My '86 Tenere did >100kkm with no issues. The new ones are probably even more reliable. If you can live with the 'low' power and soft suspension, the Tenere's are quite good.

If you want a 2-cylinder: there are other options. V-strom etc.

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Squily

I managed a test ride on the Honda (strictly on pavement) and was surprised that the motor had a somewhat industrial feel to it despite being a twin. Ultimately, I bought a 650 V-Strom with which I am pleased.


As far as 17 inch wheels are concerned, the Honda may be different, but I've travelled a good many gravel and dirt road kilometres on a Kawasaki ZR7-S (which is a standard-ish UJM design on 17 inchers) and found it abysmally unsuited to those types of roads. I'm sold on the notion that narrower, larger diameter tires do better on unstable surfaces.

What do you mean by industrial feel?

Sort of a low frequency thumpiness (just made that word up). Some might find it pleasing I suppose.

Don't let a single cylinder bike scare you off. Vibration is minimal if you get the right bike. Weight is your enemy. You don't need a big "ADV" bike. In most cases, you don't want it.

I have 110,000 km on my KTM 690. I've been to 40 countries with it now and she is still going.

The 50% offroad will be very very enjoyable if you have a light bike with a 21 inch front tire. I try to run a knobby like a TKC 80 in the front and a travel tire like a K60 scout in the rear. Its a great balance of traction and longevity.

"is honda nc750x any good for adventure?"

Define "Adventure"

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I have read an article in the German "Motorrad" Magazine, they fitted TKC80 an a NC750X and had a funny time offroad.
They find it interesting, what can be done with this bike offroad, but there was no recommendation to use the Honda as Adventure-Bike

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Greetings
Wolle

you know, type of Indiana Jones Crusade etc

That's very good point and actually I convinced myself today on practice plaza with big suzuki 650 which weighted around 200kg that I don't want so heavy bike. Especially top heavy like this suzuki. On offroad situation probably the less weight the better. I don't want to be squeezed by the machine.

I wonder what range you're getting out off this ktm? looks like nice bike BTW,
but is it really ok for very long trips, eventually Morocco etc?

I have 500 km range on 27 liters of fuel. I have 65 hp. I have amazing suspension. My bike and gear weighs 210 kilo. I can pick it up myself when it tips over. The bike now has 110,000 km and still the original piston. I change the oil every 7,500 km. She pulls hard. and she is very very fun.

I think it's rather other way around - new bikes are less reliable...

is that bullet proof xt660z???



http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=19882&page=2

I bought honda nc750x after all and so far I'm happy with he bike.
Thanks to low center of gravity it handles extremely well at low speed
regardless it wet weight is 219kg so a little bit more they I have planned.

If anybody is interested here is the info how to disable temporarily ABS on NC7500X and have fun off-road:

- start the engine and ride a few yards/meters for ABS self check test passed and the ABS light goes off.
- stop, put on neutral but don't turn the engine off
- put the bike on central stand as your rear wheel is off the ground a bit
- put second gear on
- rev the engine to around 20 miles/h or 35 km/h so the ABS light comes on blinking (will stay like that while abs is disabled)
- don't stop the engine, get bike off the stand and ride on and have fun - ABS is off
- to turn ABS on again simply turn the engine off and on

It's been tested and it works. (same on CB500X)

Just out of interest what bike did the OP buy in the end?

The NC700/750X machines are proving to be a surprisingly good adventure bike.

One of the Advrider guys took one along with a few KTM's on an off road trip in Colorado. It appears it was the KTM's that needed the spanners out while the Honda coped very well http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=903353

If you are a fan of the BMW Airheads you'll love an NC. I'm running one alongside my airheads. Lighter weight, more power and great MPG. Virtually the same size as the airhead PD. The standard suspension is terrible and you'll need to budget for a decent shock, especially if you are two up.



Mines the DCT version which is great off road as you always have drive and cannot stall. The only downside as mentioned above is the wider front tyre lacks precision in mud and on gravel but it isn't that bad at all. Put a set of TKC's on and its fine. Riding on the pegs is very easy, the footpegs are low and the bars are in the right place to make it comfortable, a set of 1" risers would make it nigh on perfect. The low engine and centre of gravity means you can balance at standstill.



The big plus with the NC --> take it easy and this is possible. I was worried about only having three gallons when I bought it but its yet to be an issue.



on the road 80-85 mph is effortless even with luggage on. Top end isn't brilliant but if your on this site then its pretty academic anyway.

Honda has made a real gem with these bikes. They've flicked the finger at the performance riders and made a bike that lopes along and eats the miles while using very little fuel. I'm really pleased with mine.

Here's my nc, packed for ride.

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