Outgrowing the NC30

[Sligeach]

Is it possible?

I used to ride my 400 all the time, got an inline 4 (hated it) and then went back to the 400.

Recently I got a new bike and haven't even done that many miles on it but yesterday took the 400 for a spin and for the first time ever didn't enjoy it.

The bike just seemed dated and old.
Now of course riding a 2012 bike is hardly fair to compare the 400 with but I am wondering if I have reached the end of the road with Ency

Thoughts?

[CMSMJ1]

Put it to one side, it owes you feck all and you'll come to realise that there are different strokes for different folks and each has their place.

My NC, my best motorbike friend in the whole world, is currently languishing in the garage and awaiting some fixing. I have not ridden it at all since August and before that I rode it infrequently as I have other bikes.

I have a TD at Cadwell tomorrow on my Mille. I am almost worried that it works lovely, handles superbly and becomes my friend...I kind of want it to..but not to the detriment of the enormous sentimental value I give the NC.

If your bike is being compared to 2012 bikes it is going to come short. Imagine driving a sierra compared to a new mondingo..lol No contest.

Keep it - find a point to it and use it for fun, meetings with us lot and for everything a 2012 bike is not nor cannot be.

[oldgreyandslow]

well said !

[Drunkn Munky]

I use to have a new, big bike sitting in the garage next to the NC and although it was fairly reliable, was a breeze to ride and did everything well i never enjoyed riding it as much as the NC. Its now been sold and all i have is NC's, having £6-7k tied up in a bike i didnt enjoy as much as a £2k bike didnt make sense.
Still everyones different but im sure if you kept it tucked away in the garage and found time to tinker with it your learn to appriciate it once more.

[thunderace]

having £6-7k tied up in a bike i didnt enjoy as much as a £2k bike didnt make sense.

I can agree with that. Decided a couple of years ago I wanted a Sprint ST1050 so I bought one. Rode it for about four months then garaged it. I hated it! Fuel injection coupled with wank Triumph build quality and the fact that it drank almost a litre of oil every 1000 miles, which according to Triumph is normal put the tin hat on it. I ended up a grand out of pocket on that bike. A grand I could have spent on another FZR or NC.

What the Sprint cost in the first place, I could have had three mint NC30s in the garage.

That's the only time I've ever lost money on a bike

[racingt]

I've had two brand new bikes (FZ1S in 2006, CB1000R in 2008). Both are sold and my RVF shares a garage with a 2008 1200RT which I love. The RT will do everything the RVF can't and the RVF will do lots that the RT can't. Both are great on their day, but because the RVF is more involving, I am more attached to it than either the RT or either of the new bikes that i've had.
The RVF is my 22nd bike, and I rate it as one of the best. If you sold your NC, you would regret it in years to come, trust me on that one. So enjoy the 2012 bike, and when you get bored (3-6 months!!), get the NC out for a ride. You'll appreciate it more than ever. Don't sell.

[Trinirides]

I kinda here what your saying, I find though the more I ride the NC the more I like it... In that I mean if I have a long break from it say 6 months over winter and ride something else GS etc etc The 30 feels horrible the first time out, more in riding position giving sore wrists and back than anything else but then my NC is really well maintained and runs sweet as..

But once im on it all week going to work it just gets better and better as I adjust to it!!!! Then its the best bike ever, the reason I will never sell it is because they will NEVER make anything like these 400's again, brilliant chassis and revvie/fast engines (Not the new V twin shit)...

I also can just about ride one on the road and feel satisfied as you can atleast use some of the power and handling, not like a zx10 where its always toddling and you just get frustrated riding it...

I also think trackdays are a big part of owning a 400, you get soooooo lazy on a thou as there easy to ride fast but on a 400 you miss a gear and your miles back so will defo make you a better rider in the long run...

Regarding felling dated, sure there old but with me it always comes down to bang for you buck, £1500 for a 400 or £9k for a new 600 just isnt going to work for me and buying used is always a bit of a gamble so would rather not punt 5-6k into a used sportsbike unless I know the owner and history..

[kevprojex]

Why dont you use the nc for trackdays ?, ive owned and rode many many bikes and there is nothing like a little 400 for rider input and fun factor ,imho big bikes are boring and way too fast for road use anyway, i have more fun on the nc than any other bike ive owned, keep it and do a refresh on the cycle parts as it may be getting tired in certain areas and it may feel better for it.

[Trinirides]

I think I understand what he means by dated,,, May not be ride quality but theres just something that you get when your on an older bike that tells you its ancient...
Could be the Analouge clocks and speedo or just the cockpit design and layout, Even with new suspension and a few upgrades they ride like a new bike but your brain just wont allow you to think it is...

[Bike_Nut]

My NC30 has outlasted

Aprilia Falco
Honda CBR600RR
Ducati 748

The Ducati I sold because I needed the money and didnt look forward to belts every 2 years, but I really love riding the NC30. I can still stare at it in awe, its lines are superb and a V4 is def the best layout for a bike. I love the fact it is a bit older, I can still service it without plugging into a computer etc.

Modern 600's are too race focused, not fun unless they are going far too fast and the suspension etc is very hard.