HONDA NC700S (2012 - 2013) Review

Brakes are epic, I agree with MCN they seem too good if that was a thing Rise quality is lovely and comfortable

What a master peace thanks Honda, 6 speed gearbox too what a treat

Use it every day apart from Sundays, always starts and always works perfectly Paint on Radiator has started to come away so will replace soon

I service myself, have access to tyre machine so just cost of some decent Bridgestone tyres and Castrol oil change (oil change every 3k for peace of mind) had to changed a rear wheel bearing that's it Fuel economy is amazing 18 pound to fill up just when last bar is shown

Nice simple dash, would like a gear indicator and the horn switch location is literally the only bad thing about the NC700, slowly getting use to it

Love the handling, feels like the bike is made for me. Brakes are fine, I'm an experienced rider so never had to do emergency brakeing as I ride safe

Absolutely LOVE this engine! Lots of torque and plenty of power plus it has great character, I've got a Yoshimura pipe, sounds amazing.

Bike has done 50,000km and it's almost like new.

Around town and country riding I get an average of 75mpg and I'm a big fella,

Love the storage, I can go away for the weekend with just that and a backpack. Very handy place for tools, tyre repair kit etc

Back brake is limp, I suppose so that the rider doesn't lock the wheel in a panic. Front is great although I don't often use it hard as I rely on anticipation & engine braking. The front disc went out of round and was replaced under warranty by Honda. Able to put in long days of 8 hours or more pretty well once I fitted aftermarket seat. Easy bend for the knees which is good at my age. Pillion reports 1/2 hour is about it for comfort. Bike is at its best on the windy roads gobbling miles - 400 miles of 60MPH curve roads, it just provides endless pleasure all day. Having ridden other bikes I keep coming back to how glad I am to have this, its a great all rounder: low centre of gravity, good on shingle roads, excellent on corners up to 75 MPH (peg on deck I mean). Suspension is pretty good at normal speeds but if you push it hard at speed it will complain. Really an excellent machine for me.

Good torque. Many complain its gutless but don't understand how to ride it - just keep changing up and get it to pull. Frankly reminiscent of SV1000 up to the 6300 redline which is high praise. If it kept revving & making the same power gains for another 5000 it would be a SV1000. Sounds exactly like one with aftermarket Leo Vince Carbon fibre silencer - gorgeous. Some vibes hit around 4000 RPM (around 75MPH) but just enough to let you know you have an engine under you. Low maintenance, Honda specify 12,000 km valve clearance intervals but increased this to 24,000 on the later 750 so can do the same on the 700. Oil and filter once a year. Hardly need to touch the thing.

As I've only done 27,000 km I would expect flawless service and that's what I've had. Not too happy about corrosion resistance so have made sure bare metal is coated with a wipe of oil. It apprecates a clean sooner rather than later after riding on dirty roads.

Very low maintenance requirements & most of that I can do myself. Not at all happy that these days Honda seem to have forgotten how to put in an oil drain screw for the fork oil changes or grease nipples for prolink & steering head bearings though. Trying to ensure dealers get my money for a job I could do myself?

Storage compartment is really great. I pack enough stuff for a long weekend away in it so don't need a bag. Also good for bread & milk on the way home after work. I fitted and recommend the following items: Front guard extension; centre stand; a good hugger; Tutoro oiler (adjust chain maybe once between changes of rear tyres); plug for battery tender; OEM heated Honda grips are very expensive but good although heated gloves may be even better; Top Block crash bungs - a slide up the road can write the bike off when the frame downtubes meet the asphalt, could save a lot of grief; replaced the downpipe with a Leo Vince Decat (unexpectedly cleaned up low speed mixture beautifully) and the silencer with carbon fibre LV can; Evotech radiator guard; LED position lights; hand guards; Triumph Bonneville fork gaiters; Ventura pack rack and bags work well; heartily recommend Michelin Pilot Road 4 tyres, they are supposed to be the best in the wet (all I really care about these days), but they also wear very well and inspire confidence at all angles I can manage.

This actually does well.

47 bhp from 700cc?? After how many years of a motorcycle manufacturing history?? I got this bike as a courtosy bike when my zzr600 got crashed. Comparing it to 17 year old 600cc bike, i wonder what was the idea behing releasing this bike into the market? What did designers do over that time? Rev limiter kicks in at 6500 rpm. It is really like driving a diesel car... If you want any emotions riding a bike - stay away from this one..

2 year old and paint flaking of a swing arm already.

Speedo, dreadfull rev counter, and two trip meters. Basic fuel gauge. Is hyosung not offering more with their copy of sv650? My 24 year old zephyr offers better quality analog clocks..