All Comparisons – The Honda NC700S challenges the Kawasaki ER-6n and Suzuki Gladius – Consumption: the NC700S at less than 3 l-100km!

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Honda NC700S challenges Kawasaki ER-6n and Suzuki Gladius

All Comparisons - The Honda NC700S challenges the Kawasaki ER-6n and Suzuki Gladius - Consumption: the NC700S at less than 3 l-100km!

In 2012, Honda intends to shake up the basic motorcycle segment with its economical roadster, the NC700S. Site opposed the novelty of the winged crest to its twin-cylinder compatriots: the acclaimed Kawasaki ER-6n and the Suzuki Gladius. Comparative test.

Consumption: the NC700S at less than 3 l / 100km !

In order to judge the aptitudes of the three engines in terms of minimum consumption, the editorial staff of Site developed an experimental protocol worthy of the largest scientific laboratories….

Our testers therefore started by filling the tanks of the motorcycles stationed vertically to the brim – and not on the side stand. The 14.1 liters of the NC700S, the 16 liters of the ER-6n and the 14.5 liters of the Gladius were thus force-fed with unleaded Super 95.

The Honda being the yardstick for this event, the riders of the other two bikes were ordered never to overtake the NC700S and to ride as smoothly as possible … But without driving under revs. , nor grab the clutch lever from the first descent !

To erase minimal differences in handling, Site went so far as to divide the 100 km journey into three equal portions on which the three valiant – because very patient … – testers of the Journal moto du Net took turns at the controls. three different motorcycles.

Finally, for information, the experience consisted of a short escapade on four-lanes limited to 110 km / h and a few crossings of villages, but the majority of the course was carried out on nice departmental roads between 80 and 90 km / h.

100 km cool

A nice sunny ride 104 km later (on the Honda counter, but 102.6 on the Kawa and 103.3 on the Suz ‘), Site again dutifully refueled each bike and pulled out its calculator….

The first result is striking: the NC700S consumed only 2.90 l / 100 km! Honda was therefore not lying by announcing reduced fuel consumption from its new twin (read). And on the rest of our journey, the average consumption of the "New Commuter" corresponds exactly to the data communicated by the manufacturer: 3.63 l / 100km.

Only to drop below the symbolic bar of 3 l / 100 km that a good number of two-wheeled utility vehicles – including 125 scooters! – exceed blithely, the Honda marks here a capital point with a certain fringe of consumers !

The two rivals of the small winged roadster are not, however, completely out of the game since under the same conditions, the Kawa consumed only 3.50 l / 100 km and the Suz ‘3.61 l / 100 km. By remaining scrupulously under 4500 rpm, the consumption of motorcycles therefore reaches quite reasonable values. !

The rest of the time, the balance of power is reversed between these two adversaries of the Honda; but the values ​​remain quite acceptable: 4.77 l / 100 km for the ER-6n and 4.57 l / 100 km for the Gladius … which, however, were not specially saved !

With the 14.1 liters of fuel in its tank, the Honda therefore achieves a theoretical maximum range of 485 km, but it will be necessary to build on 380 km at a "normal" pace. The ER-6n (16 liters capacity) will stop 50 km before the NC700S while the Gladius (14.5 liters) will just exceed 310 km.

21 liters … of storage !

Still practical, the Tokyo roadster enjoys a huge advantage: its 21-liter trunk located where the tank is usually located! You can easily slip a backpack, a rain suit and / or an anti-theft chain inside. And once you arrive at your destination, you can store your helmet there.

The most careful, however, will ensure to wrap their beautiful full in its cover, because the trunk of the NC is devoid of felt. On larger helmet models, this protection will be mandatory in order to insert them without scratching them..

The lock to open this vast storage space – placed on the left side of the false tank – also allows the fuel flap to be opened … which is none other than the passenger seat! Basic but practical, a small rod is wedged under the saddle to keep it in the open position. A flick and it closes: e-vi-dent !

Under their respective saddles, the ER-6n and the Gladius only accommodate a U of medium size. The Kawasaki also requires a minimum of savvy in order to discover the correct sequence necessary for the fixing of the front element: first the rear part, then the front, which is not obvious at the beginning. !

To summarize … Less expensive than the competition, as easy and more pleasant to take in hand, particularly economical at the pump and immensely practical: at this stage of the comparison, the victory of the Honda seems to be taken for granted … And yet !

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