Ride: Honda NC 700 D Integra - scooter or motorcycle?

(Iz Automagazina 06/2012)

text: Matevž Gribar, photo: Aleš Pavletič

So, they have the bikes listed on the Honda website, and since the Integra is neither a scooter nor a motorcycle (of any kind), they just created a new submenu: Integra... Why? From a distance, it would not hesitate to be placed among the maxi scooters, but close-ups show the large 17-inch wheels, chain drive to the rear wheel, a clearly too high center ridge for a scooter and unusual switches on both. handlebar side.

Use your right thumb from idle (N) to engage normal D (movement) or sport program S (sport) and use the cursor to select a mode. automatic or manual switching... On the left, the thumb and forefinger select one of the six gears in the dual-clutch transmission, but certainly not entirely at will. The electronics prevent shifting into too high or too low a gear, and also does not allow shifting when the side stand is activated.

Due to the extreme lack of time at the end of the 2012 motorcycle catalog, I rode only 25 kilometers with Integra on the route Trzin - the center of Ljubljana. Too little to test it where it is supposed to drive into the corner of another maxi scooter - on a winding road, but in the city this miracle manifests itself with humiliating acceleration from traffic light to traffic light. The gentleman in the new black BMW 5 Series was left behind despite the creaking tires...

I had a feeling that this scooter flies better than NC700X with the same engine and conventional gearbox, and most importantly, the feeling of connecting the right wrist to the engine is impressive. There is no such thing with the variomat (or it is stretched, it’s not clear), but this DSG, sorry, DCT, also allows you to drift on flat pavement in our garage. The transmission is fast, with much less squeak and soundtrack than the VFR 1200 DCT. I'm not going to claim that it is first class and without a single flaw, but it is worthy of praise and reflection.

For example, I was worried that with a small amount of gas in the city, the gearbox shifts to a too low gear and that then the engine (or chain?) Emits awkward vibrations. The problem is solved by choosing a sports program that will maintain engine speed of at least about three thousand. Integra's weight when moving in the parking lot and the fact that such a large scooter with such a large seat does not have place for integral helmet.

Let's remember that half a decade ago something similar (motorcycle + scooter variomat) was developed by Aprilia and created by Mano. Even today, despite the sadder sales, I say this is a good concept. Is this the wrong origin, or will Honda also face resistance from motorists to innovate? I bet on NC700X DCT.