Another riding instructor here, replacing another aging gs500. This bike is used 7 days a week as my main mode of transport with the occasional student learning on it too.

Pros:
-Extremely good roadholding. Stable, quirk-free handling right to the edge of the tyre. Reminds me of my old bandit 1200. Low center of gravity makes it feel unintimidating between your knees.
-Takes big bike tyres so you get a wide range of high quality replacement options to suit your riding style.
-Solid build quality in every way - reliable, sturdy, the finish...Read more

I hired this bike to tour NZ for 10 days. I ride a FZ1 in Australia. Initially I was underwhelmed and thought this was going to be a big mistake. However, the more the KMs clocked over the more I liked and understood it. The linked brakes were a revelation. Entering a corner I counter initiatively used the rear first which had the effect of 'squatting' the bike, making it very stable. This than allowed me to modulate the front brake to make for a very fast and smooth entry and exit. The more I used them in this style the more enjoyable th...Read more

Prior to buying this as an urban commuter to work bike, I was riding a CBR1100xx.
The indicator and horn switches are back to front in comparison and the redline sits a roughly 6000rpm (compared to 11000rpm on the CBR1100xx). As a 2 cylinder, it also vibrates unlike the 4 cylinder CBR which is much smoother.
It's those three things that take a little getting used to.

I've had it now for 6 months and have done about 10,000km on it.
I also now take it out on weekends for long rides (500km+). I do not get sore on this bike, but I also ride...Read more

I am a riding instructor & needed to update my R class bike when LAMS was brought in, here in WA, in 2012. The old, reliable GS500 had to be pensioned off.
Then, along came the Honda NC700SA
$9,000 brand new, with fuel injection, water cooling, & ABS brakes
The great, torquey, relaxed engine, is also very frugal. The 270deg, off beat firing order helps here
As noted by the other reviewers, the seat is initially a bit firm. After a few months though, I find it quite comfortable
The only real issues I found were the lack of ground clearance....Read more

I've had my NC700SA for two months now, clocking up 2000 kms. It is my second bike and I've been riding bikes for 30 years. I'm 6ft and about 100 kg. The best aspects of this bike are the engine, storage and mileage. I find the engine wonderful, like a torquey Harley, it's really great around town and has a lot of zip. People used to power bikes won't think this as they ride it the wrong way, trying to wring it out rather then go with the pulse flow of the torque. Needles to say I can drag off most other bikes at the lights! Very surprising, bu...Read more

I've just turned over 6000 kms on the NC but the ride (2500kms) out to Eromanga has confirmed that this is a bike that is better suited to a semi urban environment.
The good:
Wonderful torquey motor that will see off most things at the lights. If you think this bike is underpowered, then you're fundamentally buying the wrong sort of bike.
Brakes are superb and the linked ABS system is magnificent.
Fuel econonomy outstanding. I got 30kms per litre at best and generally about 28-29.
The Frunk enables you to carry a lot of gear or else store ...Read more