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Honda NC700X - DCT review
Hi all,
I dont think we have thread yet about Honda's NC700X DCT on here so As I picked up a new one of them today as my new daily transport, I thought I start one... So here it goes: Having spend the last 4 months on the manual version of the NC700x and covering 1200miles - see thread First Tank is emptied on the NC700X around Berkshire & Hamphire - ADVrider I Finally managed to switch to a NC700X DCT today. I first rode the DCT on the VFR1200F in 2010 and liked it than already. But for the short rev range NC engine its even more suited and the second generation DCT is matching this engine perfectly. Here are a few photos I took today on my first ride home from the office http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps2c2d4486.jpg First things first: I had a chance to get an Akrapovic slip on exhaust for testing and before the bike was fired up for the first time - I changed the pipes over.... http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...psace69108.jpg These are official Honda accessory and fitment was a piece of cake...sounds very nice - understated, yet the mid range torque is up versus the manual one which I had with stock exhaust. It is also about half the weight of the stock item. Here is another pic from the right side http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps701ca252.jpg Being the DCT the bike does no longer have a clutch lever or a gear leaver...instead it has a handbrake! Paddles for manual up and down shifts and a mode selector for D mode, which should actually be called E for economy mode, as in this the bikes shift automatically and very quickly up so that revs are kept low and fuel is being saved! In this mode you are in 6th / top gear at around 40mph! S mode is more sporty and the gear longer held and it changes down quicker too. At any stage you can always shift up and down with the left side handlebar paddles.. I will do a more detailed DCT review later if you want! Anyway here a last pic for of the Dashboard. http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...psb8ae5caf.jpg Only difference to the manual version is the inclusion of a gear and mode indicator. Anyway, i will monitor the mpg and performance and report frequently. Enjoy, Lars |
Lars,
It's likely that there won't be a big following for such technology here in the HUBB which is pretty much old school when it comes to developments in motorcycles; there are a few exceptions, but way back there are enormous threads that argue the pros and cons of fuel injection, for instance. Anyway, no matter; it is interesting that some are prepared to try out the new models, more or less as they are released. You might want to jump onto this thread which also discusses the bike, albeit without the auto gearbox aspect:- http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...a-nc700x-63883 I see that Honda persist in making that pig-ugly box section swinging arm! |
Good on you for trying something new, Lars.
Will be interested to see fuel consumption comparison against the manual version and in the two modes on the DCT bike. I think I'm right in saying in the old days auto cars were more juicy than manuals - now then can be more efficient if driven optimally. I rode a Honda 400 2-speed clutchless in the 80s for work. I could not kill that bike (which actually got quite annoying after a while...). Enjoy your new bike. Ch |
short update:
given all the cold weather lately in the UK - I only today managed to get to reserve light on the fuel gauge and I promptly re-fueled after having done 181 miles. The bike took 11.62l = 70.8 mpg. http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...psd102045a.jpg people still look upon you with strange eyes when you put the fuel hose into the pillion seat:D:blast Anyway, hopefully spring is on its way soon and I can put more miles on and get the next tank emptied quicker! |
How big is the tank? Is the fuel light more like a half way light or is it serious?
I'm trying to keep the NC700 on my list of potential WeeStrom replacements for 2015, so many thanks for your reports. For comparison a 2012 Wee is doing a poorer 63 mpg averaged over 25 tankfuls, but the warning is at 19 litres or 260 miles or so with at least another 2 litres left. I've seen 307 miles range but was worried at the risk of impending pedestrianism. Andy |
Quote:
officially the fuel light come on when there is about 2.9l left in the tank and tank is 14.1l according to the user manual. I know that i can travel 50mls+ on reserve - having tested this on the manual version I had before this DCT. the most I did to a tank was just over 224 mls. So compared to the V-strom = the range will be shorter as the tank is smaller, but economy is better: the Manual I had did 73.4 mpg average over 1200 mls. I will continue on the new bike.... thanks Lars |
Update:
Yesterday I did remove the db killer from the akrapobic exhaust, now the bike sounds much better... Almost like my Buell (but the Uly still wins any noise contest!):D I took a quick vid with the ipad. Honda NC700X with Akrapovic - YouTube As you can see that I have not yet even worn the tyres to the edge, it been too cold and wintery here in England.... |
update:
this morning i filled up to the second time. this tank was emptied without the db-killers in the Akrapovic exhaust. i was riding in D-mode but pace a bit quicker than the first tank and i shifted down with the paddles often too... http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps3900a0a3.jpg so impact on fuel is very little. the next (3rd) tank i will ride in S-mode only. lets see what that does to the fuel economy. i shall report. thanks Lars |
hi all,
This morning I clock'd over the 3000 mile mark on the odometer of the NC700XD and therefore I will do bit of the report of the last 3k miles. http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps270f8123.jpg I receive the bike mid March and its been my main mode of transport ever since. My daily commute takes me 40 miles through the heart of Berkshire countryside. As a commuting tool I value the NC very highly. Not only does it provide great road presence and decent weather protection also the storage compartment has been in use daily and proofed to be 100% watertight. Fuel consumption has been very steady at around 70mpg or just under 4l/100km pretty much regardless of driving style. The Akrapovic exhaust has not made a negative impact on fuel at all. http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps469208d6.jpg Over the time I have found myself mainly using D-mode and the shifters for downshift before Roundabout, corner or when overtaking. I am now used to the early up-shifts in D-mode and I love the rumbling sound coming from the pipe at low rpm 2-3k rpm range... Looking at the tyres after 3k of UK Road abuse - I am very happy to see that they are about 50% worn with still plenty of life left. In the dry the grip is great and you can wear them right towards the edge. In the wet I dont like them that much and I sometimes feel grip being lost, but I have not had any heart stopping moment - so it may just be my sensing. Anyway, tyres are lasting very well and thats a great thing. here is pic of the rear http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps9f3c3355.jpg and here one of the front tyre http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...psb645a104.jpg I had no defects or any other maintenance issues other than the 600 mile 1st service. The bike is not using any oil - so i dont need to fill up. Chain has not needed any adjustment either. So if you are looking for an easy to ride, hasslefree bike - this is it. http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps2d47a04d.jpg DCT is perfect too.. I am loving it! Thanks Lars |
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