Honda NC750X DCT | 5 Reasons Why it's the World's Most Practical Motorcycle

I have the non-DCT version of this bike. I've had it for 8 months and it's done everything I've needed it to do. And I gotta say... Frunk Life! Once you've gone Frunk, you'll never go back LOL =)

You did much better, about 1/2 the time. :) Great job explaining this bike.

I have one..and in sport mode it goes fast enough..is big difference between standard mode and sport mode..and if you turn the throttle fully it chance down like a kick down and then it fly away isch

seems cool but a real bike is about shifting and driving this kills it and what about when it breaks

the dct seems cool but when its breaks than its a problem atleast in my country

Why don't you operate the rear seat properly instead of trying to force it down (thus increasing the possibility of breaking the stay). Gently lift the seat and move the stay forward, easy! You are far too rough and rushed with it. Calm down or at least read the manual.

I have owned MY NC750X DCT (2021) for the las 2 years and still cant really fault it, fast enough to keep me entertained, practical and so economical. You get used to no clutch quite quickly and no you don't loose how to use a clutch. Would recommend this bike to anyone. And yes it will tour and do Motorway miles no problem, I fitted a small "sport" screen to mine as the original was a bot noisy. I usually change my bike after a year 18 months as i get bored, I have had this now for 2 years, Keep trying different bikes looking to next bike, but cant find anything yet that ticks all the boxes the NC does

If you have a lot of time to travel, this bike is a no-brainer. Only way it could be made more convenient is a shaft drive and cruise control.

I don’t think an automatic transmission makes a bike any more practical. I think the only thing practical about this bike is the included storage. That said, I tend to ride up to a fuel pump and fill up without climbing off my bike. With the filler under the seat, that makes this bike totally impractical for me. Shifting comes automatic to me anyway and my 690 Duke also gets 60 mpg or my K75S has tons of storage and all day high speed comfort. The terrible styling of the NC is just another reason why this is a hard pass for me.

Really glad you covered this bike. I though about getting one of these for quite a while. In the end, I passed on all of its cleverness for a V85, the two major reasons were shaft drive and cruise control. (The MG's character didn't hurt either, has to be said.)

If the NC had a shaft or belt drive and cruise, it would have been a slam-dunk for me, as it does everything else amazingly well.

Absolutely agree !! I travelled all around Thailand on this brilliant bike. Its just perfect engineering.

I like your reviews. I always find them thorough and informative. I own a 2019 version of this motorcycle and I highly recommend this motorcycle for around town and on longer trips. There are several extras that reccomend like a center stand, heated grips and the 12V outlet. The factory saddlebags and top case are pricey. But once you have these options the you are set to do endless miles. Anyway keep the footage coming. If you are ever planning any rides in Orange County. Let me know. I would enjoy the opportunity to hear about your perceptions in person. Ride safe.

No clutch, thats a scooter to me, no thanks

Everything is a compromise, but having the fuel tank under the pillion seat kills it for me. On anything more than a commute i strap,stuff to the rear seat. That took it from an all-rounder, to city bike.

Really good job on this bike. That riding suit looks good, classy touch.

NEEDS:
4 / 2 piston brakes
5.5 gallon fuel
Easier access for service of things like the AIR FILTER and VALVES
Oh forget it...just skip the ADV pretensions & buy the Moto Guzzi V7 (853cc) & get a shaft drive thrown in the deal.

IAN, there are 2" chicken strips on each side of the rear tire, so FOUR INCHES?! Apparently this bike wasn't ridden before reviewing?!

Mother honda, put a drive shaft, tubless tires and she is 10!

Why not just go out and buy a Honda ADV 160 instead ? That would be a cool review.

Great review. Thanks. only thing missing is self adjusting valves and shaft drive (like the old nighthawks).

I did this September a 30 days touring in Europe (Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania) avoiding motorways and using apps for adventurous roads. I used a rented previuos gen model (2021) but also DCT. It averaged 3.5 liters / 100km. I had Givi hard cases and top box. All of them fully loaded (top box had only laptop, winter layers, and rain gear). So all brackets, cases, engine bars, luagged added probably extra 45kg.

Frunk is a god sent thing. All bikes should have it. Whenever I stop I can put my gloves, GPS, etc into it and go to gas station to pay for fuel. Compare it with finding a key for your topbox/side case, going to the back of the bike, unlocking it, putting, locking and then repeating the process to get items back. I know it feels like a tiny thing, but just try it in real life to do multiple times a day, and you'll start appriciating ability to always access it without getting off from your bike or needed a different key. If I want water or snack, I just open frunk, and do it, and continue on my way without getting off the bike.

This is a great bike, I test road Trasnalp and a new gen NC750X DCT one after another this December as I want a new bike for my European trips instead of rentals. NC to me feels faster than Trasnalp until about 45-50 mph. Also, NC750X runs out of steam at about 55-60 mph even if downshifted to third/foruth. So, overtaking trucks going 55-65mph requires more planning on country roads because there are cars incoming, roads are twisty so limited visibility, a lot of spots with solid lines, etc. Keep in mind, that I was in general disspointed in Trasnalp engine performance (I tested it twice, once in LT and once in UK), everyone keep saying how fast it is. Well, I will tell Trasnalp is not fast and it's not torqy. Engine is just like average power engine at best. I also tried V-Strom 800RE, engine feels so much faster no matter the revs. Yes after 65mph-70mph Trasnalp is faster than 800RE, but before that I think 800RE is very sifnificantly faster in the feeling. I also test road Tiger GT Pro 900, and Tiger is also faster than Trasnalp, but not by a lot (though the power on paper is basically the same). But I digress.

Also, no matter if you push this bike or not, NC750X will stay economical no matter what. I think the worst I got was 3.8 liters per 100km/h. And this is real consumption from my excel file where I would imput the liters filled and match with distance ridden. However, the times I checked computer data against my data the maximum difference was 0.1 l/100 km/h, so computer is pretty much spot on, and I think the difference only happens because of rounding difference. It doesn't round matematically: 3.71 for computer is still 3.8.

I just wish it had a bit more power at 55-65 mph. This is my cruising speed and overtaking trucks even with downshifting (realisticly one needs to downshift two gears) can be annoying in the country side roads. I think previuos model was shifting back faster than 10 seconds. I feel like it was maybe 5 seconds. So I had many sitautions where I downshift, and just before I open fully throttle, I'm already in too high gear (I was always riding in Sport 1). Again, until 50 mph for me personally it's as fast as Trasnalp, so it isn't a slow bike.
Also, it has no issue cruising at 75-90 mph. Just no power for quick overtakes.

Being based off the Honda Fit you have sold me already. We have had 4 Hond Fits all late models that have had over 300k put on them in harsh driving conditions. US Mail routes with tons of idling and 150 plus stops over around 80 miles of route. My last one a 2015 has close to 300 and still uses no oil. Gets 42mpg with me revving it like crazy all the time. If this bike is half as reliable it will last more than a lifetime. In over 1.2 million miles we have had ZERO issues. Maintenance is it. Tires oil changes etc. No breakdowns. And in their ignorance Honda has discontinued the Fit. I guess its hard to sell hybrids when you sell an amazing car that gets better mileage and new is under 20k.

This is a great all round bike for sure .

Love the new garage set up

Great review. Really appreciate your work, its a nice career turn and hope it builds.
Lovely wife too, she should appear in all your videos 😁 and some rides with her and her reviews on pillion comfort and practicality would be most excellent.

Unfortunately the seat to footpeg distance is very short making the bike feel cramped...

Yes, look at my user ID email. When the NC700X came out, I got 1 immediately. Fast forward 5 yrs and 10'000km later, the tensioner armature valve broke inside the engine. I paid US$1200 (bike was US$9000 new) to repair it and I sold it for a new R1200GSA. No more (new and modern) Hondas for me. Bulletproof hondas? Yeah rite.
IT is actually a big scooter disguised as a motorcycle.

I had an early model (2013), and even though I ride a tracer 700 (a version of the MT-07) nowadays, I still miss the NC quite a lot. Practical, frugal, and easy to live with. Great great bike.

It's a scooter in disguise . Pray to God literally the NC stands for Nancy.

IMO, the NC750X is all the motorcycle that 80% + of riders out there really need & can effectively use (but not want).

It is just a myth that the engine is derived from the FIT. Commonly reported but incorrect.See this report from NC 700 Forum, Feb 25, 2013 on how the story originated.

"Just about everything in technical detail that appeared for the last year on the NC700s was given out at the world press debut and it was there that the NC project leader Uchida made this remark: "I got a hacksaw and cut a Jazz engine in half, but it didn't really run very well so we had to put some more work into the NC700X". It was a throw away remark made half in jest but it has been endlessly repeated because it was made in a room full of journalists and it made it into print and onto the web. That in itself does not make it any more true than it was at the time it was said.

The NC engine and the Jazz/Fit/City engines share virtually nothing in detail. The 270 degree crankshaft arrangement is different, the valve train is different, some are 8 valve heads, some are 16 valve, the fuel delivery system is different, the electrical generating system is different, the water pump is driven differently, etc, etc.

The only detail that is the same is the bore diameter of the 1339 cc auto engine. Other commonalities in the relationship between the NC and the Jazz is the oversquare dimension of the bore and stroke which is common in auto engines (and old fashioned v twins of all makes) and the approximate 1/2 displacement of a 1.3 liter Jazz engine sold in the EC and USA. To date there have been a total of 4 different engines available in the Jazz worldwide and the displacement varies from 1246 cc to 1496 cc. Some are VTEC and some are not.

It isn't "half a Fit engine".'

Great video as usual. Just traded my 2014 NC700X for the Transalp 750. I have to admit that I do miss the NC700 a little bit. It was a great bike. I really miss the frunk. All that built in storage was awesome. Especially for commuting. With that said, I am loving the Transalp 750 and would pick it over the NC750 for sure.

The NC handles incredibly well. I was really surprised

You didn’t use sport mode 2. Much better then sport 1

reliable, practical and economical.

Rode one in 2022. DCT was subpar compared to NT1100 & AT (had a chance to drive both in 1 day). NC750X was on my list, but the terrible wind protection, weird DCT and very basic suspension compared to the price was a NO GO. For commuting, I still prefer a decent scooter.

No DCT version in Australia!!

It looks like this bike needs about 20 extra hp

I owned an nc for a couple years. It certainly was practical, reliable, well engineered, economical and fairly comfortable.
If you strictly and only want to commute economically, it is a fine choice. In the end, though, I sold it because there were a number of things I wasn't happy about.

1. The front brake was not great. It was sort of adequate, but just not powerful enough. A couple of times I nearly had a heart attack during emergency stops.
2. The rider ergonomics were not quite right. I felt I was sitting on the bike, never quite part of it.
3. Power was really inadequate. Low rpm torque was sort of ok, but as the rpm rises the engine produces no additional power. It was not only frustrating but actually dangerous on occasion when passing cars.
4. A top speed of 170 kph is simply not good enough for a 750.
5. Initially I thought the DCT was great, but after some time I discovered that I wanted a clutch in first gear. Having gone back to a bike with a clutch, I now know that I will never buy a DCT again - I have to have a clutch in first gear. Not negotiable, slow speed maneuvers require a clutch.

Those were the major points. The bike is great, it does many things really well, but in the end I couldn't live with the problems. When I drove it to the dealer for the last time, I was happy to hand it over. I am sure there are riders who will be happy with it, I wasn't one of them.

I own a manual 2012 nc700x and consistently get 70 mpg. I am currently trying to sell it because it is to heavy for me to pick up with my back issues. But I agree with all your opinions about this bike. It has been the most comfortable easy bike to ride that I have owned. I have ridden it on the freeway and also off road. They off road part was part of the WABDR. I did have a skid plate and bark busters on it. It is a wonderful bike.

The three things I would like to see on the bike. Bigger windscreen (yes easily fixable), cruise control, not throttle lock but a true cruise. I am also a little disappointed on the valve check interval, I will have to get a valve check every year. If the engine was from a car, I would have liked to see the hydraulic lifters. Do that and I am in.

What happened to your thumb?

I think with the current version, they have gone too far in terms of accessibility. Since the 21 Model (RH 09) it lost 3cm suspension travel and ground clearance. When you interest in this bike check out the previous model (RC 90) first. Especially the years 2018-2020. It already got the 900more PRM Rev range like in the current version and switchable Traction Control but still have the higher suspension. In my opinion that the best version of the NC750x.

A SUGGESTION: Dear Ian, on a preview or review video; kindly give us a nice 360⁰ walk-around of the motorcycle so that we can view it from every angle, you can insert some nice cinematic effects with music, it can be 1 minute prelude sort of a thing and I'm hoping that it'll add more value and styling to your work. Keep shining bro!!! 😊😊

I get it but wouldn't get it.

Thanks for the thorough review, Ian. As a 2016 NC DCT owner (which came stock with about 1 inch more clearance and travel than the current model), I have found the bike a very capable cross country adventure bike, even in the trans America trail- albeit with certain modifications, most notably better front suspension internals. With RPP Moto’s set up, the bike’s clearance improves by almost 2 inches to around 8 inches with skid plate installed. Although the seat is taller, the low cg prevents it from being uncomfortably high for this 5’ 8’ inch rider. I have often considered replacing this bike, but When properly outfitted, I find it hard to justify dropping more than double what I have in this bike for something like a GSA or Tiger. It really is a great all rounder, especially gen 2 models which are arguably a little more adventure ready. A great, reasonably priced choice for shorter riders, and a bike that doesn’t get its due in the press. Thanks for giving it the time of day.

DCT is too heavy and stupid, the concept is good but not practical. When I go uphill, lack of power. When I go downhill, it was too fast. when I go slow, throttle too responsive

I agree it is the perfect motorcycle for women

Traded my 21 NC dct for a 22 rebel 1100 dct. Wish I kept both. 😢