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2012 Honda NC700XA Review
Got somewhere to go? Don’t leave your bike at home. Hop on a Honda NC700XA, and rediscover the joys of motorcycling all over again.
It’s a jungle out there. City traffic, gravel backroads, construction zones, inclement weather... Is there a bike that can not only tackle all this, but actually make it fun? You bet there is: the all-new Honda NC700XA. What makes the NC700XA so practical for taming the jungle – including its huge storage area where the gas tank would be on most bikes – are also the things that make it such a joy to ride, on the street, highway, gravel road, you name it. The strong low-end and midrange torque from the 670 cc twin-cylinder engine allow you navigate through the city without having to constantly shift gears, and these same characteristics produce the strong acceleration that feels so satisfying when you’re pulling away from a stop sign or pulling out onto the highway. Even the sensible, upright riding position that gives you such a great view of the road and traffic ahead in the city, adds to the NC700XA’s pleasure by feeling so relaxed and comfortable on the open road.With its long-travel suspension, extra ground clearance, standard Combined Braking System with ABS, protective windshield, and optional Honda Genuine Accessories luggage, the NC700XA can also take you far from the city and into the real jungle – or at least into the out-of-the-way place.
The NC700X crossover offers the long-travel suspension, agility and commanding riding position of an off-road bike in an overall package with high standards of stability, braking and engine performance. It promises a fun, engaging riding experience together with the practicality and ease of use that make it a machine eminently suitable for daily commuting.
At the heart of the NC700X is a purpose-built engine and transmission package. The liquid-cooled, in-line 2-cylinder 670cc engine is a lightweight and compact unit with a low centre of gravity. It offers a very usable power delivery with strong levels of torque at low to medium rpm combined with low exhaust gas emissions and outstanding fuel economy (78.8mpg WMTC mode. Tested in D-Mode). On the NC700X there is the option to enjoy this new engine with the second generation of Honda's innovative Dual Clutch Transmission, offering both manual gear shifting and fully automatic functionality - a suitably advanced and versatile core for an innovative new motorcycle.
The NC700X has been designed with a secure internal storage space large enough to accommodate a full-face helmet, located where you would typically find the fuel tanks. It is also offered with Honda's Combined Anti-Lock Braking System (C-ABS) as an option. It offers the practicality of a commuter with easy handling in a crossover styling.
Available: Summer 2012
Honda’s new NC700X is a real breath of fresh air in today’s world of specialized motorcycles, a new concept in streetbikes, and one that puts the FUN in Functional. During the week it’s an awesome commuter. On the weekend it lets you go exploring in the country, or carve up a twisty canyon road. Light, nimble, and with an engine that offers a generous helping of useable torque, it’s all wrapped up in a package that’s big enough for longer rides, but not a handful in tight traffic or in a parking lot. And to sweeten the deal, it’s even available in two versions: one model features a conventional six-speed, manual-clutch transmission, while a second version is available with the latest generation of Honda’s exclusive automatic Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). Plus, the DCT version comes with Honda’s revolutionary Combined ABS!
2012 Honda NC700XA Key Features
Designed to be light and compact, extremely stingy on fuel, and to conserve resources during manufacturing, the all-new 670 cc, liquid-cooled, inline-twin engine used in the NC700XA incorporates numerous advanced and patented technologies..
The engine’s inline cylinders are canted forward by 62 degrees to help create a low overall centre of gravity for nimble, confidence-inspiring handling, and also to create room for a convenient central storage area where the cylinders and fuel tank would typically be..
To give the engine a satisfying and distinctive sound and feel, engineers thought way outside the box. A 270-degree crankshaft combined with a uniaxial primary counterbalance shaft creates a pulse much like that of a V-twin. The intake-port layout inside the cylinder head was carefully designed to create an intentional interference between adjacent ports, which results in subtle combustion variations. In addition, the timing for the opening and closing of the intake valves was set separately for each cylinder. The result? An engine that lets you know what it’s doing every time you twist the throttle..
To ensure strong acceleration, ease-of-use in the city, and a relaxed character on the highway, the engine delivers exceptionally strong low-rpm performance. The unique design creates a muscular, easy-to-use powerband not unlike that of a big-bore cruiser..
The six-speed manual transmission complements the powerband by using wide gear ratios – no need to be constantly shifting up and down to maintain strong performance..
Through the use of friction-reducing technologies, integrated components (such as running the oil pump using the counterbalance shaft and the water pump using the camshaft, which reduces the number of shafts required), precise PGM-FI electronic fuel-injection and efficient combustion, the NC700XA engine delivers exceptional fuel economy..
The engine’s efficient use of fuel enables the use of a smaller-volume, more-compact fuel tank that still allows ample riding range while giving engineers extra freedom to re-think the optimal placement of other components..
The exhaust catalytic converter sits directly beneath the exhaust ports and is activated early when the engine starts. This design lets the combustion gas pass through the catalyst while it is at its hottest, thereby maximizing purification efficiency. In fact, emissions are half of what is required by the strict Euro 3 emissions standard.
Chassis/Suspension
Although lightweight, the diamond-shaped steel-tube frame was carefully designed to be very sturdy while also allowing just enough flexibility to respond smoothly to changing road surfaces. This “tuned flexibility” produces a smooth ride while also letting you feel what the bike is doing. The result? Comfort when you’re just cruising, and a sporty, fun ride when you’re on your favourite twisty backroad..
Like the engine, the chassis is all about creating a ride that’s fun and user-friendly. The seating position is comfortably upright and relaxed, and the chassis geometry allows the NC700XA to nimbly manoeuvre through the city..
Honda’s Combined Braking System with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) provides added confidence during sudden stops or when the road is wet or slippery. Specially designed wave-style brake rotors not only keep unsprung weight low, they also require less energy and use less material during production because the rear rotor fits precisely inside the front rotor, allowing them to be stamped out of a single sheet of stainless steel at once.
Additional Features
The shape of the seat and its low height help to make it easy for you to extend your legs and reach the ground. And the handlebar position provides more room around your knees and arms for greater freedom of movement..
The 14.1-litre fuel tank is accessed beneath the seat at the rear of the bike, and the fuel is stored beneath the rider. The tail cowl has been cut short to bring the mass forward, and handy grips have been integrated into the tail section for passenger security..
Where the fuel tank would be on most bikes, the NC700XA instead has a large-capacity (21 litres), lockable utility compartment that’s big enough to hold an XL-size helmet. Don’t want to carry all your gear when you arrive at your destination? This handy compartment allows you to quickly stash your helmet, gloves and more out of sight. Need to hop down to the corner store for a few dinner supplies? The NC700XA makes it easy.
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2012 Honda NC700XA - American Specifications
USD MSRP Price - $6,999 USD
Engine Type Liquid-cooled parallel-twin
Displacement 670 cc
Bore & Stroke 73 x 80 mm
Compression Ratio 10.7:1
Valve Train Chain driven SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Fuel Delivery PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Transmission Six-speed
Final Drive O-ring sealed chain
Front Suspension 41mm telescopic fork; 120 mm (4.7 in.)travel
Rear Suspension Single shock, Pro-Link swingarm; 120 mm (4.7 in.) travel
Tires 120/70ZR - 17 radial front; 160/60ZR - 17 radial rear
Brakes Front 320 mm wave disc with triple-piston caliper; rear 240 mm wave disc with single-piston caliper. Combined Braking System with ABS
Ground Clearance n/a
Seat Height 790 mm (31.1 in.)
Wheelbase 1,525 mm (60 in.)
Curb Weight 215 kg (473 lb) including required fluids and full tank of gas - ready to ride
Fuel Capacity 14.1 litres
Colour Seal Silver Metallic with Thunder Yellow
Warranty 1 year, unlimited mileage, freely transferable warranty; extended coverage available with Honda Plus
Additional Information:
Max. Power Output 38.1kW/6,250min-1 (35kW/6,250min-1 - 95/1/EC)
Max. Torque 60Nm/4,750min-1 (95/1/EC)
Candian proposed pricing: $8,990
UK pricing: 5,850
Engine
Parallel twin, liquid cooled, SOHC 8v, 670cc
51Hp@6250rpm, 44lb.ft@4750rpm
4.04L/100kms...14.1L fuel tank
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcyc ... C700XA.htm
While the V-strom, and Versys continue to look awkward in my eyes after several years the Honda looks like a supermodel along side them....
