2016 Honda VFR1200X Announced for US

Tom Roderick
by Tom Roderick

Updated CB500X and NC700X also announced

Already popular in Europe, the Honda VFR1200X receives important updates for 2016 and will now be available to American customers, joining the previously announced 2016 CRF1000L Africa Twin. Honda also announced that the NC700X and CB500X receive aggressive new styling for 2016, and that the U.S. debut for all four 2016 Honda adventure models will be at the November 20–22 International Motorcycle Shows stop in Long Beach, California.

“We’re very excited to offer such a well-rounded offering of adventure-touring models in the U.S. for 2016,” said Lee Edmunds, Manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications at American Honda. “The introduction of the VFR1200X to North America follows on the incredible reception of the Africa Twin. With the NC700X and CB500X also set to get important updates for 2016, Honda has a model to suit the needs of any adventure-touring enthusiast.”

The VFR1200X is powered by a 1,237cc V4 engine and is available with a standard gearbox or Honda’s six-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT); both versions feature Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), combined ABS brakes and shaft drive. The bike rolls on 19- and 17-inch wheels front/rear, respectively, suspended by an inverted 43mm fork and single-sided swingarm. Other features include a one-hand-adjustable windscreen, handguards and an accessory socket to charge smart phones or power heated vests. Price has yet to be determined, but the VFR1200X is available only in Pearl Black and will be available May, 2016.

2016 Honda NC700X

The NC700X receives aggressive, new styling for 2016, making for adventure-ready look. Honda released a couple of teaser images but we’ve increased the brightness to show a bit more detail:

A 70mm higher windscreen reduces fatigue when riding at high speeds, and the new, smaller muffler has an improved sound and is lighter in weight. Luggage capacity has been increased more than .25 gallons to 5.8, and the taillight is now LED. The NC700X is offered with standard and automatic DCT transmissions, and for 2016, the DCT version now has three different sport-mode settings in addition to the standard mode, enabling riders to select shift points that suit riding style of preference. Unfortunately, it looks like American customers will continue to get the 670cc parallel-Twin engine instead of the 745cc engine introduced in other markets in 2013, making it the NC750X.

The 2016 Honda NC700X/NC750X will make its world debut during the Tokyo Motor Show at month’s end.

2016 Honda CB500X

For 2016, the CB500X receives a new LED headlight and taillight like its CBR500R sibling, as well as a taller windscreen and a hinged fuel cap. The fork now has external preload adjusters, while the front brake lever can be adjusted to fit different hand-sizes. Finally, changes to the transmission make for smoother-feeling gear changes. Like the NC700X, the updated CB500X will be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show (where it will be shown as the CB400X to fit into Japan’s sub-400cc licensing category.)

As with the NC700X, Honda released a fairly dark teaser image for the CB500X. We’ve brightened the image up as well:

Tom Roderick
Tom Roderick

A former Motorcycle.com staffer who has gone on to greener pastures, Tom Roderick still can't get the motorcycle bug out of his system. And honestly, we still miss having him around. Tom is now a regular freelance writer and tester for Motorcycle.com when his schedule allows, and his experience, riding ability, writing talent, and quick wit are still a joy to have – even if we don't get to experience it as much as we used to.

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  • BlueAlgon BlueAlgon on Oct 26, 2015

    I agree that this is a marketing ploy that has nothing to do with real world practicality.
    250 kg adventure bikes?....please... Have you watched Long Way Round? They rode the big BMW "adventure" bikes and had tough times pushing them...pulling them out of the bogs, rivers, and mud.
    I find it amusing that on a continent with speed limits of (mostly) 60 mph (100 km/h) or so, the marketers successfully push big-engine bikes. I can understand it in Germany, where in places the speed limit is unlimited. I guess some people find it worthy to spend big bucks for a heavy bike, plus much more for insurance and gas, to get to the next red light (or a speed ticket) 10 seconds faster.
    One thing I like about these big engines, though: they have more cylinders and seem to be wonderfully smooth and quiet (but that can be in a lighter and cheaper 900cc package). My single cylinder engine can get buzzy sometimes...
    When I go for a ride out in the country, following unpaved roads, I wonder how
    would a 1200cc adventure bike improve the riding experience. 80 (or more) extra HP
    when one cannot go fast anyway? And when I park my 160 kg bike on a "parking lot" by a forest that resembles more a battlefield, I wonder how I would manipulate a heavy bike to turn around there and get out. Oh well...

  • Treeman Treeman on Feb 14, 2016

    I'm still waiting for the Silverwing replacement. If it doesn't happen soon, then a Burgman 650 it will be!

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