The CTX700 thread

[Smoker]

Definitely not for me, but a pretty neat motorcycle overall. I can see the appeal.

Honda combines the finer attributes of both cruiser and sport motorcycle genres to create their latest entry-level street bike. Is it as easy and fun to ride as Big Red claims?

Writeup...
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/117/16129/Motorcycle-Article/2014-Honda-CTX700-First-Ride.aspx

Video...
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/1621/Motorcycle-Video/2014-Honda-CTX700---First-Ride.aspx

[Sport-Touring]

[spinalator]

Think it will be a bigger hit than the DN-01?

[veefer800canuck]

They called it, it's the Honda Civic of motorcycles.  

[mugwump58]

I am so not in the demographic that this bike was aimed at.... different strokes I guess. It will be interesting to see how well it sells.

[Cablebandit]

 

[Rincewind]

Think it will be a bigger hit than the DN-01?

The list prices are about half of the DN-01, so at least the price won't be the obstacle if it doesn't sell.  I can see how this bike might be appealing to an older set of riders.  I don't see a lot of appeal there for newer riders.  

It is just like Honda to compete in categories in which no one else has bikes.  Why not fill in the gaping hole left by the Honda 599 instead of going after all these newly forged specialty niches?

[gritsngravy]

They called it, it's the Honda Civic of motorcycles.  

Oh man that is a GOOD thing.    I'm sure Honda would love the CTX to sell like the Civic does around the world.    

[Nodaclu]

I've finally got a lead on a good job, but it's a 100 mile round trip commute each day.

Guess which bike I'm considering buying for that kind of commuting duty?    



Have to admit, it's likely perfect for that sort of thing. Full fairing, luggage, fairly light weight, and 65mpg...

[mugwump58]

Get your county road map out and plot the twistiest path to work.   No far riding to work on the weekends

[gritsngravy]

I've finally got a lead on a good job, but it's a 100 mile round trip commute each day.

Guess which bike I'm considering buying for that kind of commuting duty?    



Have to admit, it's likely perfect for that sort of thing. Full fairing, luggage, fairly light weight, and 65mpg...

That looks like a great choice especially if you're planning on taking the I80 west to fairfield or vacaville.   Sounds like the type of bike that will make riding our great back roads in Nor Cal a comfortable relaxing experience.  Good luck with the  job situation.

[Kneescrubber]

If ever there was a cross between a Harley and BMW, this is it.  

[Nodaclu]

That looks like a great choice especially if you're planning on taking the I80 west to fairfield or vacaville.   Sounds like the type of bike that will make riding our great back roads in Nor Cal a comfortable relaxing experience.  Good luck with the  job situation.

Thanks! That's exactly what the commute would be - Fair Oaks to Vacaville via I-80. The only big downside is the tank size. Even at 64mpg, a 3.2 gallon tank means I'm filling up every other day. I'd almost have to rig up an auxiliary fuel tank, Iron Butt style.  

If ever there was a cross between a Harley and BMW, this is it.  

I don't know. I don't think it's *that* bad, outside of the forward pegs.  

I want to see a comparison between a 1983 Silverwing, a 1998 Pacific Coast, and this bike. It seems they all served a similar purpose, roughly 15 years apart.

[Cobalt]

Thanks! That's exactly what the commute would be - Fair Oaks to Vacaville via I-80. The only big downside is the tank size. Even at 64mpg, a 3.2 gallon tank means I'm filling up every other day. I'd almost have to rig up an auxiliary fuel tank, Iron Butt style.  

That's a "feature" of your long ass commute, not a downside to the bike.

I'm the guy hollering that every bike should have a 150-200 mile range, OR a 4.5 - 5.5 gallon tank. That bike should sit comfortably right in the middle of the range and do you really well.  

[black hills]

Didn't they do that before and call it a silver wing, early 80's maybe

[Cobalt]

Didn't they do that before and call it a silver wing, early 80's maybe

The original Silverwing was a version of the GL650, a later offshoot of the original CX500 sideways v-twin bike. Shaft drive, mini-luxo-tourer.

Later, 2000(?), 2001(?), the Silverwing name was resurrected for their then-new luxo-touring scooter, and it has remained in the lineup as that since then.

If anything, the CTX700 bikes more follow a cruiser-PC800 hybrid design model, and certainly follow Honda's newer pricing guidelines.

I don't see how this could be a failure, honestly. LOTS of people liked the DN01 in many ways, but hated - HATED - the pricing, and wanted a transmission choice. This bike does everything people say they wanted the DN01 to be.

[sammyseaman]

The original Silverwing was a version of the GL650, a later offshoot of the original CX500 sideways v-twin bike. Shaft drive, mini-luxo-tourer.

Later, 2000(?), 2001(?), the Silverwing name was resurrected for their then-new luxo-touring scooter, and it has remained in the lineup as that since then.

If anything, the CTX700 bikes more follow a cruiser-PC800 hybrid design model, and certainly follow Honda's newer pricing guidelines.

I don't see how this could be a failure, honestly. LOTS of people liked the DN01 in many ways, but hated - HATED - the pricing, and wanted a transmission choice. This bike does everything people say they wanted the DN01 to be.

Which means it won't sell. That's just how these things go  

[Cobalt]

Probably true.

[Slartibartfast]

Which means it won't sell. That's just how these things go 

Well it's certainly not going to sell any if they don't get them to the dealers. We've been waiting for them to arrive but Honda keeps delaying the release.

[Nodaclu]

Well it's certainly not going to sell any if they don't get them to the dealers. We've been waiting for them to arrive but Honda keeps delaying the release.

I read elsewhere that Honda is bumping the 670cc mill in the NC700X to 720cc for 2014. The CTX is using that same engine. They may have decided at the last moment to hold the CTX for the new, higher displacement version of that motor. It doesn't make a lot of sense to build two versions of that engine for a single model year if they don't have to.

[Slartibartfast]

I read elsewhere that Honda is bumping the 670cc mill in the NC700X to 720cc for 2014. The CTX is using that same engine. They may have decided at the last moment to hold the CTX for the new, higher displacement version of that motor. It doesn't make a lot of sense to build two versions of that engine for a single model year if they don't have to.

Doh. The new NC isn't due for unveiling until the end of the year. I hope they don't make us wait that long for the CTX.

[Cobalt]

  I'm pretty certain I saw a CTX at a local dealer the other day. I might be mistaken. I was there on a mission and it was across the floor.

[Slartibartfast]

You very well may have. Honda Canada is still sitting on them up here.

[Rincewind]

There's been one at my local dealer since a few weeks ago - the nonfaired CT700 version, that is.

[greench440]

Every time I read the thread title I think of this.    How I wanted one of these many years ago.

[HipGnosis]

  I'm pretty certain I saw a CTX at a local dealer the other day. I might be mistaken. I was there on a mission and it was across the floor.

http://motorcycles.about.com/b/2013/02/12/2014-honda-ctx700-inseam-friendly-nc700x-variants-for-the-touring-cruiser-set.htm
Said in Feb that: Both bikes (faired and naked) should hit showrooms this Spring...
Spring has spung!

[Slartibartfast]

Yep, that's what they told us in January. Then in April they said mid-June. Then in June they said mid-July. I half expect to be told September next time I ask.

[gritsngravy]

I saw a CTX red with no fairing at the local Honda shop here in Nor Cal nearly 2 months ago.    They already sold a few NC700X's out of their small shop as well.

[Slartibartfast]

Got a call from the dealer today telling me they just got four, two Ns, two Ts. Went right over and had a look.
The upside is that my wife can flatfoot it and liked the appearance. That's about it for upside.
The dealer originally told me the T included luggage. Wrong. Another $1K for the panniers and stays (after tax). No centre stand. Not even as an option. WTF? It's supposed to be a touring bike. The suspension is soggier than the stock mess my Blackbird came with and I could actually bottom the forks just by pushing on the bars.
Disappointed. A lot. No sale here, that was Honda's last chance for me. There's a use '03 R1200 with 6K klicks on it for sale locally that my wife has been eyeballing, looks like that's her next ride. God, it's so ugly. Priced right though, and very well equipped. Anyone know what to look for on it?

[Nodaclu]

The 2015 Honda CTX700 has been released. The color choice for this year really helps the somewhat awkward styling in my eyes...



http://powersports.honda.com/2015/ctx700.aspx

[Nataraj]

Hi. New to ST.N (so be gentle for the first post or two, then have at). Lotsa bikes behind me, and today I test rode and bought a NOS 2014 CTX700. From the $7800 msrp they applied a $500 Honda discount and knocked off another $2200. I opted to add the color-matched saddlebags, so after all taxes, fees, and licensing, plus the bags ($800) and installation (225), It was out the door at $7k. I'll be selling my 02 Honda 919 to make room in the garage (and getting the missus' abandoned 1990 HD 883 Hugger out would help too). Well not literally out the door: It's at the dealership awaiting the hard bag to be installed. And, there is more snow hitting here yet this week anyway, so, shit.

So the CTX...sort of a Pacific Coast for the new generation, or a baby-bagger version of the F6B. Anyway, it had *enough* power to cruise comfortably at 75 mph (once I realized I was only in 5th and shifted it to the overdrive-like 6th...ahhh) with 3500 rpm to spare. In terms of 0-60 and 14-mile times, it seems to stack right up against the Star Bolt R-spec and the original Kawasaki Versys 650. Riding it reminded me a LOT of the Suzuki VX800. So light-duty touring it is. For squidly duties I have a hopped-up MZ Baghira supermotard (dyno tested at 55 rwhp and 55 fp of torque) and a custom built 540 cc cafe racer (tuned SR500 engine in a Suzuki GS500 chassis).

Elsewhere I have read numerous posts of people getting consistent 65+ mpg, so a 3.2 gallon tank will comfortably and reliably get me 180+ miles down the road.

Oh, and there IS a genuine Honda centerstand out there, discontinued but available for around $125. Just be careful not to get the one that fits the taller NC(?). I have a part number, but I left it on my desk at work.

Not my bike, but the same:
http://www.honda-geneve.com/catalog/2014/CTX700/22814_2014_CTX700.jpg

[Tusk]

Welcome Nataraj. We purchased a 2014 DCT last fall for my wife. I love it! The Dual Clutch Transmission is amazing. Very smooth and easy to ride. My wife is having issues with her hands and the cable clutch on her Vulcan 750 was a little tough for her to operate. That and she only rides about 600 miles a year. Hopefully those miles will increase with the CTX. The previous owner put a back rest, taller windscreen and that centerstand on.



She was talking so much when my son delivered it that I couldn't get a pic with her smiling. She smiled in between gabbing. "Oh look it has...!"



A set of Shad cases got put on Christmas eve after she went to bed. I felt like I was assembling toys for the kids again!

[rajflyboy]

Does Honda still make this bike?

[Daboo]

Looks like it.

Chris