Honda NC700X: specifications and reviews

The economic instability of recent years is making its own adjustments to the motorcycle market. As a consequence, even those manufacturers, who in principle supported the high price level, began to tend more and more to the production of budget models. The hero of today's conversation - Honda NC700X - belongs to those. Let's find out what, except for the price, is ready to surprise the Japanese crossover!

From scratch

Very rarely the world motorcycle industry pleases with models made "from scratch". In our case, everything is completely new: the motor, running gear, design, in general, a new motorcycle. From the first glance it can be seen that the similarity of the bike with the older models of Crossrunner and Crosstourer, if there is a small one, is only in terms of design. The fact is that the off-road component is absent in this model, but this is slightly lower.

First impression

One of the obvious advantages of the bike can be seen without even driving and without starting the engine. It's about the luggage compartment, which is located on the site of the gas tank. According to the idea of designers in it should be placed helmet-integral, and it really is placed. True, the owners of a large head will have to sweat before their helmet still climbs into the trunk. The second task that such motorcyclists will face is to take the helmet back. The Japanese, obviously, provided this situation and made the trunk of such a configuration that the helmet would come face up. This makes it possible to raise the glass and pull the helmet over the chin.

However, the capacity was very successful and useful. In addition to the instructions and the standard set of tools that lie there in special compartments, it is possible to put a lot of things into the trunk. Especially useful luggage compartment will be for long trips. It practically replaces the rear wardrobe case. And if you add more back mesh and a couple of suitcases, then you can go on a bike even around the world.

Fuel consumption

The second highlight that Honda NC700X motorcycle intends to attract a wide audience of potential customers is its moderate appetite. Having created a model with such characteristics, designers, on the one hand, respected Europeans, for whom ecology is one of the priorities, and on the other hand they reduced the volume of the gas tank. The latter, by the way, moved to the back of the bike. The neck of the gas tank is located under the passenger seat. The volume of the tank is about 14 liters.

At the presentation of the model, the creators announced an expenditure of 3.5 liters per 100 kilometers. As a rule, such statements are very different from reality, so many did not attach importance to ambitious statements about the scanty appetite of a motorcycle. In practice, the consumption is about five liters per 100 kilometers. And this is in the sport mode of driving, when the handle of "gas" is practically not released, and the speed limiter constantly makes itself felt. In general, a good expense. Of course, when driving in economy mode, you can approach the claimed 3.5 liters. In this case, you do not even have to wait for a tailwind and shut off the engine when you descend the mountain.

Honda NC700X: specifications

Of course, there are no perfect motorcycles, and sooner or later, but the positive sides end. The motor in volume in 670 sm ³ , on idea, should develop 70-80 horsepowers, as, for example, at Kawasaki ER6. But in our case he gives only 50 liters. With., Which is uniquely anti-record in the segment. Honda NC700X is available in three versions: basic, with automatic transmission and with ABS. The version with automatic transmission is much heavier and more expensive than others.

At the presentation of the bike, its creators talked about statistical studies that supposedly showed that faster than 140 km / h only "one-pounders" are dispersed, and only 6,000 athletes, and even then not always, raise the turnover above 6,000. All this they told to protect the motor Honda NC700X. The reviews show that the dynamics of the bike really have problems. At low speeds, the engine pulls very confidently, on the middle - even better. The problem is that around 7000 revolutions all the bikes show their potential, and our hero is bothered by the chirping of the limiter. With the increase in transmission speed, of course, for a time falls, and again I want to accelerate the engine of thousands to eight - at least.

Thus, to move more or less frisky, you need to get the hang of keeping the speed below the limiter. But for this, even in slow traffic with speeds of not more than 100 km / h will have to switch gears, like a rifle bolt with active shooting. And if there is an opportunity to come off and develop a speed of up to 150 km / h, then the number of shifts and completely exceed all boundaries.

The most pleasant, as the reviews show, go to the Honda NC700X at a speed of 130-140 km / h. If desired, the bike can be brought up to 180, but the slope of the road down, the tailwind and the position of the motorcycle racer in this case will become mandatory attributes.

Motor Features

To understand why the engine can not be "untwisted" to a decent speed, you need to understand in more detail its structure. "Dog buried" in the indicator, which usually no one pays attention - the ratio of the stroke of the piston and the diameter of the cylinder. So, here it is 80х73. The long-stroke engine on a road bike is another strange design decision. It's more correct to say, nonsense, which makes you think about the creators' competence. As the reviews show, there is no normal explanation for such a decision.

The long-stroke engine has literally "tractor" traction from the very bottom and keeps it on the entire range of revolutions. However, the engine can not be untwisted to high revolutions - the pistons are corny can not withstand the load and come off. For the same reason, there are only 50 horsepower.

Landing

Everyone who wants a bike with an even and comfortable fit, the Honda NC700X will definitely fit. The owners' testimonials confirm that a direct landing with a high rudder makes it convenient to travel both in the city and in the countryside. In the landing of this bike there is nothing too attractive and extreme. The only thing that causes the owners some bewilderment is the wide steering wheel. Perhaps this is some kind of tribute to the endour style. Whatever it was, when moving in the brotherhood, the wide steering wheel makes you nervous. Another small note concerns the aerodynamics of the Honda NC700X. The windscreen protects the body from gusts of wind, but does not give the bike proper streamlining at a decent speed.

Off-road potential

Honda NC700X is positioned by the creators as a bike with light off-road capabilities. In fact, among crossovers, it definitely stands among the most asphalt-oriented. Riding on it on the ground is not the most comfortable occupation. The maximum he can do is travel 200 meters along a flat dirt road from the highway to the dacha, for example. And even with cracks in the asphalt the bike does not cope in the best way.

Chassis

The haggard luggage capacity was reflected on the undercarriage. The designers had to stretch the bike and increase the wheelbase. Many assumed that such measures would affect maneuverability and make the model even more boring, but this did not happen. Narrow tires and other tricks have their - bike maneuver is very even good. The suspension works even better than the main number of crossovers. Generally, on the highway, the Honda NC700X is almost inferior to the typical neoclassic. And some competitors even surpasses the bike.

Saving

Given that the model belongs to the economy class, they tried to make it as cheap as possible, and they did it in several ways. The most interesting way to reduce the cost of a bike is the brake discs from one steel plate. That is, waste steel, which was cut from the front disc, became the rear disc. After some processing, of course. Naturally, such a scheme does not allow making two front discs, so the company decided that one would be enough. Given the power of the motor and other parameters of the motorcycle, the factory braking system is enough.

Usually, the savings are strongly reflected in the appearance of the motorcycle, and there are details that remind of the belonging of the bike to the budget class. In our case, there are no frankly cheap items, which, of course, pleases. By the way, if you want, you can change the appearance of the motorcycle. For this, one does not even need to do anything with one's own hands. Honda produces a set of parts that make the NC700X very similar to the BMW GS. The set includes: arcs, glass, light bulbs and other elements of the exterior. At the same time, the price of a Japanese bike is almost half that of a Bavarian prototype.

Potential buyer

Many know that inexpensive, but practical two-wheeled vehicles are Honda motorcycles. Honda NC700X causes mediocre impressions of experienced bikers, but not every motorcycle buyer is an "infernal racer". Every year more and more citizens are changed to two wheels purely for practical reasons. The main goal they are pursuing is saving time. Most of these people do not need the transcendental engine power, fully adjustable suspension and other expensive treats. They need a reliable, obedient, comfortable motorcycle, which for an acceptable time is able to deliver its owner to the right place without any unpleasant surprises. It is also important that such an iron horse does not cost as a second-hand Gelendvagen.

The second category of motorcyclists, to which the NC700X is perfect - beginners are bikers. This bike is capable of carefully and affordable to teach riding on more or less weighty vehicles and, most importantly, not bored with the second month. It is more flexible and easier to handle than many smaller competitors, so it allows you to safely ride a novice rider. In addition, the Honda NC700X, whose photo looks quite modern and dynamic, will perfectly suit the style for young people. Well, the opportunity to purchase a version with automatic transmissions further extends the range of customers.

Conclusion

The extremely attractive price for the Honda NC700X, the characteristics of which we reviewed above, makes it possible to forgive the creators many disadvantages. Especially if you remember about the economy of the motorcycle and the trunk, which is a real rarity. The motor at the bike is weak, but when driving for long distances time is won by the stability of driving, not by dynamics. Passing 400 km between gas stations, albeit at a speed of 130 km / h, you can go much further than sport bikers, which fill three times more often.

It's quite comfortable to sit on this motorcycle. Driving around the city costs a few times cheaper than the owners of sportbikes or neykedov. So with its task - to make an economical and at the same time quite stylish and comfortable motorcycle - the Japanese company managed at a proper level.

The model of 2012 on the secondary market costs about 3-4 thousand dollars. For a slightly updated version, you will have to pay about a thousand more conventional units.