2015 Honda CTX700N vs Vulcan S Comparison Part 1 - MotoUSA

[@raw6464]

I'm a 35 years rider. I own a CTX700D with Fairing , ABS and DCT coming off a Kawasaki 1700 Voyager, all 900 lbs. of it. The style of it is in the eye of the beholder, so anybody else's opinion doesn't make a hill of beans to me. I have to agree with steve01001. With the DCT and it's ability to shift an INSTANT up or down AT FULL THROTTLE lets this bike blow away bikes that on paper it shouldn't. I'll take that Kawasaki Vulcan into the twisties and it won't even be close. This bike has put fun back into riding. With it's low center of gravity, low end flat torque and superb handling makes it one of the easiest bikes I've ever ridden. The short comings of the DCT is made up hands down with the things you can do, you can't in the manual. I will never buy another MC without DCT... it's that much fun and performance. I have not heard any bad reviews by DCT owners. Once you spend some time on one it you will never want to go back to shifting. All things being an equal a DCT will outperform a manual every time.

[@jeremyneedle]

I just got my CTX 700 DCT a couple months ago and love it. I live in LA and I like commuting a few days a week on the bike, and I can tell you have that DCT in LA stop & go traffic is a god send. People here really drive terribly, cut you off, are on their phones and drift lanes...the works. So having one less thing to worry about does make a difference, esp to a new rider like me. As of now I've got 1300-ish miles, so still pretty new. But I can't speak highly enough of this bike. I tested the Rebel, tested the Ninja...and this bike is just me

[@filoIII]

I'd like to see the ctx and Versys race in the twisties.

[@kens97sto171]

I like both of these... get the DCT version of the Honda, you get ABS and the DCT keeps the engine in its happy place much better. the DCT is quicker in all drive modes. but the manual control lets you completely take over if you want.

[@mastersmoosh9496]

Just bought a CTX700 manual. Love it. More than enough top end. Love to ride but love to live. Great bike.

[@stevesavino8914]

I have a 2014 CTX 700 “61mpg & Fastest to 45 mph, I put a Corbin seat on it 2 years & have cruised all over Monmouth county 20,000 miles worth. Jersey shore, Ocean Ave., Stop & Go, CTX Shines!!!.._I also own a 2016 Kawasaki Vulcan 650 S, FASTer after 35 mph and beyond, it’s 9,500 redline & screaming all the way. I

[@whistlinginthewind4141]

Love my CTX 700...bought a BN '14 left over for $3200 under sticker! (paid $ 4198 out the door folks..it pays to shop around). It seems testers' biggest gripe was lack of roll on power @ 65 mph..top gear is overdrive..kick it down to 5th..does just fine shooting up to 85 and beyond..these "testers" need to get picky to pick up their pay check from Honda AND Kawasaki.

[@Duke_Nuke]

I think I got the exact same deal on mine after months of haggling. I wanted the non n model, but nobody had one or knew when or if they'd get them(only 1 dealership even had the n). Amazing bike for the price and I love the dtc.

[@Sinatra192]

I have the 2014 CTX700 with fairings. I get about 75mpg. A great commuter!!

[@loganellis9867]

just got my 2014 ctx for $3900. couldnt be happier

[@loganellis9867]

brandon slaughter Manual. I tried to like the dct but I live near some sharp curves and knew I would want the clutch. Ive already put 2k miles on it.

[@Rick_Sanchez_C137_]

Logan Ellis Still loving it? Anything you don’t love about it?

[@chidorimendo]

Honda > Kawasaki. Generally, Honda always seems to make super refined bikes, while other companies focus on adding tech features, and more displacement.

[@chidorimendo]

What source did that come from? www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/04/who-makes-the-most-reliable-motorcycle/index.htm

[@steady2wheels]

+Ethan Dang Honda riders are renowned liars that have too much pride to admit they bought a bike based purely on some reliability myth, then when they review the bike straight up lie. 'its been 100 reliable because its a honda, apart from the reg rec, the charging system in general, the wiring loom melting because honda always uses too thinner wires, but apart from that 100% reliable because its a honda!' liars, all of them

[@jueviolegrace1444]

+steady2wheels troll

[@steady2wheels]

Komeng H just the truth my friend

[@raw6464]

+steady2wheels "just the truth"? based on the ridiculous, unsupported "facts" you just pulled out of your ass! I'll bet your a shake and break Harley Davidson rider?

[@zbb2stillalive]

CTX700N is a great commuter bike.

[@christiandelorde5887]

One of my bikes is a ctx w/ dct, abs. It's a fun ride. I get compliments over it all the time. And it definitely gets better mileage than my Yamaha Stryker, my heritage classic or my Suzuki sv650. Different rides that I enjoy. I only dislike bikes that break down alot, cost alot to repair and way over priced.

[@county_bear9509]

If you ask me the Honda looks more muscular and capable as a sporty tourer where the Vulcan S looks and feels like a cruiser with a sport-bike engine. The Honda 670cc definitely leaves something to be desired but by my understanding it’s very capable under boost applications(up to 100+ horsepower even). 70-80 horsepower would be amazing for this tourer.

[@InsanityHere]

Can more power be tuned into the Honda, for more power up tip, as "all" new bikes these days claim a programmable ecu?

[@TheCanadianCyclist]

C to the T to the X...

[@billsykes1122]

I bought a 2016 Honda ctx700n and it's perfect I get about 67 mpg

[@FoxEarGaming]

new rider here! Recently picked myself up a 2016 ctx700n and am loving it to death! stay safe out there!

[@pennsyltuckyden9823]

The HP numbers on the CTX are all over the place. I've heard, 45, 48 and 51.

[@county_bear9509]

These numbers are surely to the wheels. Believe it’s 48 horsepower 47 ft-lbs torque.

[@simplebirdy]

60mpg is what makes me want it

[@AddyAdderson]

I got the CTX700N and that mileage number is no lie. Touring and it will easily get in the high 60mpg range. I get 65mpg just running around town on errands.

[@briangray426]

You chose 2 different types of bikes. And by that I mean you bitched about the brakes, but didn't mention you cheaped out and didn't get the ABS brakes for the Ctx

[@Duke_Nuke]

True, but abs only came on the dct models and then they would've been comparing an auto to a manual.

[@colbjallen8334]

Look at the size of the riders though

[@arch417powersports]

The Honda doesn't look cruiser-ish at all.

[@kino266]

not necessarily bad, some people want something inbetween

[@atsonaga5520]

It looks like a cruise liner jet😁I like it

[@Rick_Sanchez_C137_]

Arch417 Look at the knee angle of the rider.... 122° seems pretty cruiserish to me....

[@AddyAdderson]

Make no mistake, your body posture on a CTX700 is that of a cruiser rider, but the handling of the CTX is that of a straight street bike. With its low center of gravity, it tracks steadily, turns and curves smoothly, and stands up to crosswinds. It's low like a cruiser so it's good for shorter riders, but six footers can get on and feel like there's plenty of room. Honda got the ergonomics of this bike right.

[@jonathanvillalba3214]

I dig the "sporty" look with a cruiser sitting position to be honest. My knees and back will thank me lol

[@takingoutthetrash1512]

Vulcan S takes the cake

[@jonathanvillalba3214]

I guess there really isnt space for a passenger on these

[@MrSlowestD16]

Am I the only one who feels the CTX700N is fugly? I wouldn't want to be caught dead riding that thing..

[@MrSlowestD16]

+Steven01001 I think they're just complimenting it because they're backpedaling their face of disgust :-P The Kawi looks goooooooooood, tho. If you want a lot of compliments buy an adventure bike - they honestly never end.

[@davidian7787]

You are correct sir. If Tupperware made a bike it would look like the ctx.

[@MrSlowestD16]

+Steven01001 Yea, I'll have to see one in person. They're not exactly common around here.

[@cappucino108]

you must be pretty fragile and insecure with yourself, sad.

[@AddyAdderson]

Fugly is in the eye of the beholder. I couldn't give a hoot about showing up and looking "badass". I want a bike that's a good value, reliable, safe to ride, and economical.

[@stevewyatt3339]

Yamaha FZ-7 is WAY better

[@MrDamon888]

Honda is UGLY