2014 Honda CTX700 Threadfest

[maximuski]

These two new bikes are ones of the most horrible motorcycles I've even seen. After 12 years of continue disappoitment they rised the bar and did something even worst. They look like the basterd children of a DN-01 and .... something uglier.

Until 12 years ago Honda was the brand all other motorcycle brands were looking after. Now Honda (motorcycles) is a depressing company runned by pusillanimous idiots. At least Mr Soichiro Honda died before seen this.

Shame on Honda

[ZZ-R Rider]

I have to say that I really like the looks of the CTX700 in black without the fairings and bags ... give it mid-controls instead of forward and it'd be a much better Bike in the way that the VT750RS is better than the VT750C2 ... manual shift tranny only for me though. Looking forward to eventually seeing one in the flesh ...

[Davidc83]

Originally Posted by GrahamD

Well I must admit the old bikes I had did arouse a lot more emotion.

Usually fear, and dread, swearing and cussing and almost hate, almost tears as I looked at another hill before town as I pushed, that seemed so insignificant half an hour ago as I rode out. Panic as I wondered whether those old Dunlops would actually hold on. They often didn't. The feeling of dread as the reserve level kicked in around a corner cutting power. The realization that it was already on reserve and I had forgot to turn it back at the last stop.
Pain and anguish as I was continually being belted in the leg by that spark plug lead that didn't quite insulate well enough in the rain.

Now I can just ride and smile.

Looks like I've gone all soft eh?

I agree. In the 70s, I had the cb350 and cb360. Heavy, slow bikes. The 250s of today would smoke them. The CBs would take forever to get to 70mph, if it rained, you prayed they would start, the chokes were tempermental, and the reserves may or may not be accurate, vibrated more than my 250 klx I have today-yea, really great bikes from the 70s.

[Bugz]

Well everyone was saying the same shit about the Honda NC 700 series. Dull, flat, boring, slow, too much weight.

Guess what's one of the top sellers in Europe now? The CBR250R is also doing pretty well it seems, altough not really in Europe (I think mainly because it doesn;t really fit in the new A1, A2, A motorcycle licenses.

[abnslr]

Originally Posted by dogjaw

This bike has no soul...

That's only a problem for the red ones -- only gingers don't have souls.

[dogjaw]

Originally Posted by Bugz

Well everyone was saying the same shit about the Honda NC 700 series. Dull, flat, boring, slow, too much weight.

Guess what's one of the top sellers in Europe now? The CBR250R is also doing pretty well it seems, altough not really in Europe (I think mainly because it doesn;t really fit in the new A1, A2, A motorcycle licenses.

I'll honk and wave if I see one in Europe, as I don't think I'll be seeing many here.

[dirtdreamer50]

Looks like if one wants a CTX with mids, hopfully the NC700S will be available and fits the bill completely. I think it looks better, but that's just my view on them. tomp dd50

[dogjaw]

Originally Posted by maximuski

These two new bikes are ones of the most horrible motorcycles I've even seen. After 12 years of continue disappoitment they rised the bar and did something even worst. They look like the basterd children of a DN-01 and .... something uglier.

Until 12 years ago Honda was the brand all other motorcycle brands were looking after. Now Honda (motorcycles) is a depressing company runned by pusillanimous idiots. At least Mr Soichiro Honda died before seen this.

Shame on Honda

Bravo for working the word "pusillanimous" into the rant; now THAT was soulful!!!

[dirtdreamer50]

Oh, I forgot. Honda is offering a long legged blonde with the purchase of an NC700S for a limited time. Maybe a incentive for those on the fence... tp

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by Meter Man

Looks like A Ducati Diavel to me.

That is what they used as a template.

Feet forward Sport Bike. <<< That even sounds wrong.

[Cakeeater]

Maybe next year Honda can offer Apes and a get-back-whip (synthetic and non-harmful of course) to this "cruiser".

Add me to chorus of riders who are all singing: WTF??

cakeeater

[Anteraan]

Originally Posted by GrahamD

Jerry, Seriously now. When was the last time you rode a 1975 CB500 Four in original condition back to back against a current CB500.

I get the feeling that it's just like the thing where rich people are labelled eccentric and poor people are labelled crazy for doing the same stuff.

For many years I heard about how this or that bike had soul or character but the bikes you lament didn't. I never heard the word soul applied to old Japanese motorbikes until they became unavailable old Japanese motorbikes.

Define soul for me without getting all vague.

Are you sure it wasn't the great marketing departments of years gone by that were the real innovators here.

For example, I often refer to old cars with rattles and squeaks and things you have to fiddle with to get to work properly as gaining "personality" as they age to the point where you could swear that a car was in a good mood that day or it was in a bad mood.

Are you sure that is not what you are talking about?

+1 on this post. Nostalgia is a powerful thing, but it overwhelmingly involves selective memory.

[xrcris]

Looks like that got answered.

Apparently the Honda apologists have spoken, and no, it's no longer an adventure. It is a stress free way to save money on gas while commuting in comfort with their feet up on their barco-lounger maxi-scooter. Now if Honda can only figure out a way to add a make-up mirror and IPad dock, all these fans can be just like every other schmuck "multi-tasking" on their way into work.

[Dranrab Luap]

Originally Posted by JerryH

And yes, the cruiser riding position does put all your weight on your ass, where it should be. The cruiser riding position is almost exactly the same as the position you are in when driving a car

I disagree. In a car, your thighs help support some of your weight. With the foot forward position all of your weight is on your sit bones. With a standard riding position you can use your legs for additional support, shock absorption and stretching out. I've done long tours on foot forward and standard machines. For me standards were far more comfortable.

[Fuzzy74]

Interesting how so many strongly express that any bike not made to their desires is a major misstep by manufacturer. Not everyone wants the same bike and that is OK. Honda's 700s are a good bike at a great price point. The new CTX series has attracted some here already and what is wrong with that?

Bottom line Honda has a great new engine even if not what everyone wants. Using it across multiple platforms helps keep prices affordable for more of us. The DCT will help bring new riders that have grwon up with automatic transmissions in their cages and are scared to try a clutch on a bike. More people riding is a good thing for all of us, and I applaud Honda for coming out with new lines of affordable bikes in multiple styles and hope they are sucessful in growing the numbers of riders in the U.S.

Checking a Honda Dealer web page prior to CTX and I find
6 versions of Gold Wing,
4 Adventure bikes
13 Cruisers
4 Super Sprot
11 Sport
2 Dual Sport
8 Trail
3 Motorcross and
6 Scooters

Only 4 or 5 are of any interest to me, but it is OK they have the rest for others and hopefully enough volume to keep dealers in business close to me.

If you want more than 1000 ccs in YOUR engine that is OK and Honda offers it.

If you want to stand on YOUR pegs that is OK and Honda offers it.

If you want your bike the way YOU want it that is OK.and maybe Honday offers it.

But don't accuse Honda of going in the wrong direction when they are trying to offer bikes to others who don't want what YOU want.