By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Tourer vs Cruiser
Honda CTX 700 N (CTX700N) vs NM4 Vultus (RC90)
Honda CTX 700 N vs NM4 Vultus: different classes, one choice. Here's how to make it.
Into a tight bend, the Honda CTX 700 N drops in eagerly, and it's easy to tighten your line mid-turn. The Honda NM4 Vultus settles in low, feet stretched forward.
So which one do you buy?
The CTX 700 N has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Nose ahead: CTX 700 N
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the CTX 700 N pulls a nose in front. Thank a smaller footprint for that. Your own commute could easily flip it.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: CTX 700 N
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the CTX 700 N. That comes from stronger brakes. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
The NM4 Vultus has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Narrow edge: NM4 Vultus
For the money you spend after the purchase, the NM4 Vultus nudges ahead. The gap is too small to plan a budget around.
Which one's the smarter buy
Different bikes, different deals
A tourer and a cruiser do different jobs, so neither is the clear better buy for the money. The CTX 700 N costs less, but that doesn't make it the smarter spend if you need the Vultus's setup.
What makes each one tick
CTX 700 N
Wide bars, pegs set well out ahead and a plush seat keep you upright on the CTX 700 N, and with its low center of gravity, it's quick to slip through stalled traffic. Highway passes won't come without downshifts. Off a stoplight, the twin's low-rev shove hustles you clear.
NM4 Vultus
Low and laid back, the NM4 Vultus parks you down in its saddle, and the passenger pad flips up into a backrest for two-up hauls. There's no clutch to work. The bike chases sensation over speed and doesn't apologize for it. That fighter-jet cockpit draws questions at every gas stop.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The NM4 Vultus has the lower seat: 25.6 in (650 mm) vs 28.3 in (719 mm).
- The CTX 700 N has the lower wet weight: 483 lb (219 kg) vs 562 lb (255 kg).
- The NM4 Vultus makes more peak power: 55 hp (40 kW) vs 48 hp (35 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not built for it: NM4 Vultus
The NM4 Vultus gets left out of the long-distance question. It's built for a different kind of day.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both miss here
As first bikes, both are a stretch. Starting smaller isn't a step down.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CTX 700 N
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable, upright ergonomics ideal for commuting
- Excellent fuel economy
- Lightweight and agile handling
- Torquey, responsive engine
Trade-offs
- Limited passing power at highway speeds
NM4 Vultus
What owners say
Strengths
- Supremely comfortable for long hauls
Trade-offs
- No manual transmission option
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.
NM4 Vultus
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare an 8-year-old CTX 700 N with an 8-year-old NM4 Vultus.
- CTX 700 N
- about $4,500
- NM4 Vultus
- about $6,700
At eight years old, the Honda CTX 700 N sits around $4,500 while the Honda NM4 Vultus runs about $6,700. That's a $2,200 gap in the CTX 700 N's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
Where the spec sheets split
| CTX 700 N | NM4 Vultus | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 28.3 in (719 mm) | 25.6 in (650 mm) |
| Wet weight | 483 lb (219 kg) | 562 lb (255 kg) |
| CTX 700 N | NM4 Vultus | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 670 cc | 745 cc |
| Power | 48 hp (35 kW) | 55 hp (40 kW) |
| Torque | 44 lb-ft (60 Nm) | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) |
| CTX 700 N | NM4 Vultus | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 US gal (12.5 L) | 3.1 US gal (11.6 L) |
| CTX 700 N | NM4 Vultus | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 120/70-18 |
| Rear tire | 160/60-17 | 200/50-17 |
| Wheelbase | 60.2 in (1529 mm) | 64.7 in (1643 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CTX 700 N | NM4 Vultus | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option | Standard |
| Automatic Shift (DCT / ASA / AMT) | Option | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
