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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

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.