Got to be honest with you guys

[the Ferret]

On day 1 and maybe day 2 of ownership I was thinking maybe I had made a mistake and should have kept my FJR.

Now after day 5 of riding and nearly 400 miles I'm starting to like this bike very much.

I don't care when and if it shifts quickly to get up to 6th. I've made up my mind not to "expect" it to shift when I would have normally shifted. To let it just "do it's thing". The DCT operation is flawless and other than shifting quickly when leaving a stop sign or stop light, once you get up to speed it works very well for the type of riding I do, which is country curvy roads with speed limits of 45 & 55 mph. My roads aren't terribly technical, more sweepery, lots of curves and S curves with elevation changes, so the trans really only fluctuates between 5th and 6th gear for the most part, and when I do get to a tighter curve or a sharp uphill/downhill curve, a tap on the - button puts it in 4th for pulling power. Amazing really. This is exactly what I was looking for out of this bike.

Once you get to a straight stretch my bike seems to really like 60-70 mph. The engine seems to smooth out, and it just hums along.

I've read where some of you said this is the smoothest bike you've ever ridden, but I don't find it nearly as smooth as my inline 4's or my V4. The 270 degree P twin throb just annoys me for some reason. I feel it when I ride my brothers T -120 Bonneville as well.... A constant throb. Suppose I will get used to it and learn to overlook it, but one thought I had riding today was what a wonderful bike the CB 1100 would be with this DCT trans. Smoother, faster, more torque. But then again the CB doesn't get 74 mpg lol, which I like a lot.

The intake/exhaust drone while accelerating is pretty intoxicating, reminding me of 4 barrel carbed V8's when I was in my late teens.

I'm enjoying the light weight, the good handling, and even the brakes don't feel too bad. I've quit reaching for the clutch, moving my foot over to shift, and I even hit the turn signals and the horns correctly for the fist time today without looking lol.

Today I must say, I really ENJOYED this motorcycle.

 

[670cc]

Ferret,
To your point, I also don’t consider the NC to be the smoothest bike I have ridden. I don’t particularly like the 270* throb, but I put up with it. My ST1100 was and GL1800 is definitely smoother running than the NC700X. The Zero DSR is even smoother than all of the above, as it has no reciprocating parts.

I’m glad you are enjoying your new NC750X.

 

[melensdad]

On day 1 and maybe day 2 of ownership I was thinking maybe I had made a mistake and should have kept my FJR.

Now after day 5 of riding and nearly 400 miles I'm starting to like this bike very much.

I don't care when and if it shifts quickly to get up to 6th. I've made up my mind not to "expect" it to shift when I would have normally shifted. To let it just "do it's thing". The DCT operation is flawless . . .

This is pretty much my take on it.

I just find it an easy and enjoyable bike to ride. It just works. It turns. It balances. It is easy. It feels light. I've talked to a few riders recently with big heavy cruisers and they seem to complain about not wanting to take their bike to the "....." because it is too much hassle for such a short ride. Me, I look for places to go so I can run errands with the bike.

 

[Deleted member 1183]

I DO care when mine shifts sometimes. Accordingly that is why I am constantly interfering with the little buttons that Honda supplied for the purpose.

Smooth ? As twins go it is smooth imho. I like the imitation of the 90degree Vee twin power pulses and I absolutely love that the NC motor is undersquare. I recall when I first read the specs for the motor, I knew even then that I would have to have one. I am on number two now and it is likely to be around for a long time.

 

[the Ferret]

I DO care when mine shifts sometimes. Accordingly that is why I am constantly interfering with the little buttons that Honda supplied for the purpose.

Understandable Griff and I guess that's exactly WHY Honda provided the little buttons, and the option of whether to use them or not.

 

[Lomunchi]

When I'm on the 55 mph curves like you show I keep it in S1 and it's a much smoother ride, shifting wise. Also on starts, it's a nicer ride but, I keep everything in D (eco) for my daily commute.
The up/down shift button is mighty handy for passing and pushing it out of curves though!!!!

 

[dduelin]

After my period of acclimation I pretty much settled on manually controlling downshifts and let it upshift itself the majority of time. It all really depends on the type of riding though. I use both Auto modes and Manual almost every ride. With just D and S modes I like the way it downshifts in D when coming to a full stop and like the way it upshifts in S when accelerating and thumb accordingly. In tighter corners of twisty roads S for sure and sometimes slip into Manual in long sweepers to hold a gear through the exit. Dirt roads usually call for Manual. Learning to optimize the DCT is part of the fun with this bike. It's not hugely powerful and requires some engagement from the rider to get the most out of it. When I read opinions that the automatic transmission takes control away from the rider I just shake my head. Mind you, a clutched manual bike does require some skill that a DCT bike doesn't but I've seen too many unskilled riders of all types to ever agree a clutch hand infers a higher level of riding skill.

I like the way the NC is different from the other bike or bikes in my stable and the modest output with the 270 cadence is part of the character I like about this bike. The low frequency pulsing vibration feels good to me except when the engine is laboring in D-selected Auto, usually 50-55ish mph in 6th. I'll thumb a downshift if the speed is momentary or thumb it to S if not. At highway speeds the things that matter to me like vibration in bars, seat, and pegs are pleasant and the mirrors are absolutely clear. In 50 + years of riding I've had singles, parallel and opposed twins, a triple, inline and vee 4s, and a flat six. All have their own character or lack of.

 

[dduelin]

On day 1 and maybe day 2 of ownership I was thinking maybe I had made a mistake and should have kept my FJR.

Now after day 5 of riding and nearly 400 miles I'm starting to like this bike very much.

I don't care when and if it shifts quickly to get up to 6th. I've made up my mind not to "expect" it to shift when I would have normally shifted. To let it just "do it's thing". The DCT operation is flawless and other than shifting quickly when leaving a stop sign or stop light, once you get up to speed it works very well for the type of riding I do, which is country curvy roads with speed limits of 45 & 55 mph. My roads aren't terribly technical, more sweepery, lots of curves and S curves with elevation changes, so the trans really only fluctuates between 5th and 6th gear for the most part, and when I do get to a tighter curve or a sharp uphill/downhill curve, a tap on the - button puts it in 4th for pulling power. Amazing really. This is exactly what I was looking for out of this bike.

Once you get to a straight stretch my bike seems to really like 60-70 mph. The engine seems to smooth out, and it just hums along.

I've read where some of you said this is the smoothest bike you've ever ridden, but I don't find it nearly as smooth as my inline 4's or my V4. The 270 degree P twin throb just annoys me for some reason. I feel it when I ride my brothers T -120 Bonneville as well.... A constant throb. Suppose I will get used to it and learn to overlook it, but one thought I had riding today was what a wonderful bike the CB 1100 would be with this DCT trans. Smoother, faster, more torque. But then again the CB doesn't get 74 mpg lol, which I like a lot.

The intake/exhaust drone while accelerating is pretty intoxicating, reminding me of 4 barrel carbed V8's when I was in my late teens.

I'm enjoying the light weight, the good handling, and even the brakes don't feel too bad. I've quit reaching for the clutch, moving my foot over to shift, and I even hit the turn signals and the horns correctly for the fist time today without looking lol.

Today I must say, I really ENJOYED this motorcycle.

I'm glad you like it better with a few miles behind you. I believe over the years a lot of riders with a round-the-block sort of test ride formed an unfavorable opinion of DCT and I've wondered how many of them might have later changed their mind if only they got to ride the bike some distance on roads familiar to them. I've heard similar comments as yours from other riders and from a close friend that bought a DCT Africa Twin largely on my suggestion (for the DCT option). My AT friend thought he made a bad choice for DCT until he put around 8000 miles on his. Later on that bike was in an accident and written off. When he was healed enough to buy another bike he went out and bought another AT DCT before he could actually ride again. He said it just sitting in the garage gave him motivation to give physical and occupational therapy his 100% effort.

 

[use2b]

Had to check back on you Ferret to see how you like it. I am on a hard look now for one that must be Red and a 6 speed. If you know where I can buy one now let me know. Love my 700x but life is short and i like new toys .

 

[670cc]

Had to check back on you Ferret to see how you like it. I am on a hard look now for one that must be Red and a 6 speed. If you know where I can buy one now let me know. Love my 700x but life is short and i like new toys .

Does “a 6 speed” mean a manual transmission? The DCT and manual are both 6 speed transmissions.

 

[use2b]

Does “a 6 speed” mean a manual transmission? The DCT and manual are both 6 speed transmissions.

yes a manual transmission is what i am looking for . I sent out emails to all local Honda dealers today and will call in the morning but really would like to get one on the way as soon as possible

 

[the Ferret]

Man did I get drenched riding it today lol. Had to strip in the garage. They said it wasn't going to rain until 1:00 ..... Left at 9:30 to run some errands and on my way home by 12:40 I was soaked lol.

 

[dduelin]

Weather protection isn't on par with a sport tourer but then it flows a lot more wind on these hot summer days.

 

[670cc]

Man did I get drenched riding it today lol. Had to strip in the garage. They said it wasn't going to rain until 1:00 ..... Left at 9:30 to run some errands and on my way home by 12:40 I was soaked lol.

On these hot days I often hope it will rain during my ride.

 

[the Ferret]

Weather protection isn't on par with a sport tourer but then it flows a lot more wind on these hot summer days.

At least with all that plastic it was easy to dry off lol. oh except for at the bottom of the windshield where you can't reach with your fingers.

 

[the Ferret]

On these hot days I often hope it will rain during my ride.

It was ccccold. I kept holding my breath so my chest wouldn't rub up against my wet t shirt. Mesh jacket and gloves doesn't stop much rain ha ha.

 

[dduelin]

At least with all that plastic it was easy to dry off lol. oh except for at the bottom of the windshield where you can't reach with your fingers.

Yes, the NC is a difficult bike to keep clean with lots of nooks and crannies for water to collect. The RT and Wing stay pretty clean with a can of spray polish and soft cloths but the NC is not so much.

 

[670cc]

On day 1 and maybe day 2 of ownership I was thinking maybe I had made a mistake and should have kept my FJR.

Now after day 5 of riding and nearly 400 miles I'm starting to like this bike very much.

I don't care when and if it shifts quickly to get up to 6th. I've made up my mind not to "expect" it to shift when I would have normally shifted. To let it just "do it's thing". The DCT operation is flawless and other than shifting quickly when leaving a stop sign or stop light, once you get up to speed it works very well for the type of riding I do, which is country curvy roads with speed limits of 45 & 55 mph. My roads aren't terribly technical, more sweepery, lots of curves and S curves with elevation changes, so the trans really only fluctuates between 5th and 6th gear for the most part, and when I do get to a tighter curve or a sharp uphill/downhill curve, a tap on the - button puts it in 4th for pulling power. Amazing really. This is exactly what I was looking for out of this bike.

Once you get to a straight stretch my bike seems to really like 60-70 mph. The engine seems to smooth out, and it just hums along.

I've read where some of you said this is the smoothest bike you've ever ridden, but I don't find it nearly as smooth as my inline 4's or my V4. The 270 degree P twin throb just annoys me for some reason. I feel it when I ride my brothers T -120 Bonneville as well.... A constant throb. Suppose I will get used to it and learn to overlook it, but one thought I had riding today was what a wonderful bike the CB 1100 would be with this DCT trans. Smoother, faster, more torque. But then again the CB doesn't get 74 mpg lol, which I like a lot.

The intake/exhaust drone while accelerating is pretty intoxicating, reminding me of 4 barrel carbed V8's when I was in my late teens.

I'm enjoying the light weight, the good handling, and even the brakes don't feel too bad. I've quit reaching for the clutch, moving my foot over to shift, and I even hit the turn signals and the horns correctly for the fist time today without looking lol.

Today I must say, I really ENJOYED this motorcycle.

So, looking at your instrument panel, I had a couple questions. What is the redline on your bike? I don't see it marked on the tach. Also, can the display show both the odometer and a trip meter at the same time (that seems like a basic feature that Honda doesn't always have a handle on)?

 

[the Ferret]

red line is a faint line starting at 7000 rpms. No it won't show Trip A or Trip B or Odo at the same time, you have to hit mode and then select up or select down to get to the various mileage cues

we also have 6 fuel blocks, not sure how many previous models have. I thought I remembered reading someone complaining about the number of blocks

 

[the Ferret]

I use Trip A for daily miles which I record ( the first part of today's ride was 37.8 miles as shown above, but I came home and I have dried off and the sun is shining, I'm about to go out again for another 15 or 20 miles.) and trip B for how many miles on that particular tank of gas. Twice now I have zeroed trip B when filling up and then toggle back to trip A and take off and it has zeroed as well.