By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Tourer vs Sport Tourer
Honda CTX 700 N (CTX700N) vs NC700X (MY2012)
Honda CTX 700 N vs NC700X: which one you'd rather spend the big miles on.
Across a cratered downtown block, the Honda CTX 700 N's padded saddle keeps you sitting upright, and your boots don't hunt for the asphalt at lights. The Honda NC700X's long travel swallows each crater whole.
So which one do you buy?
The NC700X has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Small edge: NC700X
Day in, day out, the NC700X nudges ahead in traffic. That comes from friendlier manners. It isn't a big enough gap to plan around.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: NC700X
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the NC700X. The difference is more feel through the bars. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
What makes each one tick
CTX 700 N
In city traffic, the CTX 700 N's parallel twin doesn't need revs, since its torque pulls hard from low rpm. The throttle answers right away. Forward pegs and a wide bar keep the stance relaxed, and the seat's low enough for most riders to flat-foot at a stop. The seat holds up through a full day of errands.
NC700X
Below highway speeds, the NC700X's low-revving twin feels right off a stoplight, and it's happy threading traffic. Clutch action is light with clean, predictable modulation. Corner entry doesn't take much effort, since the low-mounted engine keeps the steering light. Fast, broken corners unsettle it. The brake lever bites hard enough for real emergency stops.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The CTX 700 N has the lower seat: 28.3 in (719 mm) vs 32.7 in (830 mm).
- The NC700X makes more peak power: 52 hp (38 kW) vs 48 hp (35 kW).
- The NC700X has the larger fuel tank: 3.7 US gal (14.1 L) vs 3.3 US gal (12.5 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not suited: NC700X
The NC700X isn't built for long days on the road, so it sits this one out.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
No verdict: CTX 700 N
The CTX 700 N has too much motor for a first bike. Get your basics down on something smaller.
Call it even on running costs. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CTX 700 N
What owners say
Strengths
- Low seat height boosts confidence for shorter riders
- Comfortable, upright ergonomics ideal for commuting
- Excellent fuel economy
- Torquey, responsive engine
Trade-offs
- Limited passing power at highway speeds
NC700X
Strengths
- Helmet fits where the tank was
- Torque that works at city pace
- Seat and ride beat the spec
- Proven Honda reliability
- Agile handling with low center of gravity
Trade-offs
- Short revs, early ceiling
- Unsettled on rough fast corners
- Two-up stretches the motor
- Finish thins out up close
- Uninspiring engine character
Known problems to check before you buy
CTX 700 N
- Starter relay switch sealant defect (Recall 15V-439) Recall 15V439000 Faulty sealant on the starter relay switch can cause increased resistance at the main fuse, leading to engine stalling or fire risk. Affected 2014-2015 models. Honda issued a recall to replace the relay.
- Loose shift drum star bolt in DCT models The star bolt securing the shift drum inside the DCT transmission can loosen, causing erratic shifting or false neutrals. Requires disassembly to retighten with threadlocker.
- Front fork pitting The chrome on the fork stanchions can develop pits, leading to oil leaks and compromised damping. Most common on bikes used in wet or salty conditions. Aftermarket re-chroming or replacement is the fix.
NC700X
- Fuel gauge inaccuracy Some owners report the fuel gauge displaying remaining bars when the tank is actually empty, leading to unexpected fuel exhaustion.
What they share
- Displacement
- 670 cc
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel economy
- 62 mpg (US) / 3.8 L/100 km
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 160/60-17
Where the spec sheets split
| CTX 700 N | NC700X | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 28.3 in (719 mm) | 32.7 in (830 mm) |
| Wet weight | 483 lb (219 kg) | 481 lb (218 kg) |
| CTX 700 N | NC700X | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 48 hp (35 kW) | 52 hp (38 kW) |
| Torque | 44 lb-ft (60 Nm) | 46 lb-ft (62 Nm) |
| CTX 700 N | NC700X | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 US gal (12.5 L) | 3.7 US gal (14.1 L) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
