revtothelimit - motorbike forum

I returned to work today so got to use the bike for its actual purpose and on roads I know and in expected conditions. I knew when i made the decision to downsize to this bike, it was going to take some adjusting to, and it certainly did for teh furst half of the commute!

Obvious things like power drop were very noticeable, even if expected. When you know the power at your disposal and the gaps you can blat into and overtakes you easily make, it takes some adjustment when you're dropping about 50% in power! I knew this was where I was going to feel disappointed and frankly I was! By the time I got to work I'd had a word with myself and got over it though!

Disappointments aside, there was some (unexpected) pluses! The NC feels like a moped compared to the AT! It is physically smaller by some amount and I'm pretty sure the handlebars are narrower too, or at least are at a height where I'm not constantly waggling the bars about to avoid van wing mirrors and I certainly made much quicker progress through traffic!

The DCT is soooo much smoother than the AT one. At first I was wondering if it was because the bike has a standard exhaust and not an end can with no db killer in, and maybe I just wasn't hearing the engine note change? But I soon realised its just a lot less clunky and Honda have indeed changed and improved things. A lot of the time I see the gear indicator change numbers but never felt the actual gear change. Lovely!

I guess I've replaced power with nimbleness and I reckon I can live with that. I'll still miss the AT though as that was a bike that just worked for me in about every way, but the commute has at least validated my decision to change.

Tune the good clean fuck out of it and don't tell Honda,so you can keep the warranty.

Skub wrote: Wed Feb 11, 2026 11:38 am Tune the good clean fuck out of it and don't tell Honda,so you can keep the warranty.

Its mighty 58bhp already exceeds my riding talent!

Taipan wrote: Wed Feb 11, 2026 11:57 am

Skub wrote: Wed Feb 11, 2026 11:38 am Tune the good clean fuck out of it and don't tell Honda,so you can keep the warranty.

Its mighty 58bhp already exceeds my riding talent!

Pish! Since when has lack of talent been any impedance to wanting moar powah?

Bought a service plan! Now, if that isn't commitment, then don't ask me! First full fill up today. 68mpg. Amazing!

My XADV is in today for it's first service and fitting of genuine honda heated grips!! So, I'm expecting a £600'ish bill.

Plus the obligatory breakfast as well of course!!

Taipan wrote: Thu Feb 12, 2026 9:17 pm Bought a service plan! Now, if that isn't commitment, then don't ask me! First full fill up today. 68mpg. Amazing!

Bit steep that init.

Dodgy69 wrote: Fri Feb 13, 2026 8:31 am

Taipan wrote: Thu Feb 12, 2026 9:17 pm Bought a service plan! Now, if that isn't commitment, then don't ask me! First full fill up today. 68mpg. Amazing!

Bit steep that init.

Have you seen the price of dealer servicing recently?
If one of those services is a valve check then you're going to be quids in.

I paid a grand for 4 services on my tiger, the sales man said that they usually land up doing 4 annual services with oil changes. With the milage I do, I'll be getting 2 valve services in that package which are about £800 - £900 each.

Dodgy69 wrote: Fri Feb 13, 2026 8:31 am Bit steep that init.

I was thinking the exact opposite at dealer prices. I had 2 services with my Suzuki at a dealer, 1st service was something like £275, second they wanted £400 but I told them not to do the spark plugs as the bike had only done 4k miles, so it was £300 odd. If you're doing lots of miles like Taipan then £200 a go is reasonable at a dealer. I'd be happy for them to change the plugs annually as Suzuki quote if I was only paying £200.

Dodgy69 wrote: Fri Feb 13, 2026 8:31 am

Taipan wrote: Thu Feb 12, 2026 9:17 pm Bought a service plan! Now, if that isn't commitment, then don't ask me! First full fill up today. 68mpg. Amazing!

Bit steep that init.

I didn’t think so? I can’t imagine it going in the dealers 3 times and the Labour alone far exceeding that? A lot of panels to come off for engine access etc.

Taipan wrote: Fri Feb 13, 2026 9:41 am

Dodgy69 wrote: Fri Feb 13, 2026 8:31 am

Taipan wrote: Thu Feb 12, 2026 9:17 pm Bought a service plan! Now, if that isn't commitment, then don't ask me! First full fill up today. 68mpg. Amazing!

Bit steep that init.

I didn’t think so? I can’t imagine it going in the dealers 3 times and the Labour alone far exceeding that? A lot of panels to come off for engine access etc.

I can't imagine it going to the dealers 3 times in your ownership

My MT was always around £150, OK 3 or 4 years ago. Never paid for valve clearance as it's 24k, bike only on 7k ish. Yep, I suppose it comes down to mileage, my mt was just oil and filter every time. Chain lube and plug in to check fault codes.

Monkey first service £120...yes I know.

Rode in the pissing rain last week and really missed having knuckle guards fitted. Decided i cant wait until the 1st service to get the dealer to s&f them so i ordered them up and will get off my lazy arse and fit them myself.

Taipan wrote: Sun Feb 15, 2026 10:41 am Rode in the pissing rain last week and really missed having knuckle guards fitted. Decided i cant wait until the 1st service to get the dealer to s&f them so i ordered them up and will get off my lazy arse and fit them myself.

Hope you checked the loft of plenty first ?

Yorick wrote: Sun Feb 15, 2026 10:43 am

Taipan wrote: Sun Feb 15, 2026 10:41 am Rode in the pissing rain last week and really missed having knuckle guards fitted. Decided i cant wait until the 1st service to get the dealer to s&f them so i ordered them up and will get off my lazy arse and fit them myself.

Hope you checked the loft of plenty first ?

Actually, now you mention it...

Booked in for it first service next Friday.

Knuckle deflectors fitted!

I was amazed at how good hand deflectors can be, I'd never used them before I got my scooter. I've put the extender on my XADV ones so they're a bit higher.
With my newly fitted heated grips, I should be ready for some summer UK riding!!??

Nordboy wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 12:17 pm I was amazed at how good hand deflectors can be, I'd never used them before I got my scooter. I've put the extender on my XADV ones so they're a bit higher.
With my newly fitted heated grips, I should be ready for some summer UK riding!!??

For me handguards make a massive difference to the effectiveness of heated grips, and really help with keeping your gloves dry at motorway speeds.

They do make a lot of sense. Look good aswel I reckon.