This is part of my pre retirement motorcycle consolidation that I started a year ago when I sold my /5. Sadly my conversion will go on the block next, but I will keep my 57 R26 as a rideable classic.
The NC has been on my radar since it was introduced a couple of years back. Honda went over to the automotive division and grabbed some of the fuel economy basics to develop a 670cc parallel twin with a 270 deg crank, a single throttle body, single exhaust port, loads of bottom end torque and a low car like rev range. They then canted the cylinders far forward so they almost law flat. This makes for a very low center of gravity, but also opens up a big space where the gas tank would normally go.
Instead the gas tank is under the seat and there is a nice waterproof, lockable storage space that will hold my full face helmet or my daily shopping.
The other nice thing about the engine design is that it makes access to the valves fairly easy for a modern bike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWUCFoz01tk
It bugs me though that while they where over on the auto side of the plant that they didn't grab the hydraulic lifters that where laying around everywhere. At least they didn't use shims.
So what's it like to ride? Just like an airhead, with modern ABS brakes. Well, not quite. Despite a similar weight and the low COG, the big wide tires require a bit more muscle to "turn in" at lower speeds, ( yes Ken, I do counter steer) but at higher speed those big tires and long wheel base make it a freight train. The car like power curve is flat from 2000 rpms up to red line at 6500. You just dump the clutch and crack the throttle and it jumps away from a stop just like a big twin should, but just like an airhead, that's as good as it gets and you run out of revs just as the sportbike next to you hits it's powerband and fucks off at license losing speeds. For an old fart like me that's not a problem, I'm happy to be out putting about AND I'm using half the fuel as that sportbike. In fact I can easily better a Prius, Smart Car or TDI at the pumps while getting to the destination at a much brisker pace.
The combined ABS is interesting. I was very skeptical of them as I am old fashioned and believe that a motorcycle should have a front and a rear brake for a reason. On this bike the rear brake pedal operates the rear caliper as well as one of the three pistons on the front. The front lever operates the other two pistons on the front. The result is a bit of a hard pedal (sorta like a drum braked airhead) but that extra bit of effort causes the bike to really stop well, even without any help from the front lever. Two fingers on the front is all that is needed at any speed and only one if you use the rear at the same time. The other nice thing about using the rear only is the front end doesn't really dive, the whole bike just squats a bit.
The only other nit I have to pick is the budget suspension. I am slowly picking my way through the non-adjustable damper rod forks and will probably end up with a set of Race Tech Gold Valve cartridge emulators. The rear shock is OK, but how much more would it cost to upgrade both ends at the factory? All bikes in this price range suffer from this.
Overall I'm quite happy, but of course, everyone is happy with their new toy. I'll keep you all informed how easy it is to live with in the long term.
