anybody out there have one of these? Love to hear your input.

[hubcapsc]

I was in North Carolina a few years ago and came across a couple
of people both riding these red 2008 650 versyses...



They were having as much fun as you can have... I think the newer versyses
are kind of ugly, but they're probably still good...

-Mike

[LTD]

ridden  the Kawasaki versys 1000 outstanding bike

[cookiedough]

do not forget the suzuki vstroms

never driven all 3 only you can decide so go to a stealer and test drive all 3

[pais]

I do like the Versys, especially in the 1000cc model. Love that motor!
Not much of a Suzuki fan. Never owned one and no desire to. Though I have heard good things about the VStroms.
Like the Honda NC's as well. Wonder why  Some nice features specifically the "Frunk" as well as the DCT. Nice compromise between a 650 and 1000. plus, "you meet the nicest people on a Honda."

[Patrick]

Hmmm, I've been looking at smaller things lately. Considering an English Cafe Racer.

[h13man]

Power band wise, I'd go with the 1000cc if you handle the difference in weight in certain situations.

[Jack B]

I had a 2015 NC700X 6 speed, nice bike it's not fast but it was fast enough. It's not a high revving motor, you need to do more down shifting.  It was comfortable but not all day comfort got great gas mileage 60 plus miles to the gallon. It  was a perfect second bike but I only had for 1 year, with the mark down on the 1800 Valkyire's I sold it now the Valkyrie is my great second bike.

[Fazer]

Bought a Suzuki Burgman 650 last year and love it.  It will never replace the Valk, but I ride the Burgie to work just about every day.  Going on a three day ride this week with a scooter club.

I took the basic rider course from a guy that rides the Versys 1000 as his only means of transport.  Lots of miles.  Maybe not DDT like, but close.  He has worn out several, or so he said.

[CajunRider]

I never rode a Honda NC or Kawasaki Versys, but I have ridden and will second the V-Strom (or Wee-Strom if you're going after the 650 variant). 

It's surprisingly comfortable, and has plenty of scoot to get out of its own way.  Plus, it's no dirt bike, but does quite well on gravel or dirt roads. 

My only complaint was that it was kind-a ugly... I though it had a face only a month could love. 

[cookiedough]

Bought a Suzuki Burgman 650 last year and love it.  It will never replace the Valk, but I ride the Burgie to work just about every day.  Going on a three day ride this week with a scooter club.

same here on the Burgie 650 bought last year put on 5k miles mostly to/from work and the Valk only about 1000 miles all last summer.   All the same except no 3 day ride with a scooter club...

burgman 650 seemed to have just a little more pep as well vs. the ctx700 with much bigger seating and just as good of ergos and more storage but less on mpg 50 vs. 60, oh well, cannot have it all I guess in one bike?

[pais]

Over the last couple of weeks I have found a couple bikes /offers. I listed my '97 for sale and mentioned I would be interested in trading for an Adventure Bike. Looked at and rode a Versys and a V-Strom. Liked them, but could not pull the trigger. One guy had traded his Stratoliner last year and wanted to get back to a big cruiser. The other was hoping he would ride the Valk more. Needless to say, Valk still in the garage.
Topping it off is the fact that last week I was fortunate enough to catch a barn find, a 1980 CBX. Original owner, 26k on the clock and he wanted $5k for it. It was only 1 hour from my doorstep. I found it on Facebook Marketplace about the same time I am typing this, 05:30 give or take. He had posted the night before and I was the first person to contact him. One long day at work waiting for quittin time! Wife and I made the trek to go see the bike. As she sat in the truck reading a book, I got out to see the bike.
It looked like a $5k CBX. All it needed was some luvin  Had not been ridden or touched in 10yrs(carbs). It was not bad really. I was so star struck, I told him I'd take it. Gave him $100 and said I'd be back Saturday with my trailer. Well, between Wed. night and Sat morning. I talked myself out of it! I knew it was a 2-3 year project. No big deal. I told the guy the biggest reason was, I have nowhere to tear it down and leave it that way for the duration as the work got done  For me I was planning a complete tear down / frame off resto. Mind you I have wanted one of these since the day they were produced. I chose the VF1000R over a CBX when Honda dealers were damn near giving them away. I do not regret that decision. That VF was a good looking bike, mediocre performer. Kinda like a good looking woman  Problem with that is, I don't have that bike now either. Had an oppurtunity to buy one of those last year and backed out. See a pattern here? 
I'm done singing the blues. Thanx for listening.
One of the morals to the story. I've owned a few bikes in my years. I won't part with the Valk. 

[cookiedough]

keep looking and test riding some,  you may find your backup to the Valk....   

I like my scooters for comfort and storage space,  but to each their own,  definitely scooters do not have enough 'off road'  adventure suspension as almost all cycles and especially the vstrom and versys which are more suited to dirt/off roading.   I would drive my 249cc single cylinder scooter over my kids yamaha fjr1300 long distances over 50 miles since is more comfy, for me anyways, and more wiggle room to move around in and ergos better.

[Pappy!]

Catching the "bug" for an additional bike is lots of fun!
I know you mentioned your preferences do not include Suzuki but let me tell you....they build bulletproof engines! 
Over in the ADVRider forums there is a huge following for the 'Stroms. Can learn anything and everything you want to know about them. Hope this helps!

[AwesomeDad]

I’m kinda biased because I have one, but the concours 14 is a very under rated bike. I call mine a budget Beamer. All day comfort and will scratch the go fast itch as well...

JJ

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I have a 2002 V-Strom 1000. It's capable of about whatever you ask of it, short of actual dirtbike stuff. Plenty capable of fire roads and light trails with ease, and some tougher trails with some effort. It actually makes a nice sport-tourer as well.

A friend has a Versys 1000 and digs it.

With most "adventure" bikes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Find the one that "speaks" to you.

[pais]

Catching the "bug" for an additional bike is lots of fun!
I know you mentioned your preferences do not include Suzuki but let me tell you....they build bulletproof engines! 
Over in the ADVRider forums there is a huge following for the 'Stroms. Can learn anything and everything you want to know about them. Hope this helps!

Pappy, Burner I agree, i like the search, never knowing what I will find. I know what I initially said about the V-Strom. I finally went and looked at and rode one. Nice bike it is. I will consider one at the right $$

I’m kinda biased because I have one, but the concours 14 is a very under rated bike. I call mine a budget Beamer. All day comfort and will scratch the go fast itch as well...

JJ

Dad, I had a 2000 Connie and liked the bike and loved that motor. Had a buzz in the bars and footpegs. Hindsight, wish I'da kept it and bought the Valk. I sold the Connie a year before I bought my Valk. Now I really want something lighter and love the look of the "Adventure Bikes". The Connies you get a lot of bang for the buck. The real irony of the whole thing is when I bought my Valk(2013) i was looking for a Kaw KLR. They were priced at a premium. Then I happened upon a Valk and as they say, "the rest is history".