Honda CTX700 Motorcycle Experience Road Test

[@BradinManheim]

I have had mine about 6 months, in the DCT model. It is my tenth motorcycle. At 73 years old I find it quite manageable and comfortable.

[@edsmith1083]

I am a new motorcyclist at age 63, never rode before taking an approved licensing class, bought a 2016 Honda CTX DCT 700 in June, 2017, and have logged over 2000 miles enjoying the roadways of scenic Maine and New Hampshire. This bike is very nimble, easy to balance, low center of gravity, comfortable seating, and ABS brakes make for safe stopping. I added a pair of saddle bags using a velcro system for $150.00. I ride only in full gear: Helmet, gloves, boots and often armored leather race suit for comfort and safety. I spend time observing the roadway and scenic splendor not worrying about shifting or stalling. I think this model offers a lot to any rider along with great gas mileage and a quiet ride. I have many on lookers wondering why I am not having to SHIFT! Try the DCT model...you'll be impressed.

[@apkn1955]

No need for me to share my story, it mirrors yours. Even the age, 63. Greetings from Ohio.

[@kevinshea5819]

@@apkn1955 Similar story for me. I am 62. I rode for a few years when I lived in NYC when I was 21. I rode a few times thought the years. I bought a 1981 Honda 450 NightHawk. I never did get a motorcycle endorsement. I going to see this exact bike tomorrow.

[@impeachcongress9771]

my 1st bike at 56 years old,i love this bike,easy and comfy,,

[@a.d.c7941]

As a matter of fact This was your first time riding ever? How’d you feel learning on this bike? Was it easy for you?

[@kevinalexander3833]

After having mine for 4 months... this is perfect for that mid level person who just doesn’t want a big bike yet. It has enough power for highway riding and comfort for a long day trip with a couple of breaks. At 43 i will say i found a great bike that i feel comfortable on. i would buy another one if i had too.

[@MarkPalmer1000]

Honda has marketed this bike more to new riders, but I agree with the reviewer in that the CTX700 appeals more to older, experienced riders who don't want a sport bike, heavyweight cruiser, or scooter. It's best attribute is that it gets over 60 MPG, that with comfort, decent performance and excellent handling.

[@captainjim605]

I bought my CTX a couple months ago (2022) - I enjoy watching some of these older videos. I have been riding since 1967, mostly bigger road bikes (Harleys, Goldwings, BMWs). This bike is an absolute blast! Mine is the DCT version, and that may be the best part of the bike. No, I don't miss shifting, and yes, the bike is plenty sporty. I hear these comments about "not a fast bike," and that is perspective... this bike is still faster than the majority of cars out there. Pushing 70 years old, I don't feel the need to prove anything to anybody - the CTX gives me everything I need for a great riding experience, and handles as nimble as I care to run it. I really wanted to like the Rebel 1100 DCT, but the riding position felt a bit cramped to me; the NC750X DCT was too tall for my inseam. The CTX is that "Goldilocks" fit between those two. I wish Honda still made this model, as I'd like to have the current generation of DCT and throttle by wire. But, I found a low mileage, nicely equipped CTX and I am enjoying the ride! Here's a video after the first week with the CTX: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnPMpausm55jabc

[@billfowler2867]

I’ve had my new (to me) CTX700 for about a week. I’m vertically challenged and finally discovered a bike that actually fits me. I’ve been riding on the street since 1980. I realize now that my dozen or so previous bikes were too tall for me. I no longer get nervous around town. It’s so smooth and comfortable. I wish I had found the CTX sooner.

[@brianhofmeister1279]

I got mine in May '16 and was instantly in love! The light weight and easy handling take me back to my old CB550, only this thing is way better. It's the only bike of the 7 I've owned and 12 I've ridden that I knew I could enjoy riding all day! Never thought it was possible, but the CTX700 makes you want to take the long way everywhere you go...and to go more places. Add the hard factory saddlebags and it's great for getting groceries or taking a week long trip...or a weekend with the lady, if she packs light. Every once in a while I wish it had more power (just a bit more, not tons), and bit deeper, louder exhaust. Still the only reason I'll ever get another bike is to have variety...if I can ever afford that. Oh, and the headlight has to be one of the best out there at night! This is the only bike I can feel pretty safe riding in the country at night - very wide, bright low beam and the high is like daytime! The CTX is a great bike if you can only afford one, have a variety of riding interests and don't give a crap whether your bike could do a wheelie (61" wheelbase + 44 hp = no wheelie). ;-)

[@apkn1955]

I do go the long way on mine.

[@aloisius4188]

You can get a small louder exhaust, but I have heard it and it is not pleasant, and costs over 200 bucks.

[@pmh1nic]

This guy described me. Older (66) and been riding for over 40 years but handling my HD Street Bob with these broken down knees and shoulders is getting to be more work than fun. If may be time for a change.

[@aloisius4188]

Then the CTX 700 is for you. I'm 73 and can handle this like I was 33.

[@faithfultheology]

just bought one yesterday first bike ever

[@MotorcycleExperience]

Richard Strouse awesome. Enjoy!!

[@Jpw-rcjh]

Brandon Smith Im 30 and started riding when I was 18. I currently have a 2017 ninja 650 and a 2014 ctx700 dct. Just took the Honda on a roadtrip from Phx-LA-Yosemite-Vegas-Phx. 1,600 miles and it was amazing

[@Jpw-rcjh]

Robin Stiff they are both great bikes but I like the ninja better.

[@aloisius4188]

I'm 73, and have been riding all manner of bikes since the middle 1970's. I'm in the process of selling a trustworthy Honda Shadow Aero 750 which has treated me with nothing but loyalty and reliability. My used 2014 CTX700 will replace it and I trust it will serve me equally well. It has factory bags, I put on a larger Windshield from Kappa, a luggage rack, and a centre stand, plus USB outlet, heated grips, and a couple of other little goodies. My plan is to hit the Gaspe Peninsula, PEI, and the Cabot trail this coming May. This is a bike that has no surprises for young or old.

[@stevenwalden6908]

Is it the first bike you learned to ride on I'm asking because I'm curious if it's a good learning bike

[@RB-vf1uo]

I know it maybe cheaper to go to a chain drive, but would be nice with shaft drive, "shaft jacking" is a thing of the past now. With better heli-cut gears in most models its so much smoother ! A lot easier to do tire changes, would rather check shaft oil once in a while than adjusting & lubing change. Not a huge issue, but would of made this bike even more of a great bike it already is !

[@brianhofmeister1279]

Whoops. Did I mention that even at 5'10" & 270 I regularly get 65 mpg and enjoy every second?! Yep!

[@faithfultheology]

Brian Hofmeister ya iam 270 also has good power

[@Miguel-ng5wm]

Hey, question. Can you go 80mph? I want to use as a tourer bike. What do you think?

[@faithfultheology]

Martin Delira bike will go 120 with me on it no problem at 6 1 270 pds love the bike

[@Miguel-ng5wm]

Richard Strouse thanks!

[@otitisjeje9928]

Have you used it as a tourerw bike? How was the experience?

[@charlieperry26]

have had mine for 4 months and 6K miles now , I really do like the bike over my VLX shadow and my 1200 sporty . just wish the dct was on the show room floor when i was buying.

[@swanoflove6833]

Man, I want one of these so bad! I've never ridden a street motorcycle, the biggest bike I've ridden was a 250 KTM, not sure of the model. But I sat on one of these and it felt, just, so comfortable. Like, almost fall asleep in the seat comfortable, and everything I hear about this bike, I like! I want a smooth throttle, really quiet, and to feel light, and this bike has all of those!!

[@gerardovallejo6788]

Dude, I literally have tabs open on shops that are selling this bike. I want it soooo bad, the DCT/ABS, all of it. I've ridden mopeds and 4 wheelers. But mannn, I want me one of these.

[@berniemadoff7837]

Did you get one? If not, look at a Polaris Slingshot. They upgraded the motor recently.

[@mastersmoosh9496]

Just bought a CTX700 a few weeks ago. Great bike. Shout out to Evolution Powersports in Watertown, SD. Lovin it.

[@davids6533]

At 2:44 talking about the clutch, he said it takes a minute for it to engage. Does it not engage as you release the clutch lever? This bike is the manual shift 6 speed, so why would it not engage like other manual clutches?

[@jamesalbinson7416]

David S I find that the clutch engagement is out at the end of the lever action. The action is good and the shifting is easy.

[@aloisius4188]

I think he meant to say when initially going from N to 1st gear, there is a lag. There is no lag during normal shifting while riding.

[@pennsyltuckyden9823]

This has turned out to be a great bike, you can check out a 2014 I just picked up with only 119 miles on it.

[@悦夫矢田]

このワインレッドもいいですね。ほしいバイクの1台です。

[@AIRMANBEAR]

I ADDED A SET OF PEGS UNDER THE DRIVER WHICH REALLY HELPS .ON LONG TRIPS... I HAVE IT ON UTUBE SOON ..

[@aloisius4188]

Do those pegs not get in the way when lowering the side stand?

[@lynford7]

I find it hard to believe there's not much wind at high speeds with such a small windshield.. Could I put a bigger one on it?

[@lynford7]

I want a lighter bike like this but would like to sometimes go on long 8 hr road trips.

[@STho205]

@@lynford7. I just saw one of these today, and the gentleman (probably around 67) had been on it for five hours and the last hour was on a two lane stacked switchback with 2000 feet of elevation change to 3000ft. He didn't walk like he was overly stiff. It looked like a gentleman's bike. He had full integrated and color keyed Honda luggage boxes.

[@martind349]

The fellow spoke of "no flutter" but we don't know if he took it on the highway and he is medium height.

[@apkn1955]

You can order one with tall windshield or get an after market one. Not hard to put on.

[@AppleUser]

@@lynford7 It can handle long rides with no problems. HOWEVER... your posterior will hate you unless you get a better seat like a Corbin. Trust me.

[@itzed]

If my '96 VLX600 ever gives up, this is what I'm buying. From what I hear, the likelihood of that happening is not high.

[@impeachcongress9771]

is this a good bike to take the motorcyle license test??

[@AppleUser]

yes

[@Pabloman333]

Why does the Canadian model get ABS with a manual transmission, but the States do not?

[@wilde.coyote6618]

Canadiens also get the Honda nc750s. S , as on sport . Not available in the states.

[@illliillli1312]

Excellent bike! I'm 6'2" 250 and keep mine in sport mode. I own the 2015 DCT model. Funny story I originally got it for my wife but she had problems keeping it from dropping so I decided to keep it for myself and do not regret it one bit. I actually sold my Road King and with the money bought a lot of nice accessories for it I couldn't be happier with it. I highly recommend it to anyone that wants a great relaxing ride!

[@busybody1474]

IIIII IIIII same bike here, I find auto mode shifts way too soon and sport mode ships way too late , so I just paddle shift manually

[@illliillli1312]

@@busybody1474 I sometimes use the paddles if I need to downshift when descending a steep hill. A lot of riders do not realize that even in sport or drive mode you can still use those paddles to shit up or down. The bike is amazing! I actually went on a 1200 mile trip on it recently and didn't have any issues. As for what I wrote about sport mode where I live in northern Arkansas I have a lot of steep hills so sport mode is ideal but for the flats I use Drive mode. I agree that it can shift too late at times or too early. But also discovered that the bike is so advanced that the bike has the technology to adapt to how you ride and will learn from you and will shift to match your style as time goes on.

[@AppleUser]

What is your thoughts on the rear mono shock? I have the 2015 CTX700 too.

[@busybody1474]

Apple User it seems harsh, but I weigh 240lb ...so I plan to adjust the preload and make it stiffer so it doesn't bottom out so easily, the preload is factory adjusted for a 160 lb rider

[@MOUSEBOWEN]

Súper awesome video I’m trying to decide between this Honda ctx 700 or a more powerful expensive 2017 bmw R nineT Pure . I live the look ms of the bmw r nineT but tge Honda ctx is so so comfortable

[@MunchieMadnesss]

What year was this bike ?

[@hovedskou]

Very very nice bike! BUT WHY WHY WHY did they give it a chain drive????????

[@drunkmasterchief1120]

What about someone who is 6'4" 400lbs?

[@dry509]

What about your feet being stretched out in front of you? You can’t stand end up on the pegs if need be? Wish you tried the dct.

[@AppleUser]

I love that fact. It makes riding the bike better on knees.

[@KEFERMELENON-rv4tj]

I hope soon to get 1

[@alexduey7868]

may get this to pair with my Street triple weird combo i know But i think id literally have everything except off road with those two bikes.

[@algesbrek5695]

Hi I have a big question , one of my bikes is a 750 honda ace , the ctx is a cruser also (Riding posision)but has a parallel 700 twin so the question, would the ride be more FUN....

[@aloisius4188]

I have a Honda Shadow Aero, which is not as much FUN as the CTX. The CTX is agile, crsip, easy to make U-turns with, easy to move manually, can carry more, doesn't look like a Harley wanna-be, and is just an all-around better ride than the Aero. For the little money you can't go wrong, Al.

[@Miguel-ng5wm]

Can this motorcycle sustain 80mph? I want use it as a touring solo motorcycle. I really dont care about comfort.

[@wandobudwell3088]

It will go 120 mph. 80 mph is 2/3 power. Piece of cake.

[@igorgetsin09]

It will reach it, but it's not fun going 80. The wind will thrash it around. And I call bull on the 120, only if it falls off a plane.

[@MarkPalmer1000]

Top speed is 106, that was as fast as I could get mine to go anyway when I tried the coveted top speed test one time. This isn't a superbike but regardless, it will cruise 80 on the interstate all day long with no fuss and still get 60 MPG. A good tall windscreen like the Cee Baileys makes high speed running much more comfortable.

[@AppleUser]

Yes. No problem. I ride the Highway at 80 all day long.

[@AppleUser]

@@wandobudwell3088 more like 105 mph. I know, I wanted to see. Not that I like to ride that fast. 80 or LESS is my riding zone.

[@Motochick203]

Just bought this 2014 6sp as my first bike :)

[@AIRMANBEAR]

IS THIS CANADIAN MODEL ANY DIFFERENT THAN US MODEL

[@charmaineboucher7055]

for one thing, you cant get a manuel one with ABS in the U.S

[@3arcninja]

@@charmaineboucher7055 yes you can they make a manual abs

[@aloisius4188]

@@3arcninja Charmaine: Airman Bear said: you CAN'T get a manual with ABS in the UNITED STATES. Apparently only in Canada. I have one!

[@Niro.C]

The NC series got the 750cc engine, what about the CTX ?

[@pegasi2]

ניר כהן 700cc

[@AppleUser]

670cc called 700

[@alanpower2857]

Do you have to get off to fill the gas tank? That would be a deal breaker for me.

[@jccarranza96]

Alan Power , I do it while on the bike, every time.

[@AppleUser]

No. You can sit on the bike and fill the tank.

[@aloisius4188]

I have yet to see a rider fill the tank on any bike, while sitting on it. I mean you've got to get off it to get the filler hose and swipe the card. Lazy much?

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

great bike; so comfy and ez to ride; the dct is so nice. but i hear center stands don't fit asia model as Eu and usa model are higher. no one has lower model. What Honda didn't to is make a side stand for the lower riding model. they use the same so the bike is almost upright and ez to tip over the other way with the same stand they provided for all models. HELLOOOOO Honda. hope they fix this on the 2021 model and hope they keep it lower for asia. makes it easeier to ride for all

[@petergriffin8681]

You need to purchase the center stand for the nc700s. I put this on my wife’s CTX700D with no issues

[@FrankBlackcrow]

Still has a chain drive.

[@travelinben1966]

Should have an electric windshield on it,or one that actually does something.

[@aloisius4188]

You can buy bigger WS from Kappa, Givi, and others. Seek and ye shall find. I did.

[@aloisius4188]

In Fact I have one for sale. Like new. See Kijiji and email me.

[@JessieFreeman-c8i]

Maggio Knoll

[@berferd2]

Sounds like a commercial for Honda.

[@aloisius4188]

But it isn't. Commercials try to sell you something. This is just a video review. Nobody is twisting your arm, but go test ride one.

[@BuckAntony-x4k]

Goldner Well

[@CarolGarcia-g3u]

Kelly Locks

[@atsonaga5520]

Nice,unique design

[@Tiesemans_one_in_ten]

Smells like a successor to a Deauville NT700 ... loose the chain, give it a cardan, higher screen and tada ...

[@aloisius4188]

Yep, give it a Cardan shaft and say goodbye to tedious chain lubing.

[@kennypool]

" Not quite as snappy" as a turtle.

[@evvignes]

“C of G”? Are we so lazy that we can’t say the words, “center of gravity“?

[@SusaPick-d4i]

Quitzon Summit

[@californiaprofile]

I still thought it was kinda cool

[@brewinginc.769]

zippy??? dropa gear fella!!

[@JeffreyWalker-t1i]

Lemke Summit

[@bnolsen]

"not as snappy as some people might like". that's being too nice to the bike, honestly. That honda decided to cheat US buyers by not offering abs with the manual transmission option is the biggest disappointment of this bike followed by anemic throttle response.

[@NancyPrince-e1w]

Huels Course

[@poorasslawstudent]

Man that thing is ugly

[@peopler2stupid165]

@r John: Said your Mama!

[@MarshallIngram-x9o]

Idella Throughway