Rode a Honda NC700!

[dentheman]

I went to the dealership to get an air filter for my Shadow. I asked the salesman if they have received the new (Honda) NC700 yet. He said yes, and did I want to take it for a ride? Of course I did.

It was the more expensive version, with ABS brakes and 6 speed user selectable manual/automatic transmission.

WOW! It was like floating on air compared to my Shadow. I left the tranny in automatic, and the only way I could tell it was up or downshifting was by a slight 'click', no jerk or engine speed sound to indicate it shifted (in fact I didn't hear the engine it is so quiet). As smooth as a car, if not smoother. The engine is a little smaller than my Shadow, but it had plenty of pickup and cruised easily at 70 (I didn't take it on a faster highway).

My Shadow does OK at highway speeds, but it only has a 5-speed and starts vibrating some when I go over 70 (I don't have to look at the speedo, I can tell when I hit 70 by that bit more vibration). I mentioned this to the salesman and he said the NC700 is more suited to higher highway speeds because of that 6th gear, and that Honda noticed the speed limits were going up on our highways and took that into consideration. I had been looking at Honda's site, waiting for this bike to come out so I could take a look. I didn't think I'd get to ride one. I am in love!

I almost forgot ---It takes a couple minutes to get used to riding without a clutch lever.

[PimpS]

Gonna check what it looks like!
Well done Dentheman!

[JWR]

The folks that have them are getting really good gas mileage.

There is a lot of difference riding a standard and a cruiser.

[Water Warrior 2]

Your 1st hand report matches up with other comments I have read since the bike came on the market. The engine itself is quite tame and low reving for adequate power and great gas consumption. One of the testers that rode a regular clutch model complained about bumping the rev limiter all the time. Too bad he didn't get the memo and missed the theory behind this Honda. It is meant to be smooth, low reving with a broad torque band, quiet and very economical.
The fact that it is available with an auto shift tranny and a large storage area in the tank istead of real fuel has lead some purists to call the bike a scooter. I say bring it on in large numbers. This is the bike for folks who don't want to shift, want ABS and like the look and quality Honda is offering.
Neither model is cheap but then most Honda products do cost a bit more than the competition.

[mrlmd1]

I almost bought an NT700 a while back but I thought the seat height was too tall for me and didn't want to spend another $3-400 to have it lowered.
Same 680cc V-twin engine, slightly different bodywork.

[dentheman]

I almost bought an NT700 a while back but I thought the seat height was too tall for me and didn't want to spend another $3-400 to have it lowered.
Same 680cc V-twin engine, slightly different bodywork.
The seat is noticeably higher than my Shadow and at first I had to 'tiptoe' at stops. After a little while I noticed I could flat-foot it, so the seat compressed some. I did have to use the peg to get on and off so that my foot would not hit the saddle. Also, it is a parallel twin, 670cc I think.

[mrlmd1]

Then that's a totally different engine from the bike I looked at.

[dentheman]

Then that's a totally different engine from the bike I looked at.
From what I have read online, and what the salesman told me, Honda took one of their V4 automobile engines and sort of 'split it in half' to come up with this engine.

[dentheman]

WW ---It sounds like the guy that was bumping the rev limiter thought this was a sport bike.

[JWR]

It is only a 6500 rpm bike.

Very easy to red line with a quiet pipe.

[Water Warrior 2]

WW ---It sounds like the guy that was bumping the rev limiter thought this was a sport bike.
Yup. A lot of bike testers who write for magazines are addicted to high reving sport machines.

[dentheman]

It is only a 6500 rpm bike.

Very easy to red line with a quiet pipe.
If I recall correctly, the tach was showing 3000 rpm at 60 mph. I can see no reason to get close to redline unless abusing this bike. With speed limits now at 70 mph even on many backroads, and 80 on other highways, I am seriosly thinking of selling my Shadow in the spring and going for the NC700.

[Water Warrior 2]

Go for it. The new Honda would make an excellant ride.

[dentheman]

Go for it. The new Honda would make an excellant ride.
I do plan to go for it in a 3 or 4 months. I pay cash for things I COULD get by without.

[Water Warrior 2]

Go for it. The new Honda would make an excellant ride.
I do plan to go for it in a 3 or 4 months. I pay cash for things I COULD get by without.
A very wise way to live.

[dentheman]

I went to the dealer to look at the NC700 again. My HCI modular helmet (large) does not fit in that front storage area that supposedly will hold 'most full-face helmets'. It will hold some groceries, but the manual warns against storing items that are sensitive to heat. That causes me to wonder if that compartment is good for anything other than some helmets. At least there is an included helmet strap that attaches under the pillion seat and hangs out the side, according to the manual.

Also, I now see operator can select between 'normal' or 'sport' when shifting manually. Does anyone have any thoughts on what that would do?

[Water Warrior 2]

Don't put ice cream in the front storage area. Hang the helmet on the side of the bike. I think the storage would be great for spare gloves, glasses, rain suit, flashlight, pressure gauge, pump, first aid kit etc.
I think the sport mode would allow the operator to raise the RPM of the shift points. Could be a lot of fun in the twisties. Try for a test ride in the Spring. The ABS would be/could be a life saver IMHO. I do seem to remember the brakes are linked too. The foot pedal activate the rear disc and one front disc. Honda has been perfecting this system for years and I've never heard or read any complaints about it.

[dentheman]

Don't put ice cream in the front storage area. Hang the helmet on the side of the bike. I think the storage would be great for spare gloves, glasses, rain suit, flashlight, pressure gauge, pump, first aid kit etc.
I think the sport mode would allow the operator to raise the RPM of the shift points. Could be a lot of fun in the twisties. Try for a test ride in the Spring. The ABS would be/could be a life saver IMHO. I do seem to remember the brakes are linked too. The foot pedal activate the rear disc and one front disc. Honda has been perfecting this system for years and I've never heard or read any complaints about it.
I will definitely go for another ride before I purchase, just to see what those shifter settings are all about. The brakes are interconnected and I checked them out during my last ride. If I really got on the front, rear, or both brakes I could feel the ABS apply and release many times a second. Of course I could not lock up the wheels like I can easily do with the rear wheel of my Shadow.
I don't understand what you mean by raising the shift points since both of those modes are for manual shifting only (I THINK), so the shifting would be done by the operator whenever he wanted... I THINK! BUT I AM NOT SURE. I will have to look into this further. A FEW MINUTES LATER: As I think about it, there would be no sense to having these modes for manual shifting, but it would make sense when in automatic. Isn't technology great...always something new to learn.

[Water Warrior 2]

Stop the press's. Just 2 minutes ago I was looking at a pic of a CB500X. Yup a 500. It is the little brother to the 700. Next Spring could be very interesting in your local Honda dealership. I know I want to see one up close and personal.
The pics were from a photo shoot in Italy with 3 new 500 models from Honda. Finally bikes that aren't mega sized and overly costly.
Time to start searching the internet.

[alantf]

I know that on cars, this sport/normal/ economy system is in the automatic mode. On my friend's Jaguar it just allows more or less revs before shifting.

[Water Warrior 2]

Yup, the tranny is their second generation unit. The first was on a 1200cc bike. They are electronically controlled dual clutch manual tranny set-ups that are pretty slick.
I've driven a couple cages with this type of tranny and the shifts are a work of art. Oddly enough both cages were Fords which have been ranted about by dissatisfied drivers due to ongoing problems with some units.
So here is my hope. Honda brings the CB500X to North America with the dual clutch and ABS. Sweet bike. Honda will capture an ignored market segment of new and less aggressive riders who just wannt to be in the wind on 2 wheels. A new user friendly and economical way to ride. Are you listening Honda?????????????

[dentheman]

I did a search for the CB500X; very interesting! It has occured to me that over the last few years motorcycles have finally caught up to cars in technology. For years cars have had fuel injection and ABS brakes, while motorcycles clung to carburetors and standard brakes. The two types of vehicles have much more in common now; in fact, not too long ago, I was reading that Ford may be bringing a three cyclinder car to the market (maybe it is already on the market, I don't stay well informed about automobiles).

[Water Warrior 2]

I did a search for the CB500X; very interesting! It has occured to me that over the last few years motorcycles have finally caught up to cars in technology. For years cars have had fuel injection and ABS brakes, while motorcycles clung to carburetors and standard brakes. The two types of vehicles have much more in common now; in fact, not too long ago, I was reading that Ford may be bringing a three cyclinder car to the market (maybe it is already on the market, I don't stay well informed about automobiles).
Might well happen with Ford. They seem to have a handle on the Ecoboost line of 4 and 6 cylinder engines. One less piston won't be much of a problem with a turbo or super charger.

[dentheman]

WW, and others. The 2013 CB500X is now shown on Honda's website. So I guess it's HERE, or will be shortly!

[Water Warrior 2]

WW, and others. The 2013 CB500X is now shown on Honda's website. So I guess it's HERE, or will be shortly!
Fantastic. Should bring in a new group of riders who can't see themselves on a scooter but want shiftless riding. A big :2tup: to Honda.

[dentheman]

From what I can tell, it only comes with a 6-speed MANUAL tranny. But there are both standard and ABS brake models.

[Water Warrior 2]

I was disappointed to see that when I did a search a short time ago. Guess the shiftless folks with have to buy the 700c models. Still, the 500cc bikes should be a big hit. Having a choice of 3 different 500cc models is a bonus. The naked bike is getting back to the UJM we all used to know and love.