POSTED: 20/12/2024
Let’s take a look at one of Europe’s favourite twin-cylinder all-rounders, the NC750X – complete with its ‘signature’ 23L internal storage – receives a host of detail updates led by refreshed styling and revised LED headlight. A new five-inch TFT display allows smartphone connectivity via Honda RoadSync through a new intuitive and backlit four-way toggle switch on the left handlebar. Front braking is now taken care of by dual 296mm discs and two-piston calipers and the wheels are also a lightweight new design. Specification includes Showa 41mm SBDV telescopic forks and Pro-Link rear suspension and, as before, effortless acceleration is on tap from the torquey 745cc twin-cylinder engine, equipped with Throttle By Wire, three default riding modes and Three-Level Honda Selectable Torque Control. The popular Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) option also gets a low-speed response upgrade and an A2 licence, 35kW version is available. Looking toward enhanced sustainability the NC750X is also the first Honda to use coloured Durabio in the manufacture of two of the four crisp new 25YM colours.
Introduction
Since its introduction (as the NC700X) in 2012, the NC750X has enjoyed consistent popularity throughout Europe. Reasons for the success are several: a ground-breaking, torque-laden, fuel-sipping twin-cylinder engine, a relaxed, roomy riding position with wide handlebars and comfortable seat, compliant suspension and distinctive adventure-inspired styling all play their part.
Other draws come in the shape of the novel storage compartment (where the fuel tank would normally be), which can hold a full-face helmet, and Honda’s unique Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) that over half of European customers have chosen since 2021.
Viewed as a whole, the NC750X’s qualities combine to create a motorcycle which functions superbly for all types of riding: commuting, touring and simply for pleasure – it has proved a motorcycle with compelling all-round appeal.
Honda has taken care to continuously evolve the NC750X’s successful (and unique) formula, with several upgrades over the years. For 2014 it gained a performance boost from the addition of 75cc to its engine capacity, going from 670 to 745cc; for 2016 a new more adventurous aesthetic, new instruments, DCT upgrades and LED lighting were added. For 2018 two-level Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and an A2-friendly 35kW version arrived.
In 2021 Honda built on the NC750X’s core strengths of practicality, do-it-all comfort and handling composure, by improving all three. At the same time, it gained more spirited engine performance, with an injection of extra torque and top-end zap, and a raised redline. It was also 6kg lighter, with 30mm lower seat height. The addition of Throttle By Wire, electronic riding modes and revisions to HSTC were the final polish of an extremely complete package.
For 25YM the NC750X continues its development path with increased use of sustainable materials in its manufacture, new styling, more technology, and refined DCT response and handling performance. It remains, as ever, a true Honda all-rounder.
Key Features
The 25YM NC750X adopts a new dynamic, tough identity thanks to evolved upper and lower fairings with sharp creases and detail lines. Revisions to the fairing’s structure, and how they affix to the bike, also improve the ease of removal and installation of the fairings, and ultimately improve the overall ease of maintenance.
Other revisions to the NC750X include a new a new seat skin with added stitching, which amplifies the premium feel of the bike, and a revised muscular cover for the storage area that sits where the tank usually would. A new LED headlight provides the bike with a strong frontal signature. The screen also offers excellent wind and weather protection, whilst slim side panels, covers and a revised tail unit emphasise a ‘mass-forward’ stance. To tailor the bike to individual’s needs, a height adjustable screen is available as an optional accessory as is a new comfort seat, which uses additional urethane padding to provide a more comfortable ride.
This generation of NC750X makes increased use of the sustainable material DurabioTM (a bio-based polycarbonate resin), which has now been applied in the manufacture for some fairing parts, windscreen and other components. The NC750X is the first Honda to utilise coloured Durabio; with six parts employed throughout the bike in the Khaki and Black colourways.
A unique NC feature – the storage area where the fuel tank traditionally sits – has 23L volume and careful internal shaping allows it to hold an adventure style helmet. There’s also an optional USB socket, which can be installed - tucked away on the upper left of the compartment as well as an optional divider, which compartmentalises the luggage space for improved useability.
Premium technology, in the form of a new five-inch full colour TFT screen, uses optical bonding to improve visibility in bright sunlight. By sealing the gap between the cover glass and TFT screen with resin, glare is reduced, and visibility improved. The display itself is customisable between ‘Bar’, ‘Circle’ and ‘Simple’ display patterns and offers smartphone connectivity via Honda RoadSync.
Honda RoadSync, alongside a new simplified, easy-to-use, backlit four-way toggle-switch on the left handlebar, allows straightforward, on-screen turn-by-turn navigation as well as the option (via a Bluetooth helmet headset) for the rider to make calls, listen to music or receive voice feedback of weather conditions. All an owner needs to do is download the free Honda RoadSync app from either the Play Store or the App Store, connect to the NC750X, and go.
The rear indicators have an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) function. If negative acceleration of 6.0m/s2 is detected at a minimum speed of 56km/h with either brake working, the hazard lights flash to warn other road users a hard stop is in process. At the same speed the threshold is reduced if ABS is activated to a negative acceleration of a minimum 2.5m/s2.
A ‘wave’ key features the Honda Ignition Security System (HISS). If the ID chip embedded in the key and the ID in the Engine Control Unit (ECU) do not match, the engine will not start.
Engine Features
The design of the NC750X’s liquid-cooled, SOHC 8-valve parallel twin-cylinder engine ensures punchy performance in the low-to-mid range. Its relatively long-stroke architecture and specially shaped combustion chambers combine with the high-inertial mass crankshaft to produce large amounts of effortless torque from very low rpm. A forward cant brings the centre of gravity down for optimum stability.
Peak power of 43.1kW @ 6,750rpm is matched to maximum torque of 69Nm @ 4,750rpm. Bore and stroke are set at 77mm and 80mm respectively, with the compression ratio at 10.7:1.
For A2 licence holders a 35kW version is available, which can be easily converted to the full power version by a Honda dealer at the appropriate time. Equally, it is possible to restrict the full power version to 35kW by a Honda dealer remapping the ECU. An assist/slipper clutch reduces lever load and manages rear-wheel lock up under fast down changes of the manual 6-speed gearbox while decelerating.
Twin balancers counteract vibration from higher rpm inertia without affecting the distinct ‘throb’ delivered by the engine’s irregular firing order and 270° phased crankshaft. Where possible components are made to do more than one job: the camshaft drives the water pump, while one of the balancer shafts drives the oil pump. By keeping the number of parts to a minimum in this way, the engine is kept light, efficient and reliable.
A lightweight pentagon-shaped muffler uses two chambers joined by a hole-punched link pipe, which works with a final resonator chamber to create a deep, distinctive sound and exhaust pulse. And the NC750X engine sips fuel – with a measured consumption of 28.3km/l (WMTC mode) – providing a near 400km range from the 14.1-litre under seat fuel tank. It also now has an OBD-2 sensor and new catalyser to optimise emissions for Euro5+ compliance.
Engine Electronics
With TBW managing engine performance and character there are three modes for the rider to choose from for various riding conditions, with pre-set combinations of settings for Power, Engine Braking and Honda Selectable Torque Control (Sport, Rain and Standard). Mode selection is managed between the left-hand switchgear and the LCD display.
Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) is fitted as standard on both the manual and DCT NC750X. It offers soft, intuitive control as it manages rear wheel torque thanks to TBW, over three levels:
HSTC can also be switched OFF.
Dual Clutch Transmission
Honda’s DCT technology is now in its 14th year of production, and over 230,000 units of DCT-equipped Honda two-wheelers have been sold in Europe since 2010. It delivers consistent, seamless gear changes up or down and very quickly becomes second nature in use. It uses two clutches: one for start-up and 1st, 3rd and 5th, the other for 2nd, 4th and 6th, with the mainshaft for each clutch located inside the other for compact packaging.
The system delivers consistent, seamless gear changes and very quickly becomes second nature in use. It uses two clutches: one for start-up and 1st, 3rd and 5th gears, the other for 2nd, 4th and 6th, with the mainshaft for each clutch located inside the other for compact packaging. Each clutch is independently controlled by its own electro-hydraulic circuit. When a gear change occurs, the system pre-selects the target gear using the clutch not currently in use. The first clutch is then electronically disengaged as, simultaneously, the second clutch engages.
For the 25YM update smoother starting from standstill and control at low speed – under 10km/h – were the targets. This requires a ‘quick yet gentle’ driving force at small throttle openings.
Surpassing the operating parameters of the previous generation DCT, the new version estimates the oil pressure of the clutch piston chamber and completely reviews the way feedback gain is applied – rather than just relying on an oil pressure sensor upstream of the clutch piston – resulting in improved, more delicate clutch response. Alongside the way TBW now opens from closed, the DCT also features a dedicated setting for extremely low speed running.
Consistent, fast and seamless gear changes are always on offer. As the twin clutches transfer drive from one gear to the next with minimal interruption of the drive to the rear wheel, any gear change shock and pitching of the machine is minimised, making the change feel direct as well as smooth. Extra benefits include durability (as the cogs cannot be damaged by missing a gear) impossibility of stalling, low stress urban riding, reduced rider fatigue and – crucially – the ability to concentrate more on riding lines, braking and acceleration points.
The DCT system offers two distinct riding approaches – Automatic Transmission (AT), with pre-programmed shift patterns which constantly read vehicle speed, selected gear and engine rpm to decide when a shift should occur, and Manual Transmission (MT), for gear changes using the paddle-shift style triggers on the left handlebar.
Through TBW control there are four automatic shifting schedules available. Level One is the most relaxed, with upshifts and downshifts operating at relatively low rpm; it is linked with the RAIN riding mode. Level Four, on the other extreme, shifts up at higher rpm and also downshifts earlier for more engine braking effect; it is linked with the SPORT mode. Level Two is linked with STANDARD riding mode, with Level Three situated between STANDARD and SPORT.
The USER mode functionality allows the rider to select any of the DCT shift patterns with the preferred permutations of the other parameters – power delivery, engine braking, and HSTC.
Chassis
Core of the chassis is a tubular steel diamond frame; it’s both light weight and strong. The riding position is upright and neutral, with a high viewpoint for enhanced hazard perception. Another advantage of this adventure-style riding position is great low-speed control – combined with the low centre of gravity and generous steering lock, the result is exceptional low-speed handling and balance.
Caster Angle is set at 27° with trail of 110mm, wheelbase at 1,525mm (1,530mm DCT) and front/rear weight distribution of 49/51. Kerb weight is 216kg (226kg DCT). Seat height is 802mm.
41mm telescopic forks employ 120mm travel and use Showa Dual Bending Valves (SDBV) with ratios optimised for both compression and rebound damping. This allows the creation of damping force in precise proportion to piston speed – from the low-speed range – improving ride quality and comfort. The rear monoshock features a spring preload adjuster system with 120mm travel. It operates through Pro-Link that offers an optimised balance of a soft initial stroke together with excellent control, for dealing with a wide range of riding scenarios.
Up front, the single 320mm wavy disc and two-piston brake caliper of the previous design have been replaced by dual two-piston axial-mount calipers and 296mm floating discs; offering confidence-inspiring braking power and confidence in all conditions. Rear braking is provided by a 240mm disc and single-piston caliper as before. Lightweight two-channel ABS provides powerful and confident braking even on slippery or wet road surfaces.
New ‘3by3’ spoke cast aluminium front and rear wheels – sizes 17 x 3.50-inch and 17 x 4.50-inch – wear 120/70 ZR17 and 160/60 ZR17 tyres and save 1.8kg, negating the extra weight of the revised front braking system.
Accessories
An expanded range of Genuine Honda Accessories are available, with 14 new items, for the NC750X either individually or in carefully curated packs for added convenience.
All specifications are provisional and subject to change without notice.
The Urban Pack enhances daily commuting ability:
The Travel Pack increases carrying capacity and convenience:
The Adventure Pack gives extra road presence:
The Comfort Park ups ride quality, comfort and practicality:
The following accessories are also available:
Please note:
That the figures provided are results obtained by Honda under standardised testing conditions prescribed by WMTC. Tests are conducted on a rolling road using a standard version of the vehicle with only one rider and no additional optional equipment. Actual fuel consumption may vary depending on how you ride, how you maintain your vehicle, weather, road conditions, tire pressure, installation of accessories, cargo, rider and passenger weight, and other factors.
Explore the latest colour range here:
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