The Honda NC750X platform flies under the radar as an unassuming, yet extremely versatile machine in Big Red’s adventure lineup, but is worthy of big attention. Spec sheet spies will likely disagree, but the combination of its tractable 745cc parallel-twin engine, an optional Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT), and practical features make the NC a remarkable value and easy choice for urban dwellers and those looking for a single do-it-all motorcycle.
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Powering the NC750X is a 745cc SOHC eight-valve parallel-twin engine, which was last updated in 2018 with an increase in displacement by 75cc (via a 4mm bore increase). This undersquare powerplant offers a torque-rich ride, providing a tractor-like off-idle acceleration that chugs through its midrange toward its 7,500-rpm rev limit. Power delivery is exactly sporty, but it is smooth with relatively little vibration. Settling into 75 mph, the NC spins around 4,500 rpm in top gear, which lends itself to superb fuel economy. The NC750X recorded an average of 53.3 mpg during testing.
Speaking of gears, our NC750X test unit is the DCT variant ($9,299), a $600 upcharge over the manual-shifting six-speed model ($8,699). Utilizing Honda’s automatic transmission rids the NC of clutch and gear shift levers, allowing the system full control of the gearbox. Thumbing the starter button and drive-mode selector puts the motorcycle in drive, then it’s ready to rock. The system provides a direct-drive feel as it accelerates away from a stop. Honda’s DCT system has proved favorable on other models like the Gold Wing, but is especially practical on the NC750X. The lack of shifting effort required to meander the tight confines of city riding lends itself to an easier riding experience, and even more so in dense traffic conditions...
Find out more: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-honda-nc750x-dct-mc-commute/
Videography/edit: Bert Beltran
Photography: Jeff Allen
Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist
Shop Products We Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/motorcyclistmagazine
See more from us: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/
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Powering the NC750X is a 745cc SOHC eight-valve parallel-twin engine, which was last updated in 2018 with an increase in displacement by 75cc (via a 4mm bore increase). This undersquare powerplant offers a torque-rich ride, providing a tractor-like off-idle acceleration that chugs through its midrange toward its 7,500-rpm rev limit. Power delivery is exactly sporty, but it is smooth with relatively little vibration. Settling into 75 mph, the NC spins around 4,500 rpm in top gear, which lends itself to superb fuel economy. The NC750X recorded an average of 53.3 mpg during testing.
Speaking of gears, our NC750X test unit is the DCT variant ($9,299), a $600 upcharge over the manual-shifting six-speed model ($8,699). Utilizing Honda’s automatic transmission rids the NC of clutch and gear shift levers, allowing the system full control of the gearbox. Thumbing the starter button and drive-mode selector puts the motorcycle in drive, then it’s ready to rock. The system provides a direct-drive feel as it accelerates away from a stop. Honda’s DCT system has proved favorable on other models like the Gold Wing, but is especially practical on the NC750X. The lack of shifting effort required to meander the tight confines of city riding lends itself to an easier riding experience, and even more so in dense traffic conditions...
Find out more: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-honda-nc750x-dct-mc-commute/
Videography/edit: Bert Beltran
Photography: Jeff Allen
Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist
Shop Products We Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/motorcyclistmagazine
See more from us: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/
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SportsTranscript
00:00 Hello everyone, good morning and welcome to another episode of MC commute where we review motorcycles on the way to the
00:07 motorcyclist headquarters in Irvine, California and today's contestant will be none other than the
00:13 2021 Honda NC 750 X that you see here behind me now. This is Honda's sort of do-it-all
00:21 versatile
00:23 utilitarian motorcycle
00:25 That honestly doesn't really get as much credit as it should so I want to tell you all about this motorcycle
00:32 We got a lot to talk about let's hit the road
00:34 All right, ladies and gentle Giants the
00:39 2021 Honda NC
00:42 750 X DCT otherwise known as the dual clutch transmission
00:48 Now what that means is that you're gonna basically have an automatic transmission
00:54 No clutch lever. No shift lever less to think about. We'll talk about that as we get on the road
00:58 the NC 750 is powered by a
01:02 745 CC single overhead cam 8 valve
01:06 Parallel twin that you can see the cylinders are laid. I believe at a 55 degree angle
01:12 Pretty interesting stuff. And now what that is going to do check this out what it does here is
01:23 Because the cylinders are laid at an angle the fuel tank is actually under the seat now what that does is it opens up the
01:30 availability for storage
01:33 Where the fuel tank would go so check this out
01:36 You get 23 liters of storage, which you can see I stuffed in a ride quantum X
01:44 inside here for
01:48 My old lady my old ball and chain she probably won't appreciate that just kidding. She's a wonderful woman
01:54 Anyways the Honda NC 750 X
02:00 Super utilitarian machine kind of has an adventure esque look to it. It's actually in Honda's adventure lineup
02:09 Really neat motorcycle I'm excited to tell you guys all about when we get on the road here and excuse my frickin
02:17 Bozo Ness there's water spots all over it. I got hit by a frickin sprinkler this morning and
02:22 I blew it. So I'm a bozo, but I want to give you guys a review. So let's get to it
02:29 745 CC parallel twin
02:34 Super mellow kind of like a tractor tractor like we'll talk about that as we get on the road now
02:45 We got the DCT transmission. No clutch lever. No shift lever down there
02:50 What you're gonna do to throw this thing in gear is you're gonna click this little
02:55 D button over here on the right handlebar and now we're in Drive
03:02 And we are off to the motorcyclists
03:07 headquarters
03:09 And we are going to begin with the
03:14 745 CC
03:16 Parallel twin engine that is used to power this NC 750 now
03:22 This model used to be an NC 700 as you remember, I believe it was
03:28 2018 that they
03:30 Increased the bore gave it a little bit more displacement. And now what you have is the NC 750
03:36 Very very torque rich very easy to use very versatile, especially for ripping around town
03:45 And now it does have grunt when you get up on the freeway, but it's definitely
03:49 Not built for the ripping and the tearing
03:52 Here's full stick
03:55 As you can see it does get going just fine
03:59 but it is not built for the ripping and the tearing as you might find on a sportier model and
04:05 Realistically, it has very low RPMs kind of cruises along you can see we're doing
04:11 5500 rpm now that has to do with the DCT transmission that we're gonna talk about here in a minute
04:16 But it kind of just chugs along
04:18 very
04:20 very smoothly kind of
04:22 Not a ton of personality if I'm being completely honest, but there's something to be said for that
04:28 I enjoy the simplicity of it kind of go anywhere do anything
04:32 type of engine
04:35 Alrighty now for that dual clutch transmission the DCT if you remember that debuted on Honda motorcycles back in
04:42 2010 and it's used across a few different models including the Africa twin the Goldwing
04:49 The rebel 1100 or models that I can think of off the top of my head and basically what that does is you have two?
04:55 Two clutches as you could imagine
04:57 One is used for first third and fifth gear
05:01 the other is used for
05:05 Second fourth and sixth gear and basically all it does is you know
05:11 Takes care of the clutch
05:14 actuation and
05:17 Operation and the shifting operation for you, so you don't have to worry about it. No clutch lever. No gear shift lever
05:24 Now I want to comment
05:27 There are some models specifically like the Africa twin that I'm not a huge fan of the DCT model
05:34 I
05:35 like the ability to switch gears especially if I'm off-road or or kind of be in control full control of
05:43 the
05:44 Shifting actuation, but then there's other models like the Goldwing and I'm gonna say the NC 750
05:50 That if it were me buying this motorcycle, I don't see
05:56 Any chance of me buying the manual transmission?
06:03 The manual transmission variant which are offered in both
06:07 because of
06:10 the utilitarian the ease of use
06:13 Aspect you can see stop and we're off no clutch lever
06:18 The ease of use
06:22 That makes those models so good especially speaking about a Goldwing when you're 850 pounds
06:27 It's kind of one less thing for you to think about with the NC 750
06:33 You know, it really is a sort of utilitarian motorcycle when you combine the DCT with the big 23 liter storage
06:40 This particular model has hardbacks
06:43 Set to or set on top of it as well for more storage
06:48 You can really use this motorcycle to do errands to carry a lot of things, you know
06:57 Professional rider on closed course not really but you can throw a bag of groceries on the left handlebar and carry them home
07:03 do as I say not as I do and
07:06 The DCT model works very very very well and I'm very impressed shifting actuation is very smooth
07:15 Now that being said you can see we're cruising along sixth gear maybe
07:19 2700 rpm
07:23 Just kind of chugging along now what you can do over here on the right handlebar switch is
07:30 Shift it over into a manual mode which essentially allows you to use the paddle shifters
07:37 Over on this left handlebar
07:40 To essentially
07:44 Take control of the gearbox on your own which we will do in just one moment
07:50 fourth gear
07:53 Let's reach over click our manual mode
07:55 Now what that's gonna do
07:57 So now we should be in manual mode and I can downshift using the front switch third gear second gear
08:05 And now I can up shift there's a little switch toggle switch not toggle but little switch up in front of this cluster
08:13 click over here with my
08:16 Left index finger and we're kind of cruising along
08:21 Back in sixth gear now, there's one important thing to note. Is that when you do
08:27 ride in manual mode and you do come to a stop maybe a stop sign or a
08:32 Or stoplight whatever it may be traffic stops
08:36 The motorcycle will downshift for you when our PMS become too low to sustain
08:43 But otherwise, let's just click it back here
08:51 Or in second gear, what about first
08:53 I can hold it wide open. Yeah, I can hold it wide open and it will not shift
09:01 So anyways, it's cool that Honda has incorporated that manual mode
09:06 although, you know, it's kind of a flip switch when you get in an automatic car and you have paddle shifters and you want to feel
09:13 Like you're Michael Schumacher or Lewis Hamilton and you start banging through the gears with your paddle shifters
09:19 That's awesome. But on the motorcycle quite honestly, I don't really find the need or find the same thrill
09:27 as I might in a car or find the same thrill as I do
09:32 Ripping through the gearbox using the tow shifter of a traditional style six-speed gearbox
09:38 All right
09:41 DCT out of the way
09:44 The only last thing that I can really comment on that in terms of specs in terms of the hard facts about it
09:51 Would be that Honda offers this
09:54 NC 750 with a manual transmission for 84 99 and
09:59 2021
10:01 And the DCT model will be $800 more at nine
10:06 299 still a relative bargain
10:10 I would say and we'll talk about that more as we continue on our way, but you can get that DCT
10:17 transmission for $800 more
10:19 than the
10:22 manual
10:23 another thing that lends itself to the utilitarian aspect of this NC 750 is
10:29 Its ergonomics. It's very comfortable
10:32 Ergonomics you have a relatively low thirty one point six inch seat height, which
10:39 Honestly fits my five foot seven inch stature quite well
10:43 I don't want to say I can flat foot on both sides, but I definitely get away with
10:48 Good contact at the ground which makes
10:51 Navigating the low-speed scenarios that much more comfortable despite this motorcycle in the DCT model with this
10:59 3.8 gallon fuel tank
11:01 weighing
11:03 493 pounds man the specs you have on your head when you shoot an MC commute wild
11:09 Pollen but automatic so good ergonomics package
11:14 Very comfortable big wide one-piece
11:19 Handlebar offers a very comfortable relaxed reach to the grips
11:24 If there's one thing I have to comment on is
11:29 It's a relatively tight legroom
11:32 seat to peg distance
11:36 On the NC 750 again back with my five inch
11:39 Five five inch five foot seven inch stature
11:42 It even becomes a little bit cramped for me
11:45 Especially if I kind of ride up on the balls of my feet like I like to it does become a little bit cramped
11:50 Taller riders will probably find that to be even more of an issue
11:54 But that I think that also has to do with Honda trying to make it a low seat height so
12:03 It's a give-and-take
12:04 Overall, it is a very neutral handling chassis despite that big heavy weight of nearly 500 pounds
12:11 super stable
12:14 which is
12:15 Most likely I mean it is credit to a long wheelbase a 60 inch
12:21 Wheelbase, but it still happens to turn quite well
12:25 and with good contact
12:28 at
12:31 tires and the contact patches
12:33 Cruising along. All right, yellow light. Let's get on the brakes break break break break break break break
12:41 So the Honda NC 750 is brought to a halt via a single
12:48 Caliper up front clamp into a 320 millimeter disc for a motorcycle weighing nearly 500 pounds
12:55 That's a little I don't know worrying
12:58 You would think that maybe they would fit two calipers to this bike
13:02 But I have to say that the braking performance as actually I don't want to say surprise me
13:07 But it is definitely adequate to bring this thing to a halt
13:11 If there is one little minor gripe is just that the amount of feel presented through the brake lever could be improved
13:18 But maybe upgrading to an aftermarket pad may do that for you
13:24 The NC 750 is the first non Harley Davidson motorcycle
13:29 I believe that I have experience with
13:31 utilizing the showa dual bending valve
13:34 Technology front end
13:38 Used to act as suspension and quite honestly, I was I I thought I was impressed
13:47 Like I thought it actually did a very good job kind of soaking up the ripples
13:51 Kind of taking care of the big hit support
13:54 But in a way I almost feel like the damping and maybe the spring rate is a little bit soft
13:58 And kind of blows through the stroke and kind of chat
14:02 Kind of causes the motorcycle to wallow a little bit, especially when you hit those bigger bumps
14:09 Jeez Louise people are freaking on it this morning
14:12 I will admit I got up a little bit late this morning
14:19 So there's a little bit of traffic a little bit more traffic in comparison to our normal
14:25 MC commute don't tell my boss
14:27 But we're still getting it done. It'll be delivered on time
14:30 Let's hit the bump. Let's see how the suspension does
14:34 Not horrendous it definitely you definitely feel the weight of this motorcycle the almost nearly 500 pounds
14:44 493 pounds honestly, I'm not even gonna lie. I'm not even gonna lie
14:49 It's honestly where you feel the weight the most is under acceleration off the line off idle acceleration is quite good
14:56 mainly because of that kind of direct drive feel
14:59 But you feel the weight as you get going
15:02 It just kind of feels like it's a little bit sluggish to get up to speed now
15:06 That's not to say you don't have passing power and you do
15:09 getting through traffic
15:12 Getting through traffic and going by other vehicles on the road
15:16 You do have passing power to work with but sometimes it feels a little bit sluggish
15:20 another thing I wanted to comment on about the dct is that it's
15:25 It's improvements over the years. I've actually been
15:28 Very impressed with the dct namely its predictability
15:32 in shifting it honestly
15:35 Sometimes sometimes when you're cruising shifts a little bit
15:40 sooner
15:43 Than I might and just kind of lugs it around but you can also switch
15:47 via these three riding modes
15:51 Now we're in sport which will change the shifting characteristics
15:55 Of the dct
15:59 and then we also have a user setting which is fully customizable in
16:05 power delivery and traction control and engine braking
16:11 And then you have a standard and you have a sport now we're in sport
16:13 so
16:16 back to it the predictability of the dct system has
16:19 vastly improved over early systems
16:23 And honestly kind of shifts where you feel like you usually might and takes that worry out of your head now
16:30 There were some times in my testing that
16:33 You know, sometimes it would throw a back shift
16:36 Uh in the middle of a corner while i'm at lean which is no problem
16:41 Because it does it relatively smoothly and and it really works to not upset the chassis
16:46 Now with other dct systems namely on the african twin, I believe it is
16:52 Uh, it actually utilizes an imu an inertial measurement unit which takes into account lean angle roll yaw
17:00 all those measurements and will
17:04 Better calculate those shifts for you. Not necessarily on the nc 750 but kind of something cool
17:10 uh to point out
17:13 So we are cruising along interstate 5 headed to the motorcyclist offices
17:19 in top gear sixth gear cruising about
17:22 4 000 rpm
17:24 relatively smooth very comfortable
17:26 You can see down here in the lower left of my lcd display the
17:33 Calculator aboard this motorcycle calls for about 53.4 miles to the gallon average
17:39 I've seen a little bit higher than that about 55
17:42 Uh, I even had a tank that was about 58 now if you're whaling on it, obviously that'll go down a little bit
17:48 uh pair mid 50s with a 3.8 gallon fuel tank and you're gonna get
17:54 150 175 miles to a tank
17:58 Which is nice
18:01 I uh, I can appreciate that
18:03 another thing to point out would be this
18:07 short-ish
18:09 Uh windscreen equipped to the nc 750 that is notably non-adjustable
18:15 Now I feel like it's a pretty smooth pocket of air below
18:20 Uh below this threshold, but then I kind of get some turbulent air going around my head
18:25 If I pop up it actually kind of settles down
18:28 uh
18:30 It settles down and is actually quite a bit smoother. So
18:32 If it were my motorcycle, I'd probably invest get an aftermarket windscreen. That's a little bit taller
18:38 Maybe honda will come out with that in the coming years
18:41 And just make it a little bit more comfortable mirrors super stable super
18:48 Gives you a super clean image of what's going on behind you and
18:54 I don't know quite nice
18:57 Jeez louise this little poke in this nissan sentra
19:01 is
19:04 Ruining our
19:06 Last little turnaround to test the chassis of this motorcycle. I can see him up there
19:12 All over his phone driving down the road
19:16 MC commute viewers we ask you to look out for fellow motorcyclists out on the road
19:24 This thing does haul butt when it's in its sport mode a little bit more aggressive
19:28 Uh throttle response and the shifting
19:31 Parameters are a little bit different that allow you to kind of wind it out
19:35 That's also kind of rad about the dcts. You get to balance a little bit more
19:40 Not put your feet down and try and work that clutch kind of neat. I don't know
19:45 One thing I did want to comment on with the mc 750 is we call it a utilitarian. We call it a versatile
19:51 We call it sort of a do-it-all machine. You could totally
19:55 Uh use this for the daily commute take it on an adventure
19:59 I know that some owners are even taking these things off road
20:04 Which is pretty awesome as well now, I think that some people could say well, we don't have cruise control
20:11 We don't have heated grips. We don't have this or that
20:14 but honestly
20:17 For the
20:21 9,299 dollar price tag
20:24 What more could you really ask for I think that you're already getting so many creature comforts, uh, you're already getting a pretty awesome
20:32 versatile machine that
20:35 I don't want to say i'm gonna be
20:39 Opposed to getting those creature comforts, but I don't want to see the price tag increase
20:43 I think what this motorcycle is is already a pretty remarkable value
20:48 Time to get off our motorbike
20:52 And
20:56 finish up
20:57 Our mc commute we're going to click this thing over into neutral right here
21:01 Shut off the key and that is it for our time aboard the nc 750x
21:07 Now to highlight our ride aboard this machine
21:11 And the motorcycle itself you have that 745 cc
21:15 parallel twin
21:18 Platform that's really kind of tractor like really easy
21:21 Manageable power and specific to this model is the dct transmission that dual clutch transmission
21:27 That gets rid of the need of a clutch lever a shift lever
21:31 and really kind of lends itself to
21:35 I don't want to say a peace of mind, but it takes a little bit of mental capacity away from needing to ride this motorcycle
21:46 Which like I said, maybe go get groceries, maybe I have done that maybe I haven't can either confirm nor deny
21:52 But I love the dct transmission
21:54 Specifically on models like this and like the gold wing as well. You have a very neutral handling chassis
22:01 Despite it being 493 pounds with that 3.8 gallon fuel tank fully fueled
22:08 Otherwise you have the storage the internal storage now these hard bags are actually an option from honda themselves
22:16 That is not fitted standard to the nc 750
22:19 Now all that being said this is a wicked good motorcycle if you're looking for something that's kind of do-it-all versatile
22:27 there's
22:29 There's not many other motorcycles with the capability the flexibility
22:33 And kind of smooth running performance all in one as the nc 750 and I really believe it's kind of overlooked as a model
22:42 Uh by a lot of people and it deserves a lot of credit
22:44 Maybe if you get to a showroom throw a leg over see if it's something that might fit you
22:49 Or even get a test ride when they come to town
22:52 I think you guys will be pretty impressed. So that's it for our time aboard the 2021
22:58 honda
23:00 Nc 750x. I hope you guys like this video. I hope you enjoyed the ride with me
23:05 If you did give us a like comment, we want to hear from you and subscribe to the motorcyclist youtube channel
23:11 Head over to motorcyclist online.com to read the full story and we'll see you guys next time
23:17 You
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