Touring - 650 v 700

[iainnic]

I've toured on both a 650 and this year a 700. Both have strengths and weaknesses, but the 700 has the edge in my opinion.

That said, if I was off touring the back end of no where, I'd certainly consider another 650 as its much less reliant on the electronics that are packed into the 700. But there again, the 700 rides like a dream, is't bothered by altitude like the 650 used to be at times, and with the touring screen, I've not really noticed any real difference in the amount of weather protection. One thing I do like on the 700 is the ease at which the panels come off to let you get into the engine if needed

Iain

[Farky]

One for the 700 here!

Rode 20 days round France, clockwise via Alps, South coast, Pyrenees and back home via Central Massif.

Weather protection is excellent as long as you have the tall screen and I havent had any buffeting issues some report.

Rode with full givi set and the sleeping bag on the back seat as I took too much gear. Also had my camera gear in the top box (top heavy).

The area where the 700 suits this best is its flickability with the smaller front wheel. More oomph with the load onboard and I never noticed any altitude issues at all.

Rode up a dirt track in Andorra and the bike loved it (minus the side panniers, left them in the tent). If it wasnt for me having a bald flat spotted rear I wouldve done more off road here.

Engine maintenance...only do the basics, no issues at all but obviously there are issues with doing the valve clearances if your into it...but I wont be getting them checked as often as Mr Honda says anyway... even my dealer says its a waste of money as they rarely need adjusting.

20k done on my 08 700 and the only issue i would have is the crap chain the supply with it but thats mostly cosmetic.

oh, and ive dropped it (set it down) about 5 times with little damage to sticky out bits - Givi crash bars worth every penny.

I did test ride both the 650 07 and 700 side by side before buying doing about 50 miles on each round my commute and on main dual carriageway among others. I know why people love the 650, lazy, confident, secure and reliable....just find the 700 has this plus more and I wouldnt have seen me on the 600 on the french toll roads doing 600 miles per day on my way home!

[jimmysimpson1]

I had a 600 Trannie years ago. I bought it new and always thought it was a very underestimated bike I have had Varaderos and others since then and have now got a new 700 alp. Well pleased cos i go offroad 75 % and the vara was more a bravery thing than practical. The Alp is easy to use and modern technology says progress like injection , deffo a step forward. No maintenence there in fact, the only maintenence would be oil changes and chains/ brakes etc. Handling is cool. Got a Vario screen to help things and a centre stand with a Scottoiler. No complaints so far.

[Immortal P]

never rode the 700 only 650 and 600. Would never buy the 700 since it is ugly as hell...

did 15000mls last year on my 650 and loved every single inch of it.

and I have a hard time deciding which is dirtier... silver or black....

[jimmysimpson1]

Why would ugly bother anyone ?You can't see 'ugly' when you're sitting on it aye ? That's gay.

[Immortal P]

I am a girl... I know what my bike looks like.. and I only bought it cause it looks good no other reason.....

thank God we all have different taste. Wouldnt it be boring if we all rode around on the same type a bike?

Have fun with your 700!

[jimmysimpson1]

That would be boring if we were all the same. I bought this bike because it suited my purpose. I don't even like the colour much but it was all they had and I needed it then so - - - It is pleasing and easy to ride tho and compared to a Varadero off road, it's a peach.

[oggy]

My two penny worth - Had a 600 - excellent for what it was, but as per previous post, a bit of a plodder on long autoroutes - I went to Switzerland and back on it. Good for jolly jaunts around the back roads of the Lake District, well built, easy to maintain, cheap to run.

Had a ride on a 650 a few times. Bit more poke than 600, but that apart, no discernable difference.

Now have a 700. Definitely more poke, considerably smoother, better road manners due to the smaller front wheel and a little more refined. More of a road bike than the previous two. Looks are in the eye of the beholder, but I think my colour scheme of blue/black is very appealing - apart from the dumb graphics.

NE Scotland appears to be the epicentre of 700 ownership - any of you boys in Oil?

Mark

[jimmysimpson1]

I'm in oil every day. I work in a garage.

[largewayround]

NE Scotland appears to be the epicentre of 700 ownership - any of you boys in Oil?

Aye , Ecosse Honda are making a Mint ...

Oil , Nope .. You..