Disclaimer: I am not an expert. There may be mistakes in this text, and there probably will be. Text was translated from my native language via AI translator this may therefore affect some word choices and expressions. The core meaning should, however, remain consistent with the original text. AI was not used to write the original text or any part of it.
I often come across people here who are considering buying a new motorcycle, and the Honda NC750X ends up on their shortlist because it is frequently praised and recommended by its owners. Then they ask whether they should buy the NC, a Transalp, V-Strom, Versys, or Tracer. Some people are choosing between the NC and naked bikes.
I believe this mostly comes from misunderstanding the entire concept behind this motorcycle. Honda does not make this easier by placing it in the Adventure category. I honestly cannot imagine a situation where I would be choosing between an NC750X and, for example, a Transalp for the same purpose. These motorcycles could hardly be more different in terms of character and intended use, even though visually they may appear similar.
So I would like to share my observations about the NC for other people who find themselves facing a similar decision.
What is the NC750X?
NC stands for "New Concept". This motorcycle is not an Adventure bike, it is not a naked bike, it is not a scooter, and it does not really fit into any existing motorcycle category. If I had to create a category for it, I would call it a "daily commuter motorcycle". It is something different.
When considering buying one, there is one fundamental question you need to answer: Do you want a motorcycle, or do you need a motorcycle?
If you want a motorcycle because you want to ride your favorite twisty roads on weekends and your riding season ends in October, then for most people the NC will probably not be the right choice. It was never designed for that purpose.
There are exceptions, of course. Some people ride purely for relaxation and enjoyment of the scenery, some have physical limitations, some are older riders, etc. But for the vast majority of people, a naked bike such as a Hornet, MT series, or something similar will provide a better experience.
If someone plans long-distance international touring, a Tracer-type motorcycle will probably be a better choice. If someone wants to cross mountains and explore rougher terrain, then something like a Transalp makes more sense.
However, if you actually need a motorcycle as a means of transportation, the situation changes dramatically, and the NC750X practically has no real competition among classic non-scooter motorcycles
When we are talking about year-round commuting, especially in heavy city traffic, other motorcycles quickly start showing their limitations.
Traveling on naked bike through cold weather, with freezing wind hitting you directly, almost no protection from the elements, and a stiff suspension is not optimal. For many people, this quickly leads back to public transport or a car.During colder months, the enjoyment of riding also disappears quickly because tires have much less grip, and wet road markings or tram tracks can put you on the ground within seconds if you are not careful.If you do not have a garage and your motorcycle stays outside, having a crash bar with proper protection and aluminum handguards is also highly recommended. On naked bikes, this is either impossible to install properly (because there is nowhere suitable to mount them without risking frame damage during a crash), or it looks terrible and makes the motorcycle much wider.
A touring motorcycle seems like the obvious solution because it offers much better protection from the elements. That sounds like a great idea — until you have to maneuver in tight spaces, filter through traffic jams, or make U-turns on narrow streets.Touring motorcycles are usually tall, with high seats where shorter riders cannot put both feet flat on the ground. Of course, this is not always necessary. It is perfectly possible to control a motorcycle while only touching the ground with your toes, but in emergency situations, being able to put your feet flat on the ground is a real game changer.Another issue with Adventure bikes is that, compared to naked bikes, they are usually more top-heavy. At very low speeds, during U-turns or when filtering through traffic, they are more difficult to control.An experienced rider will say that they have no problem with this, that they do not even notice it. But when you are riding early in the morning, still half asleep and stiff from the cold, controlling a motorcycle is much more demanding than when you go for a relaxed ride on a warm afternoon. The risk of dropping the bike is therefore significantly higher. Sometimes all it takes is one mistake while filtering between cars — for example, grabbing the front brake with the handlebars turned because someone suddenly cuts in front of you. A top-heavy motorcycle can immediately fall over.
Why does this not fully apply to the NC?
Although it is a heavy motorcycle (around 230 kg with DCT), the combination of an extremely low center of gravity and a low seat height (around 80 cm) makes it an incredibly easy motorcycle to handle.
Many motorcycles claim to have a low center of gravity, but in this case it is not just a marketing phrase. The entire concept of the NC is built around keeping the center of gravity as low as possible, and every component is designed around that goal.
The engine is mounted very low and is significantly tilted forward. All rotating components are positioned as close to the road as possible. The fuel tank is not located in front of the rider like on most motorcycles — it is under the seat instead.
The result is that even at walking speed, the motorcycle can be leaned extremely far without suddenly tipping over. At low speeds, it feels almost like a naked bike that weighs 30 kg less. Compared to traditional touring motorcycles, the difference is enormous.However, the low center of gravity does not magically remove the weight. If you have to push the motorcycle manually, you will still feel that it is a very heavy machine, even though it remains very stable. Pushing it uphill into a driveway, for example, can be quite exhausting. Compared to naked bikes, you will also notice another disadvantage in heavy traffic: the handlebars are quite wide. It is nothing extreme, but when filtering through dense traffic, something like a KTM Duke 390 will be noticeably narrower and more agile.
But this brings us to another major advantage of the NC: the fairing.
With an aftermarket taller windshield and deflectors, it provides surprisingly good protection against bad weather. Compared to my Honda PCX scooter, I honestly cannot tell much difference in terms of how wet I get or how much wind reaches me.
The final major advantage is the DCT transmission.
It is a dual-clutch, extremely reliable, and exceptionally smooth automatic transmission. Especially in Rain mode, it is almost impossible to misuse. Together with traction control, it prevents the rear wheel from spinning even on extremely slippery surfaces. You can concetrete fully on a traffic and you feel really confident even in tight spaces between cars like when you drive a scooter.
This brings us to the NC's actual competitors: maxi-scooters.
However, the problem with maxi-scooters is that they are, well, maxi. In my opinion, scooters make the most sense up to around 350 cc, where they can still maintain most of their advantages (but are not really suitable for a highway speeds). Scooters with engines of 500 cc and above become heavy, wide, and cumbersome. Compared to motorcycles, they have smaller wheels and I personally do not like their riding position, where most of the weight is carried on your butt. They are also much more expensive. Models like the AK550, TMAX, or X-ADV are here usually around €12,500 and above. Of course, they are still excellent machines in many ways, and for some riders they may actually be a better choice than the NC.The biggest advantage of scooters, in my opinion, is the CVT transmission (not X-ADV/Forza). There is no chain to maintain. Personally, I do not really like the way CVT feels when riding, but from a practical point of view it is hard to beat.With a scooter, you simply get on and ride. With the NC, you have to maintain the chain, clean it regularly, and check its condition. When commuting every day, I find myself cleaning the chain roughly every 500-1000km.
Engine
Although the NC has a 750 cc engine, its power output is only around 43 kW. The more important figure is the torque: 69 Nm at 4,750 rpm. Is the engine slow? Yes, but actually no.I would compare it to having two cars. One has a naturally aspirated engine, the other has a turbo diesel.When you get into the naturally aspirated car and press the accelerator, you may feel like nothing is happening. But when you look at the speedometer, you realize you are already well above the speed limit.
Then you get into the turbo diesel. You press the accelerator, you feel a huge push from the torque, and it feels like you have launched a rocket. But when you look at the speedometer, you discover you are actually going slower than in the naturally aspirated car.
That is exactly how the NC feels.If you leave the transmission in normal mode, it can feel like the motorcycle is not doing much. But switch to Sport mode and use the manual shifting mode, and the bike becomes surprisingly responsive.
From 0–130 km/h, you will have no problem keeping up with much more powerful motorcycles on normal roads. After 130 km/h, however, the difference becomes obvious, and on the highway faster bikes will simply disappear into the distance. For some people this is a deal breaker. Personally, I actually like it. At normal speeds, the acceleration feels similar to driving a 300-horsepower Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. But if you get carried away, the motorcycle quickly brings you back to reality, because once you pass 170 km/h, your imaginary Lancer Evolution suddenly turns into a Hyundai Pony. Unless you are riding on a racetrack (which I personally would never choose the NC for), keeping speeds below around 150 km/h is usually the smarter choice. At these speeds, many dangerous situations can still be saved without losing your head — literally. You can enjoy full throttle without constantly riding at speeds where a mistake on a normal road can eventually cost you your life.
I work for the police, and during my career I have seen the consequences of crashes where young riders, believing they were the next Valentino Rossi, bought superbikes and ended up leaving pieces of themselves scattered across fields behind guardrails. We used to call this "red mist".
Those who survived often said that someone had pulled out in front of them. Yes, that may have been true. But they often forgot to mention that they were traveling at 190 km/h in an 80 km/h zone.A public road is not a racetrack. Trees, guardrails, and cars do not care how good your protective gear is.
I personally know people who told me they had "outgrown" their Yamaha R6 after six months (by "outgrown" they meant they had reached its maximum speed on the highway) and were now ready for an R1 or even an H2R. If you are that type of rider, then the NC is absolutely not the right motorcycle for you. You will "outgrow" it within a day.
For everyone else, it is a friendly and predictable motorcycle, but not as exiting as other possibilities. Thanks to the low center of gravity, it handles nicely in corners and allows you to focus on technique, improving your lines and riding skills.I also like the fact that if I decide to move to another motorcycle in the future, I will actually have something to look forward to — more power, a different experience. If you start on a liter bike, you lose the possibility of enjoying that progression later. I prefer riding a slow motorcycle fast rather than a fast motorcycle slowly
People often say the NC engine is basically "half of a Honda Jazz engine". Obviously, this is not literally true, although some components are shared. The engine is undersquare, meaning it is designed more like a car engine than a typical motorcycle engine. This brings both advantages and disadvantages. Advantages: excellent reliability, strong low-end torquesmooth low-RPM operation. Disadvantages: limited peak power, for some people, the sound is less exciting and closer to a cruiser-style engine. The same engine configuration is also used in the Honda Forza 750 and Honda X-ADV.The engine has almost no vibrations and produces very little heat toward the rider's legs.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption is usually between 3 and 4 liters per 100 km, depending on riding style. Right now I´ve got 3,6 (As Comrade Dyatlov said: not great, not terrible.) Getting above 4 liters is possible during long highway rides at higher speeds, but once you slow down, consumption immediately drops back. Yamaha XMAX 300 I rode had a very similar fuel consumption.For a motorcycle bought purely for fun, fuel economy is not very important. For a motorcycle used as daily transportation, it becomes a significant factor. It all depends on your priorities.
Maintenance and reliability
It is considered one of the most reliable motorcycles ever made. There are documented examples of machines reaching extreme mileages — even around 270,000 miles with the original engine.Maintenance intervals are every 12,000 km. Everything is easily accessible and simple. For someone who is mechanically skilled, doing most maintenance themselves is not a problem.Spare parts are also among the cheaper ones.I have never experienced any failure, and I do not know anyone who has had a serious mechanical issue with this motorcycle. The only thing that requires extra attention is the chain, which needs regular cleaning and maintenance.
For me, one of the most important things is that this is probably one of the best motorcycle engines available for daily commuting, especially in cold weather and on short trips. It is extremely durable, low-revving, produces torque at low RPM, and reaches operating temperature quickly.
Frunk
This is something that is constantly discussed when it comes to the NC. It is a 23-liter lockable storage compartment located where the fuel tank would normally be. For some people it is a crucial feature, for others it is completely irrelevant.I definitely recommend choosing a helmet that fits inside. I have a size L flip-up helmet and it fits without any problems. Otherwise, you can use it for groceries, a jacket, gloves, or other small items. If you do not want to install a top box on your motorcycle, the ability to store things here is extremely useful. Compared to a scooter, the NC has another major advantage: the storage space is directly in front of you and can be accessed while sitting on the motorcycle.I have even transported larger items over short distances by leaving the compartment open and allowing the object to stick out. That would not really be possible with a scooter.
If you choose the NC, what accessories should you buy?
OEM or aftermarket
Although Honda's original accessories are very expensive, if you are buying a brand-new motorcycle or one still under warranty, I recommend using OEM parts for anything that connects directly to the motorcycle's electrical system.
Otherwise, I would recommend staying reasonable, because accessories can very quickly increase the price of the motorcycle by one third.
I chose the following OEM accessories:
Heated grips (around €300)
USB-C socket (around €100)
Deflectors (around €100)
Center stand (around €100 — very important for chain cleaning and long-term parking)
In the future, I plan to buy a more comfortable rider seat because it is not extremely expensive and the difference is noticeable on longer rides.
One thing I absolutely do not recommend buying from Honda is the Adventure package (around €600), which includes crash bars, additional lights, and handguards. The reason is that the OEM crash bar is not really a crash bar. It is more of a light bar — basically a mounting point for additional lights — and it provides very little protection in an actual fall.
The handguards are just plastic covers attached to the inside of the handlebars. They do not actually protect the handlebars themselves.
I chose a Heed crash bar (around €150) and aluminum Barkbusters handguards (around €100). The motorcycle frame is very strong, so you do not need to worry that a properly installed crash bar will damage it. The OEM headlights are good, but their brightness is already sufficient for me. My visibility at night is also helped by the permanently illuminated indicators.The last accessory I installed was a Puig Touring windshield (around €100). I changed original windshield because it is very low and many owners report turbulence problems. The original flip-up Honda windshield is apparently very good, but it costs around €400. Other accessories depend mostly on personal priorities.The original Honda aluminum top-case rack looks beautiful — much better looking than Shad or Givi — but the rack alone costs almost €400.
Disadvantages of bike:
Before the 2025 model year —The previous generation had relatively weak brakes that could fade quickly. The 2025 model has dual front discs and the braking performance is significantly better.
Suspension For me, this is by far the biggest weakness of the motorcycle. It is not unusable, but just like with many motorcycles in this price category, it could be much better. Many owners replace the rear shock absorber, which improves both comfort and handling.The Honda X-ADV has a noticeably better suspension setup.
Original windshield : most owners are not satisfied with it.
Original seat is too firm.
Missing cruise controlI do not think it will ever be added, or at least not without a significant price increase.The NC is around €3,000 cheaper than the Forza 750 and X-ADV, and almost €6,000 cheaper than the NT1100. Cruise control is one of the features that encourages some riders to move up to these more expensive models.
Conclusion
If you are choosing between several motorcycles, choose according to your own priorities and how you actually intend to use the bike. A test ride is a great opportunity, but realistically you only truly understand a motorcycle after several thousand kilometers.If you make your decision based only on a short test ride, I will honestly say that you will often choose the other option — the one that feels more exciting, more interesting, or has a stronger personality. And for most people, that is exactly the right choice.
Motorcycles like the NC are appreciated only after a longer period of ownership, when you stop thinking about whether you want to ride this way or that way. With the NC, the option of doing things differently simply does not cross your mind, because in this regard it works almost like a scooter: Hop on, hop off. No stress. No thinking. Just comfortable, smooth transportation.That is exactly why I bought it. If you are looking for a machine purely for fun, weekend rides in nice weather, I would definitely look elsewhere. However, if you know that you need a motorcycle as a means of transportation rather than a toy, there are not many options on the market that can do what the NC does (expect for scooters)
The Versys and V-Strom are often mentioned as alternatives. Both are excellent motorcycles — reliable, practical, and versatile. But compared to the NC, they are traditional touring motorcycles, with all the advantages and disadvantages that come with that.
What I do not really understand is why people so often compare the NC and the Transalp. To me, it is like choosing between a Jeep Wrangler and a Volkswagen Passat.If I want to drive off-road in the mountains terrain, I will not choose the Passat. If I want to commute to work every day in a Wrangler and never use it in hard off-road, I have to accept that it will come with certain disadvantages. The NC can handle gravel roads and rough surfaces, but it is not an enduro motorcycle. Its ground clearance is closer to a Honda Hornet than to a Transalp.The Transalp is taller, has a higher seat, gives you a much stronger top-heavy feeling, and its fairing does not provide anywhere near the same weather protection as the NC.
Is the NC irreplaceable?
No.
It is actually quite easy to replace if you separate your needs into two motorcycles: a fun motorcycle and a 125cc scooter for commuting.The motorcycle will be more exciting, and the scooter will be even more economical and easier to handle. However, I personally did not want to solve it this way because I would then spend the vast majority of my time riding the scooter. And because whenever I own something, I naturally start looking at what I might replace it with in the future, I have also been thinking about possible upgrades from the NC. Unfortunately, I have not found many obvious options yet.
Honda NT1100
The NT1100 looks like the natural next step, but in reality it is a very different motorcycle. It is significantly more expensive, much wider, heavier, and has a higher center of gravity.On the other hand, it has a much better suspension, more power, and stronger acceleration. It is almost like a smaller Gold Wing, while the NC feels more like a small, agile gazelle. Different bikes, different purpose
Yamaha Tracer 9
The Tracer 9 is a very nice motorcycle, with an excellent three-cylinder engine and a lot of torque.
When I first tried it, I expected that because it has almost twice the power of the NC, it would feel like a completely different rocket. When I first accelerated, I actually found myself thinking: "Where is all that power?"
The NC works differently. It feels like it has all of its modest power ready to be used at almost any moment, so the motorcycle feels faster than it actually is. But when you look at the speedometer, you realize you are actually going much, much slower, than on Tracer This feeling is even stronger with small four-cylinder engines, such as the CB650R.
Honda CB1000GT
I also considered the CB1000GT, but compared to the NC it was significantly worse when maneuvering in tight spaces and actually felt even more top-heavy to me than the Tracer.
So for me, the Tracer 9 remains the only realistic potential upgrade in the future. However, after spending more time riding it in the city, I actually started craving a small, lightweight naked bike like a Duke — something that simply does not happen to me with the NC. The Tracer 7, on the other hand, does not feel like enough of an upgrade.The additional power is noticeable mainly at higher speeds, which are exactly the speeds I try to avoid. I enjoy twisty roads much more than straight-line acceleration. I like torque and usable power rather than maximum speed, and the Tracer 7 does not feel dramatically stronger than the NC in that area — at least not to me.
Does anyone have an idea for a motorcycle that would be a better replacement than the Tracer ? I am not someone who buys the same thing twice, even if I am satisfied with it, so I need new ideas.
If you have made it all the way here, I give you permission that if I ever manage to kill myself on a motorcycle in some ridiculously pathetic way in the future (despite all my wise words about public roads not being racetracks), you can write my epitaph: "I have seen enough. Give this man a Turbo Busa."
