Honda NC700X/S

[ScaredyCat]

A few months ago (April/May time last year) a couple of people seemed to buy themselves an NC700X/S - What are your view on the bikes after a year or so of riding?

Good points/ bad points ?
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Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple

[Rogerborg]

9:35, they'll have had their cocoa and be in bed by now.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[deleted111]

[P.addy]

[jjdugen]

Honda are losing the plot.
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[goto10]

[Rogerborg]

To be honest, if I'd had an ounce of sense, I'd have bought an NC700S/X, and may well look at them when the BMW inevitably does what modern BMWs inevitably do.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[garth]

Isn't it half a Honda Jazz engine? As in, half a car?

That sounds exciting.

[esullivan]

I've had the 'S' since late November and have put about 8,200 miles on it as of this morning. I can only compare it with what I've ridden previously: CBF125, BMW G650, Suzuki Gladius. (The latter two on DAS courses.) The closest in feel is the BMW -- the NC feels a tiny bit bigger and heavier at very slow speeds. However, I was using the lowered seat on the BMW.

The engine feels strong and torque-y up to legal limits. After 70mph on the motorway, it's a bit of work, but I've gone hours at 80-85 with my wife on the back without too much effort. Certainly on urban/suburban roads, it feels just as powerful as the Gladius, which on paper has nearly twice the horsepower (albeit similar torque). On country roads, even very steep gradients two up, the engine pulls strongly and feels effortless. However, I have hit the low rev limiter (6500) once or twice when hard accelerating from a sliproad onto a motorway, which is a bit disconcerting. You get used to shifting up earlier.

Riding it is easy -- it flicks around, despite weighing more than average -- and I find the seat comfortable, although others have complained about it being too firm -- my wife, for example, who now uses one of those gel seats.

The fake-tank storage is brilliant. Easily big enough to hold my full-face (Shoei XR1100). Day-to-day, I keep my spare visor, bag of ear plugs, full toolkit and various paperwork in it. We've done a week-long trip on the bike and managed to pack for two using just the top box and the fake tank.

The reliability seems good so far. It just had its 8,000 mile service. It didn't use a drop of oil. I needed to replace the front brake pads and opted to replace the rear ones (they were close), as well. The tyres (BT 023) are probably good for another couple of thousand miles, at least.

The finish seems good except for the aforementioned cowling around the front headlight. I see a chip there and will probably get that replaced under warranty. The black rubber buttons either side of the LCD clocks have faded a bit from exposure. (I park it outside, but covered at night.)

The fuel tank is a bit small, at 14 litres, but I still typically get 170 miles out of it before the warning light in urban traffic and more on motorway/A-road journeys. And when I fill it, I usually only fit 10-11 litres, so the tank range is probably easily more than 200 miles if I want to play chicken.

I've added a taller screen (skidmarks, or something like that?), crash bars, top box, heated grips and a ciggy lighter (12v) socket installed in the fake tank. I also got the optional main/centre stand. In hindsight, I might have considered the 'X', because a bit of fairing would have been nice on long trips in the pissing rain, but I liked the look of the S better and the slightly lower seat (I have a 30" inside leg).

I would get it again. I don't think I made a mistake. It's very good commuter and perfect as a first big (well, mid-sized) bike.
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[goto10]

[goto10]

[P.addy]

[esullivan]

[esullivan]

Purely coincidentally, I have a Honda Jazz as well. They feel completely different. I've been told that the whole "half a Jazz engine" thing was more or less made up by an MCN reviewer (or maybe the press release writer) and "borrowed" by everyone else -- the engines are very different, although they do share some parts.
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[P.addy]

Such as the drone in the drivers seat

I drove a Jazz once, work gave it to me to drive to Honda for training.

I was so bored, it was the dullest piece of turd I've ever driven, closely followed by the "peagoat" 107

[Rogerborg]

[esullivan]

[goto10]

[P.addy]

[Vracktal]

I fear this thread has given Rogerborg buyers remorse...

The NC700 really does seem like the ideal bike for me though, (short motorway runs and town riding).

Only problem is to get to the Honda dealership from my house I have to pass the BMW dealership and i can guarantee the same day I go to buy a Honda they'd have a shiny approved used Rockster or F800S out front and i'd somehow end up buying that instead.
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2007 BMW R1200R: On road
2009 BMW G650X Challenge: On road
1975 Norton Commando 850: Off road, awaiting recommissioning

[garth]

[esullivan]

[ScaredyCat]

[prizefighter]

[goto10]