I have issues with my hands/wrists which caused me to sell my V-Strom but ever since then I’ve been thinking about what would the best bike be for me to get back into it? I’ve been on the Harley Live Wire and that one short ride sold me on EV’s and the perfect bike for me would be a Zero FX with its lack of clutch/vibration and light weight but they’re still way too much money especially since I wont be able to ride much. The Kawasaki Versys 300X is the other one I had been looking at since it has great reviews and in many ways is similar to my old V-Strom 650 just a little smaller, and the clutch is feather light. Though even with that I do worry about repeated use hurting my hand if I ever got stuck in traffic.

Fast forward to yesterday and I started to look closely at the Honda NC700X with the DCT transmission. It’s a bit more relaxed in pretty much every way from my Strom or the other bikes I’ve been looking at from it’s ergonomics to the geometry, and engine but the more I thought about it these started to sound like strengths at least for me. The lower center of gravity, stability, and DCT would help me ride longer since I wouldn’t have to stress myself, and that cargo space would be a huge step up from the soft bags I’ve been using since my Blackbird. And at around 3500 used they are cheap enough that I might be able to justify getting one. I’ve actually been on doctors orders to ride if I can if you can believe it. They said it would be a good way to get some more use/exercise out of my hands/wrists. This would all probably be a little ways off especially with the way work is right now but it’s good to have goals to work towards and the longer I have to wait the cheaper they’ll get so it’s not all bad.

So that’s a bit of stream of consciousness about the NC700X but all I’ve done is read a few articles and watch some youtube reviews so if you have any thoughts or experiences they’d be greatly appreciated.

You might be on to something with that NC700X. Riding is such great therapy, no matter what you ride. I've been enjoying a wide variety of motorcycles for over 50 years and as I suspect I have fewer riding years ahead than behind I've been considering all options for the time when managing a "tough guy machine" will be beyond my ability. I'm eagerly anticipating the arrival of reasonably priced, lightweight and long-ranged E-Bikes. Scooters are another option; massively popular in Europe, they offer a lot more capability than most of us realize. Over on AdvRider there is a huge "Battle Scooters" thread with tons of information and many fanatical fans. Check it out; you may be suprised at the fun being had with these easy to handle machines.

The NC700 and the 700cc Honda Integra maxi scooter are the same bike. The same frame, engine, etc just with different bodywork and suspension.

On a side note it's weird that Honda gave a scooter a name that it had used for a car range for 20 years or more.

In 2008 I reviewed the DN-01 - which laid the foundations for the bike you mention.

I copped plenty of heat for having the temerity to actually like it. That's partly because I relate to motorcycles as vehicles - a tool for a job or specific set of jobs Hell, I even like Vespas‘

Anyway part of my reasoning regarding the DN was that it would be ideal for people with circumstances like yours. Eye ... Deal.

If the 700 solves a problem for you, buy the thing and f*** what anybody else thinks. It's a machine.

Interestingly, I've just had some recent dialog with few folks who recommended checking this baby out as an extremely fun and comfortable package. Not only meets your criteria but may also add some fun to it.

I've thought A LOT about getting another e-bike, right now I have a ~2008 iZip Street Englightened pedal assist with the original battery (range is down to about 5-10 miles) since it's internal and I'd basically need to build a new pack for it. But the price for a decent one looks to be around 1500 and while it's twice as much the financing available for a motorcycle makes it actually easier for me to purchase. And while an e-bike kinda scratches that itch at the end of the day it's not the same, and with it's short range I can still get some decent low impact exercise with my iZip which is the main advantage of an e-bike but it also limits further how much I can ride further since I need to physically be up that level to take it out since I can have issues with my ankles.

I spent some time in Battle Scooters way back and while I'm sure they're great I just love the ergonomics of a standard/DS bike where my legs can do more of the work. Maxi scooters are better with that hump in the middle and I honestly can't comment to how well or not they'd work in regards to leg steering but the big selling point to me here is that the NC700X is kinda like the ADV bike for us gimps.

This is one of the videos that I saw which did a lot to sell me on it:

Basically it's not up there to the Versys or by extension my old Strom but it's still a decent bike which is all I can ask for.

Definitely sounds interesting. Having actual set ratios that you can shift through for the CVT is a big thing for me since I'm not a fan of them when acting normally. They're great for efficiency but seem to take some of the experience out of it and while not giving anything extra like say an EV with its instant huge torque. Also including a foot lever for the shifter is another great thing and I wish Honda had that in addition to the buttons.

I just did a little research and the big negative is the dealer network. They don't have anything near Boston and it's an hour ride from me just to get there which I think will sadly be a deal breaker.

Good points. Some Honda dealers are willing to offer test rides. If you could find one to ride it might just seal the deal. Even if that's not possible, buying any motorcycle is far from the worst decision one can make!

I hear you about dealer network, it's what turns most folks off about some less popular bikes, but they may be missing out. After owning some for the past decade, I'm at a point where if I can't DIY all maintenance and repair I just look for a simpler model. I can't say I had great experiences in the NYC area with Japanese motorcycle dealers - in regards to warranty work or maintenance. That's when I decided it was time to invest in the efforts to learn and do it all myself. Tools needed are usually trivial and parts can be ordered. In my experience, most important part is to get a machine that wasn't messed with by a "shaved ape" (borrowed term!), and you'll be able just fine to perform all of the usual maintenance and may even enjoy doing it.

I don’t know much about the 700 other than it gets raves about being the ultimate commuter bike. But I do know something about DCTs because I rented an Africa Twin for an off-road rally and it was great. I thought I’d miss shifting but nope, not off-road for certain.

I can't like this post enough, it definitely sums up my feelings on this. Owning a Honda Blackbird did away with the needing to be cool part of riding to me. That thing was insane in its' performance but such a pain when riding around Boston with its bumpy roads and traffic which was a good chunk of my riding since I was living in the city itself back then. So I gave up 100hp and a lot of that cool factor and grabbed a V-Strom but I had a lot more fun even just riding to the store with it. And that's what I'm trying to get back.

You didn't give up much cool with a Blackbird :-P

The ones that get me are the online 'my motorcycle defines what I am' set.

Sure, you can have a hobby and interest. Lifestyle even.

But probably need to work on the 'am'.

And don't get me started on the 'Brotherhood' thing. You are not 'my brother'. You merely operate a similar vehicle. 😣

I think I might really like this one for a back roads scrambler, easy going

Rally Raid Honda CB500X Adventure Motorcycle - Motorcycle Podcasts Adventure Rider Radio & RAWThe Rally Raid conversion kit that transforms what is basically a street bike, the Honda CB500X, into what may the ultimate mid-weight adventure bike. The end result seems to impress everyone that comes across it and a quick look at some of the videos on this page have to impress you.adventureriderradio.com

maybe they're onto something good

“The best analogy I can think of is it rides like an open class rally bike, but with a lower seat and bullet-proof reliability. You will not be disappointed.”’ - press release

I've gotta admit am a sucker for eye candy...

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YouTube just had another comparison video pop up for me, this time including the Aprilia Mana:

The intro is really long and goes until 4:30 explaining why someone might want this kinda bike (though they didn't include physical issues) and why they included the BMW scooter.

The quick take from it is the Honda is the closest to a regular motorcycle, the BMW is a scooter with all the positives and negatives that entails but a really nice one. And then the interesting comments were about the Aprilia saying that in sport mode it had good power but would rev up and hold at an RPM where it would vibrate a lot through the foot pegs.

I should tell you, the person mentioning the Mana is a genuinely knowing, certified Guzzi mechanic and has been so for years, who owns one himself and truly loves it, and had no interest influencing me. In fact I'll probably never end up even anywhere close to one. I just trust the man's opinion and knowledge and thought should share, for consideration purposes. He dubs it so fun to ride that uphill mountain roads he gives a run for their money to leather clad sports bike riders, and says it's such an efficient tourer, that he really got my attention with it.

I wonder if it's due to how they rode it or just personal preference because one of the big things about that video is they were exclusively using the automatic mode. From your post the big thing that stood out about the Aprilia and had me intrigued were the set gear ratios that you could manually shift through VS when in auto it behaves like a normal CVT.

😗 😙 😇

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He's riding it in automatic mode, most of the time.

What I was inferring with those Dorsoduro pics is mid weight Aprillias are good. That 750 was a peach.

Don't buy the Kawasaki 300 if you do any highway riding. The engine screams so much at 75 mph, I traded mine in. It is a good backroad/city bike. Anything over 60 mph stressed me out because of the high rpm.

I have a 2013 NC700 DCT and have ridden it. 45,000 miles. and love it. Bike can do most anything. For your problem the DCT is great solution and NC is a great all around bike.

I also have a 2017 Versys 300x I have put 25,000 miles on including a 12,000 mile trip to Alaska. I like it for the lighter weight and better off pavement than NC. It can keep up with NC pretty well just have to let the engine turn twice as fast to make up for half the CCs Engine designed for high rpm so not a problem other than some can’t get used to it Out west was cruising freeways at 80+mph On some hills had to dow shift to 5th to hold speed If you can accept the bike likes high rpm it is fine on freeway

Bottom line I like both rides Either can be a satisfactory only bike but it is nice to change rides I may have a fovorite roller coaster but don’t just ride the one at the amusement park

If the hand problem is a priority go with an NC

I had the 750cc version as I an in UK big problem with these bikes in UK was that Dun lop made the tyres but to Honda's mixture & the tyres were bloody dangerous in the wet I almost fell off 6 times in one morning & had dune less than 500 miles on these tyres my Honda dealer said check the pressure, was UK. I went on to the internet asking advice on what was the best tyres for this bike & got a hell of a surprise mine was the mark 2 model but from mark 1 the tyres were crap some readers said if you want one of these bikes make Honda change them before you pass any money.I came off my bike that day no rain road was damp turned on to a slop road behind a car travelling 10 to 15 mph.I got in tuch with Honda uk head office mentioned the above the next day they phoned me saying go to any Honda dealer & change your tyres to any make you want free. so they owned up. but did not pay to replace mt sadel bags

My hands would begin to ache after an hour or two on the bike and was absolutely miserable in traffic. I had carpel tunnel surgery on both hands which helped but I gave up my BMW R1200RT for an Honda NC 750X DCT I had to upgrade the saddle, add highway pegs and a throttle lock (no cruise control) but now I'm much more comfortable. I have no trouble at all keeping with up with friends on much bigger bikes. There are two downsides to the bike. There is no clutch to feather in low speed maneuvers which I find unsettling and a small gas tank. But it keeps me riding

Glad to hear that it's working out so well for you! And pretty hopeful too for me since while I don't have carpal tunnel it's similar in terms of symptoms. So far I've got a throttle lock, heated grips, and hand guards as my current "must have" list for whenever I can swing getting an NC... though if one came pre-farkled with bags or the 12v charger I wouldn't mind :)

Hi JBeck,

I bought a 2014 NC750X DCT last year, as I couldn't commute by bicycle.
Since then, I've travelled around Europe (5,000 Km in 10 Days), and commuted every day on it, and it is a great bike. Yes, it has niggles, but that is also the joy of DCT.

The only thing that will beat it off the lights is a GS1200 :)
Fyi, always go in Sport mode (S), as it grants you engine braking, that you can manually downshift with the gear selectors on the left hand handlebar - the bike is clever, it will upshift if the revs are too high for the gear you're in.

I have a back-box, and together with the helmet stash (where the fuel tank is normally), I can do a weekly shop easily.

Low centre of gravity (the fuel tank is under the seat), and easy to maneouvre, means it is super for commuting (what it is made for).

Be wary in slow traffic, as if you grab too much throttle, you're in for the ride, as no clutch to feather the power.

It also has a handbrake, for holding it on a hill, when you park it. Very handy.

All of the above being true, the only thing it lacks, for me, is more power.. I'd be looking at the Moto Guzzi V85 TT as an upgrade (because slightly more power, and shaft drive).
If the NC had these, I wouldn't upgrade :)