Saxophones Carrying a tenor on a (motor)bike?

[jonf]

Honda NC700s are very good. Lots of good technology borrowed from car engines, like ultra low friction engine innards. Makes them very economical. Not as characterful as a W800, but I like them, and I have a strong sense of appreciation of Honda build quality. In my experience they're the most reliable bike brand, certainly better than my BMWs. I did 117,000 miles on a Honda CB500 and it never once let me down.

If you can only reach the ground with the balls of your feet I'd suggest you do get a lowered option. Usually there are two options. One is a lowered seat, the other a shorter shock. Kev's right about checking the effect on the ground clearance, although these days, with the fantastic grip of modern tyres most bikes have loads of ground clearance, so you should have plenty to spare even under spirited cornering.

 

[Jeanette]

The engine was designed to deliver a "pleasant throbbing feel

 

[richardr]

Congratulations on passing your theory test.

To my aged eyes that Honda looks plain daft, styled after a "streetfighter", a kind of custom bike that people used to build when they'd wrecked the fairings on their plastic rockets. I never did like the idea, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Practicalities: people do ride bikes on which they can only touch the ground on tiptoe. Indeed Mad Mary (I'm not making that up) used to ride a Kwak 750 from which she couldn't touch the ground at all. Mary setting off or coming to a halt was a sight to behold. Personally I wouldn't like to ride a bike from which I couldn't get both feet firmly on the ground. For a novice rider tiptoe definitely isn't a good idea.
For you to get your feet on the ground I'd guess they'll have to lower the rear suspension by at least four inches and that's going to affect not only ground clearance but also the angles of the rear swinging arm and the front forks. Since Honda have designed the bike as it is I'd guess that those changes will result in a worse-handling bike.
Where are you going to put your tenor? That vestigial pillion seat doesn't look ideal for secure stowage. You need to ask whether a sturdy carrier frame to go aft of the pillion seat is available.

 

[Jeanette]

Dave's project when finished

Jx

 

[Jeanette]

Before pics

 

[Jeanette]

More before

 

[Jay]

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Dave's project when finished

Jx

Beautiful!

 

[richardr]

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Why did someone dismantle it?

 

[richardr]

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Dave's project when finished

Jx

These pics show the kind of carrier frame I had in mind for Jay's tenor. Whether you can get one for the Honda she fancies and whether it will be strong enough is something Jay ought to ask.

 

[Jeanette]

Why did someone dismantle it?

I think they were going to clean it all up and rebuild, unfortunately the guy passed away and it sat in his partner's garage for a while until she decided to sell it.

Jx

 

[Colin the Bear]

I think tip toe is a very bad idea for a first bike. Asking for trouble.

What's the rush? This is the second bike you've considered.

270degree crank sounds all high tech. The Yamaha TDM has had one for years. It's supposed to mimic the power pulses of a V twin. I can't help considering that a 270 is 360 minus 90. Would anyone buy a bike with a 90degree crank?

Practicality has to come first on the list with a bike to my mind.

Take the training, do the test and then pick a bike.

Lots of things will not have occurred to you, untill you're in the hot seat. A couple of days riding under instruction will get your priorities in order.

This decision is as critical as picking the right parachute. Your life may depend on it.

Take the training and do the test. Then decide.

 

[DavidUK]

My last bike...

One of these. 1954 BSA B31 350cc single. Bought in bits and restored.
That were 30 year ago.

 

[Vlad]

^ now that's my kind of bike !

 

[Targa]

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When somebody has stripped anything mechanical the fun thing to do is add a couple of nuts and bolts to the pile of bits.

 

[jonf]

For you to get your feet on the ground I'd guess they'll have to lower the rear suspension by at least four inches and that's going to affect not only ground clearance but also the angles of the rear swinging arm and the front forks. Since Honda have designed the bike as it is I'd guess that those changes will result in a worse-handling bike.
.

Sorry, but that's just not right. Lowering ride height on a bike is a very common modification, and done properly has no effect whatsoever on handling. I ride a particularly tall bike, and I know of a large number of similar bikes which have been modified so average height riders can ride them.

Shortening the rear suspension by four inches is wildly out. That's about 101mm. Most shorter shocks take 20-30mm off the rear, which is enough to make the difference between balls of the feet and flat foot. A complete flat foot isn't necessary, but tip toes is a bad idea for a new rider. A particularly short rider might need both a lowered seat and a shorter shock, but for must, on most bikes, one or the other is required.

 

[Jay]

Sorry, but that's just not right. Lowering ride height on a bike is a very common modification, and done properly has no effect whatsoever on handling. I ride a particularly tall bike, and I know of a large number of similar bikes which have been modified so average height riders can ride them.

Shortening the rear suspension by four inches is wildly out. That's about 101mm. Most shorter shocks take 20-30mm off the rear, which is enough to make the difference between balls of the feet and flat foot. A complete flat foot isn't necessary, but tip toes is a bad idea for a new rider. A particularly short rider might need both a lowered seat and a shorter shock, but for must, on most bikes, one or the other is required.

That's reassuring, thanks.
I have 31" legs and the seat height on the Honda is 31.1", so it would just be a matter of lowering it enough to cope with the width of the seat (and my legs). I've been reading on some 'women bikers' forums and of course quite a few women are significantly shorter than me, so lowering bikes is a common thing amongst them - and mostly they seem to think it's ok, as long as done properly. Lots said it made all the difference in their confidence on their bike, particularly at traffic lights!

 

[Sue]

I have 31" legs

oh at only 5 ft tall, I dream of 31" legs 🙂

I had a motorbike (well a 125 Suzuki) when I was 17 and unfortunately after an accident (an argument with a wasp in my crash helmet) which left me with badly scarred knees (luckily that was all) so I'm very nervous of motorbikes. I used to ride pillion on my dad's old bike ( a BSA or Norton can't remember what model) and loved it. I have 2 lady friends who both ride Harley Davidsons - a roadster and softail. They love them but only in fair weather 🙂

Good luck with your choice Jay 🙂

 

[Jay]

My last bike...

One of these. 1954 BSA B31 350cc single. Bought in bits and restored.
That were 30 year ago.

View attachment 4698

Oh wow!

 

[richardr]

Sorry, but that's just not right. Lowering ride height on a bike is a very common modification, and done properly has no effect whatsoever on handling. I ride a particularly tall bike, and I know of a large number of similar bikes which have been modified so average height riders can ride them.

Shortening the rear suspension by four inches is wildly out. That's about 101mm. Most shorter shocks take 20-30mm off the rear, which is enough to make the difference between balls of the feet and flat foot. A complete flat foot isn't necessary, but tip toes is a bad idea for a new rider. A particularly short rider might need both a lowered seat and a shorter shock, but for must, on most bikes, one or the other is required.

Your remarks surprise me, but I suppose the starting point is, how far will the bike have to be lowered to get Jay's feet comfortably on the ground? Does Jay need to be able to put both feet lat on the ground or will just a bit lower so that her heels aren't so far from the ground do?
Our opinions differ, but mine is that feet flat on the ground is better even for an experienced biker, let alone a novice. Last year a friend passed his test then bought a trailie-styled 750 Kwak with an unnecessarily high seat. He couldn't get his feet flat on the ground. Shortly afterwards, having come to a standstill, he overbalanced as he was trying to kick the prop stand down. The bike fell over upon him and suffered cosmetic damage that cost a few hundred pounds to repair. He suffered two fractured bones in his ankle that had him in plaster for a month and treated us to the amusing spectacle of him riding round Todmorden on his mother's mobility scooter.
When you refer to "shocks", I assume you mean spring/damper units. If Jay is tempted, she ought first to find out how much that will cost.
You mention that shorter shocks will take 20-30mm (about an inch in my language) off the rear, ie at the point of the rear axle. The lowering effect where Jay needs it, at the seat, will be a bit less.
I think the best advice for Jay is Colin the Bear's: wait until you've passed your test and learned a bit about biking before you buy a bike.

 

[richardr]

On reflection it seems only fair to add to my last post that the chap who fractured his ankle bones has got used to his bike and has just returned from a well-enjoyed biking holiday in Ireland with Dave, New Member Dot-to-Dot's partner. But his mishap does illustrate the risks a novice biker runs on too tall a machine.
Dave rides a Honda Integra 750NC. He's a shortarse but the saddle on his bike is low enough for him to plant both feet on the ground.