Modern Vespa

http://www.gizmag.com/honda-vultus-nm4-motorcycle/31522/

The BF and I were at a Honda Dealer this weekend.

WE saw a Honda CTX and I talked my BF in to giving it a try.

Guess what, he rode it once and then we went home and put his motorcycle up for sale. We are going to get one!

Now I see something else in the mix from Honda. Seems like the automatic motorcycle is coming on strong.

Your thoughts?

I was actually thinking about going to a Honda dealer to test out the VFR1200 sport bike. It uses the same DCT technology and is fully automatic. I like the bike, but it is a little too much power for my needs.

I don't know why motorcyclist are so against new technology. I just don't get the fascination with shifting. I mean it is fun to change gears and all, but when technology can do it better, it is time to let it go. Some how having an auto in Ferraris and Porsches hasn't taken away from the cool factor, but I guess a motorcyclist would be a dweeb without shifting.

I really wish they'd do a hail mary and throw the DCT in a CBR600.

The lines between motorcycle and scooter are getting blurred.

Agreed.

I wish other manufacturers would offer the DCT options in their models. One of the reasons I went with the BMW c600 was it really was the only thing that came close to what I was looking for in a larger PTW. I'm glad Honda is pushing the envelope. The bikes they are offering it on aren't quite my cup of tea, but I guess it is a start. I might be willing to pull the trigger on their new VFR800, but they don't offer the DCT option on that one.

I think it would be cool if they kept the foot shifter though instead of the shift button or give you both.

Changing gear manually is all about control.

Nothing like popping it down a cog so you have it in the right gear to power out of the corner or to engine brake.

Bill xxx

No doubt, but if the auto can do it better/faster...

It used to be stick shifts were faster in cars, now they are a tad slower.

I like having an option to shift when I feel the need to just do it myself, but I also like knowing I can just twist & go too. DCT offers best of both worlds. I think for traditional motorcyclist, maintaining a foot shifter will lead to greater acceptance.

A lot of sport bikers put quick shifters on now so they don't lose the time grabbing the clutch.

The new MV Agusta Veloce apparently allows up/down shifting w/o clutch as standard.

I like the Vultus. I think it's fun looking and could be sorta fun to ride. However, I also don't see a good bridge between scooters and motorcycles. I mean, a scooter is primarily designed for dashing around where a motorcycle has the speed and size for longer rides. I feel like the overlay between is pretty big, meaning people take long rides across country on a scoot and people run to the market on their Harley. So...why try to build a middle ground?

I'm glad to see this technology being developed. It seems like Honda's approach is pretty reasonable. CVT is great for lower HP, but something more robust is needed especially if it eliminates parts that wear out every few thousand miles.

"Challenging to the eye?"

I'm on full agreement, Perro Guillermo. I love my GTS, but the control of a manual is a beautiful asset.

Just not for everyone.

Those with physical difficulties can still ride now.

My BF complains of carpal tunnel and arthritis in his wrist. When we would go for rides, his hands would cramp up in heavy traffic. (not so with the MP3) but when he rode this automatic Honda, he was pretty happy with the power and performance. He likes the two wheel aspect vs. the three wheels of the MP3.

You reach an age when you have to say goodbye to some aspects of riding. I am glad he was big enough to admit it and embrace the alternative.

If I were looking for a motorcycle these would be at the top of a short list.

I don't see why these have to be viewed as a "bridge". They are automatic motorcycles. For people who want a motorcycle with an automatic transmission.

Is a shifty scooter a bridge to a Harley?

I like the option of an automatic on most bikes.

When I bought my Honda NC700X, I considered the automatic but chose the manual. It can be a pain in the butt after years of riding automatic scooters, but it can be a lot of fun, adding to the riding experience.

Because I kept my scooters, I usually ride those, but when I want more performance for a longer ride, I can now take the Honda.

Ain't nothing like winding it out in gear and shifting to give you a thrill! And that growl you get from the exhaust when you downshift...

I don't think a clutchless, fully automatic or CVT makes a motorcycle more "scooter like". I've always seen a scooter as having small wheels and a step through chassis design. This one looks like a cross between a cruiser (low seat, feet forward) and a sport bike. As far as the transmission goes, you find scooters with both CVT and manually shifted transmissions. In fact, for many more years scooters have had manually shifted transmissions and CVTs are a more recent change that has become widespread over the last 15 years or so.

The bike in the video is 100% motorcycle. But I'm also in the camp that doesn't care much for automatic shifting, clutchless shifting or a CVT. Give me a good old manual transmission with a hand or foot operated clutch.

-Craig

Indeed. I would love to ride shiftys but I've got physical limitations so cvt it is and I still get to ride

I did not ride it, but I sat on it for about 15 minutes and talked with the sales staff.

First off, its not a big seller. Sales staff knew very little about the model. We seemed to be the only folks interested in it.

My impressions; very low comfortable seat when your feet are up and forward on the pegs. Shorter riders should like that they can flat foot it with no problem

Very low center of gravity with lots of weight up in front of you, but due to the low seat, that should be easy to handle

Not much in the way of any sort of storage.

Felt pretty ergonomic. Just wierd to have all that stuff up front instead the step through.

It's got a break pedal and hand break on the right side and nothing on the left so that will be strange for me.

Hopefully we can get it in the next few weeks and I write more about it. I am excited to try something different with more power than my BV 500.

I run a 'proper' bike as well as the scooter. The scooter is my everyday workhorse and the bike is just for fun.

So it is tempting to combine the two. The essentials for me are:-

1) Carrying capacity. To stow all my riding gear when I reach a destination and all my shopping/camera/tools and equipment depending on the purpose of my journey.

2) Economy. Must do 60+ mpg and not cost too much to tax and insure. If it doesn't do this it can't compete with a car for practical purposes.

3) Some level of weather protection that does not require full wet weather kit in showery conditions.

4) Safety to a degree that ( in my view ) doesn't require the use of full leathers. Rather just a proper jacket and stout shoes or boots ( never trainers!) and gloves.

5) No drive chain maintenance and good valanced mudguards for use through the mucky English weather.

I think the X10 meets all of the above so well that I am sceptical about any alternative.

Regards Roadster

Congrats Belkwinith and boyfriend!!

I have the DCT version of the NC700X and am really enjoying it. I ride a lot in rush hour traffic and the auto transmission is great. I have about 400 miles on her so far.

The DCT is a little clunky, you hear and feel it shifting gears, especially coming from a CVT, but you get used to it quickly.

The DCT has a very low redline at 6500 and will easily average 70mpg. Some people get more and some less depending on your riding style.

I mainly ride in Drive mode and occasionally go into Sport or Manual mode for the really curvy roads. The DCT downshifts and upshifts nicely and you have no worries about rev matching.

The "frunk" or front trunk (the CTX does not have this feature) holds my helmet and with a top case, I have plenty of room to store my gear securely on the bike. You will be able to get aftermarket bags for the CTX that will hold all your gear and then some.

I think you will be very happy with the CTX and the DCT motor.

Have fun!!

Quite jealous of you, Bel. I love the look of this bike from the side.
Would love to hear your thoughts as you get to ride it, and to see some pics of the front end, which looks ridiculously wide on the publicity shots, so I can only guess (?hope?) that those shots are from a funny angle.

Like Roadster, I doubt it has the storage I'm looking for (but would be keen to hear your views on that and to see what storage it has), but kudos to Honda for doing something DIFFERENT. No one else seems willing to take those risks at the moment.
The future of personal transport will undoubtedly look nothing like what we're currently used to. It may not look like the Vultus, but the Vultus might be a waypoint.
Hope you enjoy it.

I am not talking about the transmission as much as the design. Also, I was not the one calling them a "bridge" or hybrid design. All the press from Honda has been calling them that. They are stating it's a motorcycle with an urban appeal with extra storage, good on gas and automatic.

"The NM4 was designed to be practical in urban environments, and the rider steers via pullback handlebars, allowing the front end of the bike to contain the engine, fuel and storage space."

My point was...this is a cool bike but I don't see a need to mix the two. For me, you can do city runs on a big bike and tour on a scoot. I don't see a need to build a design that appeals to both groups.

I have the CTX 700 DCT/ABS and I think you'll like it. I never rode a geared motorcycle(except motorcycle safety course) before so having the automatic doesn't bother me. It works nice. Very quick off the line. But to tell the truth, I have more fun riding on my scoots. I rarely take the Honda out to ride on the weekend, it being a commuter only. To have fun, I take out the S150, and, if someone would buy my Blackjack, then I can buy a 300 GTS as well!!!!

WANT!!! I've made a pic of it my home screen on my phone. I need to stop obsessing over this bike and then you go and get one! I want to see pics of it in real-world action

As for the Vultus, if I had a lot of money I'd get one as a second bike. I actually dig the Akira vibe. But for a daily driver I'd still go with the CTX.

Hubby and I stopped in at the dealership today and I sat on a CTX700. Nice bike. Really low center of gravity so it doesn't feel like a big heavy beast. That was my main objection to getting a motorcycle, is that most of them feel too heavy. I must say, I am very tempted. Although I would still keep my GTS300 because I don't think you are allowed to ride a motorcycle if it is raining. Or at least, that is what it seems like if you look at the typical motorcyclist at my work.

If all the trees were one tree what a big tree it would be.

I like my Vespa, but I do NOT that 1/3 second pause between twist the throttle and starting to move.