Living with the Honda NC750X - In Depth Review

Living with the Honda NC750X - In Depth Review: Having ridden the NC750X for two weeks it's time to sum up my findings on the bike and bring you the lessons I have learned....stay tuned!

Links to my channel sponsors:-

I'm now on that Twitter thing! Join me @MissendenFlyer
and on Instagram @missendenflyer

Don't forget your other TMF Discounts!:-

I use the following equipment to record and edit my VLOGs:-

My current motorcycles are:-
BMW R1200GS
Ducati 899 Panigale
Triumph Speed Twin
Royal Enfield Custom 650 Interceptor
Honda GL1800 Goldwing Tour DCT (Airbag)
Suzuki GSXS215 (OK, that's the Mrs bike!)

Please be aware I am not a professional journalist or otherwise claim to be an expert in any way in motorcycles or anything else. I'm just an ordinary biker like you probably are. Please regard my videos as entertainment only and if information presented is important to you, please verify it via a knowledgable third party....the videos I post are just my opinions and are no more valid than anyone elses.

[volt]

After ankle surgery i sold my bikes at 63 yrs old. However, my itch became itchier without a bike. So i tested most 600-900cc bikes. I wanted something comfortable because of my skeletal issues. This was the only bike i rode more than twice and after a 9 month absence bought this same bike. I ve owned 47 bikes in my life. I can honestly say i cant keep off it. Living rurally i recently visited my daughters in central Birmingham, got very lost but riding this around the city in Dct was an absolute joy. It will cruise at well over the legal limits and feels quick off the line. Its hyper comfy for me at 6’1”. I drive mine in permanent sport mode at its average on the computer 83mpg, i ve not done a tank to tank calculation. I have fitted a centre stand a criminal omission, radiator guard, hugger, fender extender and heated grips…it doesnt have the raw thrill of say. Z900rs but i am totally in love with this bike, i just want to ride it all the time. I think the performance is more than adequate and it keeps up with the guys i ride with. My only complaints are the bike resets its mode everytime you stop the engine and i think the suspension is rubbishly cheap but does its job. I will be addressing this as i love the bike so much. I would also like some luggage and when you add up all these extras its not such a cheap bike. However its a supremely competent machine. You can change riding modes on the fly and indeed use the flappy paddles for engine braking without changing anything
Nice thorough review cheers

[juliecrocker]

My 750x manual was one of the first 750's in the uk ( 2014) fitted yss valves in the forks the early bike's had hard forks, heated grips and lower rear links ( 30 mm), and modified the cluch leaver to make it lighter to pull and i get 80+ mpg down to 76 mpg on motorway at 85+ mph . At 72 with arthritis this bike will last me to the end of my riding days,

[MH-xdnd]

I owned the original NC700X, and have since tested the 750S and 750X. The engine is nice and low revving, the storage was very handy (I could often go out without any luggage attached) and the newer DCT is much better than on my 700. Some quirks or annoyances I had were; most uncomfortable seat on any bike I’ve owned (no padding, too narrow, nasty slope that pushes you toward the tank), although I believe an aftermarket seats could resolve this, the low revving nature means there’s virtually no engine braking so you use the brakes a lot more, which are rather wooden and under-powered (even the Cb500X has 2 discs up front), the fuel cap really should be on the outside of the bike like the BMW F800 series - if you pack something on the back seat you have to remove it to fill up, plus the fuel cap just comes off. The fuel economy is good but I get exactly the same on my 750GS, with 20hp and 20Nm torque extra, which highlights this bike’s real downside - it just doesn’t have quite enough go. It’s very popular with couriers as its bulletproof but it’s not as much of a bargain compared to when it was first released (mine was £5350 new for reference) and I feel there are better options out there for an everyday bike. However, Honda should get kudos for making a bike that riders can own who cannot use clutch and gears due to disability.

[karlreed]

I have a 21 manual and I love it. Toured 2 up with wife on the back no problem. I would not part with it. Great fuel economy and it puts a smile on my face. Put it in sport mode and you can have fun in the twisties . Mines a keeper.

[WainwrightWalksWiaLocalLad]

Had one of these a couple of years ago, my flip helmet at the time easily went in. As you say they all vary. Fuel consumption was excellent I agree... pottering around the lanes here in the Lake District it would easily do 85-90mpg! It also had the optional centre stand and aftermarket heated grips. Interesting review 👍

[marklevy]

I think you nailed it (as have others) by saying this is a do it all bike. Whether you choose manual or dct there are not many bikes that you can commute on, take touring with hard panniers, room for a passenger, weekend blast thru the twisties due to its low center of gravity (tmf used one on his canary island tour) ability to pick up some shopping or takeaway in the frunk (fuel tank space), good fuel economy even if you ride it hard, servicing every 12, 000kms / 8000 miles and all for a decent price and in the Netherlands all Hondas come with a 5 year warranty.
And btw - with dct you will beat virtually everything away from the lights

[adamrobson]

I have a 2019 NC750X on loan from my insurance company, and what a great, but under rated little bike it is. I often read the words ‘boring and slow’, but in reality it’s easily quick enough for the roads, the low centre of gravity makes the bike feel more agile than it ought to be, and it sounds good to boot, all while sipping fuel, this one does 85mpg everywhere!

[paulabraham]

The NC is a great bike and has provided me with everything I have needed for the last nine months. There are a few minor issues that you have addressed which I think arise as it has been built to allow a low price point. No side stand and heated grips are the most obvious and the dash display does not match TFT’s on models that costs thousands more. The DCT is wonderful to use and of course the paddles enable instant manual switching which I don’t recall you highlighting (sorry if you did and I wasn’t paying enough attention). Quick overtaking is easy enough to do that way. I has some issues with the screen which I cured with a £15.00 universal screen extender from the web. It is a doddle to move around and as you say appears much lighter than its actual weight due to the low centre of gravity. It does everything well and nothing badly. A true unsung hero in my eyes.

[PhilipBallGarry]

Had two NC's over the years. Both were 750 "S" models. I note that Honda dropped the S in favour of a lower seat height on the X. The reduction in suspension travel to allow for this won't affect any "off road" pretensions of the NC so that was a master stroke. My 2016 model had gears but I opted for dct for the 2018 version. I must say, the halogen headlight on the earlier model was excellent compared to the 2016 and it sounds like a good old "bulb" still makes sense sometimes? Excellent bikes though and I'd heartily recommend the NC to anyone who needs practicality, comfort and economy. The rather early rev limit of the earlier models takes you by surprise the first time you hit it (manual transmission obviously) but Honda have gradually increased this a bit over the years too. Another thing worthy of note is that it's a great bike for DIY servicing. The valve clearences are quite easy to do - being of a screwdriver and lock nut design 👍. The radiator has to be moved out of the way to access the valve cover but that's it. Taken, that the mileage intervals for this will likely coincide with a bi-annual cooling system refresh it's also handy.

[dillonrobinson]

Hired the manual on my resent holiday in madiera. It surprised me . Iv owned several machines . And it's made me realise that a bike don't need to be a speed machine to be great fun . A practical bike can be fun . What an amazing bike honda as made there . Its perfect for that every day all round commuter. . Great review

[dnlgrhm]

You don't have to stop, just roll off the throttle for a changed driving mode to take effect. I like the seat on my 2022 which, I think must have been significantly improved relative to 2019 and earlier models. I agree about the missing ambiant air temperature gauge being a disappointment - also no engine coolant temperature display - just a hot warning light. I think you mentioned this, but having the driving mode reset to standard whenever the bike is turned off is a bit of a niggle for me. A pleasant surprise is that the trip A milage, fuel consumption and time all reset automatically when you fill up the tank. I have about 700 miles on mine, have kept exact fuel consumption records and have averaged 63.73 miles per US gallon so far. I think this is almost exactly what you reported. As always, thanks very much for your excellent and entertaining reviews.

[over]

The helmet storage works better if you take the toolkit out! Mine was the same from new, the toolkit is not seated neatly in it's little slot, so prevents the helmet dropping fully down into the compartment. Remove toolkit retry. I found you can get the toolkit in much neater and still get an Arai XCess large in.

[hb-yviu]

I so enjoy your reviews. Even if I am not interested in the particular model, I watch the videos for the easy going and practical presentation style

[simonbowen]

I agree with your comments. I fitted a centre stand, heated grips and a taller screen and I'm really pleased with mine. Easy to lower as well for us shorties.
Good balanced review.

[Maximilian]

I drive the predecessor the NC700S. It had two owners before me and almost 50 000km on the clock and it still runs like it just left the bike-shop. The NC is a great bike if you just want to go out and ride and ride and ride. Nothing you would choose if you need speed and want to do quick overtakes but it will certainly be able to pass a tractor or some other slower vehicle with no problem. Never had an issue with overtaking cyclists on the spot or anything like that. The storage in the front is just fantastic. Especially for a beginner you can just put all your stuff in there and go on a ride without buying some bags, paniers or wearing a rucksack. :-)

[emyrjohn]

I have a 2016 manual version. A great bike. I commute 80 miles on it to work on main roads. The trip on mine shows a very frugal 96 mpg!

[matthewwharton]

you can change the rider modes as your riding 😊 and in sports mode I found it had plenty of go to over take, in standard mode being good I got 90 mile to the gallon 😁.
a great bike for a all year rounder and daily commuter.

[shingnosis]

The NC750X is possibly the best bike that Honda makes, and undoubtedly one of the best bikes on sale today. When Honda launched the NC700 in 2012 it didn't look revolutionary, but it was. Such an amazingly well-rounded, practical and economical motorcycle. And why more companies haven't copied the tank helmet storage baffles me, it's 100% brilliant.

[stephenpotts]

Hello Andy, another well structured review, and I must say I'm with you with this bike, I really can't understand why so many bikers sneer at this bike, for the price it's amazing value cheap to run, and it's an Honda...

[billyb]

if you were to use this bike for touring, you'd obviously use the 'frunk' but I imagine solo riders would want to strap bags, tents etc. to the pillion seat (to save lugging a top box). Relocating the fuel filler, accessed via a side panel 'flap' would be a neat feature.