Weird bike.
It's kinda nice that they seem to kindasorta be looking at the "commuter" displacement bikes again.  but that bike is sorta like the 50% solution all over.

20 years more modern design.. but it's HEAVIER?
It has basically the *same* mpg as our GS500? (I get 56mpg all the time)

and while I kinda like most of the styling.. the stupid dinky windscreen and raised bars, makes it look like a dualsport. arg.

Lets do a comparison here between these 3 "parallel twin" bikes.

GS500:   430?lbs   55mpg        30lbft (47hp)
honda:   480lbs     58mpg         44lbft (47hp)  $8000   (6500 rpm redline??!!)
800st     461lbs     55-ishmpg  63lbft (80hp) $10000   (8500 rpm redline)


yeaaaaahhhno. The honda makes no sense to me. If I was spending $8000, I'd pony up the extra $2k and buy the bmw 800st instead. better performance, and proven design.

If they were really going primarily after "fuel efficiency", I would expect something in the 60+mpg range, for all the bizzare rpm limiting they did.
I'd say it was an engineering fail. Shame on you, honda. You should be able to do better.

Here's where I got the info on the bike...

Ash on Bikes ~ NC700X

And here is a quote from that story...

Quote...That's why it can be efficient, why Honda says it achieves 80mpg on the standard motorcycle cycle, and why on my own test, which included some flat out riding (indicated top speed is 115mph, 185kph), back-and-forth photo shoots, fast cruising and a general mix taking no account of economy, it still managed 64mpg (22.7km/l, 4.41l/100km, 53mpg US). I would expect most riders with little effort to be rewarded with up to 70mpg (24.8km/l, 4.04l/100km, 58mpg US), which means the 3.1 gallon (14.1 litre, 3.7 gallons US) tank is good for a typical 220 miles (350km). Honda claims 78.8mpg (27.9km/l, 3.58l/100km, 65.6mpg US) on the standardised World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC), and this would certainly be achievable with a little rider effort...

I'm not quite sure why I'm defending this bike...I guess it just struck me as a nice updated replacement for the GS500...there are definitely better bikes out there...

Later.

If Suzuki update the bike with style changes and efi, and it would whoop this Honda.

Quote from: aussiegs on January 20, 2012, 08:31:56 PM
If Suzuki update the bike with style changes and efi, and it would whoop this Honda.

I don't know why, but I envision something light weight, kind of sporty, fair sized gas tank, and around a 400cc IL4 with water cooling and FI.  Basically gs500 size and style with a few modern improvements.  I bet it would be a blast to ride and get fantastic mileage.  I know for fact our 600 sportbike ridden normally gets just shy of 50mpg.  I would think a 400 could easily put out 60hp.

Quote from: madjak30 on January 20, 2012, 08:07:13 PM

And here is a quote from that story...

Quote... Honda claims... 65.6mpg US) ...

Okay, THATs more like it. Thanks for pulling out that tidbit of information.
Still a little underwhelming., since,  seems like with redline of 6500 rpm, all that torque wouldnt do you much good, if you have to shift it  every .5 seconds of actually trying to use it   But maybe someone who gets to actually ride it, could share more.

Do you actually start using the gears "normally" at 2,000 rpm instead of 3500 like on a normal bike or something, I wonder?
That would bring more sanity into the picture.

(Still hate the windscreen thou   )

Quote from: Phil B on January 20, 2012, 10:45:08 PM
Do you actually start using the gears "normally" at 2,000 rpm instead of 3500 like on a normal bike or something, I wonder?
That would bring more sanity into the picture.

Ayup, that be it. As much torque @2k rpm, as a cbr @4k rpm

(erm... and MORE torque @4k, than a cbr600 @8k?? !!)

Would be "interesting" to test ride.


From the article; the new bike is the 'red line' set.



Looks better in red, too.

Quote from: madjak30 on January 20, 2012, 08:07:13 PM

I'm not quite sure why I'm defending this bike...I guess it just struck me as a nice updated replacement for the GS500...there are definitely better bikes out there...

Yes, I agree that Honda made better replacements 

Quote from: Phil B on January 20, 2012, 10:45:08 PM

Do you actually start using the gears "normally" at 2,000 rpm instead of 3500 like on a normal bike or something, I wonder?
That would bring more sanity into the picture.

You definitely notice more torque. When I had my Buell, I cruised around at 1500rpm all day long, and rarely had to take it over 2k. most of my fastest riding was done between 3-4krpm. There was no need to redline it like a normal sportbike. Considering I could come out of a turn at idle(1100rpm) and it would just chug away, there was no need to stress over it. That bike did have something crazy like 70ft/lbs though. Even still, it was almost 1000cc and still got 52mph, so I feel like it should be possible to get close to 80 with a 400cc bike.

Quote from: tt_four on January 20, 2012, 11:09:15 PM

Whoa! Where did they come up with this bike?
What do we have - Spiderman laying over it humping something?
What is that turd looking thing hanging of the tail end over the rear tire? Could it look any more out of place?
Is that a fireman's breathing mask on the front where the headlight should be?

What would you do with this thing?
1. ride fast so no one can recognize you on this butt fugley thing?
2. Pose with it and see if anyone guesses it is a motorcycle?
3. Stand proudly next to it bragging that you have so much money you can waste it on something so tasteless?
4. Say your 4 year old child designed it and the original drawing is on your refrigerator?
5. You went insane and this bike reminds you of your favorite Rorschach inkblot test picture.

Quote from: john on January 20, 2012, 10:13:54 PM

Quote from: aussiegs on January 20, 2012, 08:31:56 PM
If Suzuki update the bike with style changes and efi, and it would whoop this Honda.

I don't know why, but I envision something light weight, kind of sporty, fair sized gas tank, and around a 400cc IL4 with water cooling and FI.  Basically gs500 size and style with a few modern improvements.  I bet it would be a blast to ride and get fantastic mileage.  I know for fact our 600 sportbike ridden normally gets just shy of 50mpg.  I would think a 400 could easily put out 60hp.

You mean like this?
http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/Honda/2009_CB400/Honda_CB400_Review_Page1.htm

Quote from: tt_four on January 20, 2012, 11:09:15 PM

Quote from: madjak30 on January 20, 2012, 08:07:13 PM

I'm not quite sure why I'm defending this bike...I guess it just struck me as a nice updated replacement for the GS500...there are definitely better bikes out there...

Yes, I agree that Honda made better replacements 

Quote from: Phil B on January 20, 2012, 10:45:08 PM

Do you actually start using the gears "normally" at 2,000 rpm instead of 3500 like on a normal bike or something, I wonder?
That would bring more sanity into the picture.

You definitely notice more torque. When I had my Buell, I cruised around at 1500rpm all day long, and rarely had to take it over 2k. most of my fastest riding was done between 3-4krpm. There was no need to redline it like a normal sportbike. Considering I could come out of a turn at idle(1100rpm) and it would just chug away, there was no need to stress over it. That bike did have something crazy like 70ft/lbs though. Even still, it was almost 1000cc and still got 52mph, so I feel like it should be possible to get close to 80 with a 400cc bike.

The Buell lets you chug around at 1500rpm? I thought it would be similar to my Monster. It doesn't like to be under 3k otherwise it starts to lug. I agree with the redline. The only time I have heard mine hit the redline is when it was on the dyno to get the PC3 tuned. You don't need to hit redline when you have 70ft/lbs of torque attached to your right wrist.

Quote from: Twisted on January 21, 2012, 05:36:12 AM

Quote from: john on January 20, 2012, 10:13:54 PM

I don't know why, but I envision something light weight, kind of sporty, fair sized gas tank, and around a 400cc IL4 with water cooling and FI.  Basically gs500 size and style with a few modern improvements.  I bet it would be a blast to ride and get fantastic mileage.  I know for fact our 600 sportbike ridden normally gets just shy of 50mpg.  I would think a 400 could easily put out 60hp.

You mean like this?
http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/Honda/2009_CB400/Honda_CB400_Review_Page1.htm

Wow. stylewise, it's like honda stole a GS500 and slapped a honda badge on it
Right down to the rear grab bar!

(I'd want a  faired model thou. and.. erm.. $2000 off the price :-/  oh wait it's aussie dollars. but still.)

o hey.. they read my mind again 


It looks almost EXACTLY like my bikie, that has the side fairings removed!

Another (old) bike I've always had a soft spot for, is the kawasaki zr7. It fit's the same category as the gs, only larger. It's one of the bikes that actually got me interested in riding again after I had stopped for a few years. Someone who lived on my way home always had one parked infront of their house, and every time I'd go down that road I'd look forward to seeing it. It's a pretty decent bike for a commuter/standard. I thought about getting one, but of course the more I look around online the more and more I decided I needed something lighter and faster haha.

Quote from: adidasguy on January 21, 2012, 12:41:19 AM

What is that turd looking thing hanging of the tail end over the rear tire? Could it look any more out of place?

What would you do with this thing?

Just the fender they're legally required to have, that they know everyone is gonna yank off as soon as they buy the bike. Most people here do the same thing on the GS's fender, I've seen plenty of posts about it. Nice thing about the honda is you can remove it with a few allen keys, and not a dremel like you need for the GS500

I think I'd ride it around with a stupid grin on my face at the mind bending power you have available at the twist of your right wrist, all while being a super smooth and well running motorcycle?? I'd do a lot of wheelies too 

Quote from: Twisted on January 21, 2012, 05:38:58 AM


The Buell lets you chug around at 1500rpm?

Yup, the engine gets a little smoother once you're over 2500rpm, it still thumps a bit when you're that low, but no complaints from the bike. I bet it's even easier on an xb12 instead of my xb9. You barely even had to use the throttle to leave a redlight. I've stalled my yz426 a few times in traffic because I was so used to being lazy with the throttle haha.

(  I know what that thing sticking out the tail is. I was using a little thing called "satire" )

haha, I know, I should've emphasized "legally" a little more, as to agree that you think it's ugly, I think it's ugly, and I'm certain honda thought it was ugly, but it had to be there, so they designed the tail without it and just bolted it on there so it was as easy to remove as possible. It's nothing compared to the 5lb fender that came on my buell, and I couldn't even unbolt that one because it was cast into part of the tail. I had to get out the air cutter and the angle grinder, and repaint it all when i was done.

Yeah, the good old ZR7. I think that along with the ER5 are two bikes Kawasaki Should have kept making. Unfortunately, both are likes hens teeth down here. Either they sold bugger all of them - or - those who have them hold on to them until they have turned into a pile of rust.

600 Hornets are ok. Haven't ridden a naked one but did ride a faired one. Didn't like the faired one. Too noisey and too much heat coming onto my legs. Actually couldn't wait to get back onto my GS 

Would like to try a Suzuki Impulse but none available down here either. 400cc, water cooled, fuel injected. That's our upgraded GS500 right there....



Michael

I have seen a few Zephyr 750 on eBay going cheap.

Quote from: tt_four on January 20, 2012, 10:13:56 AM

Quote from: shonole on January 19, 2012, 08:20:25 PM

I'll see your 999 and raise you this:

That Desmosedici is a gorgeous bike. I'm still a little unsure about the Panigale. It looks good from some angles, awful from others.

Does this help? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mctqqAQ4eAE&feature=g-vrec&context=G21aa60bRVAAAAAAAADQ

Quote from: Twisted on January 22, 2012, 09:54:48 PM

Quote from: tt_four on January 20, 2012, 10:13:56 AM

Quote from: shonole on January 19, 2012, 08:20:25 PM

I'll see your 999 and raise you this:

That Desmosedici is a gorgeous bike. I'm still a little unsure about the Panigale. It looks good from some angles, awful from others.

Does this help? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mctqqAQ4eAE&feature=g-vrec&context=G21aa60bRVAAAAAAAADQ

Quote from: Twisted on January 22, 2012, 09:54:48 PM


Does this help? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mctqqAQ4eAE&feature=g-vrec&context=G21aa60bRVAAAAAAAADQ

Not as much as the video of the girl in the Toyota supra that popped up in the side bar haha

I don't know about a 500, but I'd love to find one of these 125's I saw in Berlin...
This looks like a lot of fun and very stylish, too!