2016 Honda NC700X DCT ABS

The 2016 Honda NC700X is a quality machine made for daily use. It's an economical all-around commuter bike. Not excessively flashy or super loud or extra fast. It's sleek styling and definitive lines make a sophisticated statement. On the street, it definitely turns heads.

This bike ... was designed for taller riders who like to ride sitting upright. At a motorcycle show I sat on a lot of bikes an only three fit my six foot frame comfortably; the Ducati Mamultistrada, the BMW 1200GS and the Honda NC700X. Price wise, the Ducati costs more than my car, the BMW was within reach but the Honda was the most affordable. At less than $8K ($8.5K ABS/DCT) this bike won't break the bank.

Its 670cc engine give plenty of torque with power to spare. It won't beat a Ninja 1000x off the line or power over more hills than a dirt bike but throw on the right tires and it can keep up with both. And like "the tortoise and the hare", this bike will keep going when the others have to stop for gas.

Braking is smooth and efficient. It handles like a dream on straits and twisties. Most riders fall into one of three categories - Racers, cruisers or motocross and thats the rub. This bike not aggressive enough for racers, not rugged enough for motocross and not nearly loud enough for cruisers. This bike is a little bit of each but not enough of any to make those types happy, which is probably why it gets such bad reviews.

Even among its peers, the NC700X stands out. With its 22-liter front mounted trunk (known as a "Frunk"), you can leave your helmet in (yes, "in" not "on") your bike or carry stuff without a backpack or expensive panniers. With the gas tank under your passenger seat, it helps lower your center of gravity to keep the bike upright. No other bike does this.

It also comes in two versions; standard and ABS/DCT. I own the latter and having a bike without a clutch is a blast. It takes a minute to get used to not having a clutch lever and shifter but its great at stoplights. Most riders down an automatic bike as not being a "real motorcycle" because the computer controls the shifts. With a regular mode, three sport modes, and the ability to switch to manual mode if I need, I don't miss the stalls, missed shifts or red lining when I'm in traffic. ABS is just icing on the cake.

The only real issues I've found with this bike out of the box were the seat and the windshield. The seat is as hard as a rock. An hour on this bike would have the tin man asking for a pillow. Due to the upright riding position the windshield pushes all the wind into your chest, which turns into a real problem on an open highway. The faster you go, the more it kills any aerodynamics of the bike. I've found that these are the two biggest mods that most owners make on their bikes. Not a deal breaker but who doesn't mod their bike anyway?

As a fairly new rider, I've found that I can have fun on this bike without so much power that I'll easily lose control. I can look cool knowing that I haven't spent my last penny. And I can be practical while still feeling like a rebel. Maintenance is minimal so I spend more time on the road than in the garage. The NC700X is truly an under rated by those who don't understand it's purpose.