Breaking News - NEW HONDA ADV in the US -- NC700X

[Silverbird]

Wet weight on a DCT is over 500lbs

[kebrider]

The problem with that on public roads is that is when risks are being taken.
Many times you should slow down - is there gravel on that corner?  Is there a wet spot?  Have I come up against slower traffic?

Maintaining momentum is cool up to a point.  On a more powerful bike, you slow down for such hazards, then can gas it once clear.  On a slower bike the only way you are going to keep up is by ignoring hazards.  That's eventually going to bite you.

Astute observation and one of the reasons I always say a less seasoned rider with good judgement is safer on a liter bike than a middleweight simply because they can always catch up to a group if they sense danger and slow momentarily. They can sacrifice corner speed for acceleration and top speed. Applies to group riding.

It is still more fun to not slow down as lean angle trumps acceleration (for me) all the time. I abhor danger so I slow down...a lot. But there are a lot of fun times in between the blind, dangerous stuff and the "relatively" safe moments of joy.

If acceleration was the goal then there are plenty of four wheel options. When it comes to tilting the horizon it is hard to beat a quality handling MC.

Different strokes..

KEB

[Rodan]

It is still more fun to not slow down as lean angle trumps acceleration (for me) all the time.

Different strokes..

Lean angle and acceleration is much more fun!  

[Justin]

Astute observation and one of the reasons I always say a less seasoned rider with good judgement is safer on a liter bike than a middleweight simply because they can always catch up to a group if they sense danger and slow momentarily. They can sacrifice corner speed for acceleration and top speed. Applies to group riding.

I wouldn't ride with a group that required a liter bike to catch back up with if you slowed down for a bit.

[kebrider]

I wouldn't ride with a group that required a liter bike to catch back up with if you slowed down for a bit.

You have that right.

Thank you

KEB

[Cablebandit]

Says the two guys on bikes that can actually keep up.  I rode a Weestrom and would bounce off the rev limiter all the time when riding with my regular group.  With a liter+ bike now the ride is no faster but actually feels slower and more controlled since I'm not wringing the snot out of the little 650 twin.

That said it was fun to spin the crap out of that little engine.

[BlueRidgeKat]

I wonder if they will keep the ugly NT700V here in the states now that this one is on the way... My local Honda dealers cant give those away.... then again they aren't having much look with the new VFR that came out at the same time either.

The DCT with ABS is BS. In the pictures it looks to have decent wind protection but in the video shot from the cockpit there appears to be no more than my naked Tuono. It has some pros and cons, but I'd take the V-Strom 650 w/abs over this anyday.

[atadaskew]

The problem with the NTV is that it was meant to be a practical motorcycle, but apparently routine service items - including things like changing the rear tyre, are way more complicated than needs be.  Plus it has shorter valve check intervals than current Ducatis!

It's also really homely looking.  As well as expensive.

But this new Honda, IMO, looks great.  And seems to be designed to be useful all over.

[Cablebandit]

But this new Honda, IMO, looks great.  And seems to be designed to be useful all over.

I cant wait for our local dealer to get one in so I can take it for a spin.

[Silverbird]

Gotta love how the 1000 Versys is less than 30 pounds heavier.

Honda...silly rabbit

[Rigger]

Just reading in Bike magazine that this new Honda is achieving great fuel efficiency and playing hard on the bike too. I can believe that considering I can easily go 400 kms and more on 1 tank of gas and be playing at the same time.  Why go with that when I can have fun with a v4?  This bike will still sell to the crowd that wants automotive simplicity on 2 wheels.  I wonder is this bike might be a bridge for those types of riders over to the more tradional motorcyclists motorcycle???

[Silverbird]

I think Honda missed the memo about riders not caring how centralized the mass is, if it's 100 pounds heavier than the competition, be prepared for VFR1200-like sales.

[atadaskew]

I think Honda missed the memo about riders not caring how centralized the mass is, if it's 100 pounds heavier than the competition, be prepared for VFR1200-like sales.

Its price will make sure that would never happen.
If people really cared about weight no-one would buy a cruiser.  Or an FJR.

[Silverbird]

You may not care if your bike is carrying around an extra 100-150 lbs, but I do. And so do a lot of others

[atadaskew]

You may not care if your bike is carrying around an extra 100-150 lbs, but I do. And so do a lot of others

So why are you riding a CBR11XX?

You should be on a CBR1000RR, put some heli bars on it, a bigger shield, a Sargent seat and you'd have a much lighter sport tourer.
About 100-150lbs lighter.

[Silverbird]

There are different classes of motorcycles that are capable of different things.  The XX/Busa/14 sportbike class strikes the perfect balance between too big and heavy (FJR/C14) and the far too focused liter bikes, which are not as easy or fun to ride all day long or 700+ miles (for me anyway). I've done all the comfort mods to my XX and I'd take it over anything else out there for comfort alone, and I've ridden every class of bike out there.  

I think you are missing my point. I'm saying that if someone (uuugg Honda) is putting out a heavy pig that's 100-150 pounds heavier than A BIKE IN THE SAME CLASS or of similar capabilities, it's going to sell like the VFR did, crap.

[leanin]

There are different classes of motorcycles that are capable of different things.  The XX/Busa/14 sportbike class strikes the perfect balance between too big and heavy (FJR/C14) and the far too focused liter bikes, which are not as easy or fun to ride all day long or 700+ miles (for me anyway). I've done all the comfort mods to my XX and I'd take it over anything else out there for comfort alone, and I've ridden every class of bike out there.  

I think you are missing my point. I'm saying that if someone (uuugg Honda) is putting out a heavy pig that's 100-150 pounds heavier than A BIKE IN THE SAME CLASS or of similar capabilities, it's going to sell like the VFR did, crap.

Silverbird, I'm glad you like your XX and agree that the XX is a great bike.  I had a '97 and '99 and put over 40,000 miles on both.  But, I now have a VFR1200 and I prefer it to both of the XXs.  You seem to love bashing the VFR and its weight.  Spec sheets are great to brag about hp/weight blah, blah, blah.  But what is important is how a bike rides and the VFR1200 rides better than the XX regardless of what the spec sheet says.  

I think its funny that some XX owners seem to think its the greatest bike ever made.  But, when it was introduced in '97 its reception and criticism in the magazines and forums is very similar to what the VFR currently receives.  Eventually the XX became appreciated for what it is instead of what the masses and media wanted it to be.  I expect the same will happen with the VFR once people get experience with it instead of focusing on its spec sheet.

[keepergale]

Silverbird, I'm glad you like your XX and agree that the XX is a great bike.  I had a '97 and '99 and put over 40,000 miles on both.  But, I now have a VFR1200 and I prefer it to both of the XXs.  You seem to love bashing the VFR and its weight.  Spec sheets are great to brag about hp/weight blah, blah, blah.  But what is important is how a bike rides and the VFR1200 rides better than the XX regardless of what the spec sheet says.  

I think its funny that some XX owners seem to think its the greatest bike ever made.  But, when it was introduced in '97 its reception and criticism in the magazines and forums is very similar to what the VFR currently receives.  Eventually the XX became appreciated for what it is instead of what the masses and media wanted it to be.  I expect the same will happen with the VFR once people get experience with it instead of focusing on its spec sheet.

 

[gritsngravy]

With gas prices continuing to climb the scheduled summer release of the $6999.00 honda is a pretty smart move.  


Gotta laugh at those folks that somehow seem to always have to mention the VFR 1200 and how poorly it's selling.   For those that aren't as fanatical about certain aspects of the bike the knowledge that it's a slow seller is the best of all possible news.   Does a bike have to be a big seller and popular on some obscure web site to make the owner feel good?   Pretty sad.  

[Silverbird]

Everybody thinks their favorite bike is the best bike ever made.

And my XX stock was shit.  I had to do everything you can think of to make it handle what I like to do on it.

And as far as the weight issue goes, I hear you but much like there's no replacment for displacment, a lighter bike  will always win out.

Just know this, if the so-called mighty VFR1200 weighed 150lbs less AND carried it's weight the way it does...whooooa Nelly would that be a sweet handling machine and a must have for a lot of riders, including me.  But Honda has chosen a different philosophy, to each his own.

Don't mind me while I keep digging this hole...