New 2012 Honda NC700X 700cc Parallel Twin!

[RaY YreKa]

Originally Posted by eakins

here's the NC700S version
http://www.motorradonline.de/de/moto...94466#1-394317

.

So that's a 17" front wheel, ala Versys?

[vanseagal]

Originally Posted by eakins

we've been talking about it for some time over here:
http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...=728895&page=6

Yeah, so it seems.

[cug]

Originally Posted by ray_rev

And the 700 doesn't seem to command the same loyalty as the 600/650.

I loved my 1996 Transalp as long as I was below 120 km/h. Above that it was plain scary with wobbling and weaving through it's way to soft suspension and frame.

[eakins]

Originally Posted by ray_rev

So that's a 17" front wheel, ala Versys?

i swear that sure looks like a 19" front

edit: just looked at the side shot better and it's a 17"
so yeah basicly and auto-tranny versys

[Rick West]

Originally Posted by NORTH RIDER

ALL THESE PICS OF NEW HONDA BIKES IS MAKING THE HONDA VARADERO MORE AND MORE ATTRACTIVE. the POWERHOUSE IN BARRIE ,ONTARIO still has several VARADEROS left. maybe it's time to grab one before they all go.

No need to hurry, they will still be there next year.

[Ladder106]

just looked at the side shot better and it's a 17"

Hence my reference (which was also sarcastic) to the wide variety of off-road rubber available for a 17 front.

The guys in europe and the UK are providing valuable insights into this bikes design (or lack thereof for the US market).

It's interesting that in the 80s and 90s europe was mad for Dakar replicas and those bikes enjoyed wide popularity despite (or maybe because of) the lack of legal off-road areas in which they could be ridden.

The US wanted nothing to do with them at that point. Even though we had/have vast areas for their use.

Now, with many US riding areas closing and/or getting more restrictive here, the US riders are discovering that buying a truck and loading your bikes and driving on congested roads just to get to a riding area is just a bit too much. It's much more fun to just load up the bike at home, ride to where you want and dive off-road. Yes, the bikes we do it on are heavier and less nimble than the dirt-only equipmet, but it sure makes the day more fun and relaxing. If you don't get back to the road just throw the sleeping bag on the ground and go home tomorrow.

So, it would appear that the market has flipped with euro-design now meaning we get ultra fuel efficient "scooters with bigger wheels" while the US market is seeing an upsurge in practical dual-sports which (if your doing it right) means something more like Dakar-replica bikes.

But what we are looking for are "DR" (Dakar-Rep) bikes rather than "AR*" bikes to use a term from a previous post.

So, now that the rules have changed, the euro bikes don't really excite us any more. BMW and Triumph get it, the Japanese, at least Honda, do not.

[bluesman]

Guys, are you serious??? 48 bhp 200 kg plastic-covered small tank bike that mysteriously discussed as something related to to Transalp or "adventure"? And most probably priced in range with more desirable bikes because of automatic transmission?

Not competitive. Boring. Uninspiring design. Cheap components. Nice maxiscooter motor. Fuel efficient. But I think not more than excellent BMW F800R. And this is at time when KTM boring out Duke to 692 cc and adding touring accessories to it and others....oh, well..I will have to wait till saturday to get there and look for myself...

And don't blame it on Europe! We have high fuel prices, but we do not "inputing" boring bikes - not with our twisty roads!

[Ladder106]

And don't blame it on Europe!

Not buying it, Blue.

It's all your fault.

[bluesman]

OK, I did it to sink Honda, admitted

[Ladder106]

What will really be funny (in an ironic way) is if Honda shows up at the show with a REAL
Africa Twin that will blow our socks off.

I, for one, will be the first one to eat crow...





.......but I feel pretty safe that I'll just have a Turkey sandwich.

[bluesman]

Ah, well....old man died and his dream faded :( I mean Soichiro :(
I would it 2 crows. And a snake. And I would sell my Superhawk probably.

I can't say that 1200 Crosstourer or whats' it's name inspires me more than this nc700...

[Pecha72]

The XL700V has about 10 hp less than Suzuki´s Wee-Strom..... can´t believe they just came up with the "successor", that´s more than 20 hp down!! It is actually down compared to the old Africa Twins, and about on par with the oldest 600 version of the Transalp. Unbelievable.

Not that this maximum power figure is so important in this category, but when you load it up with gear, and put missus on the back, and start hauling the motorway all day long, it actually means something. And even if it didn´t, people are still gonna look at that figure and laugh.

[bluesman]

And it seems it will be heavier as well!

For God sake, my 1992 single cylinder Suzuki DR800 makes 54 bhp and weights 218 with all whistles and 24 liters of fuel and have better seat and now thanks to me better forks, brakes and shock!!!

[GrahamD]

This thing is just a "corporate look" budget street bike.

The Adventure stuff is the CrossOver Design and that's about it I think.

I think it is just a bread and butter economical general purpose bike. Nothing to get too excited about, except maybe if your fuel is expensive and you commute a bit.

It has it's place where a need for economy trumps performance. Horses for courses.

[NorCalTA]

Originally Posted by cug

I loved my 1996 Transalp as long as I was below 120 km/h. Above that it was plain scary with wobbling and weaving through it's way to soft suspension and frame.

Ever check or replace the steering head bearings? If not that and possibly a sacked rear shock spring were probably a big part of your problem.