Buying a "new to me" Honda NT700 Today? Would you?

[TonyKZ1]

I'm curious about this question and of course I don't mean any disrespect to the people that own them now.
I'm buying my next bike, if you were in my shoes (boots), would you buy a Honda NT700 today? Being they were only brought over to the U.S. for 2010, 2011. So there's limited new and used parts availability. Being a shaft drive, that usually lasts a long time but when it fails where would you find a replacement drive train or parts? Some say with proper maintenance they'll last forever.

Considering the bikes I've had, which have been standards or sport bikes. For the last 10 years - a 1997 Yamaha Seca II XJ600s (sold here from 1992-1998 'til 2003 elsewhere), I could still find new/used parts on eBay and other parts vendors (although they were getting harder to find) and buy new sprockets and chains, as well as tires from parts vendors without any problems. Valve clearance checks/adjusts while not easy being shim over bucket, it only took an hour or two. Since it wasn't a fully faired bike, it didn't take 6+ hours as I've read the NT700 can.

So I'm just curious as I've found a low-mileage one semi-locally, within a hour or two away, and he's wanting what seems to be a high price for it compared to other bikes of similar ages. Also I realize when these were new, they were an expensive sport touring bike, so their used prices could possibly be more than similar year bikes.
I do most of the bike's needed maintenance myself. I mainly use my motorcycle for commuting and occasional weekend day rides.
Anyhow, Thanks for your comments.

 

[junglejim]

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder for sure here. I wouldn’t buy another NT. Not because they aren’t great bikes - they are great. But the more modern bikes have much to offer for your money. You can get better performance with less weight and more features than what the NT has. Sure, you can add farkles to a NT, but you can’t subtract weight. It’s your money. Put it wherever you want. And have fun doing it.

 

[NewTo700V]

I would not recommend one today. The large luggage lids a must IMO and were still available just a few years ago, have all been bought. If you do find a NT with large lids already installed, better hope you never drop it. The joys of integrated luggage/bodywork. The latch system while functional has a lot of tiny components and can be fiddly. You have to be on your best behavior with the lids when closing, treat them with kid gloves. Quite the contrast to rugged detachable panniers Givi, Shad etc. you'd find on other bikes that you could toss around the garage. The majority of black plastic bodywork is prone to sun bleaching. Bike is underpowered for its weight class as a "touring bike". Dressed like an ST but with the giddy-up of a Shadow 750.

You probably wouldn't have any issues with the drive train, just expect rubber stuff like oil seals to age out with time.

 

[ARKNT]

Bikes are for having fun. If a new to you would make you smile go for it.
Downside would be age and possible problems getting needed parts (plastic pops into my mind here).
If it brings enjoyment get it. Me personally, no. I traded mine for the 650 Versys I have now.

Arknt

 

[mikesim]

I have enjoyed every mile that Traveller has given me so far and I look to more miles in the future. However, hindsight being 20-20 knowing the pitfalls going in, I don't think I would buy the NT again. The pannier latches have been troublesome and the black plastic degradation is annoying but I still love the bike.

Mike

 

[ett]

Knowing what I now know about the integrated saddlebags failings.
I would only buy a used NT if it were in mint condition and very low miles.

 

[Warren]

I had my 2010 NT for 9 years as my daily rider. It served me well. I traded it in on something smaller and lighter. So would I buy another one today. The answer is no. Knowing what I know now I would have looked at a few more options back then before buying the NT. Frankly it was just a bigger bike all around than what I needed and for a 5’7” guy more than I was comfortable with. I also found with all the plastics doing my own maintenance was a hassle in particular as I was living in an apartment and only had the parking lot as a place to work on it.

 

[dnktng]

If I needed an all year commuter that provided winter rain and cold protection I'd consider another. It really was a great commuter bike that had enough room to pack for a 12 hour workday and a change of clothes and not worry about the weather 14 hours after going to work.

 

[cliffh]

Any "new" bike that fits my needs is way north of $10,000, so considering that, the NT700 at a fair price makes sense to me.

I fully understand the reasoning that the plastic body work is a serious problem if you drop the bike, or wreck it, but that aside, I find the bike perfect for me. I accept the fact that a fall could end me riding the bike, but at 75, I think what happens to the bike would be the least of my problems

Besides, I could part out the undamaged parts and get a good chunk of change back.

Cliff

 

[JQL]

Having travelled 123,990 miles (199,500 km) on a Honda NT700VA I can honestly say that a bike that's been serviced by the book and properly looked after will always be a good buy.

But, as the NT700V hasn't been in production since 2011-ish, the chances of finding a good one are not high. As there is a lot of plastic on the NT700, I probably won't buy another because it is becoming much harder to source plastic parts at reasonable prices.

Personally, I'd go for an older Royal Enfield, classic style or a bike with very little or no plastic. When my FJR (a lot of plastic) becomes too heavy for me, that's the route I'll be taking.

 

[NoNTnow]

I would not buy another without a sixth gear and twenty more horsepower. That was a common statement back in the early days and I still agree with it. If I had bought my Suzuki V-Strom first I would not have bought my NT. Shaft drive is not a big enough benefit to compensate for the NT's foibles to me.

 

[Phil Tarman]

I bought my first NT in March of 2010 after riding a pair of C-10 Concours for a total of 160K miles between '99 and '10. After I realized that the tire pressures were low and got them pumped up, I was in love with the NT. I did an Iron Butt Association certificate ride on the last day of April--1st of May in '10. My Saddle Sore 1000, was the first-ever IBA done on an NT in the whole Western Hemisphere (Woo-Hoo!!).

I rode that bike for 139K miles until trading it for another Forum members almost identical bike that only had 20K miles on it. I've got a backup pair of black big lids that I found from CSM in Holland. Black goes well with the Silver NT like mine, I've got heated grips, LED headlights and driving lights, an electronic cruise control from Motorcycle Cruise in Australia, a Russell Sport saddle, the Honda undercowl and wind deflectors. I haven't ridden much since I bought it because my wife developed Alzheimer's and then died a year ago in September. I've only ridden once since she died and need to either get back to riding or sell the bike. I've been perfectly happy with the bikes power and performance and I think the five-speed transmission is perfectly matched to its engine.

I've done other Iron Butt rides, including a 2nd SS1K and a Butt Burner Gold (1500 miles in 24 hours). In '13, I took my "Epic Post-Retirement Ride to Alaska, the Four Corners of the US, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador." That was an 80-day, 21K mile trip.

That all said, If I were buying a different bike today, I'd probably look for something with more of the modern safety features. Unless, I found an NT equipped like mine with low mileage and a good price.

 

[ST1100Y]

Dunno, riding an ST1100 I searched a touring motorcycle for my GF (having to observe her on that tiny Kawa ER-5 was pitiful...)...
Found the used '07 NT700VA with 22k on the clock, she took it for a test-spin, liked it, can't get her off it anymore, 50k on it now...
Sure, I've to do the service & works on it... but its a Honda, hence quality, durability, parts are avail, outstanding brakes, straightforward working on it...
(yeah, not quite as service friendly as an ST1100, but manageable...)
And I trust that NT will carry her behind me on our tours trough Norway or Scotland and back...
Sure, being a V-2 only it might not have that afterburner-pull from 1200rpm onward... but she handles well up to 100mph...

 

[mikesim]

I really find it hard to find fault with the NT after so many miles of reliable service. Just a few niggles here and there and it's hard to betray the bike for those few faults. Kinda' like your wife burning the roast now and then.....



Mike

 

[Chucksklrst]

The NT700 is a very good bike and as stated it will last forever with proper maintenance. I had my 2010 for four years and 43000 miles. It shared a garage with my ST1300 also. One thing I could never get used to was the Honda V-Twin engine pulses, but that might be because I was used to the smoothness of my ST1300. Also the NT did not have the roll on power that I was accustom to with the ST. I called my NT my Little ST700 because of the similarity of styling. My ST1300 was getting up in age, 12 years and 135000 miles, I had a neighbor who offered me an exceptional price for my NT. So the NT went to him and the ST1300 was traded in for a New 2014 FJR. almost 10 yeas now with the FJR and no regrets at all. The FJR is a cumulation of my old ST1100, NT700, and my ST1300. all rolled into one. With all this said if one is wanting to get into the Sport Touring world for the first time and wants a shaft drive, the NT is the bike to begin with. Inexpensive, dependable, heavy and comfortable enough for the long distance light enough for easy manageability, and very good road manners. Best of all I met some great people while owning the NT700 on this forum and at the NT events.

 

[ADK Jim]

Well, I'll add my two cents worth too. First, this bunch called the "NT-Owners" group is the most amazing bunch of folks you'll ever meet on the web! Have a problem (as I did yesterday and someone jumps in and lends a hand - gives one hope about our humanity - thanks Chris!)
Regarding the bike. I had looked for a long time for my 2010 NT and was happy to pay for a used one because I wanted a smaller touring motorcycle that had a shaft drive, I liked the looks of the built in panniers, and wasn't too big - I am about 135 pounds and 5' 6". Yes, it has its problems - pannier lid latches, and plastic - but all the modern bikes have plastic and there are solutions for these problems. Once fixed, they haven't given me any worries on long rides. It isn't that hard to maintain and work on, even for "junior sidewalk" mechanics like me. It isn't the fastest bike, but with the farkles I have added - heated grips, cruise control, air horn, 2 sets of driving lights, taller windshield, Russell seat, etc., I think I have the better part of a really nice BMW while still having the reliability of a Honda. I'be done lots of long distance rides - like the Lincoln Highway, 3 Iron Butt Rides, the latest in May of Coast to Coast (FL to CA) in under 50 hours on the bike and I enjoy the ride. I am one of the "seniors" on the forum and have looked at all sorts of replacement bikes over the years - FJR, BMW, Goldwing, and still don't think I have found a suitable replacement. So, I keep turning wrenches from time to time and the bike keeps on running. I even pull a small camping trailer I built behind it and it never complains. So, I say go for it. You will find it just a good all around ride.
Enjoy!

 

[NewTo700V]

The NT's liquid cooled, fuel injected, offset crankpin 52 degree V-twin with shaft drive is a fine drivetrain. But in the end I found the lack of grunt too hard to ignore and moved on to a different ride.


If only I hadn't been prejudiced against a certain class of motorcycle, I would have learned long before I got the NT that there existed a liquid cooled Honda with fuel injection, offset crankpin 52 degree V-twin with shaft drive that makes plenty more grunt. Some +40hp and +60lb ft of torque more than the NT.

Well, I corrected for my prejudice and now happily eating crow. 60-80mph roll-ons are quicker than you can say "Soichiro". Despite being older than the NT, it's aging far better due to lack of plastics. Yes it's considerably heavier, the fuel range is not good, cornering clearance is worse, and there's no built in luggage. But at my height I find the much lower seat height easier to manage than the NT. Other than a little extra "umph" heaving off the side stand, low speed maneuvering is incredibly easy. Speeds where the NT bars felt like dual weilding Dremels, 85mph in fifth is incredibly smooth, and it's still pulling hard with a slight throttle twist. Most importantly, it's the most comfortable bike I've ever owned. Not that the NT isn't comfortable, but the leg room on this behemoth is luxurious and better than a 'Wing. Hours upon hours in the saddle with knees never burning. I may at some point grab a standard or something to rip around on, but right now cruisers that hustle along with authority has become my favorite class of bike.

 

[Coyote Chris]

I would not buy one for touring at this time in my life. (75) If money is an issue and you want to work on your own bike and use it for commuting and weekend rides, and it speaks to you and you dont hate its short comings, go for it if you can find a nice one. I looked at a new /left over NT for years but could not live with the small lids. Then I found this forum, and the fact that I could import real lids for $500, and I bought one. The vibration level really wasnt that bad and the lack of power wasnt that bad and the crank position sensor bugaboo, If you knew that was the issue, wouldnt leave you dead by the side of the road and wasnt that bad to replace. Frosty and I developed a technique for opening and closing the lids that made the latches last longer but I still marked a place that if I had to, I could on a tour drill a hole and manually release the port latch. But time marched on and I discovered a leftover 2014 FJR for $13,800 which was fine but I was younger and wouldnt buy one today. I love my 2017 leftover Wee strom and especially my left over 2015 VFR. One year, at the rally, I rode Yoda's Honda 500. It felt light, it was very smooth and handled well, and had all the power I would need today. A bigger problem for me is that the Pacific NW climate has changed dramatically over the last 10 years....hot and dry...and smokey.....so the actual amount of riding I do is curtailed. I dont even really need two bikes at this point let alone 3. But if I needed to go out and buy a used bike, I would be looking at a Honda 500 or a Wee strom.

 

[mikesim]

The NT's liquid cooled, fuel injected, offset crankpin 52 degree V-twin with shaft drive is a fine drivetrain. But in the end I found the lack of grunt too hard to ignore and moved on to a different ride.


If only I hadn't been prejudiced against a certain class of motorcycle, I would have learned long before I got the NT that there existed a liquid cooled Honda with fuel injection, offset crankpin 52 degree V-twin with shaft drive that makes plenty more grunt. Some +40hp and +60lb ft of torque more than the NT.

Well, I corrected for my prejudice and now happily eating crow. 60-80mph roll-ons are quicker than you can say "Soichiro". Despite being older than the NT, it's aging far better due to lack of plastics. Yes it's considerably heavier, the fuel range is not good, cornering clearance is worse, and there's no built in luggage. But at my height I find the much lower seat height easier to manage than the NT. Other than a little extra "umph" heaving off the side stand, low speed maneuvering is incredibly easy. Speeds where the NT bars felt like dual weilding Dremels, 85mph in fifth is incredibly smooth, and it's still pulling hard with a slight throttle twist. Most importantly, it's the most comfortable bike I've ever owned. Not that the NT isn't comfortable, but the leg room on this behemoth is luxurious and better than a 'Wing. Hours upon hours in the saddle with knees never burning. I may at some point grab a standard or something to rip around on, but right now cruisers that hustle along with authority has become my favorite class of bike.

What, pray tell is the magical Honda of which you speak?Mike

 

[NewTo700V]

What, pray tell is the magical Honda of which you speak?Mike

Their largest ever motorcycle engine that isn't a flat-6. Was offered in 1/2 dozen+ trim levels, so something out there for any taste. Prices on the used market for the 1800 is comparable to what you'd pay for similar condition NTs.