2012 Honda NC700X

2012 Honda NC700X Announced

January 21, 2012 – American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has announced some of the details of the new 2012 Honda NC700X.

The NC700X is a sort-of-but-not-really adventure-touring version of the current NT700V and it fits with Honda’s worldwide “Mid Concept” strategy, announced at the 2011 EICMA show (report).

The Mid Concept strategy includes motorcycles like the NT700V, which was the first of this new take on motorcycling to arrive in the U.S. But the NT700V is powered by a V-twin engine, while the NC700X uses a parallel twin, 670cc engine.

If the styling of the NC700X looks familiar, join the club. It’s very derivative of the Honda Crosstourer and Honda Crossrunner (report), which were both announced at the 2010 EICMA show (report).

To make matters even more confusing, the Crosstourer name is very similar to the name used on a Honda automobile: the Honda Crosstour.

And, the “N” series includes the Honda Integra (remember the Acura Integra?), with the same 670cc engine as the NC700X.

And, just for good measure, don’t forget the Honda NC700S, a sort-of NC700X streetbike version sans fairing.

Confused yet? Again, join the club…

Both the Crosstourer and Crossrunner concepts have a V-4 engine, and will apparently be in the “BMW GS” class, although the Crossrunner is street-biased.

The NC700X is apparently Honda’s take on a mid-sized adventure-touring bike, but with a unique twist, in that it also has some scooter-ish DNA, with the optional automatic dual clutch transmission (DCT) available.

In fact, Honda calls the NC700X “a new concept in streetbikes”, stating that “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.”

The NC700X will be available in two versions, one with a six-speed, manual-clutch transmission and the other with the Honda automatic Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). Also, the DCT version comes with the Honda combined ABS.

The 670cc engine of the NC700X has its cylinders canted forward by 62 degrees and Honda says the engine is tuned for low- and mid-range torque. It has a 270-degree-phase crank and uniaxial primary balancer for smoothness.

The bike includes a 3.7 gallon (U.S.) fuel tank under the seat and an integrated storage compartment in the traditional fuel tank location. The bike also has an available 21-liter top box.

Other features include a full LCD Instrument panel with a digital speedometer, digital bar-type tachometer, clock, low-fuel gauge, and 2 trip odometers.

The base pricing seems reasonable, with the NC700X having a base list price of $6,999 and the NC700X DCT ABS (Dual-clutch transmission and ABS) having a list price of $8,999. Honda expects sales to commence in the Spring of 2012. Will motorcyclists embrace Honda’s “Mid Concept” strategy? Only time will tell… More information on the Honda NC700X mini-site.

Honda NC700X, NC700S and Integra Specifications

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