Honda NT700V

[Tinsailor]

I havn't seen one of these in the flesh yet but from what I've seen on the Honda web site and whats been in some different publications, this one looks like a real goodie.

 

[jaxrider]

I have seen a mention of this bike in the automotive press and like the idea of a mid-class commuter/sport tourer. I am not so impressed though when I read the specs on the bike here : http://powersports.honda.com/2010/nt700v/compare.aspx At 562 pounds wet with 5 gallons of gas it's a bike that is dressed out nicely, but with the shaft drive and only 680cc I think it would be pretty slow. It's also only equipped with a 5-speed transmission so it would probably be turning some revs at interstate speeds. I would like to see them make this bike in a 900cc version at the same weight or less, with a six-speed transmission, and preload and rebound adjustment for both the fork and shock. It only has preload on the shock, which is inadequate. Especially for $10k. OK, done whining for the night. I've been working on a friends' 2003 883 Sportster with electrical problems. G'night. David in Jax COG# 7898 NE FL AAD & COG Vendor www.dreamjobresumes.com preparing resumes for COG members and friends I ride a KAWASAKI ZZR1200 - Euro http://www.motorbikestoday.com/reviews/Articles/ZZR1200.htm US http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/2002_kawasaki_zzr1200/index.html

 

[Bobber]

I really like the appearance of this bike and the idea of a middle-weight tourer, however I have to agree with David when it comes down to looking at the specs. I read somewhere that it turns 5000 rpm at 70 mph. Pretty close to what my Versys does. I think BMW has done a good job with their F800ST in this class. Bob Sherwood COG #2994 COG Industry Liaison MSF RiderCoach Statesboro, GA

 

[Tommyhof]

I like the looks of it as well, almost like a little connie, I'll put it on my short list when I decide I need another bike.

 

[Tinsailor]

Probaly won't be turning in my C-10 for one anytime soon, but I'll keep an eye on em and maybe check one out at the next dealer open house or Honda Hoot.

 

[Paulie]

I saw a Deauville (same thang AFAIK) in Norway when I was OtP. It looked interesting but I didn't get to yak with the owner. 01 Conc, Mijami Floriduh OTP 06: http://tinyurl.com/2vk9o2 route map: http://tinyurl.com/4p7pmd

 

[kenvford]

Check out one of the Honda - Europe web-sites and compare the spec's of the Deauville (european NT700V) and the TransAlp. It looks to me to be the same bike with different plastic and shaft drive. The TransAlp is a fun bike to drive. The Deauville, while a little heavy for a mid-weight, should be fun to drive. As with all Honda's it is a little pricey.

 

[ptarman1]

I had planned on renting a Deauville when I tagged along with OTP Traveler Dave Owen in '08. The night before I was going to reserve the Deauville, I got an email from Sean O'Donovan offering me his GTR for my trip. The day I landed in Frankfurt, we stopped in Mannheim for lunch at a big motorcycle dealership complex and I sat on a Deauville. It was a nice looking bike, and I'll definitely take a look at one when I get much shorter, much older, and/or when TumbleToo gets worn out in another couple hundred thousand miles. In the meantimes, lets bombard Big K with customer input suggesting that they introduce competition for the NT700V. When I talked to Channing about a mid-size sport tourer at the 2008 National in Frisco, he told me that Kawasaki didn't believe there would be a market for such a machine. When I talked to him again at Fontana, he said to contact Kawasaki Customer Services product feedback. This isn't easy to find and you get no feedback from them, but here is the link: http://www.kawasaki.com/OurCompany/ContactUsForm.aspx?sub=prd Maybe if they get enough input from us old, short guys and gals, they'll realize that there may well be a market for a lighter, comfortable sport tourer with good weather protection. I've read several reviews of the Deauville in British bike mags and the general tone of their remarks is that it is a competent, comfortable bike, but short on "soul." One of the interesting things about the bike in Europe is that Honda sells tons of accessories -- the kinds of farkles we have to kludge up for our Connies. My observation is that Honda and Kawasaki could both do a pretty good business if they would try to market factory accessories for the sport-touring bikes the way they do for their cruisers.

 

[jim keane]

I've seen plenty of them all over western Europe. The motor is indeed the Trans-Alp mill & The word I get from the folks over there is: Competent, reliable, beautifully built, quiet, uninspiring. It's called the "Deauville" over there (an upscale resort town on the french coast) but is commonly referred to as the "Dullville" That's probably why Honda brought over the bike but not the name. The bags, by the way, don't come off the bike, they are part of the bodywork, and they have a clever "pass-thru" from one to the other to carry long items like tent poles.I'm a guy who only puts the bags on my Connie once or twice a year, so permanent bags would be a deal breaker for me, but I like just about every thing else about it. It looks like an ideal bike to rent for a Euro trip. Rock solid Honda dependability might be worth more than "soul" when you are spending thousands of dollars & 10 days of your time on a foreign adventure.

 

[jaxrider]

Many of my friends who ride teutonic twins castigate Japanese bikes for having no soul. I posed the question of why this was on a forum and was told.... character/soul comes from idiosyncrasies.... which come from design flaws. Made sense to me! I look forward to seeing the Deauville on our streets. It will be a nice package and appeal to a lot of riders. David in Jax COG# 7898 NE FL AAD & COG Vendor www.dreamjobresumes.com preparing resumes for COG members and friends I ride a KAWASAKI ZZR1200 - Euro http://www.motorbikestoday.com/reviews/Articles/ZZR1200.htm US http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/2002_kawasaki_zzr1200/index.html

 

[2linby]

Like any pretty gal. It would be nice to hang around with, but I ain't about to marry it. I don't see the appeal to a over weight under powered machine. But hey...........I've been riding a Connie for the past nine years.... Holy SHITE nine freaking years on one bike....... AKA "2linby" That's 2-lin-by folks! Northwest Area Director COG #5539 AMA #927779 IBA #15034 TEAM OREGON MC Instructor 133K and counting! http://community.webshots.com/user/2linby http://tinyurl.com/njas8 (IBA BunBurner Gold Trip) http://tinyurl.com/lwelx (Alaska trip)

 

[norm9688]

Talked to my local Honda dealer about it last week, He might see one in late Jan or Feb and said they are only making 6000 for the US in the 2010 model year. It could be a good choise for my wife as it has more protection than her 95 Nighthawk 750, have to see if we can find one to ride next year.

 

[Tinsailor]

Got to see one at the local dealer the other day and have to say it was a little anti-climatic, good lookin bike and for what its intended for, a good machine and being a Honda I'm sure it runs like a dream. But the saddle bags are just too small and don't come off. If they were bigger or you could change them to something else they would really have something. Oh yea, one other minor thing, it costs 10k. I like my C-10 even more now.

 

[PMarsh]

I sat on one at a dealer and it fit this 6'1" frame to a Tee.  Fit and finish are what one expects of a Honda w/all switchgear and stuff all in the right place.  THe maotor has been around in one form or another for several years and the overall bike should be rock solid.