I finally saw a NC700X base model today at the grand opening of a metric multi-brand shop. After sitting on it and looking it over very closely I do not see this bike as anything even vaguely close to a NT replacement. Nor is it a "adventure" bike IMHO...it was sitting next to a new Wee Strom Adventure ABS model that put it to shame. The NC may have a market but the mid-weight touring and adventure markets aren't it's forte...at least without some serious upgrades.