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 »

As we expected, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall on the 2012 Honda NC700X. The recall announcement comes a week after the NC700X and the NC700S were recalled in Canada.

As with the Transport Canada recall, the problem is a lack of proper heat treatment on the Honda NC700X’s  drive chain. The outer plates on some chains did not get the right heat treatment and, as a result, the plate may exceed its hardness limits and may fracture during use.

According to documents released by NHTSA, Honda received its first report of an NC700 model’s drive chain breaking on March 27 in Belgium. Honda sent the chain from the initial claim to supplier RK and in investigation was opened. Meanwhile, more reports came in to Honda’s subsidiaries in Germany, Spain, France and the U.K. Continue Reading »

Honda announced it is following up on its NC700 series with a new large-sized model, with sales expected to begin in North America in 2013. Honda first announced plans for its NC700 models in at the 2010 EICMA show with a concept it called the “New Mid“, so it really shouldn’t be a surprise Honda would follow it up with a “New Large” series.

The new models were announced in a presentation by Honda Chief Executive Officer Takanobu Ito alongside plans to develop a new MotoGP-derived sportbike. The larger NC models won’t be nearly as exotic as the new V4 sportbike, but more of an extension of the NC700 series’ philosophy of a practical, efficient motorcycle.

Like the NC700 series, Ito says the new models will be designed for daily commuting and weekend touring. Ito also says the new models will also offer low seat heights and “torqueful” engines with a focus on ease of handling and comfort with high stability in maneuvering. Continue Reading »

There are no plans yet to bring either model to the U.S., but Honda is bringing its new NC700S and NC700X models to Canada for the summer of 2012. American Honda will however, likely be keeping a close eye on how the new models do with its northern neighbor (or perhaps “neighbour”) before deciding whether to import the NC700 models stateside.

Making their North American debuts at the 2011 Toronto Motorcycle Show, the naked standard NC700S and the more adventure-touring styled NC700X represent a new product family for Honda, sharing the same frame and 670cc parallel Twin engine with each other and the Honda Integra scooter-motorcycle crossover (speaking of which, there are no plans for the Integra to come to either the U.S. or Canada yet). Canadian pricing is still to be determined, but Honda tells us they are aiming for a sub-$9000 (Canadian) MSRP. Continue Reading »

American Honda has not included the recently revealed NC700S and NC700X models in its 2012 list of offerings, but it looks like the two motorcycles will be available in Canada.

Honda Canada has not made an official announcement but a dealership in Kelowna, B.C., has published a press release that appears to have come directly from Honda Canada saying the two models will be available in Canada in the summer of 2012.

(EDIT: Honda Canada has confirmed the NC700 models will be at the Toronto Motorcycle Show Dec. 9-11 for what will be the North American debut for the two models.)

Honda unveiled NC700S standard and NC700X adventure bike debuted earlier this month at the 2011 EICMA show in Milan, but were absent from a list of 2012 models announced by American Honda. That doesn’t mean they won’t  still be announced at a later date however. Continue Reading »

The two-wheeled orgasm that is EICMA is over, and now comes the waiting for the sexy new machines on display to arrive. You’ve seen our EICMA 2011 coverage (and if you haven’t yet, tsk, tsk!), read the juicy details and gazed longingly at the photographs. But how do these new models look in motion?

While we still have a little while to wait before seeing these new motorcycles (and scooters!) up close, the manufacturers have released some promotional videos to show off their new models. We’ve compiled a number of these videos and created a top 10 list of new bikes from EICMA 2011. Continue Reading »

Alongside the Honda NC700S at EICMA comes the NC700X, a “crossover” model with better off-road capability.

Like the NC700S, the 2012 Honda NC700X is powered by Honda’s new 670cc parallel Twin engine. Honda designed the engine to be highly efficient, with optimal performance at speeds up to 87 mph and the engine revving up to 6000 rpm, a range Honda’s research found accounts for 90% of an average commuter’s uses. The NC700X’s engine has been tuned to offer more power and torque than the NC700S, with Honda claiming 51 hp at 6250 rpm 45.7 ft-lb. at 4750 rpm (compared to the NC700S’ 46.9 hp at 6250 rpm and 44.3 ft-lb. at 4750 rpm figures. Like the NC700S, Honda claims the NC700X gets 63.5 mpg, enough for a range of 235 miles.

Like the NC700S, the Honda NC700X will be available with or without a dual clutch transmission system and combined ABS.

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Honda unveiled a new mid-sized naked standard using the 670cc parallel Twin engine and second-generation dual-clutch transmission.

The new Honda NC700S is powered by the same 670cc Twin engine as the Integra motorcycle/scooter crossover and the NC700X. Designed to be lightweight and fuel-efficient, Honda claims an output of 46.9 hp at 6250 rpm and 44.3 ft-lb. at 4750 rpm, while getting 63.5 mpg. With a 3.7 gallon tank, the NC700S should get a range of about 235 miles on a full tank of gas.

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Honda has released specifications and new photographs of its new 670cc Integra motorcycle/scooter crossover which will make its public debut at the 2011 EICMA show in Milan. While the hybrid model may not be for everyone, the engine details are important as Honda has announced it will also debut two additional models at EICMA using the same power plant.

The 2012 Honda Integra, named according to Honda for integrating “the ease of use of a scooter with the dynamic performance of a motorcycle”, uses an all new 670cc parallel Twin engine with a second generation version of Honda’s dual clutch transmission.

Honda claims an output of 51.1 hp at 6250 rpm and 45.7 ft-lb. at 4750 rpm from the new engine. Honda also claims a fuel efficiency of 65.7 mpg thanks to a reduction in friction and a small number of moving parts. The cylinders, for example, are offset to reduce the friction of the piston against the cylinder wall. The balance shaft does double duty, also driving the oil pump while the camshaft also drives the water pump. Combined with the 3.7 gallon fuel tank, Honda claims a range of 250 miles between fill-ups.

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Ed: Honda has recently announced the new Integra engine will be a 670cc engine, not 700cc as previously announced. This post has been updated to reflect this new information.

Honda announced it is developing a new series of 700cc 670cc engines and a second-generation dual clutch transmission for motorcycles. The new engine and transmission will be introduced with the production version of Honda’s New-Mid concept as the Honda Integra scooter.Yes, Honda has officially run out of names and is now recycling them from its cars.

Based on the New-Mid concept unveiled at the 2010 EICMA show in Milan, the Honda Integra is the latest in Honda’s attempt at a scooter/motorcycle crossover (anyone remember the DN-01?). The styling looks like a maxi-scooter but the large wheels, frame, engine position and the fact the rider straddles the Integra are what you’d find on a motorcycle. The Integra, along with two other models using the same new engine, will be displayed at the 2011 EICMA show in November.

Continue Reading »