NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Discussions and updates on your new bike, your new build, your wishes, wants and desires
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11220
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4115 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

ChrisW wrote: Fri Sep 01, 2023 4:32 pm
I just had another look at one in a main dealer today - it was the only bike they had that I'd want to get (apart from some nice stuff from other marques in the used stock...).
For me it was the Honda or a Z900RS, and I don't fit the Kawasaki, and I think the Honda looks nicer.
Honda Owner
Bustaspoke
Posts: 1792
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2020 5:55 pm
Has thanked: 3224 times
Been thanked: 1721 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Bustaspoke »

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Fri Sep 01, 2023 4:34 pm
ChrisW wrote: Fri Sep 01, 2023 4:32 pm
I just had another look at one in a main dealer today - it was the only bike they had that I'd want to get (apart from some nice stuff from other marques in the used stock...).
For me it was the Honda or a Z900RS, and I don't fit the Kawasaki, and I think the Honda looks nicer.
Funnily enough,3 of us were drooling over a Z900RS on the campsite at the Classic TT last week.Earlier today one of us who currently runs a Busa posted a photo of him sat on a Z900RS on our Whatsapp group page.That red/white & blue Honda that you posted looks tidy but I don't recall seeing one on the road.Is it much bigger than your Suzuki? I was surprised how low the Suzuki seat height is,not that I'm complaining as a 5'6 shortarse.
User avatar
weeksy
Site Admin
Posts: 23299
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:08 pm
Has thanked: 5433 times
Been thanked: 13021 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by weeksy »

Bustaspoke wrote: Fri Sep 01, 2023 4:49 pm Is it much bigger than your Suzuki? I was surprised how low the Suzuki seat height is,not that I'm complaining as a 5'6 shortarse.
Honda is pretty low.
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11220
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4115 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

Bustaspoke wrote: Fri Sep 01, 2023 4:49 pm
Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Fri Sep 01, 2023 4:34 pm
ChrisW wrote: Fri Sep 01, 2023 4:32 pm
I just had another look at one in a main dealer today - it was the only bike they had that I'd want to get (apart from some nice stuff from other marques in the used stock...).
For me it was the Honda or a Z900RS, and I don't fit the Kawasaki, and I think the Honda looks nicer.
Funnily enough,3 of us were drooling over a Z900RS on the campsite at the Classic TT last week.Earlier today one of us who currently runs a Busa posted a photo of him sat on a Z900RS on our Whatsapp group page.That red/white & blue Honda that you posted looks tidy but I don't recall seeing one on the road.Is it much bigger than your Suzuki? I was surprised how low the Suzuki seat height is,not that I'm complaining as a 5'6 shortarse.
It's pretty much the same as the Suzuki, if anything a little lower, handlebars feel about 20mm lower, I've got a 29" inside leg and I can get both feet down flat on the Honda, the Suzuki is the same, but I do weigh 14 stone, so I may compress the suspension more than you.
Honda Owner
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11220
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4115 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

IMG_20230904_172817_(900_x_2000_pixel).jpg
IMG_20230904_172817_(900_x_2000_pixel).jpg (480.86 KiB) Viewed 488 times
Mine, all mine, picked it up this afternoon (got the afternoon off for getting paid £900 to watch little blue bars go across a screen at the weekend)

Probably the best motorcycle I've ever ridden, the suspension is superb, especially the forks, it handles beautifully, it's one of those bikes that you feel like you can just lean until something scrapes, it's slower steering than the GSXS750 I traded in for it, but handles better for it, it feels like a 4 cylinder Supermoto. The forks feel a bit soft, and they dive like an Italian footballer when you brake, it may need a bit more compression damping to solve this, but I'll wait until I'm used to it. It may need a bit more low speed compression damping on the rear, but I don't think the shock has adjustable compression damping.

It's fecking fast, like 98 R1 fast, the engine is not as smooth as the Suzuki, but it's bigger and has only done a fifth of the miles, so it might be a little tight, or it might just be how Honda have set the power up in Standard mode, I may reduce the engine braking to make it a bit smoother. At 4000rpm you can here the air being sucked into the air box, it sounds like wind blowing through a hole, maybe an air box flap opens.

The dash was better on the Suzuki, the information you needed was easier to see, like how much fuel is left, the Honda puts this near the rev counter and it's not obvious, but I prefer the rev counter display on the Honda.

Comfort, it's comfortable for longer than the Suzuki, but once it gets uncomfortable, it's really uncomfortable. The little screen works quite well, but I may fit something a bit bigger. Handlebars are wider than the Suzuki, probably about the same height once you're riding as the rear shock squats more than the Suzuki.

The brakes feel very sharp, but they're no better than the Suzukis, maybe not as good for actual stopping power, but there's nothing wrong with them.

And I can park in a disabled space because I'm a bit of a Spaz

And it's feckin loud at low speed, really throaty noise
Honda Owner
User avatar
ChrisW
Posts: 2687
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2022 8:46 pm
Has thanked: 2873 times
Been thanked: 2030 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by ChrisW »

Lovely looking thing & you're obviously enjoying it :thumbup:
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11220
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4115 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

ChrisW wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 6:00 pm Lovely looking thing & you're obviously enjoying it :thumbup:
It's fantastic, it power wheelies in second gear in standard mode
Honda Owner
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11220
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4115 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

It doesn't have a range indicator, which is a little annoying, the Suzuki did.
Honda Owner
User avatar
weeksy
Site Admin
Posts: 23299
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:08 pm
Has thanked: 5433 times
Been thanked: 13021 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by weeksy »

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 5:47 pm IMG_20230904_172817_(900_x_2000_pixel).jpg

Mine, all mine, picked it up this afternoon (got the afternoon off for getting paid £900 to watch little blue bars go across a screen at the weekend)

Probably the best motorcycle I've ever ridden, the suspension is superb, especially the forks, it handles beautifully, it's one of those bikes that you feel like you can just lean until something scrapes, it's slower steering than the GSXS750 I traded in for it, but handles better for it, it feels like a 4 cylinder Supermoto. The forks feel a bit soft, and they dive like an Italian footballer when you brake, it may need a bit more compression damping to solve this, but I'll wait until I'm used to it. It may need a bit more low speed compression damping on the rear, but I don't think the shock has adjustable compression damping.

It's fecking fast, like 98 R1 fast, the engine is not as smooth as the Suzuki, but it's bigger and has only done a fifth of the miles, so it might be a little tight, or it might just be how Honda have set the power up in Standard mode, I may reduce the engine braking to make it a bit smoother. At 4000rpm you can here the air being sucked into the air box, it sounds like wind blowing through a hole, maybe an air box flap opens.

The dash was better on the Suzuki, the information you needed was easier to see, like how much fuel is left, the Honda puts this near the rev counter and it's not obvious, but I prefer the rev counter display on the Honda.

Comfort, it's comfortable for longer than the Suzuki, but once it gets uncomfortable, it's really uncomfortable. The little screen works quite well, but I may fit something a bit bigger. Handlebars are wider than the Suzuki, probably about the same height once you're riding as the rear shock squats more than the Suzuki.

The brakes feel very sharp, but they're no better than the Suzukis, maybe not as good for actual stopping power, but there's nothing wrong with them.

And I can park in a disabled space because I'm a bit of a Spaz

And it's feckin loud at low speed, really throaty noise
Told ya
Supermofo
Posts: 4966
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
Has thanked: 4320 times
Been thanked: 2825 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Supermofo »

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 6:44 pm It doesn't have a range indicator, which is a little annoying, the Suzuki did.
Must admit I love that feature so that's a shame, but the bike sounds epic so sure you'll get used to it again. Looks really good too
User avatar
Yorick
Posts: 16665
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:20 pm
Location: Paradise
Has thanked: 10207 times
Been thanked: 6860 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Yorick »

Supermofo wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 7:49 pm
Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 6:44 pm It doesn't have a range indicator, which is a little annoying, the Suzuki did.
Must admit I love that feature so that's a shame, but the bike sounds epic so sure you'll get used to it again. Looks really good too
I quite like it on mine, but in the past I coped with filling it up and resetting the trip meter. And waiting for reserve ;)
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11220
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4115 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

For years I just rode bikes until they went onto reserve then filled them up, but I do think the range thing is a really good feature, it does show average speed, which is probably best not used, as I'll be doing laps of the same route and trying to up my average speed.
Honda Owner
User avatar
Yorick
Posts: 16665
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:20 pm
Location: Paradise
Has thanked: 10207 times
Been thanked: 6860 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Yorick »

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 8:35 pm For years I just rode bikes until they went onto reserve then filled them up, but I do think the range thing is a really good feature, it does show average speed, which is probably best not used, as I'll be doing laps of the same route and trying to up my average speed.
From what I heard, you'll be safe


*hides behind sifa
Bustaspoke
Posts: 1792
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2020 5:55 pm
Has thanked: 3224 times
Been thanked: 1721 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Bustaspoke »

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 8:35 pm it does show average speed, which is probably best not used, as I'll be doing laps of the same route and trying to up my average speed.
My JDM FZ750 has a red light on the clocks that comes on at approx 55mph.Apparently it's the Japaneses speed limit,I used to try & keep the light on around some of the locxl twisties :D
User avatar
Yorick
Posts: 16665
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:20 pm
Location: Paradise
Has thanked: 10207 times
Been thanked: 6860 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Yorick »

Bustaspoke wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 9:16 pm
Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 8:35 pm it does show average speed, which is probably best not used, as I'll be doing laps of the same route and trying to up my average speed.
My JDM FZ750 has a red light on the clocks that comes on at approx 55mph.Apparently it's the Japaneses speed limit,I used to try & keep the light on around some of the locxl twisties :D
:obscene-birdiedoublered:
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11220
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4115 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

Bustaspoke wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 9:16 pm
Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 8:35 pm it does show average speed, which is probably best not used, as I'll be doing laps of the same route and trying to up my average speed.
My JDM FZ750 has a red light on the clocks that comes on at approx 55mph.Apparently it's the Japaneses speed limit,I used to try & keep the light on around some of the locxl twisties :D
I had a JDM 1985 GSXR750 with one of those, I took the bulb out after about a week of owning the bike because it hardly ever went off.
Honda Owner
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11220
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4115 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

Sport mode on the Honda tonight, feck me, it's even faster, it wheelies with little provocation, in 2nd gear.

The reduced engine braking in Sport mode makes it a lot smoother, and it has a nice pink light to tell you you're in psycho mode, despite it saying SPORT on the dash.

Brakes feel better with a bit of use, they were sharp but lacked power, now they seem fine, but it could just be me getting used to it.

The headlight is okay, but not fantastic, it doesn't light up the road in front of the bike enough for me, I like to see gravel in the road before I hit it, it's not a big issue as I rarely ride at night.

Did I mention that it's feckin fast, properly pull your arms out fast.
Honda Owner
User avatar
KungFooBob
Posts: 14081
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:04 pm
Location: The content of this post is not AI generated.
Has thanked: 537 times
Been thanked: 7474 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by KungFooBob »

Sounds rubbish. Joking.

Imagine how fast and great handling a proper modern sports bike must be!

I don't know, the newest 'Superbike' I've ridden in anger was a K5 GSXR1000.
Supermofo
Posts: 4966
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
Has thanked: 4320 times
Been thanked: 2825 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Supermofo »

KungFooBob wrote: Tue Sep 05, 2023 9:21 pm Sounds rubbish. Joking.

Imagine how fast and great handling a proper modern sports bike must be!

I don't know, the newest 'Superbike' I've ridden in anger was a K5 GSXR1000.
I wonder about this, mine is the most power I've ever had. And it's 50+ horses down on the top dogs.

Saying that on mine things start getting blurry when you get lairy with it and my brain struggles to keep up as I'm not used to it anymore.
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11220
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4115 times

Re: NBT: I've bought a Honda!

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

KungFooBob wrote: Tue Sep 05, 2023 9:21 pm Sounds rubbish. Joking.

Imagine how fast and great handling a proper modern sports bike must be!

I don't know, the newest 'Superbike' I've ridden in anger was a K5 GSXR1000.
Yeah but only old people who've retired to sunnier climes ride sports bikes, us middle aged hooligans like to go naked (actually I prefer Pooh Bearing)
Honda Owner