Words: Bill Hunter.
It seems Honda has taken the first steps, regarding motorcycling, to save the planet from vile oil produced plastics. The green panels on this latest derivative of its superb NC750X DCT are made from, wait for it, a corn based material. It’s called Durabio and combines the corn with a recycled polycarbonate resin. How it’s made is a technical mystery to me but an impressive piece of ‘green’ engineering to say the least!
Another interesting point is that the green pigment, so to speak, is actually infused into the panels so no plant killing paint is required, oh, and the red option has the same attributes. So, if you happen to have an irritating scratch on your new NC, you can simply just buff it out, and no, you can’t eat these new panels in case you’re wondering!
Anyway this 2025, third generation, NC750X DCT isn’t just about those green pieces because it’s riddled with a wealth of updates. I still believe this is the best versatile commuter ever made and now it’s even better. Every time I ride the DCT version of Honda’s NC750X I question why you would ever need anything else to get around town, and now even more so.
Firstly Honda has given the NC750X more low to mid-range punch. The motor is still the 745cc, SOHC, eight-valve, parallel-twin, producing a claimed 58hp@6,750rpm and 69Nm@4,750, but now with a much smoother power delivery. The exhaust is also new delivering a throatier growl enhanced by the 270-degree crankshafts layout, making it sound more like a V-Twin than a delivery bike.
A more noticeable change is the adoption of the 5-inch TFT display, poached from Honda"s 750 Transalp, which has three display options being, Bar, Circle and Simple to mainly choose what style and in which position you’d like to view the rev-counter. This new TFT (Thin Film Transistor) is a high-quality device and you can now connect to Honda’s RoadSync App allowing for navigation and phone connectivity. There’s also HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control x3), or Traction Control, plus new Sport, Standard, User and refined Rain power modes, Engine Braking modes and four DCT shift patterns. These include MT (manual shift using the twin paddles placed under the left side switchgear, and full auto AT. While in either mode they’re three levels of sport that basically make the bike stay in the gears for longer and deliver more thrust. I think I’ve got all that correct because there is now a lot going on and all selected using the new, and very good, four-way, backlit toggle switch on the left side.
The bike itself has received similar attention with a new bodywork style and a more powerful, 50% brighter, LED. headlight. One of the previous complaints with earlier NCs was that the single front disc needed improving. So Honda has delivered and now the NC comes equipped with twin 296mm wavy discs, grabbed by two-piston Nissin callipers, of course with ABS. It can be turned off if you desire burnouts and the like, not really conducive with an NC, but you can if a spot of 'show-offery' consumes you. Honda’s novel 23 litre cubbyhole is now a little bigger and will accept an Adventure type helmet, so the Honda people say.
The chassis is supported with new and lighter 17-inch wheels and improved Showa 41mm, non-adjustable, SDBV (Showa Dual Bending Valves) forks, which always makes people giggle when you tell them that! I have no idea why, do you? The rear shock also enjoys better damping characteristics with Pre-load adjustability only if you yearn for things to become a little stiffer, no giggling again please.
The first thing you’ll notice when you swing a leg over the NC is how low to the ground it feels with its 802mm seat height, and that’s also been redesigned with softer padding and some new stitching highlights. The reach to the ‘bars falls easily to hand and even though it’s not particularly light, with a claimed weight of 226kg (wet), it does feel much lighter though once on the move, possibly due to the engine leaning forward inside the steel frame rails, lowering the centre of gravity. This makes the NC extremely easy to ride and it’s exceedingly comfortable, ideal for any new rider. And don’t forget this DCT version is impossible to stall and, believe me, I tried! I wanted to confuse the gearbox by leaving it in sixth gear and braking heavily at which point it just goes, oh yeah mate I’ve got you, and instantly clicks down smoothly back into first gear, very impressive!
Once in motion I could immediately feel the new low and mid-range drive Honda has given the new NC, and it does sound splendid even with the stock silencer. When I felt lazy I just left the bike in AT, but on the highest-level, three, sport setting. However most of the time I chose MT with the Playstation-like paddle buttons, now the NC becomes a seriously fun bike to ride. Regarding the pre-set rider power modes I never came out of Sport. The six-speed DCT gearbox for 2025 is divine, shifts effortlessly, and better than ever, so I’ll say no more – tremendous!
If you do decide to ride around in Standard mode you will discover how amazing the NC is with fuel, or how little it uses for a ‘750’. The relatively small under seat fuel tank holds 14.1-litres and it’ll easily take the rider well over 400km, in some cases I’ve heard of some riders achieving 500km, albeit with a very limp wrist. Still eyebrow- raising figures I’m sure you’ll agree.
The ’25 NC has certainly been given a more ‘sporty’ nature, due to the improved low down clout and the new suspension tweaks. It’s so planted on the road and never feels like it’ll surpass your riding ability and, in my case, it made me ride it much harder than the previous version because of the updates. Either touring, shopping, commuting or just going out for long ride, the NC soon becomes a sublime motorcycle companion on all counts. Oh, I forgot to mention, there is a manual gearbox option, how boring, just go for the DCT or be square folks.
So how much for this new green machine you ask? How about a mere R162,599, making this one of the best value-for-money motorcycles you can buy. I also believe that the NC750X DCT is the BEST version of any of Honda’s DCT bikes, it just works so well on this platform. If you’ve never tried one you don’t know what you’re missing, so go to your local dealer and demand a test ride and save the planet.
Images: Sudoku.
Go to www.Honda.co.za for more information on this model.
