I must get myself a test ride on an NC - I keep hearing so many good things about them
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I must get myself a test ride on an NC - I keep hearing so many good things about them
Give one try out, mines a DCT, I've plenty of 'manual' bikes so attracted to something completely different. Slow, heavy, plasticy but I love it, one of those bikes that sum of the parts adds up to way better bike than it should be. Even did Thruxtion track day week before last and managed, eventually, to get past the Triumph Sprint and Hayabusa in my group and I'm no track god, even better it averaged 48mpg over 7 sessions when my GSXR750 managed 28mpg at Thruxton 3 months before, was a bit quicker round the lap though : )Originally Posted by Berniebloke
I did exactly that last Saturday at Blade Honda Swindon (they had a manual NC700S and a DCT NC700X). I tested the NC700S. The bike is OK up to 50-60mph, then if you want to open it you will have to wait a looooooong time before you hit 80mph. You will need both parts of your licence and a utility bill.
I must say I was looking to change my 2006 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer for the Honda NC700X, but now I am not so sure anymore...
Other observations:
1. Rear break seemed very weak... but front brake very good.
2. Very light and easy to manouver.
3. No wind protection on the NC700S. Riding at 70mph for extended periods of time might prove difficult. The NC700X might be different as it has the little screen.
4. You will hit the rev limiter a few times before you get used to it.
5. Storage space is a big plus.
I will try to get on a CB500 to see the difference... same power but different rev. range.
Pity you didn't get the try the DCT, I also tried the manual and, apart from the great price, good mpg and storage, IMO it's just another low powered mid-range bike and you can get fixated on the lack of revs. The DCT, although no quicker (it's got a few more bhp but also more kg) is a completely different bike, especially in X guise. You kind of forget the lack of top end acceleration (or even top end!) and get used to covering the ground pretty quickly by maintaining a decent average speed rather than bursts of acceleration followed by braking and the DCT box suits the low revving, torque orientated motor very well.
Having said that, I do have access to a couple of other bikes and although I'm a massive fan of my NC, and a convert to the DCT, not sure it would be my bike if I was only allowed one, guess that would depend what I was to use it for. Year round, do it all then maybe but owning a bike is as much about the heart as the head so my '89 GSXR1100K still does it for me even though compromised in some (dozens) of areas ; )
Agree with your comment on the brakes although DCT has linked with ABS and overall brakes are well up to the bike. The small screen adds some wind protection but depends what you're used to, better than my MT-03 but it's no RT. The storage is a blast, sees me hopping on the bike to pick things up I would have used the car for, even picked up a KFC for my lad without spilling the Sprite!
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