Wednesday 9th November 2011

PH2: Honda reveals NC700S and NC700X

Honda's solution to hassle-free commuting

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Honda has launched two new models at the Milan bike show, aimed at delivering user-friendly motorcycling at a reasonable price - essentially good-looking urban commuters.

Both models use Honda’s new 670cc parallel-twin motor which, Honda claims, is good for 78.8mpg, giving them a tank range of over 250 miles.

They also have the option of coming with a normal clutch or Honda’s dual-clutch gearbox, which can be used as an automatic. The S is styled like a naked bike, while X is more ‘big supermoto’.

Both have enough storage space in the ‘tank’ to fit a full-face crash helmet and have the option of ABS.

Also new from Honda is the addition of traction control and uprated fuel injection on the VFR1200, an updated Gold Wing with fairing and pannier modifications and the new Crosstourer, which uses the V4 VFR engine in a big trailie-style bike. More of that later…

[mickers70]

A hem......................after you

[J B L]

It's that Crosstourer thing isn't it?

And "a Goldwing with fairing", didn't know there was a new Honda Civic on the cards

[sprinter1050]

Click on the top pic & I reckon there's a Jenson Boooton look-a-likey on the right with a camera in his mitt.

[ellisd82]

Not the best photos to do the bike justice for what is not a very pretty bike. Does look very practical though and as a commuter toy, I think will do the job well.

[Jimbo.]

Why-oh-why does it not have shaft or belt drive?

Edited by Jimbo. on Wednesday 9th November 16:01

Edited by Jimbo. on Wednesday 9th November 17:00

[ZesPak]

J B L said:

It's that Crosstourer thing isn't it?

And "a Goldwing with fairing", didn't know there was a new Honda Civic on the cards

article said:

an updated Gold Wing with fairing and pannier modifications

Reading... it's a lost art

I think these are great!
Just after seeing a couple of pics, how do you fill them up?

[obscene]

ellisd82 said:

Not the best photos to do the bike justice

Looks like the current Hornet before the facelift. Honda stylists are lazy buggers!

[sjg]

That storage feature is ace for an around-town bike. Not quite scooter levels of storage but being able to securely leave your helmet (not just hanging off a cable lock) and keep it dry would be great - while still being a proper bike. The Aprilia Mana did a similar trick but you had to have it with a auto gearbox.

[Gixer_fan]

ellisd82 said:

Not the best photos to do the bike justice for what is not a very pretty bike. Does look very practical though and as a commuter toy, I think will do the job well.

Rear swingarm looks like it's off the old steel framed CBR600 - 1990s vintage.........

[theJT]

I actually really like the look of that S, but... if that's a storage bin... where's the tank?

[daimatt]

I'd have a guess that the tank is just above the engine. The engine is tilted forward a lot so it would be a strange shape to accommodate the helmet storage bit I think it would be where all the matte plastic is above the frame.

Probably wrong though.

I like the idea of some good commuter bikes with storage and good MPG

[AlexKing]

Any news on power and weight. Economy claim is as good as my very chuckable 250 Ninja, which I've got 225 miles out of 15 litres from before...

[Rubin215]

Tank under seat + engine laid pretty flat = fairly low centre of gravity

Low C of G + good fuel economy + low servicing costs for parallel twin engine = good DAS learner bike.

They will sell by the boatload.

[ZesPak]

Rubin215 said:

Tank under seat + engine laid pretty flat = fairly low centre of gravity

Low C of G + good fuel economy + low servicing costs for parallel twin engine = good DAS learner bike.

They will sell by the boatload.

Low C of G is indeed the best way to hide a bike's weight, and make it feel a lot lighter.
Any reasons they've only just start doing this to the tank? or have they been doing this for longer?

That looks like a huge storage compartment (full face helmet???), while the underseat was usually just enough to take a small lock with you...

[Mr Gear]

theJT said:

I actually really like the look of that S, but... if that's a storage bin... where's the tank?

The tank is almost certainly under the seat. You can see from the side shot that it has a deep area behind the engine and under the front of the seat. This bike is a very similar concept to the BMW F800R, but the BMW rather bizarrely lacks any kind of storage area. The space under the "tank" on the F800R is almost totally empty and wasted apart from a bit of fuel injection gubbins.

As a practical commuter bike it's slightly better designed than an F800R, but will the quality be as good? And could the designers have made it look any more generic? My God Honda know how to design a bland-looking bike.

[ZesPak]

Mr Gear said:

The tank is almost certainly under the seat. You can see from the side shot that it has a deep area behind the engine and under the front of the seat. This bike is a very similar concept to the BMW F800R, but the BMW rather bizarrely lacks any kind of storage area. The space under the "tank" on the F800R is almost totally empty and wasted apart from a bit of fuel injection gubbins.

As a practical commuter bike it's slightly better designed than an F800R, but will the quality be as good? And could the designers have made it look any more generic? My God Honda know how to design a bland-looking bike.

I agree that that is one of honda's specialities, as a CBF owner, I should know.
But I dont think either of these bikes look particularly bland. Unimaginative? Maybe, but bland, no imho.

I think their other new designs, like the VFR1200 and these two look actually pretty good. The crossrunner looks... different . But I think honda are on the right track, now if they could only make a supersports bike a bit different...

Anyway, from people I heard and reviewers, the built quality, used materials, paint and fittings one the new bikes (esp the VFR) are second to none, and raise the bar for all the manufacturers on terms of fit & finish.
I'll reserve my own opinion until I've driven the VFR1200 and the K1300S back-to-back myself , probably early next year.

[Mr Gear]

ZesPak said:

I agree that that is one of honda's specialities, as a CBF owner, I should know.

Give me ugly but distinctive any day. I guess that is why I am currently an F800R owner! That said, I would like to try this new Honda... as a practical proposition it looks perfect.

[ZesPak]

Mr Gear said:

ZesPak said:

I agree that that is one of honda's specialities, as a CBF owner, I should know.

Give me ugly but distinctive any day. I guess that is why I am currently an F800R owner! That said, I would like to try this new Honda... as a practical proposition it looks perfect.

Never said it was a good thing, mind you, the CBF was bike-wise a perfect proposition (starter) for me.
But in terms of styling it's as dull as dishwater.

Best to describe it, we were at a party and someone asked what kind of bike I rode, not knowing the model. My wife said:
"Think of a bike, in black. That's the one."

Couldn't have said it better .

Anyway, it's also one of the reasons the VFR appeals to me, it looks like nothing on the road. The K1300S looks ok (from the side, don't like the headlight), esp in orange, but still a little bland.

[Jimbo.]

Slightly clearer picture of the NC700X:



Slightly more upright, small screen. Me likey!

[Mr Gear]

ZesPak said:

Anyway, it's also one of the reasons the VFR appeals to me, it looks like nothing on the road. The K1300S looks ok (from the side, don't like the headlight), esp in orange, but still a little bland.

Actually, I agree with that. Although the K1300 is a handsome enough design, the VFR looks are more distinctive, and I prefer them.