Honda‘s work developing its second-generation dual clutch transmission appears to be paying off, at least in Europe. According to Honda, customers have purchased more than 12,500 units with DCT since the technology was first made available on a production motorcycle with the VFR1200F in 2010.

The Japanese manufacturer now offers four models in Europe with optional DCT: the VFR1200F, the NC700X, the NC700S, and the Crosstourer. Honda also produces the Integra scooter (which shares the same platform as the NC models) but it is only available with DCT as standard. But for the models where Honda offers a choice, more and more consumers are choosing to go with the DCT system. Continue Reading »

Honda will display a number of new motorcycles at the upcoming Osaka Motorcycle Show and Tokyo Motorcycle Show in addition to a new 400cc version of its 500-series models. Honda describes the new motorcycles as exhibition models or models planned for production.

The new models include the previously announced-for-North America CTX700 and CTX700N, and the Thailand-bound CRF250M motard (pictured above). The CTX700N and the cowled CTX700 will launch first in the U.S. The CRF250M has not been confirmed for the U.S. however, though it wouldn’t be a surprise if Honda did introduce this motard version of the CRF250L.

Other announced models are less likely to arrive in the U.S. Read more about them after the jump. Continue Reading »

Honda pulled the covers off a new streetbike series aimed at younger, shorter riders. The Honda CTX700 represents the first in a new series from Honda combining the three tenets of Comfort, Technology and Experience. It’s a platform “specifically engineered to make motorcycling more approachable, affordable and fun than ever before.”

Our own Troy Siahaan is at the CTX700 models’ launch in Chicago and will have a full first-hand report next week, but for now here’s a quick look at Honda’s new streetbikes.

The Honda CTX700 and CTX700N are powered by the 670cc parallel-Twin engine introduced in the NC series and are available with Honda’s second-generation dual-clutch transmission (DCT) technology. DCT is standard on the 700N and optional on the NC700. Both will be available with ABS on the DCT versions, but not on the standard transmission models. Vertically challenged riders will appreciate the CTX’s low seat of just 28.3 inches.

The CTX700N (pictured above) is the naked version, sharing a similar front end as the NC700S. The CTX700 adds a fairing and windscreen to make it better equipped for longer trips. It’s somewhat reminiscent of the ill-fated DN-01 but looks, thankfully, more subdued.

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