Published on February 10th, 2013 | by Daniel Sherman Fernandez
0HONDA NC700 V-twin to test cruiser segment
Honda has just unveiled two new variants of its novice-friendly NC700 V-twin . The two scooter-cruiser hybrids, unveiled in North America and is aimed, primarily, at the American market, are dubbed the CTX700 and CTX700N – with CTX derived, Honda say, from ‘Comfort, Technology and experience while thew ‘N’ stands for Naked. Both are powered by the liquid-cooled, 670cc parallel twin first seen on the NC700 and, like that bike, both are also available with a version of Honda’s DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) semi-automatic gearbox. Honda offers two transmission configurations for the NC700X, a standard six-speed and the next generation of the automatic Dual Clutch Transmission. The DCT uses two hydraulically controlled clutches that can do the shifting for you in a standard drive mode or sport mode, or riders can choose to shift through the gears via paddles on the left bar sans clutch. This new-generation set-up “learns” by allowing the ECU to detect the riding conditions in the automatic modes and tailors the shift points to suit the riders riding style. The chassis is just as unconventional as the engine design and DCT transmission, with a compact steel frame that wraps around the engine for a narrow cross-section. Without its brawny adventure-styled bodywork the NC700X could easy be mistaken for a scooter. The low-slung construction allows for a massive 21-liter storage compartment where the tank would usually be, while the 3.7-gallon steel fuel tank resides under seat. The 41mm front forks have 5.4 inches of travel, and the rear has 5.9 inches of travel through a Pro-link equipped swing arm. More details to come soon.