First Ride: 2012 Honda NC700S (09/06/2012)

[fishb8nz]

My CS650 is 7 years old with 50 km on the clock and never had any faults.
II like the Honda update of this type of bike. I heard that the BMW engine was a single engine from an M Series car - so the similarities are deep!
Awesome fuel consumption on the BMW but even better on the Honda - well done!
Can't really justify swapping for a newer toy but it's tempting!

[ducatilover]

I heard that the BMW engine was a single engine from an M Series car - so the similarities are deep!

It's not Unless there's an M series (Or S, in BMW engine jargon) motor with a 100mm bore that I'm not aware of

[pete376403]

When I read the write up in Kiwi Rider I couldn't help but think that Honda have suddenly caught on to the Kawasaki Versys / ER6N concept.

[Gremlin]

When I read the write up in Kiwi Rider I couldn't help but think that Honda have suddenly caught on to the Kawasaki Versys / ER6N concept.

I've ridden an ER6N, not the latest, but one of the earlier models... not uh... guy friendly shall we say and the twin was lazy and felt agricultural (quite a lot like the F650CS which I have as a loaner when my BMW is in the shop).

I wouldn't buy the F650CS or ER6N, but I would consider the NC700S. My Hornet is exactly how I want it however, so I'd keep that...

[nerrrd]

My f650cs has had a few niggles but nothing major so far I guess. The main reason I'd consider upgrading (cross-grading?) is the engine; mine doesn't like stop-start commuting, and is prone to surging/lurching at low speeds, which is a bit of an achilles heel in a bike which was supposedly aimed at commuters (maybe that's why it didn't catch on?)

Also if it stalls at idle (which it was doing a lot recently before a battery replacement), I have to turn off the ignition, wait 10 seconds, turn the ignition on again, wait for the temperature light to go out before pressing the start button without touching the throttle and only then will it idle again happily so I can get going...meanwhile the cars behind me are wondering why I'm not moving. If I don't follow the "starting procedure" it can put a glitch in the ECU requiring a reset apparently. It's all a bit too complicated, really...

Or maybe the whole idea of a bike aimed at commuters is an anachronism these days. I wonder if they've sold any?

I did see an NC700s in the wild the other day in Cornwall Park, so that's one...unless it was another test rider?

[fishb8nz]

I changed to an Iridium plug as soon as I got my bike, with <5000 km on clock and have never had surging or stalling problems (which is a common issue).
Info was from the F650.com forum.
http://f650.com/forum/forumdisplay.p...lack-Belt-Gang

Edit - I see you're already on the Black belt forum!

[Spazman727]

Or maybe the whole idea of a bike aimed at commuters is an anachronism these days. I wonder if they've sold any?

I did see an NC700s in the wild the other day in Cornwall Park, so that's one...unless it was another test rider?

I took one for a test the other day, and the guy said he'd sold a couple already. I was seriously considering getting one till I realised you cant buy a new bike when on minimum wage. Be tempted when they start to come up 2nd hand though.

[merv]

I took one for a test the other day, and the guy said he'd sold a couple already. I was seriously considering getting one till I realised you cant buy a new bike when on minimum wage. Be tempted when they start to come up 2nd hand though.

Lol did you not look in your wallet and see it was empty before you went into the shop?