I just took mine on an 800 mile trip from southeast VA to upstate PA and back, with the return trip down 13. The bike handles great in traffic (D.C., ugh) and GLH on the open roads (Penna Turnpike, over 80 mph, with traffic mind you). After all the negative feedbacks on other forums, I thought I'd drop my two cents in.
I posted this on motorcycle-usa.com:
I bought my 2011 NT700VA in July 2011. I'm not what you'd call a recent experienced rider, my last ride was a 1979 Suzuki GS550, back in the late 80's-early 90's, riding regularly in Northern California, the Santa Cruz mountains of California and running around San Francisco. This bike has everything a new or experienced rider needs to get out on the road for a short day trip, a commute, a short/long haul, or a fast ride through the twisties. The 3/4 fairing is a great shield reducing to almost nothing the wind you'd expect to feel at 70 mph, and the fairing makes the miles fly by without the expense of buffeting from the wind. Yes, it's not a monster 1000 cc engine, it's a mere 680 cc, but it goes from A to B like a champ. Going from $60 a tank to $15 a tank when I transitioned from a VAN to a motorcycle was a great(HUGE) change. Going from 21 mpg to 50+ mpg was an even better change. I don't know of any riders that I ride with that get 50+ mpg, even when they ride easy on the throttle. In fact, comparing the NT to other "mid-sized" STs, there are very few that can boast 50+ mpg AND the reliability of this bike. Let's compare some major components... the 680cc engine on the NT is the same engine they've been using for 20 or so years(proven reliability). Add the wonderful EFI, provides the most optimum gas usage at almost every speed/RPM. Then look at the shaft drive, no stretching chains every couple thou miles, and replacement of the shaft drive is once every ... HOW MANY MILES???? not as often as chain adjustments and replacements... I've put over 2000 miles on mine(4k as of 1 Oct), in just over 3 months, and using it as much as possible to commute to work, as well as "play". I can carry just about everything I need for work in it, both rain gear and a bike cover. I will admit that this bike cannot run with the big dogs and their jetted carbs, reprogrammed ECU's, custom intakes, REALLY loud mufflers, etc, but on a couple of 90-100 mile rides with some buddy's on a variety of bikes, no one left me in the dust, and after these rides, I didn't have to stop at the gas station immediately after the ride was done to fill up from bone dry, nor did I have to un-kink my back afterwards. It rides the straights as comfy as can be, and it hugs curves and corners with minimal effort, all without tiring out the rider. Unfortunately, it appears that Honda will not be selling many of these stateside, due to both the economy and the lackluster sales it's had in '10-'11, so far at least. All I know, and this is IMHO, this bike is a great bike for commuting, short runs to buy ice cream, mid distance rides(100-200 mi), and a decent bike for long hauls too. All with good gas mileage, reliability, and a place to stow a change of clothes if you're going from the bike to the beach, or hiking, or to work... get my drift?
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