Honda NC 700x
NC stands for 'New Concept'. This bike has been out since last year.
A view of the bike sans bodywork. Very low center of gravity. You sit over the gas tank. What appears to be the tank is a storage area, big enough to hold a full-face helmet.
This is an upcoming 'Naked Cruiser' version. (CTX 700)
This is an upcoming 'Dressed Touring' version. (CTX700N)
The motor is like two pistons out of a Honda 'Fit' car motor. Have no idea what that is, guess I'll have to Google it... They are phased at 270 degrees. The cylinders are tilted way forward, kind of like an old Panther single.
Honda Fit Auto<----------Click here for info on Honda Fit Auto
Wikipedia article<---------Click here for Wikipedia article on the Honda Fit and related autos.
Some of the test reports I've read, say that some of the more miserly testers have achieved close to 80 miles per gallon. This is with the 'Adventure bike' styled model. Haven't seen anything on the newer models, which I believe are 2014 bikes. It's also proposed that different engine sizes are in the works. It will be interesting to see what the MPG figures are for these newer models.
As I get closer to 'retiring' from the drudgery of work life, I sometimes fantasize about buying a modern motorcycle. As I've gotten older I find myself more 'Scrooge'-like when it comes to money. This bike seems to make pretty good power, down low in the RPM range. Torque where you need it. It also seems to be well thought out, and based on years of technical experience with the car motors, the engine should be really reliable. It's not too awful heavy, and even though I'm not thrilled by the overall style, I could probably live with it.
There is an option of an 'Automatic' transmission' and ABS braking. For some reason, at this time you can't order a manual shifting model with ABS, which I found kind of odd. Something to muse about on a cold winter day....
Test report and more info here<Click here for more information
Larry, there is interest over here in the NC. We get the S (roadster) & X models and the Integra scooter. A mid sized bike with low down power and good fuel consumption makes sense (especially with UK fuel prices) Reliability is a given for a Honda and the car based engine should last forever. It also looks like a good touring bike.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about a middleweight bike. My CBF250 is great for running about locally but struggles on longer trips. The FJ1200 is a bit excessive, on most journeys I never use more than half revs!
Here the "Fit" is known as the "Jazz" and is the car of choice for the (very) senior citizen.
Yeah Stuart,I have a Ninja 250 that I bought as kind of a short hop tourer. I have several larger bikes, but like you say a bit excessive. With the oil monopolies keeping fuel prices high, I swear if there was an electric bike that had range and easy recharging capabilities, I'd go that route! Now that they are getting ready to introduce these new models, I'll have to wait and see...maybe test ride them. Could be a good choice for an economical tourer.
DeleteCool thing, looks like an extension of the late 80's, early 90's "Across", especially the storage area, I can see it's virtues and certainly those of the donk/frame configuration.
ReplyDeleteWLP, Had to Google that, the 'Across'. I'm assuming it was an 'Aussie' only model? Found some info in an Australian blog, where they were lamenting the fact that it was only offered in a 250 size. That's what I like about this Bloggy-internetty thingy...get to find out about all kinds of stuff!
DeleteInteresting looking bike. In '08 I bought a Suzuki 650 V-strom (ugliest production bike on earth) primarily to keep miles and dirt off my Harleys as I live on a gravel road far from anywhere. I figured the 650 v-twin would perform about like a Sportster. I was wrong. The bike is light, easy to handle, great fuel mileage (nothing like 80 mph) and will run 130 mph! I've taken several extended camping trips on it. It's nice not to have to muscle a 900 lb bike full of gear down a dirt track after a day of riding.
ReplyDeleteLong story short, I bought the thing on a lark but love my modern, fuel injected, butt-ugly Jap bike. I like to tinker on bikes but prefer not to do so on the side of the road.
Only drawbacks; It's not as comfortable as a big dresser on long trips and it sits tall and weighs only 430 lbs. so it's he'll to ride in a stiff cross wind.
Hermit, I think I caught a glimpse of your Suzuki in one of the pics at your blog. The V-strom is very popular out here. A guy at work that commutes a fair distance from the foothills had one for awhile. They compare this Honda to the Suzuki. The Suzuki is probably closer to an 'adventure bike' concept. Honda went for all-out gas mileage and sacrificed some power and sporting capability...which is alright for me, I've got other bikes to scare myself on. In fact the Touring model up there is appealing to me right now, a little less 'Praying Mantis' styled....at least that's what a lot of the newer bikes strike me as looking like....I only owned one fuel injected bike, an 83 Kawa Turbo 750...actually I still have one out in the shed, but it's not really a candidate fore modern touring. The idea of having a bike that I might be able to ride distances without problems economically is mighty appealing....plenty of other toys to tinker with as ya say...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteLarry,
DeleteI also had a Kawa Turbo way back when - and I toured on it doing two trips round Europe in '87 & '91. The highlight was going over the famous Passo dello Stelvio in the Italian Alps. I kept the bike when I bought the FJ with the intention of restoring it but eventually sold it as a project. Sometimes you have to let them go.....