[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9hzPsNmsQQ[/youtube]
Honda wants to position the 2015 NC700X as a dual-sport machine. That’s a bit generous, as I found out after spending a bit of time with the machine. It’s less real-jungle-ready, but quite primed to tackle the urban jungle.
It’s not cheap though. This bike is packing a dual-clutch gearbox, ABS, and more storage than it might actually need. Still, even with all that extra gear, it proves to be a solid ride.
Is it worth the dough? Take a look and see.
[Disclaimer: Honda provided the bike for review and included a full tank of fuel.]
2015 Honda NC700X: Think Urban Jungle, Not Actual Jungle
About
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I love Hondas, I love middleweights, and I love twins. I hate noisy, dirty chains–especially for commute duty. No dice. –Shaft and belt drives are proven technologies, which makes this chain drive nothing more than the cheapest option. I guess I will need to head on over to BMW again.
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“Standard” motorcycles have no marketing hook, so raise ’em up a bit and call it an enduro/dual sport. Whatever. Were I in the market for a bike, something like this would be fantastic. Comfortable, versatile, what’s not to like (apart from the chain, apparently).
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It’s not ugly, it’s Dakar!
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The US didn’t get the NC750X as a 2015 model? Several friends of mine have this bike and all of them are very pleased with it. Our friend Wes Siler has tested this bike along with the BMW GS800 and it showed it was as capable off road as the GS, with a big advantage that the range of the NC could help other bikers get home by lending a portion of it’s fuel.
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Most ‘dual sport’ bikes are really sub-1000cc sport tourers. I ride a VFR800x Crossrunner (also touted as an adventure bike) but I wouldn’t take it far off road. I’d rate it as OK on graded gravel. The first thing I did was get rid of the Scorpion road/trail tires and fitted rubber that’s more appropriate for straight road riding.
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So, it’s the 2015 Honda Transalp.
I’m good with this…though “dual sport” doesn’t work with that exhaust.
I took my ’89 XL600V and turned it into a large ‘city bike’, which could hang with litre sportbikes in the twisties (which really confused them). Could still do off-road, but with street tires, I had to be wary of where I went with it.
Plus, it wasn’t a featherweight…at all…but tall, upright seating position, long-travel suspension, it was perfect for the urban jungle. -
Uhhh… does it have an engine? I assume since there’s a gas tank under the rear seat there must be an engine in there somewhere. I can’t think of a motorcycle review I’ve ever read that doesn’t mention the engine layout, or at least the number of cylinders. I suppose I could go do an internet search if I felt like working for it.
These ‘adventure’ bikes are all the rage these days. Honey Bunny has an older version of the Suzuki DL650 “Wee-Strom” (it’s a V-twin, I should mention, with an exhaust header where the bash plate ought to be.) They’re all basically like this, touring motorcycles that have wider handlebars and longer suspensions for that one dirt road into the State Park you’re camping at, and removable luggage for your daily commute. I love’em to pieces, but after trying to ride a genuine dirt bike in sand and mud there’s no way in hell I’m going to try it on one of these Moose.
Heated grips are supposed to keep your fingers limber so you can still play the boogie-woogie on the controls in an emergency. I suppose with the ‘dual-clutch’ (don’t call it Hondamatic!) the danger is more that your fingers will go to sleep out of sheer boredom.
I can’t wait until I see a guy with a Jack Russel in that helmet bin.
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