No Country For New Bikes

[Wanderer]

I want so badly to like this bike for what it represents, the ST-lite, but like so many other Honda products it isn't quite right.

The displacement/RWHP is think is pretty much spot-on but everything else is too much.

The weight is too much.

The seat height is too much.

The price tag is too much.

I needs to be 60lbs lighter, 1.5 inches shorter and 9,999$ with ABS.

 

[SockMonkey]

A moto-journalist's impressions on seeing the NT700V up-close and personal: Quick Impressions on the Honda NT700V

 

[stealth1]

Many people seem to be comparing this bike to the old Pacific Coast.

I might be wrong but I think they discontinued the Pacific Coast because of lack of sales.

They evidently think the US market has changed since then.

More female riders maybe.

The smaller, lighter (compared to the ST1300) bike, might appeal to them.

 

[Duezzer]

I agree with all whom talked about the tall seat 31.7"

I this bike had a 28" seat they would sell a whack of them

I mean a big whack

 

[Phil Tarman]

Well, I own an NT700VA. I've put over 10K miles on it and I've spent a big potload of money making it just what I want it to be.

I am 67 and have had five knee replacements. I needed something lighter than the two Concours C-10s which I had ridden for 150,000 miles. I had suggested to the Kawasaki factory reps who've come to the COG Rallies that a mid-sized sport touring bike would sell. They assured me that "real Americans" wouldn't buy a sport tourer that had less than 1000cc.

I was excited when BMW announced the F800ST. Then I sat on one. The reach to the bars was way too far and the knee-bend required was way too much. I don't believe it could have been a place I would want to sit for a whole day.

I've thought a lot about the Wee-Strom. It's a neat bike. A friend has one and loves it. But he's spent almost as much making it what he wants it to be as I've spent on the NT. We swapped rides one day and we were both surprised with how much the two felt alike. There wasn't a huge difference in feel between them on power or handling.

The NT's engine works best above 3,000 rpm. In fact, below that it sounds like it's a bucket full of nails. And there seems to be a bit of extra boost above 5,000, even if red line is at 8,500. This is the first fuel-injected bike I've ever ridden and it's strange when it hits the red line and just shuts off. I thought I'd broken it.

All in al, the NT works for me. It's lacking in acceleration and top end compared to the FJR or even my old C-10s. But it's comfortable and my little 29" legs both reach the ground. It's much lighter to move around, and I really like the handling. It's got great brakes (recognize that all my comparisons are with Concours C-10!)

I added the large pannier lids that are available in the UK (bought 'em from Honda of Bournemouth), bag liners, a CeeBailey +2" screen, Denali LED driving lights (neat lights, BTW. Plenty bright and I haven't been flashed once -- with my FF-300s, I couldn't meet a car without getting flashed -- plus they only draw 10W for the pair). I've put bar risers and peg lowerers on, gotten a hookup for my Gerbings, and added a CooCase 48 liter trunk.

Most of the criticisms on this forum have some validity. I wish it had another 10-15-20hp. I wish it was 50-80 pounds lighter. It would be great if it was $1000-1500 cheaper.

But after a 4000+ mile trip, I have to say that it worked well. Good weather protection. Plenty of power to cruise 80 and above. Reasonably comfortable.

I've never ridden an FJR, but I don't think they would work for me any more. I'm too old and too short.

So, one market for this bike is for us guys who are needing to downsize.

 

[Crash Cash]

Yeah, but that's because there was no other non-cruiser Japanese lightweight twins out there then. The NT-650 engine was a joke. I've owned both bikes, and just bought my 2nd SV.
SV-650: outstanding engine in a budget frame & suspension.

NT-650: crap engine in a technological marvel of a frame with single-sided swingarm and all the goodies.

Hey, I didn't say it was flawless, I was just making the connection that it was first.
I think the fact that the engine was such crap is half the reason I like the Hawklette. So many people buy into horsepower but the Hawklette is just the important bits. When you pass the guy on the R6 with race plastic during a track day, he knows you didn't power past him.

Yeah, and I wasn't saying I didn't absolutely love mine! Anyway funny story when I was buying it. The owner's 4yo daughter was watching the bill of sale/cash counting ritual, and she said "daddy hates that bike! he says it doesn't have power worth @#$%"

I folded up laughing, and "daddy" turned purple, so I said "well, it IS an NT...!"

Mine was stolen and crashed by a little black kid that didn't survive the experience. This was back when FL had a helmet law, so he got clocked w/o a helmet and ran from the law... right through a red light. Pancakes for dinner, anyone?! He won't be stealing any more bikes, at least.