Nice review. I've owned an NC700 for about a year now and really enjoy it for many of the reasons you pointed out. It is my 4th bike in a span of about 45 years. Besides making a great commuter it's also a very suitable touring bike, with the qualification that it might not be desirable for 2-up touring due to the power limitations. I've found it to be perfectly adequate for loaded touring with just me (160 lbs.) though, and have gotten up to 71 mpg while touring. For a relatively small engine I find it to be very comfortable at freeway speeds. However, even though the NC700 engine is a great little engine, it's not half a Honda Fit engine. That is a legend that got started somewhere and won't die. There are similarities between the two but also significant differences. Using the 2016 models as an example, both have a 73mm bore, but the Fit has an 89.5 mm stroke while the NC700's is shorter at 80 mm. This stroke difference results in a compression ratio difference. For the Fit it's 11.5 to 1. For the NC700, 10.7 to 1. The Fit engine has dual overhead cams (DOHC). The NC700 has a single overhead cam (SOHC). The NC700's younger but bigger brother, the NC750, has even more differences. Both bore and stroke are different than the Fit's, as well as the SOHC vs. DOHC difference. The Fit has a great little engine, and so do the NC700 and NC750, even if the bike engines are not cloned from half the car engine.
Thanks for your comments and for your clarification on the Honda Fit vs NC engine comparison (like a lot of rumors, there is a kernel of truth to this one but your points of distinction are noteworthy and appreciated). I like the bike too and truly prefer it to my Versys 650 for in-town riding. That said, tooling along a twisty backroad at a brisk pace and the Versys shows its advantage. I also prefer the looks of the Kwak (of the 2015+ models), the excellent OEM bags, and adjustable suspenders. That said, the Honda is a very nice bike (I've been a life-long fan of Honda) and one that newbies and vets should truly appreciate. I hope that's what people take with them after watching my vid :-)
I've heard others say that the Versys is better on the twisties too and although I've only ridden one of those once for a very short ride, I believe it. The power difference is an advantage of the Versys as well, and I sometimes miss a high revving engine although most of the time it doesn't bother me. I find the NC700's power to be enough for me these days. And I agree on the Honda OEM bags - I don't like the looks of them. I went with Givi hard cases on mine and think they look much better than the Honda OEMs.
I owned a 2015 model for about a month. I averaged about 65-70 mpg consistently. It was a starter bike for me. It would be a great commuter for anyone. With that being said, I'm 6-7/235 and needed a bigger ride. I traded it in on a 2017 Versys 1000.
Great review and I agree with the statement that is a good commuter bike . I have take mine on trails and is a fun to ride motorcycle.. I have trail attack 2 tires, skid plate and radiator protection from Altrider, hand protection, crash bars and so far I love it. I plan to get a sport bike and keep the NC700x
good review.l I was also torn between Versys and the NC.i chose the NC and a quite pleased. I domhowever, get tired of hearing any bike above 500 cc described as a beginner bike. whatmakes something NOT a beginner bike? Really, how different is the NC from the old K75 BMW? I would argue there's not that much difference. It's easy to ride, has good balance and is predictable. That just makes it a good bike for anyone.
Nice review. I've owned an NC700 for about a year now and really enjoy it for many of the reasons you pointed out. It is my 4th bike in a span of about 45 years. Besides making a great commuter it's also a very suitable touring bike, with the qualification that it might not be desirable for 2-up touring due to the power limitations. I've found it to be perfectly adequate for loaded touring with just me (160 lbs.) though, and have gotten up to 71 mpg while touring. For a relatively small engine I find it to be very comfortable at freeway speeds. However, even though the NC700 engine is a great little engine, it's not half a Honda Fit engine. That is a legend that got started somewhere and won't die. There are similarities between the two but also significant differences. Using the 2016 models as an example, both have a 73mm bore, but the Fit has an 89.5 mm stroke while the NC700's is shorter at 80 mm. This stroke difference results in a compression ratio difference. For the Fit it's 11.5 to 1. For the NC700, 10.7 to 1. The Fit engine has dual overhead cams (DOHC). The NC700 has a single overhead cam (SOHC). The NC700's younger but bigger brother, the NC750, has even more differences. Both bore and stroke are different than the Fit's, as well as the SOHC vs. DOHC difference.
The Fit has a great little engine, and so do the NC700 and NC750, even if the bike engines are not cloned from half the car engine.
Thanks for your comments and for your clarification on the Honda Fit vs NC engine comparison (like a lot of rumors, there is a kernel of truth to this one but your points of distinction are noteworthy and appreciated). I like the bike too and truly prefer it to my Versys 650 for in-town riding. That said, tooling along a twisty backroad at a brisk pace and the Versys shows its advantage. I also prefer the looks of the Kwak (of the 2015+ models), the excellent OEM bags, and adjustable suspenders. That said, the Honda is a very nice bike (I've been a life-long fan of Honda) and one that newbies and vets should truly appreciate. I hope that's what people take with them after watching my vid :-)
I've heard others say that the Versys is better on the twisties too and although I've only ridden one of those once for a very short ride, I believe it. The power difference is an advantage of the Versys as well, and I sometimes miss a high revving engine although most of the time it doesn't bother me. I find the NC700's power to be enough for me these days. And I agree on the Honda OEM bags - I don't like the looks of them. I went with Givi hard cases on mine and think they look much better than the Honda OEMs.
Very good review. I know of riders that have taken this all around. You can't go wrong with a Honda.
I owned a 2015 model for about a month. I averaged about 65-70 mpg consistently. It was a starter bike for me. It would be a great commuter for anyone. With that being said, I'm 6-7/235 and needed a bigger ride. I traded it in on a 2017 Versys 1000.
Great review and I agree with the statement that is a good commuter bike . I have take mine on trails and is a fun to ride motorcycle.. I have trail attack 2 tires, skid plate and radiator protection from Altrider, hand protection, crash bars and so far I love it. I plan to get a sport bike and keep the NC700x
good review.l I was also torn between Versys and the NC.i chose the NC and a quite pleased. I domhowever, get tired of hearing any bike above 500 cc described as a beginner bike. whatmakes something NOT a beginner bike? Really, how different is the NC from the old K75 BMW? I would argue there's not that much difference. It's easy to ride, has good balance and is predictable. That just makes it a good bike for anyone.
Great review, thanks!
Versys in the twisties ALL day.
WHY can't they make the NC handle like a Versys?
Cause they dont want it to
Nice Review
I do like low end torque.