FatPossum44444

Yeah, this doesn't have half a chance of selling. 20 more horsepower and another disc up front at the same price, and they'd have a fighting chance. Many people looking at a V-strom would consider it with those specs.
DCT? Why? How many times does Honda have to over-engineer a motorcycle before they figure out that the experience is all about being in touch with the machine? I like shifting gears.
I love practical bikes (I own a Strom), and I like the concept of the non-DCT version, but it falls short where it counts. 60-70whp is the sweet spot for a bike like this: just enough to be fun and get out of the way, but not so much as to be a liability. You'll never convince me that a long stroke motor is the way to go for a motorcycle. Suzuki managed to build a flat torque curve into their 650 twins with an oversquare arrangement, without sacrificing horsepower and limiting RPM. And, they get typically 50-60mpg.

jmdonald

I like the premise but agree that Honda has missed the HP sweetspot for this 500 lb. bike.

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Duken4evr

DCT could rock in an off road enduro bike format. Lots of guys spend quite a bit of money on Rekluse auto clutches for their dirt bikes. When the going gets truly gnarly and the rider is hanging on for dear life, not having to clutch is a real value. Add auto gear change, well, I think I would like it. The reviews of the DCT system on the VFR1200 are very positive.

Still needs a bigger throttle body and 20 more hp though. I can get behind putting a motorcycle engine in a big scooter, but Honda got it backwards and put a scooter motor in a motorcycle.

bmwclay

Reminds me of my CB-450 but with less technology and about the same power.

seruzawa

Though I've never ridden a dirt bike with an auto clutch, I have learned that automatic trannies in off-road vehicles are better then stick shifts. Similar reasons. No clutching.

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mugwump58

After my initial "Oh look what Honda's done now...". I've been thinking about it.

I want to know what's the valve adjustment interval, what't the real world mileage estimates and how much power does the alternator put out.

Could be this is the replacement for the current commuter.

Now I'll read this review.

Oh yes do the shoot out!

Kevin_Duke

[quote=mugwump58;272654]
I want to know what's the valve adjustment interval, what't the real world mileage estimates and how much power does the alternator put out.
quote]

Dunno about the alternator, but it has 7500-mile service intervals.

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SpeedwayRN

Yep down on power. On the Honda website they tout two up touring on this bike..... Put an aftermarket pipe on it, remap the ecu and you will start to lose MPG and then that gas tank will start looking very small. 7500 valve intervals??? How does Yamaha do 26,000 mile valve intervals??? A 32 in seat hieght? Maybe this is one of those bikes that looks and feels and fits better in person than on the spec sheet.....
I may have to pay more if Ducati would come out with a non-computerfied 796 or 848 down sized Multistrada.....

Kevin_Duke

A lower seat height here.

I bet they'll be a Multistrada with the 848 SF engine in about a year.

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"The trouble with the world is that the Stupid are c0cksure and the Intelligent are full of doubt." -Bertrand Russell

SpeedwayRN

Well I hope your right! I certainly expect one.... Ducati has been asleep in the 800cc adventure market. BMW and Triumph have blown by them.
As far as I can tell the lower seat hieght S is not going to be here in the US