Honda CTX700 (2014-2019) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Honda CTX700, made between 2014 and 2019.

The Honda CTX700 is a road cruiser that pushes the envelope a little aesthetically. It at once is a cruiser, a commuter, and a novice-friendly motorcycle that’s easy to ride when paired with optional DCT transmission.

All versions of the CTX700 are powered by a 670cc parallel twin. The engine makes 35 kW (47 bhp) at 6250 rpm, with torque of 45 ft-lb (60 Nm) coming on early at 4750 rpm. The engine is canted 62 degrees forward, keeping the center of gravity low for ease of handling.

The CTX700 shares the engine platform with the Honda NC700, with which it shares a lot of common parts.

The CTX700 didn’t change in the years it was available, with the exception of DCT becoming the only option in its last years.

Originally published Dec 10, 2020, but significantly updated since.

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Honda CTX700 Service Intervals

The best way to describe service intervals for the CTX700 is to say they’re every 8000 miles or 12800 km. At every service, change the oil and filter and inspect the valve clearances (yes, you have to do it that often).

There are less frequent spark plug inspections and changes.

Because the CTX700 has a liquid-cooled engine, make sure you keep the coolant fresh. Same goes for brake fluid.

And make sure you maintain the chain of the final drive on the CTX700.

What you need to service the Honda CTX700

The Honda CTX700 is usually put to commuting or touring duty, so it’s not going to get hammered, but maintenance of core components like the chain and oil are still critical.

Apart from general motorcycle maintenance tools, here’s what you need to maintain your Honda CTX700.

PartHonda CTX700 spec
OilHonda recommends SAE 10W-30, JASO T 903 standard MA or higher, such as Pro Honda GN4 10W-30 or an equivalent high-quality motorcycle oil like Motul 5100 (which gets rave reviews). Use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft).
Oil filterHonda’s standard part number for the oil filter is 15410-MFJ-D01 (used on many Hondas). You can also use Hiflofiltro HF204RC for the oil filter. Use a torque wrench to tighten it to 26 Nm (19 lb-ft).
Air filter (OEM)The OEM air filter part is 17210-MGS-D30. You can also use the K&N alternative air filter, whose part number is HA-7012, which is much easier to get online.
Spark plugsUse NGK spark plug part IFR6G-11K. Use a gapping tool to set the gap to 1.0-1.1 mm.
Chain maintenanceTo maintain your chain, Motul chain paste is quite well-liked. There’s also the Motul chain care kit which is affordable and good.
Brake fluidYou can use any DOT 4 oil, but Honda recommends Honda DOT 4.
Brake pads (front)OEM front brake pads are part number 06455-MGS-D32. Alternative EBC double-hardened front brake pads have part number FA196HH.
Brake pads (rear)OEM rear brake pads are part number 06435-MGS-D32. Alternative EBC double-hardened rear brake pads have part number FA140HH.
CoolantUse Honda Long-life Coolant, which is based on ethylene glycol.
GreaseStock up on lithium soap-based grease and silicon grease to keep pivots and moving parts lubricated and protected.
Honda CTX700 parts for maintenance

Honda CTX700 Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Honda CTX700.

The maintenance for the Honda CTX700 is broken into two sections: Emission-Related Items and Non-Emission-Related Items.

Here are Honda’s guidance for the difficulty levels for the maintenance items:

  • X: Intermediate. “We recommend service by your Honda dealer, unless you have the necessary tools and are mechanically skilled. Procedures are provided in an official Honda Service Manual” (this means you can do it!)
  • XX: Technical. “In the interest of safety, have your motorcycle serviced by your dealer.” (do it if you’re game)

Maintenance Procedures:

  • I: Inspect and clean, adjust, lubricate, or replace, if necessary. Use lithium soap-based grease for general exterior lubrication.
  • R: Replace
  • L: Lubricate.
  • C: Clean

Notes:

  • Honda recommends you get the wheels, tires, and steering head bearings serviced by a mechanic for safety reasons.
mi x 10004812162024
km x 10006.412.819.225.63238.4Every
Engine Oil (Pro Honda GN4)RRRReplace every year
Engine Oil Filter (HF204RC)RRR
Air CleanerRRReplace more often when riding in dusty / wet conditions
Spark Plug (IFR6G-11K)IEvery 32,000 mi (51,200 km): R
Clutch Oil Filter (DCT models, part 15412-MGS-D21)R
Valve ClearancesIII
Fuel LineIII
Throttle OperationIII
Engine Idle SpeedIIIIII
Radiator CoolantIIRReplace every 2 years
Cooling SystemIII
Brake Fluid (Honda DOT 4)IIRIIRReplace every 2 years
Brake Pads WearIIIIII
Brake SystemIII
Brake Light SwitchIII
Brake Lock OperationIIIIII
Headlight AimIII
Side StandIII
SuspensionIII
Nuts, Bolts, FastenersIII
Wheels/TiresIII
Evaporative Emission Control System (if fitted)II
Crankcase BreatherCCCCCCClean more often if riding in rain or at full throttle
Honda CTX700 Maintenance Schedule

Maintaining Your Chain on the Honda CTX700

It’s important to maintain your chain on the CTX700 as it’s a bike that typically gets a lot of daily use in varied conditions. Use a good-quality chain lubricant like Motul chain paste, which is easy to carry with the bike in its generous on-board storage, or a Motul chain care kit which comes with a couple of handy tools to maintain the chain.

Honda recommends you follow the following chain maintenance schedule:

Chain maintenance itemEvery
Check drive chain lubrication condition, lubricating if necessary600 mi / 1000 km
Check drive chain slack, adjusting if necessary600 mi / 1000 km
Chain maintenance — Honda CTX700

Notes:

  • Do these items (checking/adjusting slack, and checking/applying lubrication) more often if you ride your CTX700 in dusty or rainy conditions.
  • Always lubricate the chain after washing the motorcycle.

Drive chain slack on the Honda CTX700 must be 25-35 mm of free movement in the middle of the lower part of the chain. Check in a few places (rolling the bike back and forwards to make sure the chain has worn evenly, too.

If the slack is out of spec, you need to tighten it (or possibly loosen it if it has been previously over-tightened).

To adjust the drive chain slack, loosen the rear axle nut and the lock nuts on both side of the swing arm. Turn the adjusting nuts an equal number of turns until the correct drive chain slack is measured.

You may have to remove the muffler end cover for access.

Tighten the rear axle nut to 98 Nm / 72 lb-ft, and tighten the adjusting nut lock nuts to 21 Nm / 15 lb-ft.

Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Honda CTX700

The Honda CTX700 has the following tyres and tyre sizes standard, as well as the following recommended tyre pressures:

TyreSizeBrand(s)Tyre pressure (when cold)
Front120/70ZR17M/C (58W)BRIDGESTONE BT023F G
METZELER ROADTEC Z8 INTERACT E
36 psi (250 kPa, 2.50 bar)
Rear160/60ZR17M/C (69W)BRIDGESTONE BT023R G
METZELER ROADTEC Z8 INTERACT M
Solo: 36 psi (250 kPa, 2.50 bar)
With passenger: 42 psi (290 kPa, 2.90 bar)
Tyres and tyre pressures for Honda CTX700

Naturally, adjust tire pressure as you see fit.

About the Honda CTX700

Honda CTX700 on road
Honda CTX700 on road, showing the relaxed riding position. Photo from Honda.

The Honda CTX700, like its bigger sibling the CTX1300 (which was only made for a year), definitely pushes the envelope — it’s not just a cruiser, nor just an everyday motorcycle, and definitely not a scooter… no matter what some people may call any bike with DCT.

To make the Honda CTX700, Honda took some parts of the cruiser idiom (laid-back seating, forward-set pegs, torque-rich twin-cylinder engine that you don’t have to rev for power) and put them together into a package unlike anything else you’ll see on the road.

The low 28-inch seat height makes it really easy to throw a leg over the CTX700 if you’re a new rider and want to stay close to the ground. Putting your feet down when you get to stop lights or parking lots is easy and non-threatening. On top of that, the low center of gravity afforded by the overall low height and the forwarded-canted engine mean that the Honda CTX700 is easy to steer.

The CTX700 is a bike specifically engineered to make motorcycling more approachable, affordable, fun, and practical. Beneath the fuel tank cover, there’s a handy glove box area, and the fuel is carried below.

Honda made the CTX700 in two guises — naked (CTX700N) and with a small fairing (CTX700S). They’re usually just called the Honda CTX700. DCT was offered as an option in some years (or standard in some years/regions), but maintenance is basically the same anyway, other than changing a filter or attending to clutch lever throw. Also, ABS was an option (or standard in some markets), but that didn’t affect maintenance at all.

Honda’s optional Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) means you can choose between either a fully automatic mode or the option of more active gear selection via “paddle-shift” type buttons on the handlebar. The DCT version also comes with standard ABS. DCT is a far cry from a CVT scooter-type transmission — you are definitely still engaged in shifting if you want to be, but your left foot and hand will do less work.

Ride gear on the CTX700 is quite basic. There’s a 41mm telescopic fork and a monoshock damper at the rear. The front brake is just a single 320mm wavy disc with a 2-piston metal caliper. All that coupled with just 47 hp and 244 kg kerb weight mean that performance is modest and you won’t be taking this bike to the track.

But the flipside is that the CTX700 is very reliable. As long as you keep the fluids fresh, it will last you a very long time.

Reference — Screenshots from the Manual for the Honda CTX700

The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the 2018 Honda CTX700. There were no significant changes in the maintenance schedule between years, just little changes in the way in which the information was presented. See other screenshots from various years.

You can download the manual for the CTX700 from Honda Powersports here.

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