Honda NC700

vivekiny2k · 8th April 2012, 12:56

Just stumbled upon honda NC700, looks like in the same league as suzuki v-strom. Anybody has heard of it, comparison between the two with whatever info we have?

I might sell my c-50 this summer and get a supermoto/sport/crossover.

manson · 9th April 2012, 15:47

Quite frankly, crossovers are just not my type of bikes. They are mostly ok to good at most tasks, but fail to excel at anything. You could expect them to be very street friendly and utilitarian at tops and I'd get one only if I was going to have only one set of wheels in the garage to go just about everywhere and lacked the enthusiasm to enjoy s spirited weekend ride. Interstingly the NC 700 even has the dual clutch autobox as option which I would certainly opt for to the practicality if I ever got around buying one of these.

While reading up on the NC 700 I found a very apt link to your point of reference to the V - storm, the Suzuki is a lot faster (read more fun) and even looks more imposing as compared to the NC700. Here have a look:
Compare Honda motorcycles NC 700 X vs Suzuki DL650 V-Strom: Ready for the X?

vivekiny2k · 9th April 2012, 19:32

Thanks for the link, although seems to be translated from chinese or something

looks like both might work for me, not too keen on top speed or wheely producing acceleration because I plan to use it daily on public roads (speed limits 45), and I keep my family of 3 at home in mind all the time. The auto box and ABS might kill the fun factor, imagine trying to pull a slide in dirt road with ABS kicking in, so the basic variant is what I am looking at. I am hoping I will routinely make dirt road trips. Might even change to knobbies sometime.

Actually my dream bike is a lighter (400CC?) adventure tourer, without a dirtbike look. The suzuki is a little pricier though. Another strong contender right now is suzuki DR650 (or the 400, if seat height proves to be a deal breaker) which is about 100 pounds lighter, if only it looked a little better.

vivekiny2k · 10th April 2012, 18:55

And now the talk of F650GS in the other thread had gotten me all confused. The single cyl is available for less than the price of V-strom and the NC700 in states.

proton · 11th April 2012, 21:20

Depends on how much ”air” you want to grab :

2012 KTM 350 SX-F - Motocross Shootout Video - Motorcycle Video - Motorcycle USA

KTM VS GS, fun factor - ADVrider

Enjoying the experience vicariously

Switch from BMW1150 GS to KTM 950 ADV - ADVrider

Because:

Indians have unadventurous taste. Part 2: Adventure Touring and Sports Touring Motorcycles | Bike Chronicles of India

vivekiny2k · 12th April 2012, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by proton

Because:

Indians have unadventurous taste. Part 2: Adventure Touring and Sports Touring Motorcycles | Bike Chronicles of India

the writer totally forgot about the lack of disposable income for Indians. If Indians had it and bought these bikes, this guy won't have this blog. All he is doing is talking about bikes that one could have bought and introducing the concept of different segments. And then giving it a catchy headline.

kolimuttai · 22nd April 2012, 09:40

Interesting topic. Even I am on the look out for such kinds. Will hook on to this thread.

Options I am considering,
1. F650GS
2. KTM
3. Supermoto Husqvarna
4. Yamaha XJ6

Was looking for a review or long term reliability and usability in India. I ride frequently, from Bangalore to Yercaud or to yelagiri hills. Right now, I do it on RD350. Fuel + Agip/Motul + servicing is expensive. Hence looking for an alternative.

ku69rd · 4th May 2012, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by kolimuttai

Was looking for a review or long term reliability and usability in India. I ride frequently, from Bangalore to Yercaud or to yelagiri hills. Right now, I do it on RD350. Fuel + Agip/Motul + servicing is expensive. Hence looking for an alternative.

Getting off topic, Good to read that you have a RD. Not quite sure on your statement on the fuel cost bit though. Currently have both RD & FZ1 and the mileage is more or less similar on both bikes. FZ gets a tad thirstier when ridden in upwards of one and half ton mark.
Would you have any threads/photos of your RD?

n_aditya · 7th May 2012, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by kolimuttai

Even I am on the look out for such kinds. Options I am considering,

1. F650GS
2. KTM
3. Supermoto Husqvarna
4. Yamaha XJ6

Contact Anand from indiMotard Adventures. They sourced a few Husqy's for their customers some time back. They recently also opened a garage which takes care of vintage bike restoration and SBK service requirements too.

kolimuttai · 7th May 2012, 15:56

Thanks aditya. This is one of the simplest and yet crisp websites that I have encountered.
Nice packages. I really liked the Boomerang Weekends deal. Will check with them.

Thanks again for the info. Is Anand the same guy from RDDreams?
Also, do they have valid imports for the bikes they provide?

~koli.

n_aditya · 7th May 2012, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by kolimuttai

Is Anand the same guy from RDDreams? Also, do they have valid imports for the bikes they provide?

Not sure if this is the same Anand from RDD.

I rode with two guys who had bought the husqy's from indiMotard and they did mention the bikes were full duty paid and street legal.

kolimuttai · 29th June 2012, 10:58

Well, as I expected, some changes to the list.

Options I am considering,
1. F650GS
2. KTM - Out (plainly because its out of Bajaj Partnerships - No offence meant - I just don't like Bajaj)
3. Supermoto Husqvarna
4. Yamaha XJ6
5. F800GS
6. Suzuki V-Storm

Also, is there a plan that BMW will launch the F800s in future?

~koli

Positron · 30th June 2012, 18:39

NC700 is getting fantastic reviews and excellent comments from owners in the UK. Have a look at this NC700 UK forum: http://www.nc700.co.uk/index.php?/forum/7-nc700-talk/

I am half thinking of upgrading from my 03 Fazer 600 to an NC700 S (with ABS, without DCT), purely because it will make a brilliant commuter bike and save me about €10 on fuel every week. The only problem is that I can't justify running a brand new bike as a daily commuter thru salted roads, left to rust etc, and not to mention the lack of any substantial fairing, which is importantly as I do about 60 kms on motorways here at around 120-140 kmph.

vivekiny2k · 2nd August 2012, 18:43

So I took a test ride of NC700X. Liked the bike. I don't race and have no experience with sports bikes so cannot compare, but it felt quick, nimble and perfect for my needs. I was still leaning a little forward probably because of my shorter arms (compared to the target audience) but I didn't mind that.

the Suzuki guys won't let me test ride DR650 until I have actually bought it. will try another place today.

Now I need to also take a look at the BMW G650 before I make up my mind. Too bad they are not in Cincinnati.

weight wise I would still prefer DR650 which is the lightest (and cheapest) of the lot. if only it looked more street-like.

kolimuttai · 3rd August 2012, 20:16

Nice to see you got a chance to feel the ride. Did they have a simple test setup facility?

How was the suspension and on road grip? heard it to be on the very softer side for on road use.

8th April 2012, 12:56	#1
vivekiny2k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: cincinnati, jabalpur,chennai Posts: 1,264 Thanked: 209 Times View My Garage	Honda NC700 Just stumbled upon honda NC700, looks like in the same league as suzuki v-strom. Anybody has heard of it, comparison between the two with whatever info we have? I might sell my c-50 this summer and get a supermoto/sport/crossover.
	() Thanks

9th April 2012, 15:47	#2
manson Team-BHP Support Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 3,934 Thanked: 4,169 Times View My Garage	Re: Honda NC700 Quite frankly, crossovers are just not my type of bikes. They are mostly ok to good at most tasks, but fail to excel at anything. You could expect them to be very street friendly and utilitarian at tops and I'd get one only if I was going to have only one set of wheels in the garage to go just about everywhere and lacked the enthusiasm to enjoy s spirited weekend ride. Interstingly the NC 700 even has the dual clutch autobox as option which I would certainly opt for to the practicality if I ever got around buying one of these. While reading up on the NC 700 I found a very apt link to your point of reference to the V - storm, the Suzuki is a lot faster (read more fun) and even looks more imposing as compared to the NC700. Here have a look: Compare Honda motorcycles NC 700 X vs Suzuki DL650 V-Strom: Ready for the X?
	() Thanks

9th April 2012, 19:32	#3
vivekiny2k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: cincinnati, jabalpur,chennai Posts: 1,264 Thanked: 209 Times View My Garage	Re: Honda NC700 Thanks for the link, although seems to be translated from chinese or something looks like both might work for me, not too keen on top speed or wheely producing acceleration because I plan to use it daily on public roads (speed limits 45), and I keep my family of 3 at home in mind all the time. The auto box and ABS might kill the fun factor, imagine trying to pull a slide in dirt road with ABS kicking in, so the basic variant is what I am looking at. I am hoping I will routinely make dirt road trips. Might even change to knobbies sometime. Actually my dream bike is a lighter (400CC?) adventure tourer, without a dirtbike look. The suzuki is a little pricier though. Another strong contender right now is suzuki DR650 (or the 400, if seat height proves to be a deal breaker) which is about 100 pounds lighter, if only it looked a little better.
	() Thanks

10th April 2012, 18:55	#4
vivekiny2k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: cincinnati, jabalpur,chennai Posts: 1,264 Thanked: 209 Times View My Garage	Re: Honda NC700 And now the talk of F650GS in the other thread had gotten me all confused. The single cyl is available for less than the price of V-strom and the NC700 in states.
	() Thanks

11th April 2012, 21:20	#5
proton BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 204 Thanked: 393 Times	Re: Honda NC700 Depends on how much ”air” you want to grab : 2012 KTM 350 SX-F - Motocross Shootout Video - Motorcycle Video - Motorcycle USA KTM VS GS, fun factor - ADVrider Enjoying the experience vicariously Switch from BMW1150 GS to KTM 950 ADV - ADVrider Because: Indians have unadventurous taste. Part 2: Adventure Touring and Sports Touring Motorcycles \| Bike Chronicles of India
	() Thanks

22nd April 2012, 09:40	#7
kolimuttai BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: BLR \| Chennai Posts: 108 Thanked: 14 Times	Re: Honda NC700 Interesting topic. Even I am on the look out for such kinds. Will hook on to this thread. Options I am considering, 1. F650GS 2. KTM 3. Supermoto Husqvarna 4. Yamaha XJ6 Was looking for a review or long term reliability and usability in India. I ride frequently, from Bangalore to Yercaud or to yelagiri hills. Right now, I do it on RD350. Fuel + Agip/Motul + servicing is expensive. Hence looking for an alternative.
	() Thanks

7th May 2012, 15:56	#10
kolimuttai BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: BLR \| Chennai Posts: 108 Thanked: 14 Times	Re: Honda NC700 Thanks aditya. This is one of the simplest and yet crisp websites that I have encountered. Nice packages. I really liked the Boomerang Weekends deal. Will check with them. Thanks again for the info. Is Anand the same guy from RDDreams? Also, do they have valid imports for the bikes they provide? ~koli.
	() Thanks

29th June 2012, 10:58	#12
kolimuttai BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: BLR \| Chennai Posts: 108 Thanked: 14 Times	Re: Honda NC700 Well, as I expected, some changes to the list. Options I am considering, 1. F650GS 2. KTM - Out (plainly because its out of Bajaj Partnerships - No offence meant - I just don't like Bajaj) 3. Supermoto Husqvarna 4. Yamaha XJ6 5. F800GS 6. Suzuki V-Storm Also, is there a plan that BMW will launch the F800s in future? ~koli
	() Thanks

30th June 2012, 18:39	#13
Positron BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 75 Thanked: 20 Times	Re: Honda NC700 NC700 is getting fantastic reviews and excellent comments from owners in the UK. Have a look at this NC700 UK forum: http://www.nc700.co.uk/index.php?/forum/7-nc700-talk/ I am half thinking of upgrading from my 03 Fazer 600 to an NC700 S (with ABS, without DCT), purely because it will make a brilliant commuter bike and save me about €10 on fuel every week. The only problem is that I can't justify running a brand new bike as a daily commuter thru salted roads, left to rust etc, and not to mention the lack of any substantial fairing, which is importantly as I do about 60 kms on motorways here at around 120-140 kmph.
	() Thanks

2nd August 2012, 18:43	#14
vivekiny2k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: cincinnati, jabalpur,chennai Posts: 1,264 Thanked: 209 Times View My Garage	Re: Honda NC700 So I took a test ride of NC700X. Liked the bike. I don't race and have no experience with sports bikes so cannot compare, but it felt quick, nimble and perfect for my needs. I was still leaning a little forward probably because of my shorter arms (compared to the target audience) but I didn't mind that. the Suzuki guys won't let me test ride DR650 until I have actually bought it. will try another place today. Now I need to also take a look at the BMW G650 before I make up my mind. Too bad they are not in Cincinnati. weight wise I would still prefer DR650 which is the lightest (and cheapest) of the lot. if only it looked more street-like.
	() Thanks

3rd August 2012, 20:16	#15
kolimuttai BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: BLR \| Chennai Posts: 108 Thanked: 14 Times	Re: Honda NC700 Nice to see you got a chance to feel the ride. Did they have a simple test setup facility? How was the suspension and on road grip? heard it to be on the very softer side for on road use.
	() Thanks