Replace my Nt700 Deaville?

[Funkawaana_imp]

Apologies if you've heard this one before...

Currently have an Nt700 for going on holidays and big day trips( I'm lucky enough to have 2 other bikes, for other stuff) with my wife, who loves going out on the bikes. The nt700 isn't as bad as people make out, IMO, but I fancy a change. We don't do the "South of France in a day" stuff, but we do go up to the far north of Scotland (from near London) in 3 days; sometimes in 2 on the return journey. And when we are in Scotland I do feel the nt700 isn't the best bike to enjoy the roads up there with.

So what I'm after is a bike that I can get enough luggage on, for the 2 of us, but that is also going to be a bit more fun on the lanes, and looks fab.

I had a look at a bonneville, and it was great to ride, but I think a bit too small.

So is the cb1100 the answer.? It certainly looks great (annoyingly I prefer the looks of the 2013, but 6 gears sounds good too)

I look forward to great wisdom from the learned, and thank you in advance.

Cheers

Ian

[GoldOxide_imp]

Honda NT700V? Hmm, has shaft drive.



For me, I found the Bonneville small. I like the bike, but it was small. The CB1100 was a better fit, and performed very nicely and was smooth.

Alas, eventually I found the CB1100 small, but maybe it had more to do with my bodily pain riding a wee bit cramped. However, I often did two-up on the CB. It must have looked like we were riding a pony.

An alternative to consider, but it won't have the classy looks of the Bonnnie nor the CB1100 is the Honda Africa Twin.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

I own an air cooled Bonnie and a 13 CB1100 and have camped on both. The CB is better for carrying more gear because it's a bigger bike and has more motor. However, the CB is only slightly larger than the Bonnie and if you ruled it out due to size I don't think the CB is head and shoulders over the T-100. You may want to look at something bigger.

[Rocky_imp]

I own an air cooled Bonnie and a 13 CB1100 and have camped on both. The CB is better for carrying more gear because it's a bigger bike and has more motor. However, the CB is only slightly larger than the Bonnie and if you ruled it out due to size I don't think the CB is head and shoulders over the T-100. You may want to look at something bigger.

I agree. I own both a CB and a Bonneville and enjoy both of them. The CB is a bit bigger and heavier than the Bonneville, but at 5' 8" I'm not a bit cramped on either, only ride solo, and don't find them small at all.
As Bheezy said, the CB isn't much bigger than the Bonneville you ruled out so maybe you should look into something bigger.

[the Ferret]

perhaps a use Pan American (ST 1300). They can be had very reasonably these days

[Funkawaana_imp]

Hmm. Thanks for the thoughts all of you. To me, the pan would be just a bigger nt700. Can't see that being more fun, somehow.

I used to have a transalp, but that was very top heavy when fully luggaged. Traded it for the nt700 . Also not a great thing to chuck about either.

I suppose I'm looking for a UJM that I can tour on. Must be something out there...

[LongRanger_imp]

Consider a F800GT BMW. They’re no longer available so you’d have to find a good clean used one. Factory locking panniers and top case, 470 lbs., 90 hp, six speed, ABS, belt drive, electronically-adjustable rear suspension, heated grips, plenty of power for two-up, 65-70 mpg, supremely agile. I’m seeing nice examples around here for about $5000-$6000.

[Cormanus]

Funkawaana, I do lots of touring on my CB1100 and consider it a fine bike for the purpose. However, I do most of it on my own. Were my wife to come with me more often and for longer periods, I'd have to fit it out with some decent panniers. That requires moving turn signals and otherwise mucking about. The bike would handle it fine, I think. If you're happy to do that, keep looking for one.

[pekingduck]

I would heartily recommend a Suzuki DL650 V-Strom. I'm on my third one, selling the first 2 at 50k miles, never any problems. Faster, lighter, and roomier than the Deauville, and requires less maintenance. The only drawback may be the width of saddlebags.

[Wisedrum]

Apologies if you've heard this one before...

Currently have an Nt700 for going on holidays and big day trips( I'm lucky enough to have 2 other bikes, for other stuff) with my wife, who loves going out on the bikes. The nt700 isn't as bad as people make out, IMO, but I fancy a change. We don't do the "South of France in a day" stuff, but we do go up to the far north of Scotland (from near London) in 3 days; sometimes in 2 on the return journey. And when we are in Scotland I do feel the nt700 isn't the best bike to enjoy the roads up there with.

So what I'm after is a bike that I can get enough luggage on, for the 2 of us, but that is also going to be a bit more fun on the lanes, and looks fab.

I had a look at a bonneville, and it was great to ride, but I think a bit too small.

So is the cb1100 the answer.? It certainly looks great (annoyingly I prefer the looks of the 2013, but 6 gears sounds good too)

I look forward to great wisdom from the learned, and thank you in advance.

Cheers

Ian

First, I love my CB1100 out of 2013. The best CB of all in my eyes. So my answer is a little "preconceived".

Did an UK and an Ireland trip with this fully packed bike and liked it. It's a good touring bike. But I rode alone. I doubt that the CB offers enough room for two passengers and their equipment to feel happy enough to ride for days on her. I would not test it out, although there are some who ride their CB on a tour with a sozia over long distances.

If I would have in mind to do trips together on one motorbike, I would buy a "real roomy tourer". But their is none of them out on the market that speaks to me like my bikes do. They are not pretty, beautiful and attractive enough. A bike shouldn't be so and just only be so damned practical all the time as its only feature. Although it's enough for some purposes it's not enough.

Wisedrum