2012 Honda-Integra-NC-700-ABS-DCT Review

Here's a new and very good (IMHO) review of the Honda Integra. This is the first review I've seen that isn't from a marketing brochure. It seems written by someone very familiar with both the scooter and motorcycle world. And unlike some reviews where they try to compare every motorcycle or scooter to a Hayabusa, the writer seems to compare the Integra against the market niche it is designed for.

http://www.moto-choice.com/en/Bike-Review/197/Honda-Integra-NC-700-ABS-DCT-%282012-current%29-The-21st-century--general-use-motorcycle,-for-the-Western-world.html

Some quotes from the article that I found interesting...

- On downtown rides... Filtering is good. The height of the handlebar is greater than the height of car mirrors, the mirrors of the bike are at about the same height with SUV mirrors.
- Street imperfections damping is really good, much better than any scooter.
- At the fast pace,... At such a pace, the Integra is better than any scooter, handling is within the 600 c.c. street bike category standards.
- On the highway travelling speed will be limited to 160 Km/h (100mph)... Cruising is confident, its better than any scooter’s. The same applies to absorbing road imperfections during the journey.
- On dirt roads the Integra is user friendly, comfortable and smooth... Thus the riding of the Integra on dirt roads is closer to that of a bike once more, not to a scooter.
- Reliablility/ quality build/ other versions: The under stressed engine is probably capable of very high mileage. The quality build and the finish (white metallic paint) are superb.

Chris

Daboo:
Thanks for sharing that article. Interesting perspective. It seems like the author actually understood what Honda was trying to do.

I'm intrigued by the Honda Integra. Honda is definitely trying something new. The two BMW entries are more of a "me too" factor. But the Honda is exploring a niche that no one else is in yet.

The Integra is like a blend of a motorcycle (just look at the other two variants) with the body of a scooter. Everytime I consider a bike like an NT700 or the WeeStrom, I think about what I'd give up from trading in my scooter...dry feet. They both have good fairings for upper body wind protection, but in my neck of the woods, I'd have soaked feet or would be buying expensive boots to keep the feet dry.

I don't see myself getting a naked bike either. After riding for 5 years on a maxi-scooter, I've come to enjoy the blend of having the air flow over me...but not too much air.

And the fuel economy is finally where it should be. I just shake my head when I see people buy a motorcycle when gas prices go up to save on gas. There are cars that weigh 8 times more with engines 4 times larger...that can beat some of the motorcycles out there for economy.

So Honda has a winner it appears for the rider who doesn't care about needing passing ability at 140 mph and simply wants to enjoy riding at the speed limits.

The biggest reason I would ever trade in my 400 is because of the suspension. I don't think it is much different than any other scooter on the market, but I'd love to get something that can soak up pot holes better. The Integra seems to do this.

The "cons" in my situation are the seat height and the storage. I'm spoiled for the storage my maxi-scooter has. But with the panniers and top box, I'd be able to get by.

Oh...and the other con is my Burgman is paid for...and would the advantages of the Integra be worth the several thousand dollars I'd have to pay extra for it?

Still...it's fun to think "What if?"

Chris

Chris,

Thanks for posting this review. I think it seems to be a really good scooter, even though I have never seen or sat on it. Maybe if it ever gets here I could change my opinion, but with they seem to think it is the best riding scooter in terms of suspension and ride quality on roads and twisties. The storage doesn't bother me at all since I would just get a top case. I never really carry too much. If I have room, with a top case, for 2 helmets and jackets, that's usually the most I carry. On fuelly.com some people with the motorcycle version of this are getting mid 60's, so that is really good.

Neat review. The line between motorcycle and motor scooter blurs a little more.

NC700X

My dealer has one of these new Adventure bikes on the floor! Wow, awesome, comes with an adjustable windshield and is so nice. But at near 12K is a bit rich for the amount of riding I do!!!

Wow Glen, 12K for the new NC700X , did it come with a 14K motor? Its been advertised for 9K since January 2012, How did they feed 3K more into the bike? I guess I'm going to have to wait it out until 2013 at that price!

Actually it was 11199. plus some change but I am not sure what options if any are on it. I am going to pick up my new Wing tomorrow so will try and look. It appears to be entering the Super Tenere club with a lot less cc's.

Yeah, when you get into that price range there are a lot of other really nice bikes out there.

I like the Integra as well but I think it will appeal more to motorcyclists who are tired of shifting than to maxi scooterists, maybe its just me. I've never ridden one, I still would be very shocked if the U.S. ever gets it, I think it will depend on how the motorcycle version 700x does first?
Based on reviews of people that have ridden them, I can only gather that this would be a weekend "fun bike" and not a cross country tourer like the Silverwing. The comfort level, feet placement on the dinky floorboards etc just doesn't look pleasant after more than a few hours sitting. You still have throw a leg over and the floorboards are really just extended footpegs, no stretching your legs here.
I think the biggest draw is the size engine and 65+mpg, which is incredible and wish the "wing" had it but I don't think the Integra will be as versatile as the SWing. Maybe we'll see, but I still doubt it.

strkngfang wrote:

I still would be very shocked if the U.S. ever gets it, I think it will depend on how the motorcycle version 700x does first?

When the inventory of the older Silverwing disappears, Honda will have to replace with something.

I wonder how many parts are shared with the 700x version (not just motor and transmission). If enough parts are shared, then it may be the easiest. Since the NC700 has already been certified to US government, it may be easier.

honda_silver wrote:

When the inventory of the older Silverwing disappears, Honda will have to replace with something.

Don't forget Honda already has replaced the older Silver Wing with the 400 and 600 SW-T in Europe. Honda Italy has both SW-T models, and the Integra in their 2012 scooter lineup.

honda_silver wrote:

I wonder how many parts are shared with the 700x version (not just motor and transmission). If enough parts are shared, then it may be the easiest. Since the NC700 has already been certified to US government, it may be easier.

Meldrew wrote:

Don't forget Honda already has replaced the older Silver Wing with the 400 and 600 SW-T in Europe. Honda Italy has both SW-T models, and the Integra in their 2012 scooter lineup.

Honda Canada has (or will have) both NC700 models.

Honda NC700 has already paid the US government to certify the new NC700 for emissions testing and verification.

I am not a lawyer (nor have I ever played a lawyer on TV), but since the NC700 share the exact same engine and transmission ... they may not have re-certify the same engine.

As I recall reading, In the USA when a manufacture announces a new model they must commit to ensure the parts are readily accessible ... and there were more requirements.

I believe (hope) Honda will choose the Integra, which may be the cheapest and easiest to certify and satisfy all of their requirements.

I believe that sharing the engine and transmission was a cheaper solution for development, production and country certifications that Honda will be exploiting more frequently in the future.

Are you thinking a U.S. 2013 model or beyond? I wonder if the
SWing is history after this year? A lot of people thought it was
odd keeping the 2012 identical to the 2011 version, even in
black?

x

Bigger wheels, better MPG would be great but I personally wouldn't go back to a chain.
Cost efficient but noisy and messy and often needs adjusting.
Just seems to be going backwards.

bigbird wrote:

strkngfang wrote:

odd keeping the 2012 identical to the 2011 version, even in
black?

Never mind the 2012 being identical to the 2011. The 2012 is identical to the 2008.

Maybe Honda thinks they got it right?

strkngfang wrote:

Are you thinking a U.S. 2013 model or beyond?

Honda is very secretive about their warehouse counts.

I heard (not sure hoe true) that Honda moved all of world warehouse of the old model Silverwing to the US/Canada warehouse.

Canada has stopped selling the Silverwing.

Could the numbers in the warehouse be dwindling ... otherwise why stop selling.

strkngfang wrote:

A lot of people thought it was
odd keeping the 2012 identical to the 2011 version, even in
black?

I believe the only change was the color.

I wonder if they could take an older model ... change the color via parts from previous years and rebadge as 2012?

I'am glad to hear my 2008 is basically the same as a 2012, I think, I will keep mine, it is just too much fun to ride. Everyone Ride Safe.

Like the previous comment, maybe good for someone switching from the standard MC and not wanting the Swing stigma.

It looks neat and may be fun to test ride. The thing that keeps me liking the Swing is the cost of maintenance, ie the tire cost for me is $106 for both front and rear and 40 to change them at the local shop.

The VTX and the Vulcan 2000 my dad has is a lot more expensive on tires. Since I ride mine when at all possible , I like the economical factor and it is just a fun machine.

I noticed the tire costs too. I've thought in the past about getting something like a WeeStrom for soaking up the bumps on our "paved" roads. An Integra purchase would be partly for that reason too.

But when I start looking at it rationally, then things like tire costs creep in. I'm not sure, but I believe the larger tires not only cost over twice as much, but they also last half the time. That wouldn't be a problem if I used my bike for entertainment purposes only, but as a commuter, the tires would be a major expense.

Chris

Daboo, that is my conversation with my dad all the time. Sure Id like to have a bigger bike for long trips but the cost of that for the once in a while trip just is not practical. I just can't get past the reliability, easy maintenance and how cheap it is to run the Swing since I drive this daily for work and errands.

I'm not sure I need a bigger bike...and yours is even bigger!

I've taken my Burgman 400 on trips within Washington state over mountain passes and across our deserts on rides that are either over night or 10-14 hours in length. There isn't much difference in that and crossing the country, except for the trips being back to back. I'm planning on completing the SS1000 on June 30th, riding from Seattle to Missoula, MT.

If a measly 400cc bike can do that, a 600 cc bike can definitely do it. I think it is a common fallacy in the USA that we need a car engine in a bike to ride on the freeways.

I think you'd surprise your Dad a lot, if you took your Silverwing on a long trip. It can definitely do it, and probably with more comfort than most bikes.

Chris

I'm new here, have a Burgman 650, have owned a SilverWing and a Burgman 400 previously. I am interested in the new BMWs but also thought the new Integra looks interesting.

Biggest potential negatives for me are 1) lack of super underseat storeage 2) maybe the seat height.

I want something that looks like a scooter. I find that parking "illegally" is far easier/safer. Scooters are harmless, motorcycles can be "threatening". If I park my Harley on a sidewalk I get a ticket, so far never happened with the scooters.

Great site here btw.

greg

Honda is a world class producer and manufacturer of quality motor cycles and bikes. They keep on changing the trend every time whenever their new bike gets launched in the market. I visited the site to clear my doubt again, as I came to know that a scooter has been manufactured on the chassis of a bike. The things which attracted me are-

Quote :

The height of the handlebar is greater than the height of car mirrors, the mirrors of the bike are at about the same height with SUV mirrors.
On dirt roads the Integra is user friendly, comfortable and smooth... Thus the riding of the Integra on dirt roads is closer to that of a bike once more, not to a scooter.

As I've written before, the biggest thing that would entice me to move from (or buy in addition to) my Burgman 400, is the suspension.

I did the SS1000 yesterday, riding from Seattle to Drummond, MT and back. I hit a few corners at high speeds that weren't perfect pavement and where I got a loose feeling in the suspension. The funny thing is that I don't remember that at all on my 2007 400.

I'll probably still never depart from the 400. There's too many positives, versus the few negatives for me. But the suspension would be one reason.

Chris

Heres a nice review of the NC 700X DCT that maybe of interest to some:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTOy5wZWKJQ

Thanks for that, he's a lot better at reviewing a bike than those knees down obsessed tossers at MCN.

Yes, miles better

MCN should hire him

That is one well-done video... I can see some Swing bits on the new 700!!!

I test rode a VFR1200 with the DCT. I liked it for the most part, but found a few rough edges. Some things I didn't like:

• pulling a u-turn on scattered gravel, there was no clutch to modulate power at low speeds
  
• when coasting through a u-turn at a break in a median, the engine breaking cut out on me at about 7 MPH, that almost caused me to dump the bike because I was turn sharp to the left and looking far over my right hand shoulder
  
• when going to shift lanes to the left to pass, I wanted to drop two gears down, but you can only shift down one gear at a time, and you have to wait about .75 seconds between each shift.
  

I could probably get used to all of those things, but I don't have that much of a problem with a regular clutch and gearshift on a street bike. If Honda made the Sport/DCT mode respond to instant multi gear hops, and added an (optional) clutch that you could *force* on when you wanted to be squidly for a little while... I would be a buyer very fast.

New review of the Integra...larger engine, but still not coming to the US, apparently...

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/03/18/2014-honda-integra-scooter-first-ride-review-photos/?src=SOC&dom=fb

Thanks for posting that review, much appreciated.  I am hoping that the Integra makes it here sometime this Spring, since I want one badly.  However, if Honda doesn't come up with a replacement for the Silverwing, then will be forced to buy a new 650 Burgman,

Old Brubaker has just decided to treat himself to a new 2014 750 Integra with Honda top box and panniers.

I would consider owning a Integra if honda would bring them to the USA.

unfortunately that will not happen anytime soon.

While you're waiting you could introduce yourself!   

Yes the Integra would be a great deal if it every reached us... But Honda hasn't done too much to market their silver wings for them to sell in order to create demand. I love my 2009abs it rides like a dream.. But Honda needs to wake up... Having only one boring color(m.y. code) and basically no changes since its first release date...What have they added a 12 volt plug...
Honda Silver wing is boring us to sleep, this is why it doesn't sell...
I feel very safe and able to react while riding the silver wing.. Honda's marketing team has just dropped the ball..Maybe the 9,200 msrp has something to do with it... Just sucks that there is no 14/15 silver wing/integra usa bound new model coming our way...

Why don't people just buy and ship an Integra to the states ?

To bad you cant order a Integra local Honda dealer, and have Honda Japan put it in with their shipment to the USA local dealer shipments. or to Local distribution center for ship to which dealer needed the bike at that time.

Honda should ship some of the Inegra's and see if they sell, I am sure that 25-100 of them would sell fairly fast.

I would buy one, I would go on a waiting list for one, and pay in advance for one.

Why wait?Buy there and have it shipped to your driveway.Old vespa's and Lambretta's that were never titled are easily titled all the time.And shipped over the pond all the time.

Didnt someone already do this?

The US doesn't have the same scooter culture as European countries such as France and Italy either where teenagers cut their teeth on mopeds and scooters, and US cities aren't exactly crawling with scooters like Paris or Rome.

Maybe you're not getting the Integra because US scooter sales in 2013 were 27,931. That's -18.6% or -6,363 scooters down from the 34,294 sold in 2012.

In contrast I've just dug out one of the scooter magazines I bought in France earlier this month and added up the total sales for just the Top 20 scooters registered in France during the winter months of January and February 2014 and it's 4,111.

98 of those sales were for the new Integra 750 not the original 700 version. In France the Integra S is available in the white, red, and blue Honda racing colours and with very nice gold alloy wheels for an extra €200. Honda UK aren't making that version available over here which irritated Brubaker when he was ordering his.

Reading all this talk of importing an Integra, my local Honda dealer still has the same low mileage used 700 that was there last September when I was in there.

Anyone interested?

Meldrew I thought you would say where one could be bought.Folks Heres a good contact.

I just wanted people to know they can ship bikes.

I'm sure an email to Honda UK would tell you all you need to know about the possibilities of exporting a new 700 or 750 Integra to the US.

Why don't you also get onto Honda in your country about importing the Integra, and the SW-T 600.

You already have a few DCT Honda motorcycles in the Honda US line up and the only real difference between the Integra and the others is you have to swing your leg over the tank. If that's a problem you still have to lift your leg a lot higher to step thru' onto the Integra than on the Silver Wing and higher still if you fit a tunnel bag.

Unless you intended to fit a Givi top box and panniers you'd also have to import the Honda luggage system for the Integra, the Honda top box is small and the under seat storage is only big enough for one helmet.

http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car

It doesn't look easy to me. It looks like it's also quite pricey by the time you get emissions certified (this is significantly more involved than the typical smog test), bring it up to current safety standards (things like headlights and such are likely slightly different in USA), hire an importer, etc.

I'm sure if someone really wanted to do this, they could. But I'd probably just find a different bike that is sold here and save myself the trouble.