Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Lars1974

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 15 Mar 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: near Reading
Posts: 20
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

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....

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

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.

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
__________________
Buell XB12X (06), Honda XR400, Honda CB1000R, Honda NC700x DCT
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
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!
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Mar 2013
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,800
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
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 27 Mar 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: near Reading
Posts: 20
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.

people still look upon you with strange eyes when you put the fuel hose into the pillion seat:blast
Anyway, hopefully spring is on its way soon and I can put more miles on and get the next tank emptied quicker!
__________________
Buell XB12X (06), Honda XR400, Honda CB1000R, Honda NC700x DCT
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
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
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Mar 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: near Reading
Posts: 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
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
Hi Andy,

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
__________________
Buell XB12X (06), Honda XR400, Honda CB1000R, Honda NC700x DCT
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 28 Mar 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: near Reading
Posts: 20
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!)

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....
__________________
Buell XB12X (06), Honda XR400, Honda CB1000R, Honda NC700x DCT
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 8 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: near Reading
Posts: 20
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...



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
__________________
Buell XB12X (06), Honda XR400, Honda CB1000R, Honda NC700x DCT
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 23 Aug 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: near Reading
Posts: 20
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.



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.



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



and here one of the front tyre



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.



DCT is perfect too.. I am loving it!

Thanks Lars
__________________
Buell XB12X (06), Honda XR400, Honda CB1000R, Honda NC700x DCT
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Honda NC700X Walace Honda Tech 24 7 May 2022 11:10
James Bond 007 Rides Honda CRF250R in Skyfall troyfromtexas The HUBB PUB 5 10 Nov 2012 02:47
Woman buys new Honda in Buenos Aires xfiltrate Women's Topics 4 15 Dec 2009 22:33

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:20.