[Calabogie]

Hi,
Looking for peoples opinions....I do mostly 2 lane highway commuting. About an hour each way. I’m interested in the CB650R and both BMW F900R and F900XR.

What are your thoughts for that type of driving. The XR has the windscreen which could be good.
Thanks!

 

[hogcowboy]

Anytime you do mostly highway riding you find a windscreen of some kind beneficial. So whether a bike comes with one or not, get one or replace one with a larger more efficient one if possible. It's not about looks rolling down the highway. Any of those bikes will do highways okay. You can ride secondary roads without a windshield if under say, 50mph. And that will get tiring quickly if done every day. But anything over that an efficient windshield is really needed. Oh you can do it without one but you'll get weary of it fast. So it you want something for both looks and comfort, I'd go with the Honda or the BMW F900R and put a quick release windshield on it. Or the 900XR and get a second taller screen and swap them for whatever you are doing, commuting or short rides looking good.

 

[Calabogie]

Thanks. Appreciate that. Good advice!

 

[vito]

In my opinion a windscreen is critical. I virtually never take a ride without going at least 55 or 60, usually higher speed at least part of the ride. And while I can tolerate riding without one, the ride is much more fun when not being blasted by the wind. I think it almost doesn't matter which of these fine bikes you choose.

 

[Calabogie]

Ok. Thanks for the help!

 

[JavL]

In my opinion a windscreen is critical. I virtually never take a ride without going at least 55 or 60, usually higher speed at least part of the ride. And while I can tolerate riding without one, the ride is much more fun when not being blasted by the wind. I think it almost doesn't matter which of these fine bikes you choose.

I am planing on getting the F900R as I think it will corner better and it is cheaper than the XR. But I will be doing HW often for long times 4 to 6 hours on the weekends. I really will need some help here in where I can fine a more suitable windscreen for this F900R. As the other bike that is on the same price range and has the windscreen is the Honda NC-750X but I think I really will enjoy more the F-900R.
Please, i need help with this.

 

[Jmacd62]

The Honda NC 750X is a nice bike, Particularly if I had a commute 4 to 6 hours on the highway regularly. I do it on a Triumph in the summer. Naked keeps my speed down.

 

[Porky]

When I ride NAKED it keeps my speed down too!

The CBR650 will be more reliable if history is any indication and parts and service is available everywhere, if and when you decide to Immigrate to the U.S. for some good touring. The Dealer where I just bought my new Africa Twin Adventure Sport, has Oil and filter specials advertised all the time for $40 total.

The new BMW 900 series are beautiful machines and I love Beemer's and have had 5 of them, with no problems----BUTT; There are fewer and fewer Dealers here (I don't know about Canada-EH) and for instance, my nearest one is over 150 miles away and some States don't have a single Dealer, which I find unacceptable if something did go wrong! Parts and service expense is much, much higher than the Honda.

A simple GOOGLE search shows many windscreen choices for the F900R.

BMW High Windshield F900R 2020-2021 - RevZilla

Make your BMW just a bit more comfortable at highway speeds with this stylish windscreen.

www.revzilla.com

Order your BMW Windshields / Screens now | BMW Motorrad Shop ▷

llll➤ BMW Motorrad Windshields / Screens | Genuine BMW Motorrad ✔ | Order online now and make life a ride! | Best price ✔ | Reliable & fast delivery ✔

www.bmw-motorrad-bohling.com

I prefer the 900GS series myself.

 

[Calculon]

A bike like the NC750X with its more neutral riding position is, in my opinion, going to be far more comfortable for four to six hour rides than the F900R, but your money, your call.

 

[JavL]

Thanks you I het you point.
I know the NC750x will be more comfortable and much better on gas too.
My only concern will be how much of fun I will have to give up. The F900R is a lot of fun but more money. And the F900XR will be ideal but is even more than the F900R.
The cheapest of all will be the Honda NC750x that is for sure but is from all of them the one that has the lease technology too. The new 2020 NC750x has no changes from the 2019. They didn't do anything new to the bike. And is getting a bit updated.
I like to commute but iike to go for fun to the Twisty reads too. How does the NC750x will handle that?

 

[JavL]

windscreen

When I ride NAKED it keeps my speed down too!

The CBR650 will be more reliable if history is any indication and parts and service is available everywhere, if and when you decide to Immigrate to the U.S. for some good touring. The Dealer where I just bought my new Africa Twin Adventure Sport, has Oil and filter specials advertised all the time for $40 total.

The new BMW 900 series are beautiful machines and I love Beemer's and have had 5 of them, with no problems----BUTT; There are fewer and fewer Dealers here (I don't know about Canada-EH) and for instance, my nearest one is over 150 miles away and some States don't have a single Dealer, which I find unacceptable if something did go wrong! Parts and service expense is much, much higher than the Honda.

A simple GOOGLE search shows many windscreen choices for the F900R.

BMW High Windshield F900R 2020-2021 - RevZilla

Make your BMW just a bit more comfortable at highway speeds with this stylish windscreen.

www.revzilla.com

Order your BMW Windshields / Screens now | BMW Motorrad Shop ▷

llll➤ BMW Motorrad Windshields / Screens | Genuine BMW Motorrad ✔ | Order online now and make life a ride! | Best price ✔ | Reliable & fast delivery ✔

www.bmw-motorrad-bohling.com

I prefer the 900GS series myself.

I looked at that windshield before but looks like a bit small and I know that is the biggest from BMW. I thought it will may be and after market one a bit bigger than that to defects the wind from the chest. Any aftermarket once.

 

[dcstrng]

My $0.02 -- buy and equip your bike for its primary purpose (but be very honest with yourself, no matter what you may telling other folks). A bike mismatched for its primary use soon find rider and bike avoiding each-other. Almost any bike is fun to some degree, but a sport bike with minimal protection may get old day after day if you have to commute on it -- like wise a good commuter bike for hours and hours of rush-hour and highway use may not be the fun you'd hoped (especially if your bike commute is only a sometimes thing, and you you really live for weekends).

 

[Calculon]

I'd agree with the above.and add I had a lot of fun riding my 250cc 15HP bike, though I think my car was faster.

 

[Offcenter]

Fun??? I can't BEGIN to tell you how much fun I have on my 1500 Goldwing!
Just now, I came home from a short ride to pick up some ice cream for my
girl and I. And I took every tight twisty road that I could find coming back...
....at somewhat over the speed limit. (cough cough)
ANY bike is fun if you know how to ride it!
Yesterday, Sunday, we had 15 riders from my bike club head out for a
243 mile ride through the Catskill mountains of New York State.
The woman who is our club president picks the twistiest, windiest, hilliest
roads she can find. The YOUNGEST member of our club is around 50.
Many (including me) are late 60s to early 70s and we all ride big bikes.
Goldwings, big Harleys, BMWs, Indians, and our woman president rides
a Kawasaki Concours 1400.
We do NOT poke along either. We always move at a decent clip following
Ms President. (you only catch up with her if she wants you to!)
Lemmee tell ya, if you are riding a sport bike with no windshield, you
won't be riding with us for very long. The wind will beat you to death
after eight hours on the road.
Get something that is comfortable for the long haul.
You'll be glad you did!

 

[Offcenter]

...and speaking of the long haul....or just going to work....
You need saddlebags or a trunk.
Where are you going to carry your dry clothes for that day you
get soaked going to work? Or your winter jacket for the day
that suddenly turns cold, like it did for us yesterday in the mountains?
Where are you going to carry your snacks and cold drinks for a
long day on the road? What about your tire plug kit?
Or a first aid kit? Or your windshield rags and cleaner so you can
clean the dead bugs off the windshield at your lunch stop?
Or rain gear for long trips?
You need saddlebags.

 

[JavL]

My $0.02 -- buy and equip your bike for its primary purpose (but be very honest with yourself, no matter what you may telling other folks). A bike mismatched for its primary use soon find rider and bike avoiding each-other. Almost any bike is fun to some degree, but a sport bike with minimal protection may get old day after day if you have to commute on it -- like wise a good commuter bike for hours and hours of rush-hour and highway use may not be the fun you'd hoped (especially if your bike commute is only a sometimes thing, and you you really live for weekends).

Hello Larry.
Thanks you so much for your reply.
I am not planning to commute all the time. Only when the weather will be nice and stable. That here in Canada the good weather does not last. That will be 3 or 4 times from July to Sept. I will do the commute just for fun!
The rest of the time. I will be just riding with friends for maybe 2 or 3 hours just on the country side roads. Or visiting friends on the weekends.
I honesty took a look at the Honda NC750X and has a lot I like. I had previously 2 other Honda's before. The CBR1000FF and the the CBR1100XX. That was my last bike. Good for long trips but the Honda seats are really hard and the bike was using more gas than my car. That last thing and the long wheel base that makes the bike so stable that was a fight to make it turn. All that makes me get ride of her.
I took a look to the NC750X. I like the Touring capabilities and the fuel economy of 3.2 litters per 100km or 74 miles per galon. I couldn't ride it as here still alot of thing close or just starting. But, I found the bike a bit updated and the normal Honda complaint. Hard seats!
If the NX750 will have a bit more technology and connectivity. For sure I will go for it. Considering the price. Will be good too is Honda will give a better manufacture warranty. Not that I had any problem with any of the bikes but BMW is giving 3 years unlimited kms with road side assistance. And, some other manufacturers are even giving more than that.
I haven't make my mind. But for sure price wise the NC750X is the go. The other one to consider is the F900XR but by the time you add some thing the bike will be 15 or 16 k. The F900R is much more than the NC750X but true the connectivity you can even get the GPS on the bike display. And using the bike display for your phone calls. And more. I really wish Honda will do that with the NC750 as it is at the end a more touring bike oriented. The NC750X only has missing the connectivity interface to make it a near perfect bike.
But at this moment if I can bring the F900R price down to a point I will not feel rape for adding what should be savety standard on the bike. I still working on that. If not. Plan "B" the Honda once more.

 

[JavL]

...and speaking of the long haul....or just going to work....
You need saddlebags or a trunk.
Where are you going to carry your dry clothes for that day you
get soaked going to work? Or your winter jacket for the day
that suddenly turns cold, like it did for us yesterday in the mountains?
Where are you going to carry your snacks and cold drinks for a
long day on the road? What about your tire plug kit?
Or a first aid kit? Or your windshield rags and cleaner so you can
clean the dead bugs off the windshield at your lunch stop?
Or rain gear for long trips?
You need saddlebags.

Guy.
You been very helpful. I really appreciate it!
But the touring F900XR it is much more than what I will want to pay. For sure I will love to get one but I can only get to the price of the F900R. I can get bags for this bike. I just will like to fine a solution with a wind screen to get a bit of wind protection for when I go to the HW. Or I will have to go to the Honda NX750X.
But really still liking the F900R if I can get a nice windscreen for it.

 

[XOR1]

JavL
I ride an F900R . I do love it but for long highway commutes, a windshield is a must in my opinion. BMW has an OEM standard windshield option, and a high windshield option . The high windshield is effective and does not take away anything from the looks IMO. All the best for your new purchase!

Guy.
You been very helpful. I really appreciate it!
But the touring F900XR it is much more than what I will want to pay. For sure I will love to get one but I can only get to the price of the F900R. I can get bags for this bike. I just will like to fine a solution with a wind screen to get a bit of wind protection for when I go to the HW. Or I will have to go to the Honda NX750X.
But really still liking the F900R if I can get a nice windscreen for it.