As my 1150 GS now has around 84,000 miles on the clock I am thinking that I should get a more economical smaller bike for my daily commute and keep the 11½ for trips. It did Bilco's Alaska trip without any issues beyond a loose screen bolt, my fault for fitting one that is too short and only caught one or two threads.
I want something economical but interesting and have a short list of three at the moment.
1) Moto Guzzi V7 Stone. I've ridden one and as the fuel light came on at a convenient point I put exactly one gallon (4.55ltrs according to the pump) into it and rode until the light came on again. 58.8 mpg but not the most accurate way of measuring it. The test bike only had 350 miles on it when I started so the engine would still be tight but it felt lively and revved freely with little flywheel effect. The route included the Dukes Pass, tight and very twisty road for 14 miles with the rest being Scottish A roads and motorway from Stirling to Falkirk, ridden at 70-80mph. A very simple little bike, a bit unrefined and the engine felt coarse with some vibration but will it get smoother with miles? Anyone running the previous V7 Classic got experience of how the engine settles down? The bike felt so light, almost like riding a moped
The rear suspension was brick hard though, no static sag at all and an aching lower back after around 90 miles due to the shocks transmitted from poor roads surfaces. I had no lower back pain from the 11½ on the Alaska trip even with some 500+ mile days. The left header clamp bolts came loose during my ride, fortunately I didn't have earplugs in and heard the exhaust blowing and the clamp plate vibrating so was able to get a local garage to nip up the clamps bolts for me. I wonder if this will be an indicator of the build quality.
2) Honda NC700 X. I've not ridden one yet but the fuel economy looks as though it could be outstanding, maybe as much as 90 mpg if you can be bothered to ride steadily. The faux tank storage is a definite benefit. The ultra skinny back end will mean crap all over the place in wet weather and at least one post on here suggests that a hugger won't improve the situation very much, it needs a rear mudguard worthy of the name. The real downside is that it has a chain and all that entails. A belt would have been a much better bet. I'd expect it to be more refined than the V7 and it feels like a full sized bike.
3) BMW F800ST. A known quantity, can do up to around 80mpg but has more power than the above two bikes and if used will not achieve anything like the same economy. It's a good bike to ride and a different screen plus bar-risers make it a serious long distance contender as well. The standard panniers are garbage and the underseat tank makes it difficult to fit hard panniers without the bike ending up as wide as a small car, not good for filtering. No chain to lube after every wet trip but the BMW unique belt will doubtless cost a small fortune. If it lasts the 35,000 miles I was once quoted by a dealer that isn't too bad but if they break regularly at half that distance it's a different story. Experiences with this or the F800 S?
I'll ride the NC700 and maybe have another go on an F800ST as it's years since I rode one.
I want something economical but interesting and have a short list of three at the moment.
1) Moto Guzzi V7 Stone. I've ridden one and as the fuel light came on at a convenient point I put exactly one gallon (4.55ltrs according to the pump) into it and rode until the light came on again. 58.8 mpg but not the most accurate way of measuring it. The test bike only had 350 miles on it when I started so the engine would still be tight but it felt lively and revved freely with little flywheel effect. The route included the Dukes Pass, tight and very twisty road for 14 miles with the rest being Scottish A roads and motorway from Stirling to Falkirk, ridden at 70-80mph. A very simple little bike, a bit unrefined and the engine felt coarse with some vibration but will it get smoother with miles? Anyone running the previous V7 Classic got experience of how the engine settles down? The bike felt so light, almost like riding a moped
The rear suspension was brick hard though, no static sag at all and an aching lower back after around 90 miles due to the shocks transmitted from poor roads surfaces. I had no lower back pain from the 11½ on the Alaska trip even with some 500+ mile days. The left header clamp bolts came loose during my ride, fortunately I didn't have earplugs in and heard the exhaust blowing and the clamp plate vibrating so was able to get a local garage to nip up the clamps bolts for me. I wonder if this will be an indicator of the build quality. 2) Honda NC700 X. I've not ridden one yet but the fuel economy looks as though it could be outstanding, maybe as much as 90 mpg if you can be bothered to ride steadily. The faux tank storage is a definite benefit. The ultra skinny back end will mean crap all over the place in wet weather and at least one post on here suggests that a hugger won't improve the situation very much, it needs a rear mudguard worthy of the name. The real downside is that it has a chain and all that entails. A belt would have been a much better bet. I'd expect it to be more refined than the V7 and it feels like a full sized bike.
3) BMW F800ST. A known quantity, can do up to around 80mpg but has more power than the above two bikes and if used will not achieve anything like the same economy. It's a good bike to ride and a different screen plus bar-risers make it a serious long distance contender as well. The standard panniers are garbage and the underseat tank makes it difficult to fit hard panniers without the bike ending up as wide as a small car, not good for filtering. No chain to lube after every wet trip but the BMW unique belt will doubtless cost a small fortune. If it lasts the 35,000 miles I was once quoted by a dealer that isn't too bad but if they break regularly at half that distance it's a different story. Experiences with this or the F800 S?
I'll ride the NC700 and maybe have another go on an F800ST as it's years since I rode one.
