New Hondas for 2010 - First Look

NT700V and Shadow Phantom lead the way.

What's this, an "all-new lightweight touring bike" from Honda for 2010? Er, not quite. Okay, the NT700V is new to the U.S., true, but it's been sold in Europe since 1998, first as the Deauville 650, then as a 700.

The bike's 680cc liquid-cooled sohc V-Twin will be familiar to U.S. riders as the same basic powerplant that motivated Honda's discontinued Trans-Alp and Pacific Coast models. Over the years, it's gained a reputation as being practically unburstable, and more than a few touring riders not interested in the bulk of a Gold Wingor ST1300 have wondered why the Deauville was denied entry to America for so long.

American Honda's press release plays up the bike's practicality, which should come in handy if (when) gas prices go stratospheric again: "If you're looking for a fully equipped yet lightweight touring machine that's fun, easy to ride and ready to carry you to work and play seven days a week, look no farther than the new NT700V. Fully outfitted and ready to roll, the NT700V can turn your daily commute into riding bliss and then carry you off on that weekend adventure..."

Bliss and adventure in one shaft-driven, saddlebag-shod package? The base-model NT700V, available in metallic red or metallic silver, will be in dealerships November, 2009, priced at $9999. An ABS model, available in metallic silver only, will go for $10,999.

Honda's other "new" early-release model isn't exactly brand-spanking, either. The Phantom is another iteration on the popular Shadow 750 V-Twin cruiser platform, taking the bobbed Spirit model, adding fork shrouds from the Aero, then going gloss black on almost every surface. Also on sale in November, stickered at $7999.

2010 Honda NT700V

2010 Honda NT700V

2010 Honda NT700V

2010 Honda NT700V

2010 Honda NT700V

2010 Honda NT700V

2010 Honda NT700V

2010 Honda NT700V

2010 Honda NT700V

2010 Honda Shadow Phantom

2010 Honda Shadow Phantom

2010 Honda Shadow Phantom

2010 Honda Shadow Phantom

2010 Honda Shadow Phantom

2010 Honda Shadow Phantom

2010 Honda Shadow Phantom

2010 Honda Shadow Phantom