Comments on: Honda NT700V – Lightweight Touring or Well Equipped Commuting – An Everyday Dual Purpose

By: Paul R. Konys

Paul R. Konys — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 19:40:03 +0000

Well, after lusting after this bike since I stumbled across it on the Honda Uk web page.I took it out for a 20 mile test drive and promptly returned it to the dealer and left.

While it looks great…has Honda reliability…..bags, windscreen, etc……it is a very loud motorcycle….it is Noisy…..the engine sounds as if the valves and crank shaft are about to tear thru the valve covers.

I was crushed…I had buyer for my 2007 Triumph Bonneville all lined up and cash for the difference. First hint of problem: 2010 Model marked down to $8999.00 with one in each color available. While it is a sluggish I wouldn’t object..but it really sounds as if there is some serious mechanical issues with the engine and an exhaust leak.

Now how do I get an attractive windscreen and bags for the Bonneville without making look like snot?

By: Phil Tarman

Phil Tarman — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:21:31 +0000

I’ve had my NT700VA since early April. I’ve put 10,000 miles on it, including a very windy Saddle Sore 1000 back at the end of April. I just got back from a 4100 mile trip, so I think I’m beginning to know the bike.

The NTs my 4th bike. I started with a GL650i Silverwing, and put 19,000 miles on it the first year. Then there were two classic Concours, both ’99s, that piled up 150,000 miles in ten years. Now the NT.

It works perfectly for me. I did spend quite a bit on “farkels” to make it the bike I wanted: From Honda, wind deflectors, tank pad, heated hand grips; from Twisted Throttle, a CooCase topbox (which required an Alu-Rack and adaptor plate), Denali LED Driving lights (10W draw for both, great driving lights, and I never get flashed for being too bright); from Motorcycle Larry, peg lowerers and bar risers; from the UK (Honda of Bournemouth), the wider pannier lids and bag liners; from CeeBailey, a +2″ windscreen.

It’s got very satisfying power, great handling, and awesome brakes. Compared to the Connie, it’s nimble and precise. Down (obviously) a bit on acceleration and top end, but it cruises comfortably at 80+. Good weather protection (although I do wish it had fairing lowers — I may have to add the undercowl that’s available in Europe). I will be adding a Russell DayLong Saddle. I’ve lost 40# and it feels like 20# has been from my butt. The stock saddle was fine when I did the SS1K, but on my recent trip, it burned from time to time.

Phil Tarman
’10 NT700VA
IBA SS1K & BB1.5K
Fort Morgan, CO

By: Stoney

Stoney — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 04:02:23 +0000

Dale – Funny you should ask that question! Here I am trying to decide between a Burgie 650 Exec and a NT700V. It would be for commuting to work almost daily (25 mi. each way, almost all freeway, very little stop-n-go), but also for weekend + trips with the wife. There’s lots to read about on the Burgman (almost all good), not too much yet on the Honda (just too new). I found a 650 Exec for under $8000 new, so I’m leaning that way. Might make the choice this weekend. Decisions, decisions…

By: Dale Ordes

Dale Ordes — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 05:58:18 +0000

Let me ask a sincere question: Would it be better if I were to trade in my 2006 Burgman 650 Exec for the NT700V? I am trying to convince myself that there is a gain to be had, but I can’t put my finger on it. The only thing I get is that the Pacific Coast-like styling of the NT700V is way cool. The Burgman is sort of clunky like its name. But the Burgman with ABS runs more than two grand less that the NT.
And with the Burgie I get: Blazing acceleration, especially in Power mode; lots of storage, including an after market Givi tunnel bag up front as well as the lockable double helmet space under the seat; top speed up in three digits; stupefying reliability (nothing breaks, even after 18K!); comfy seating on the Corbin after market slab; easy dipping at speed through bends (much easier than my old ST Honda and an even earlier BMW 500) and the Burgie Exec windshield can be adjusted electrically while at highway speeds (the NT shield is only manually adjusted and then only when stopped); the mirrors fold away electrically ( the NT mirrors fold manually) … the list goes on. And how about the CVT transmission? Any two wheel commuter machine could benefit from an automatic transmission when commuting through thick traffic. If you are so inclined, you can punch out gears manually on the Paddle mode, but why bother?

Down side: Those little wheels can kick up and bite you at high speeds when going over berms and highway cracks; and the exhaust holds a fairly high octave note that starts to grate on my nerves. Actually, you can outrun the drone at high speed, but there are times when you have to muddle along at moderate speeds and just listen to that soprano serenade. I suppose an after market exhaust kit could lower the tone. May try it. And without a forward tank, the Burgie does not offer anyplace to get down in a semi-sport crouch, like when you are going too fast to get away from the high tone exhaust and the little wheels are kicking up.

So, my question before the Committee is would I would gain in performance, in convenience or in economy by switching over the the NT700V? So … what do you think?

Dale

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 29 May 2010 21:47:21 +0000

Ok, I like the bike, but it’s way over priced! For its MSRP you should absolutely get fully adjustable suspension front and rear, and perhaps a sixth gear. Taken exactly the way it is, it’s ok, but just priced way too high – like most Honda products are. If Honda is trying to hit the same customer base it did with the Pacific Coast, then they hit the mark. However, I don’t know if there are THAT many people that still want this type of bike at this price point. If they were to lop $2K off the MSRP and only charge $500 for ABS, then I’d buy one, but the Versys is a better option at a lower price. Heck, for $10K-$11K there are a whole slew of bikes I could snatch up – including a Tiger 1050! Shaft drive is nice I guess, but I have always owned chain driven bikes, and after demo-ing a 2010 Concours 14, the shaft felt weird and disconnected from the power delivery. That being said, I’m sure the NT700V will be perfect in the quality and build quality department – something that the V-Strom and Versys can only dream of.