'06 Breva 1100 vs Honda NC700X

[circlip]

I'm interested in opinions. I have an '06 Breva, which is a fine motorcycle, but I have never been in love with it. My feeling is that it is a bit of a handful in the suburban/urban riding that fills most of my riding time. I think that maybe something smaller and lighter might be better. A quasi-local Honda dealer has several leftover NC700X's (manual transmission) and is willing to take the Breva in on a trade.

Does anyone have any experience with the NC? I rode one for about 45 minutes and I liked it, but that is a bit different than living with one. Comments pro or con?

[Joe A.]

I've had my manual NC700x since 2012 and it is my go to bike 3/4 of the time. Great commuter and unpretentious tourer. changed to a Sergeant seat, Puig screen, heated grips, removed the pillion and bought a rear rack from Hondabikepro that allows me to strap a bag and still access the fuel tank. Made a bunch of other mods but the seat and w/s have paid the best dividends. check out the NC forum http://nc700-forum.com/forum/forum.php, lot of good info there. Also, check out the classifieds, saved  a lot of $ there. The forum is similar to this one, no real drama or pinheads, just folks that enjoy their bike and riding.
BTW, I just picked up an '04 Breva 750. Can't wait for spring to get it out for a ride. I think they make great stable mates!
Good luck with whatever you decide.

[rboe]

Test drive. Folks seem to go from tepid to luke warm on the 700. My Griso is a bit much in town so my goto bike is the CB1100 (and lately, the XR650L - not recommending it but you might want to check out the CB500 too). But a couple guys on a couple other sites do like their 700 so they are not without some love. :)

But since this is a Guzzi site, the V7 or V9 should be considered too. I like the V7, but I'm just a wee bit too tall for it (hence the CB1100).

[charlie b]

I had the NT700 and liked it for what it was.  We owners declared them the Honda Accord of the motorcycle world.  Did everything well...but not great.  Good commuter, good tourer, could corner ok.

The NC700 improved in the weight category at the expense of wind protection and ease of running higher speeds (90+)  So, IMHO it would be weighted more toward commuter than touring.

Not sure what the suspension difference would be.  The NT was OK, just not great and geometry was geared toward more stable rather than 'flickable'

PS living with it will be more about lack of power in your daily use.  If you are OK with it the way it is then I don't have anything bad to say about them.

[ITSec]

A friend of mine (avid rider of almost everything, and can afford to keep a few bikes) has the Honda and speaks well of it - but I notice him riding one of his other bikes most times I bump into him. He hasn't sold it, so he must like it, but it doesn't seem to really have captured his heart.

[circlip]

I'm not concerned about low power output - I rode Morini 3-1/2's for years (I wish that I still had one). My main concern about the Honda is that I'll ride it for awhile and then get bored by the appliance-like nature of the bike. Ideally I would buy a Guzzi V9 or a KTM Duke 690 (I'm also a bit too tall for the V7), but the budget will squeal loudly if I attempt spending that much cash.

Thanks for the input!

[bad Chad]

Ah Circlip, I suspect you are a man in search of a country.

If you can go from a B1100 to a ultra pedestrian Honda and be happy, you are made of  different fabric than I.

That's not necessarily a bad thing.

[webmost]

Was this close to buying one. Then I took a test ride and found the rev limiter. Deal breaker.

[charlie b]

Yes, they can be so smooth as to be boring.  That's why I sold the NT and kept the T5.  Performance wise they were almost identical.

Later I came to realize that it wasn't so much boring as no one noticed it.  Yep, an ego thing.  Many people recognize that the goose is different.  Those same people don't even look twice at a run of the mill Honda.

[Darren Williams]

I was considering the NC700X for the wife as a light, sporty touring bike. After we both rode it, it quickly fell off the list. Two biggest complaints was the under seat tank access (traveling with saddle bags strapped across the back seat most of the time) would be a pain and the low reving nature of the motor (the 500X likes to be spun up).  We went with the CB500X and never looked back at the 700.  Now if Yamaha would bring the FJ07 to the States, the CB500X would be getting nervous about it's place in the garage.

Note, we like to travel off the main highways and the Honda's burning regular 87 octane gas is a big plus when looking for gas in a small town with only one station. My FJR also uses 87 octane and both bikes have a 200+ mile range. I believe the 700 has a smaller tank than the 500.

Edit, I do want to add the I had a 1200 Sport and there is no question that If it had not had some issues, I would pick the big Breva over either one of the Hondas for commuter duty. Just for shear enjoyment of the ride. But the dash and over-cooling being significant and the heavy clutch pull and tall gearing in stop and go traffic could get annoying.

[Kev m]

As a former B11 owner who switched to a V7 who has ridden his SIL's NC700X, I say - Get a V7 and put on some lowered pegs and/or a slightly taller and/or wider seat and you're there.

I believe the pegs can be done as cheaply as $150 (http://www.knightdesignllc.com/Products/Motorcycle/Moto-Guzzi/V7-750/Moto-Guzzi-V7-750-Foot-Peg-Menu.html), and the seat probably about the same unless you go Corbin then a little more.

[jas67]

�... Now if Yamaha would bring the FJ07 to the States, the CB500X would be getting nervous about it's place in the garage.

Having ridden both the CB500X and the FZ07 (same motor as the FJ07, albeit, probably slightly lighter), I have to agree.
The difference in power between those two motors is significant.

I  really enjoyed the FZ07, and considered purchasing one (ultimately bought a Ducati Monster 796).  I was a bit underwhelmed by the CB500X.    On paper, it is likely as quick as the V7, but, well, boring.

Back to the O.P., I have to second Kev's comments about the V7.   If price is an issue, there are likely still some left over 2014 and 2015 V7 (pre-II) out the in the $6,500-$7,000 range.     If you're patient, you can pick up a light used one for left.   November, 2015,  I got my 2014 V7 Special that had only been purchased as a new leftover that August for $5,200 w/ only 976 miles on it.

The NC is a good bike, but, in addition to the comments above, I have to point out the chain drive (vs. the V7's shaft).  If, like me, you don't like doing chain maintenance, that is something to consider.

The up side, of course, is Honda reliability.    That said, I've owned V7's for about 5 years running, with about 20k miles of riding on them, and find them very reliable.
Also, a valve adjustment on a V7 is a simple one beer job.     The NC700, unlike most modern Japanese motorcycles actually has locknut-setscrew adjustment too, but, it is still a job that likely takes 4-5X longer, because of the location of the cylinder head vs. the radiator and bodywork of the bike.

Here is a video showing a valve adjustment on an NC700:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWUCFoz01tk

The valve clearance check interval on the NC700 is 8k miles.   On the V7, it is 6,200, so, it is done almost as frequently on the NC700, but is a lot longer job.

The FZ07 and FJ07 are bucket-and-shim valve trains, so, while more expensive, and a bit more of a pita to do, due to needing to have the correct shims on hand, the intervals are much longer (most bucket-and-shim motors have a 16-24k mile interval).

On the B11 vs. the NC700X, or any of the other bikes mentioned would be the tall first gear and top heavy nature of the bike made it not-so-good in stop and go traffic.    When I had mine, I'd never choose it to run into town for errands.   But, it was a great bike on the open road.   My commute is mostly open road, so, it did make a good commutor for me.

The NC700X are very frugal on fuel (60+ MPG).   Honda rates the CB500X as getting around 70 MPG, though, I've never read any real work figures.   The 1TB (2013 and newer for US) V7 are good for 50-56 MPG in warmer (60F) temps, high 40's in cold temps (40F-ish).    But, the large fuel capacity (5.1 US gallons usable) vs., what 3.5 on the NC700X, makes up for it in range.     Fuel cost difference is negligible when you consider the higher cost of the valve check if you're paying for the labor.   Tire costs should be comparable.    And, then there is that chain.

The NC700X vs. V7 comparison is, of course, not apples to apples.   What style bike would you like?   The V7 is a very stylish retro-standard, where the NC700, is, of course, a plastic-clad, "modern" design (as is, of course, the B11).

Another bike to consider is the BMW F800GT (and the F800ST that preceded it).   Since I started riding in 2011, I've always had a V7 in my stable, so, I can't say I replaced my B11 with one.    What I did replace the B11 (and Honda VFR800) with is my F800GT.  It has similar performance to the B11, if not a little quicker.   It is about 80 lbs lighter, though does have tallish gearing too, with good use of the friction zone on the clutch, it isn't a problem.

It has excellent wind protection, thought, cooler to ride in hot weather than the B11.    I get 52-55 MPG commuting in the cumber, 48-50 in the winter (only 15 miles each way).    On longer rides, I get 55-60 MPG depending on temperatures, what luggage is on the bike, and my right wrist.

With the Sergeant seat I put on it, it is an all-day comfortable bike.

[Kev m]

The valve clearance check interval on the NC700 is 8k miles.   On the V7, it is 6,200, so, it is done almost as frequently on the NC700, but is a lot longer job.

I think from your previous comments I know what you mean, but I THINK you meant to say:

"On the V7, it is 6,200, so, it is done almost as frequently on the NC700, but it is a lot longer job ON THE NC700.

Or something to that effect.

[charlie b]

If I were looking for a bike now I'd have to try the Beemer F800GT.  The ST was a little too sport position for me, but, I loved the engine and transmission on the bike.  Never got to really thrash it but the suspension is supposed to be decent too.  One guy up near me has the GT and loves it.

That CB500X is another one I'd be tempted by for commuting and around town and some dirt roads.  But, chain drive.

[steven c]

 If you have some time to kill..
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/new-2012-honda-nc700x-700cc-parallel-twin.728895/

[kenvil1]

I really wanted to like the NC750X, mostly for the built-in luggage space (the frunk), but after a test-ride I found that it lacked any kind of spirited engine performance, which is mostly the draw of a motorcycle for me. At best, it would be ideal as a second, practical motorcycle on which to commute.

As a V7 wannabe owner, can I ask how tall is too tall?

[charlie b]

THe V7 had more engine power?  According to spec sheets the Honda has more poweer and torque than the V7

[rboe]

According to the sheets a Triumph T120 will kick but on a V7. I rode both and the V7 had a much bigger grin factor.

It's nice to have data sheets; but ya gotta ride 'em for the real deal.

[charlie b]

I don't disagree.  My T5 'felt' faster than the NT700, but, it wasn't  :)

Kinda like the day I drove a Viper for the first time.  Just didn't feel fast.  Until I looked down at the speedo.  I was used to all the 'drama' of my WRX, making noise and everything.  The Viper just rumbled a bit.  Seemed kinda boring to go that fast.