| Author | Message | ||
     Bpt |
I got a chance to see a NC700X at the local dealer. The lure of 65 mpg's was compelling. But after seeing and touching, it lacks something important.........character. I really had the fear if I rode it boredom would follow. I have been reading the ride reports and I think they are having a hard time making it sound like something other than a great commuter bike. One compared it to the new Hawk GT, really? I loved my Hawk, it had great character. It really had nothing for me, so I got on my Uly and had a great character filled ride home. | ||
| Bosgarage57 |
The nc is something my dad has been looking out. He is fairly short, and his older concours 1000 is so top heavy Im scared for him. I think the NC or a bmw 650 touring would be great for him. We dont do lots of interstates, mostly mountainous backroads. | ||
| Timberwolf |
Kawasaki Versys is another one he might want to look at. Nice parallel twin 650 Ninja engine, and been around long enough now to have common bugs worked out. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I just picked up a new Versys. I traded in my '04 Concours for it. My dealer had it side by side with the NC700, but I "felt" better about the Kawi. This is not a scientific opinion. The Honda was cheaper, but that didn't sway me. I bought the Versys on Friday and left for a week-long road trip on Sunday. Aside from the horrible seat, I'd say the Kawi engineers spent a long time reverse engineering the Ulysses. The ergonomics were about the same, the suspension was not as good, but very capable (I've have still not dialed it in for my weight). I felt immediately at home on it. The motor was awesome. We spent the first 5 days in a back roads mode, averaging about 50-65 MPH (glass smooth at these speeds) on all back roads, and the torque characteristics of this 650cc motor were surprisingly good. Fueling was almost perfect. We slabbed it home for about 500 miles in one day, and this thing ran so well at 80 MPH all day, that I was dumbfounded at how comfortable and smooth it was. My biggest fear was initially that it could not hold a candle to the smoothness of my Uly on the open road. MY only mods were a beaded seat cover and HVMP Extra Heavy bar end weights. In 6 days we covered about 1800+ miles and I did not have a bad experience with the bike. Even at 80+MPH the bike was returning 50MPG, and for the more relaxed cruising it was at 53+. I think the Honda claims such high numbers because it is pretty underpowered (or so I've heard). I can't knock the NC700 because I have no experience with it, but I can say the Versys is worth a look. | ||
| Buewulf |
+1 on the Versys. It is an excellent bike with a punchy, torquey little motor and great road manners whether going in a straight line or a 180° hairpin. I had the opportunity to do a 1200 mile trip on one a couple of years back and was impressed with what you get for the money. I have seen an NC700X at the dealership, but I have not ridden one. It is an attractive bike IMHO. I would expect the long-stroke engine to behave somewhat like a small displacement Buell. The storage in the faux tank is pretty cool. I read that it is rated at 51bhp (brochure horsepower) which means that RWHP is probably closer to 43 +/-. Not much for a 470lb bike. Not really what I am looking for in a bike, but I bet there is a decent market for it. | ||
| Bpt |
For Honda to classify the bike as "Adventure" leads you to think it can do multiple things; on road, some off road, tour, commute, etc, etc. I see it as built for one thing, a commuter bike. The Versys, Vstrom, Tiger 800 and BMW F800 all fit the adventure category better. And hopefully the new EBR AX will fit also. |
