BMW Thumper vs NC700X

GabeJ · 05-01-2013, 08:49 PM

I just posted this in Beasts, but would like your opinion as well.

I'm thinking about a new bike, and I'm considering a used BMW thumper or the new Honda. I ride 60 miles a day on the freeway in one of the windiest places in the country. I'm 80 miles from city traffic and like to explore. There are lots of gravel roads and two track trails around my house I'd be interested in riding. I would also like to be able to comfortable take my wife on afternoon trips. I'm 5'9 165. My wife is 150.

If you say get a BMW thumper, which years are the best? I love the new headlight, but I think the 2011 will be very hard to find for 6500.

I have searched everywhere and haven't been able to find anyone comparing these two. I know many will say that's because one is a single and the other is a twin. Well, the BMW twins are way more money and not as fuel efficient. Anyway, let me know which you think would be best.

manybike · 05-01-2013, 10:49 PM

Really hard to compare those two bikes.

I have a 07 BMW 650 Dakar (single cylinder).

It does just fine on the highway, mine will sit at 75 mph all day quite easily. Top speed is 100 mph.
My wife occasionally comes on day rides. Power wise for two up it also does just fine, I can cruise at 70-75 mph two up.
However...two up is a bit tight for space. A 300 mile day is about the limit for my wife. She says it is just too cramped.
For gravel and trails it is a great bike, it is not a dirt bike but it will handle pretty much any road easily.

Sorry, never ridden the Honda NC700X. Looks like a great bike. Probably a lot better on the highway and for two up riding. Should be okay on gravel but not sure about trails.

trainman · 05-02-2013, 07:56 AM

I don't think the two bikes compare, you either want a cruiser style bike or you want a adventure dual sport bike. Never having had the Honda, but have owned several BMW's including a 2001 BMW 650 Dakar and two Suzuki V-Stroms 650's, the choice would be easy for me. First I would take the V-Strom over the new Honda and never look back, but if any off-road riding was in my future it would be the BMW 650. The BMW 650 will cruse 70 all day and do it getting you 65-70 mpg, the V-Strom and the Honda will not, more like 50-55 mpg. I am personally in the market for another BMW 650, I live in the DFW area and from DFW to Austin these bike can be purchased from $5000 for a nice 07, to $7000 for a nice 2010-11 models, Austin, Texas has the best market on these bikes.

John

rockmurf · 05-02-2013, 08:02 AM

Interesting topic and one that I have thought about lately but I would also add the dl 650 into the mix especially since it is tried and tested as the honda is relatively new (model wise). My concern with the trio is the bmw more reliable and cheaper to keep than its siblings. We know about the wee strom and the honda. I too would appreciate any comments from those that know.

soldierguy · 05-02-2013, 09:06 AM

I don't think the NC700X and the G650GS are hard to compare at all. But I tend to view bikes (and many other things in life) as points along a spectrum, rather than put things into categories...boxes if you will. The Honda resides at more of the street end of the spectrum...sort of an ADV-lite, or standard do-it-all bike with a light ADV twist. The BMW resides in the ADV section of the spectrum, but with leanings towards street...low seat, alloy wheels, etc. Even on price, they're not too far apart...maybe $1000, at least as priced at local dealers that have been quite willing knock prices down. The Honda does weigh 50 lbs more than the BMW, but it masks the weight by keeping it low. So I think they're closer together than a first glance would suggest.

I'm comparing the NC700X and G650GS, and I'm adding a farkled used Wee-Strom to the mix too...similar weight as the Honda (heavier with all the farkles), but carries it differently. I was considering a KLR too, but I'd prefer a fuel-injected bike.

With any luck, I'll have some riding impressions before the day is through.

Cheers!

GabeJ · 05-02-2013, 12:39 PM

The thing about the VStrom. I owned one. It's so dang ugly. It also felt top heavy to me. Did I mention how ugly it is? I own an SV650 because I loved that DL650's motor, but I didn't like anything else about it.

I know you'll call me superficial, but the bike was so ugly my non-riding friends told me they were glad I sold it. They said it just didn't look like a bike anybody would want to own.

I think the TR650 and G650GS are pretty. I like the look of the Honda, too.

Flame away.

soldierguy · 05-02-2013, 02:54 PM

LOL! No flames from me...the wee is not an attractive bike.

I rode the wee this morning and really liked it. I was concerned about the weight as well, but honestly...at low speeds it felt lighter to me than the GS. Friendly is how I'd describe it...it feels lighter than it is, very easy to ride, but still stable and planted.

Still have some looking to do though...

05-01-2013, 08:49 PM	#1
GabeJ ^OP n00b Joined: Jan 2011 Oddometer: 5	BMW Thumper vs NC700X I just posted this in Beasts, but would like your opinion as well. I'm thinking about a new bike, and I'm considering a used BMW thumper or the new Honda. I ride 60 miles a day on the freeway in one of the windiest places in the country. I'm 80 miles from city traffic and like to explore. There are lots of gravel roads and two track trails around my house I'd be interested in riding. I would also like to be able to comfortable take my wife on afternoon trips. I'm 5'9 165. My wife is 150. If you say get a BMW thumper, which years are the best? I love the new headlight, but I think the 2011 will be very hard to find for 6500. I have searched everywhere and haven't been able to find anyone comparing these two. I know many will say that's because one is a single and the other is a twin. Well, the BMW twins are way more money and not as fuel efficient. Anyway, let me know which you think would be best.

05-01-2013, 10:49 PM	#2
manybike Omnipresent Joined: Jan 2010 Location: North America Oddometer: 300	Really hard to compare those two bikes. I have a 07 BMW 650 Dakar (single cylinder). It does just fine on the highway, mine will sit at 75 mph all day quite easily. Top speed is 100 mph. My wife occasionally comes on day rides. Power wise for two up it also does just fine, I can cruise at 70-75 mph two up. However...two up is a bit tight for space. A 300 mile day is about the limit for my wife. She says it is just too cramped. For gravel and trails it is a great bike, it is not a dirt bike but it will handle pretty much any road easily. Sorry, never ridden the Honda NC700X. Looks like a great bike. Probably a lot better on the highway and for two up riding. Should be okay on gravel but not sure about trails. __________________ Lady Astor: "Mr. Churchill, you're drunk!" Winston Churchill: "Yes, and you, Madam, are ugly. But tomorrow, I shall be sober." 72 Yamaha 350 street 07 650 Dakar, 2010 KTM 690 Duke

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05-02-2013, 07:56 AM	#3
trainman Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2007 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Oddometer: 293	I don't think the two bikes compare, you either want a cruiser style bike or you want a adventure dual sport bike. Never having had the Honda, but have owned several BMW's including a 2001 BMW 650 Dakar and two Suzuki V-Stroms 650's, the choice would be easy for me. First I would take the V-Strom over the new Honda and never look back, but if any off-road riding was in my future it would be the BMW 650. The BMW 650 will cruse 70 all day and do it getting you 65-70 mpg, the V-Strom and the Honda will not, more like 50-55 mpg. I am personally in the market for another BMW 650, I live in the DFW area and from DFW to Austin these bike can be purchased from $5000 for a nice 07, to $7000 for a nice 2010-11 models, Austin, Texas has the best market on these bikes. John

05-02-2013, 08:02 AM	#4
rockmurf IBA #31100 Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Bradenton,FL Oddometer: 245	Interesting topic and one that I have thought about lately but I would also add the dl 650 into the mix especially since it is tried and tested as the honda is relatively new (model wise). My concern with the trio is the bmw more reliable and cheaper to keep than its siblings. We know about the wee strom and the honda. I too would appreciate any comments from those that know.

05-02-2013, 12:39 PM	#6
GabeJ ^OP n00b Joined: Jan 2011 Oddometer: 5	The thing about the VStrom. I owned one. It's so dang ugly. It also felt top heavy to me. Did I mention how ugly it is? I own an SV650 because I loved that DL650's motor, but I didn't like anything else about it. I know you'll call me superficial, but the bike was so ugly my non-riding friends told me they were glad I sold it. They said it just didn't look like a bike anybody would want to own. I think the TR650 and G650GS are pretty. I like the look of the Honda, too. Flame away.