Honda NC750X [Archive] - Kiwi Biker forums

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nerrrd

23rd April 2014, 20:03

For those of us who liked the look of the NC700X, they're bringing in the updated version:

http://www.hondamotorbikes.co.nz/bikes/road-bikes/adventure/2014-nc750x/

Not much different, new seat, revised dash (yawn), more cc and an extra balance shaft, scarily no mention of ABS in Honda's blurb (but it's supposed to be standard worldwide now - they wouldn't, would they?), also supposed to have adventure-ish tyres now (like the 500X). And it's the same price! (scratch that - might be an extra $500) Go Blue Wing! /sarcasm/.

nerrrd

25th July 2014, 22:30

Turns out Blue Wing has left off the ABS again. Maybe a nod to the fact they class it as an 'adventure' bike?

Gremlin

26th July 2014, 16:31

Turns out Blue Wing has left off the ABS again. Maybe a nod to the fact they class it as an 'adventure' bike?
Yeah... I'm suuuuuure that's the primary reason :rolleyes:

Erelyes

26th July 2014, 18:41

nerrrd

26th July 2014, 19:52

Yeah... I'm suuuuuure that's the primary reason :rolleyes:

I know, I was trying to be charitable. I guess if it did have ABS they'd just price it higher. Might as well have gone for the 700x when I had the chance, my bad for wanting to wait and see. Or...wish the versys had been this price when I was looking:

http://www.kawasaki.co.nz/catalog/streetbikes/dual-sports/KLE650DDF/overview

mossy1200

26th July 2014, 21:35

Ribit

27th July 2014, 17:25

The CBR500x covers that market

nerrrd

29th July 2014, 07:36

Review on stuff this am.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/bikes/10313050/It-is-everything-a-motorcycle-should-and-shouldn-t-be

Richard Mc F

29th July 2014, 21:04

nerrrd

31st July 2014, 18:56

And now that you've sent me this, I don't think I care anymore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sTpQtaWWDQ

STJim

7th August 2014, 15:01

I rode this machine today. Honda Hamilton have a whole stack of demonstrators available to test ride this week. I liked it. It would make an ideal commuter bike plus there is no problem taking it out for a Sunday spin. The twin cylinder power plant provides a nice beat to let you know it's alive.
However it couldn't replace my ST.

nerrrd

15th August 2014, 21:55

OK so it turns out you can order an ABS model through Honda NZ for $13995 - thanks to Peter from Honda Hamilton for following up on my enquiries.

All I need now is somebody to give me 10 grand for my 500...yeah right.

Also note that the 750S is on the Honda NZ website now.

http://www.hondamotorbikes.co.nz/bikes/road-bikes/naked/nc750s/

James Deuce

15th August 2014, 22:21

Wait two years and a get a new/old stock ABS one for $10,995 inc. ORC.

nerrrd

15th August 2015, 17:35

So I just couldn't let it go; signed on the dotted line today on a barely used Japanese import NC750X with ABS + sundry extras today, didn't even test ride it.

Right now the right side of my brain is smiling, while the left is looking at it ruefully and shaking it's head. Or the other way around, or neither...

Picking it up Thursday.

Maha

15th August 2015, 17:40

Good on you Rodney, sundry extras = luggage?

Gremlin

15th August 2015, 18:00

nerrrd

15th August 2015, 18:24

Was that a black one at Botany? Givi Trekker side luggage?

Titanium (??dark silver anyway) at Cyclespot. No luggage but quite a few accessories including an aftermarket exhaust which will be new for me - do loud-ish pipes save lives as well?

Only one I've seen for sale with ABS. Which a lot of people probably think I don't need.

nerrrd

15th August 2015, 21:28

Good on you Rodney, sundry extras = luggage?

Ooops missed your post, thanks Mark.

Mainly the aforementioned pipe (Mugen) plus a few Honda accessories (heated grips, centrestand, bigger screen), and some crashbars (old-school sticky-out ones), some massive (to me) fog lamps and a handlebar brace (??).

Luggage-wise i'm going to lash out on a new top box and keep my soft side bags, plus the bike has 20 litres built in (some might call it a scooter in drag but I don't care so there).

quickbuck

30th April 2016, 08:24

Was that a black one at Botany? Givi Trekker side luggage?As of today that is mine :)

actungbaby

30th April 2016, 13:28

From 51hp to 54hp. One wonders why they bothered giving what is obviously a commuter bike an extra 3hp.

And since when is 3hp from a 75cc capacity increase anything to shout about...

I mean, I love the helmet storage and all that kinda guff. Just wish the thing wasn't so asthmatic.

I think more the low down power increase a 50cc doesint sound like alot but it has made big diffrence apprently

my word bit slow arent they the 750cc version came out more than year ago

must be like there spare parts service bloody terrible i might add still waiting on some o rings 4 months and counting

then make out a xr 200 pil pump gasket is no longer avaible on engine thats been sold in the millions yeah right

to be honest i brought 13 brand new hondas and just about had enough blue wing honda . must worst honda importer in the world.

actungbaby

30th April 2016, 13:32

Big chance is the 6Nm more torque and if I am not having a senior moment I think they spaced the transmision ratios wider..........meh............ I have ridden and it is a NC700 with more.:bleh:.......so imfomatave am I:innocent:

I like them a lot they are not as bland as the article suggests YMMV

I was lucky enough ride custom version and the engine was 700cc version was bloody nice i was expecting to hate it.

as i had read where sort runs out steam real fast at top end . but i thought be like sewing machine . but got charcter dare i say it

when hits higher rpm i pretend it had supercharger had that kind sound .

which goes to show its mostley made up in your own head what bike offers you . each to there own i guess .

nerrrd

30th April 2016, 19:52

Still truckin' along with mine :2thumbsup.

Gremlin

1st May 2016, 03:15

As of today that is mine :)
Enjoy, I'll mention it to the old owner when I see him next. He's now on a Trumpy Explorer 800, finding it a bit more suitable for the road/gravel he's now doing.

quickbuck

1st May 2016, 09:13

Enjoy, I'll mention it to the old owner when I see him next. He's now on a Trumpy Explorer 800, finding it a bit more suitable for the road/gravel he's now doing.

Cheers, I will.
For me it will mainly be a commuter, occasional tourer and a coaching bike with a few gravel lessons thrown in there.
So hoping I made a good choice.

I did have my heart set on a VFR800.... But head said that would be as good on gravel as the CBR used to be, if not worse.... I mean I could do it no problem, but it was as skittery as a feral cat.

It is a credit to the previous owner, he set it up well with some nice gear.

ruaphu

1st May 2016, 10:52

Still truckin' along with mine :2thumbsup.

Sooooooooo. Hows about a bit of blurb of owning one of these? You know, the usual stuff, the good, the bad and the ugly (typically the rider, haha)

No doubt there is a few wanting to hear from a genuine owner as opposed to the usual censored rubbish on the net aye.

Cheers

Scubbo

1st May 2016, 10:54

what sort of range do you get to a tank doing the speed limit, nerd?

nerrrd

1st May 2016, 13:49

Sooooooooo. Hows about a bit of blurb of owning one of these? You know, the usual stuff, the good, the bad and the ugly (typically the rider, haha)

True that! Anyhoo here's a quick summary from my perspective (only really having ridden smallish bikes in my whole riding career) from commuting around Auckland with the occasional open road excursion.

Describing it as an SUV or 'soft roader' in car terms seems apt. It feels heavy to me at slow speeds (on particularly uncoordinated days I might even have called it a 'pig' by accident) but nice and stable once underway. Handling-wise very neutral, but then I don't push things; the bumps on scenic drive aren't exactly smoothed out, but they don't seem to unsettle things that I've noticed. Haven't tried it on gravel as I'm still a bit put off by the aforementioned weight issue.

Engine and gearing are veeerrrry relaaaxxxed which is what i was looking for, so thumbs up there, makes for a stressless commute. First gear might be a little too tall, having said that? Gearbox can be a little vague, probably more my problem than the bike's.

Don't like the front brake - thought it was sticking the other week, that just seemed to go away by itself, but in general I feel like I have to pull on it quite hard to stop, to the point where I expect the ABS might even kick in, but it never does, and the bike always stops. So I guess there's not much 'feel' to be felt. Actually I've never felt the ABS kick in on the front, even when practising emergency braking, so I wonder sometimes if it's even working. Paranoia probably (hopefully, anyway.)

Everything else suits me just fine, cheap to run (I'm averaging 4l/100kms mainly commuting) and easy to live with.

nerrrd

1st May 2016, 15:17

what sort of range do you get to a tank doing the speed limit, nerd?

Haven't ever tracked a purely open road tank, but in general use I get 250-300kms before the 'reserve' starts flashing.

pritch

5th May 2016, 19:18

Actually I've never felt the ABS kick in on the front, even when practising emergency braking, so I wonder sometimes if it's even working.

I've never had a bike with ABS but have driven heavy vehicles with it, and my car has it. I have done some "spirited" driving in the car but the ABS has never kicked in. The only time it operated in a heavy vehicle was once when I braked on wet grass.

The only people I know who deliberately made the ABS cut in on a bike knew what they were doing. Your version of emergency braking is likely more like mine than theirs. :whistle:

quickbuck

12th May 2016, 12:57

Righto, a review from me.....

Previous bikes: 92 CBR600 F2 until I took up racing it, Ninja 250r which I rode on the road before racing it, 98 GSX600F, 88 CBR400 (Many years ago for 5 years... before that I was young and silly on a few 2 strokes ;)

One Thousand k's down on the NC750X

This bike is awesome for me! It is everything I need in a bike.
I have used it mainly to commute over the motorways and cut through traffic in Auckland. Future uses will be instructing and two up touring.

So far I average about 3.5 l/100k! Exceptional considering the "car park" that I have had to filter through.

I took it out for a spirited ride to Maraetai Beach to pick up something off Trade Me.
What I didn't expect was the road work that was going on, but the NC didn't give a hoot!
I know the CBR was as skittery as a feral cat on road work, but being a "Soft Roader" the NC just ploughed on through (Note the Tractor Reference).
Away from the lights it is like a diesel (Or some other very torquey motor). First is tallish, in the same way and reason my Clubsport is.
It has so much torque it needs to be tamed a little otherwise you would hit the rev limiter far too soon.
There is only a few seconds from launch to 6500 RPM. Remember it is actually half a car engine in there!
I laughed as a Repsol CBR6 was screaming away beside me as we left the line at a set of lights and the NC was putting away keeping up. All the while he was burning up clutch plates and making a noise about it... I kept up for the most part, not that I was actually racing.
Once he was over 8000 RPM and doing some stupid speed I just sat back and smiled to myself... I can do that stuff on the track, but on the motorway network of our biggest city you just look like a twat!
The weight is highish on paper (compared to off roaders with lights) and when physically moving it around it is a little bulky, but it is easier to manoeuvre at low speed than my CBR 600.
This is not an off roader with lights though. If I was doing more dirt stuff, I would get a dirt bike. However shingle roads and things like that, this is awesome.
Mine doesn't have ABS. It does stop very well, as I discovered as I was coming up very quickly on a line of traffic that decided to stop suddenly. No dramas at all. I had quite good feeling through the stop. Nissin callipers have come a little way in the past 25 years...

Fuel economy is unreal. I don't buy motorcycles to save on gas, but with this one you really do! 14 Litre tank is ample and you need to get off and have a rest at that point anyway. 340k before the "light" (Actually the final bar flashing) is a long ride without a break.

Filtering through traffic is great, right up until you have two SUV's side by side too close to each other... The mirrors are the same height as the NC! Haven't hit any yet, but use caution when filtering anyway.....
Sometimes it seems like the car drivers are absolute muppets, but as a car driver too, I too find it hard to spot a bike doing 40km/hr between all the stationary traffic.... So exercise caution anyway.

I am yet to load it up and do a two up tour. I suspect that it will be a little limited, but I have done a 2-up fully loaded tour on a CBR400 before (and GSX600F), so this will be luxury! Especially with hard luggage.... Oh, and the massive storage box in the front.

So there is the story so far.
I will add more as I ride more.... Off for a two up trip to Hamilton and back one night next week, so will let you know.

quickbuck

12th May 2016, 13:01

..... to the point where I expect the ABS might even kick in, but it never does, and the bike always stops. So I guess there's not much 'feel' to be felt. Actually I've never felt the ABS kick in on the front, even when practising emergency braking, so I wonder sometimes if it's even working. Paranoia probably (hopefully, anyway.)

The thing about ABS is if you are braking properly, it will never kick in.....
It is only if you are braking across a slippery surface, or hit one while braking...
Or just snatch the brake without loading the front tyre properly.

Hope this helps :)

As for Feel... I wonder if the ABS module takes some away? Not sure, will have to ride one to work that out.

nerrrd

12th May 2016, 19:36

The thing about ABS is if you are braking properly, it will never kick in.....
It is only if you are braking across a slippery surface, or hit one while braking...
Or just snatch the brake without loading the front tyre properly.

Hope this helps :)

As for Feel... I wonder if the ABS module takes some away? Not sure, will have to ride one to work that out.

I like that explanation, I must be braking properly then :D. Nah it probably doesn't, more likely I have about as much sensitivity as a block of wood. Still, there's a stiffness to the lever that comes and goes at low speed or when I'm stationery, and a distinct vibration when braking downhill and coming to a complete stop - but the CB500X I had did the vibration thing also, so at least that part is familiar.

Glad to see somebody else is happy with theirs!

Gremlin

12th May 2016, 22:06

quickbuck

13th May 2016, 05:05

Boss has a 700X and yes, did find it a bit limiting 2up for touring. He's not large, neither is his partner, but it was still a little cramped, plus underpowered when hitting strong winds on the southern coast near Invercargill. He didn't want to go too large due to trying to handle it, but so far (along with the NC for the city) has enjoyed the low seat height of the new Multistrada and also likes the new Honda Crossrunner.

Yes. I can imagine it will be a little small and limited, but I am happy with that compromise.
The 750 is actually 75cc bigger than the 700, so that should address a little bit of the power issues, although on paper it doesn't look like much.

The Crossrunner, well there is a very nice bike. Particularly the new one where they put the footpegs in the right place. Honda forgot about that on the first model.
I loved the VTEC kicking in. My partner did get a little tired of me doing it though lol.

nerrrd

20th May 2016, 10:14

And now the new 2016 model is here. Not keen on the silver fairing myself. ABS still not standard here though, wonder if the DCT version can be ordered now? (since the AT DCT is now available in NZ)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-1086251301.htm

Scubbo

20th May 2016, 14:07

can't help but think it'd look way better without the fat side fairings? they look bulbous and weird :| ?

nerrrd

3rd September 2016, 10:40

And a review of the new one:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/bikes/83339812/hondas-nononsense-nc750x-lets-its-hair-down

Had my 2014 for a year now and getting more and more comfortable on it, barring anything unforeseen I may never buy another bike (thanks Honda for building the perfect bike for boring old me.)

nerrrd

1st April 2022, 18:41

And here we are again, another new model. Possibly the best looking version so far, and more updates than usual. Lighter, a bit more go, lower seat, some more electronics and a bit of a price bump. Still doesn’t look like the DCT is an option through Honda (maybe as a special order?)

https://www.hondamotorbikes.co.nz/adventure-bikes/nc750x

https://2yrh403fk8vd1hz9ro2n46dd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2021-Honda-NC750X-DCT-First-Look-adventure-touring-commuter-motorcycle-19.jpg

I’m still riding my 2014, just clicked over 50,000kms and I continue to be very happy with it. Would love to take a new one for a test drive but not really a fiscally responsible option at the moment.

release_the_bees

2nd April 2022, 16:55

I did the TT2000 on one that I rented a couple of years back, as my bike was waiting on parts from overseas and wasn't able to be ridden. I was pleasantly surprised with the old model's handling. It certainly got put through its paces between Napier and Wairoa.

The DCT version does seem to be the way to go for that engine. Coming from a bike with a 13k red line, the number of times that I accidentally hit the limiter was far too many to remember.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

nerrrd

2nd April 2022, 19:04

The DCT version does seem to be the way to go for that engine. Coming from a bike with a 13k red line, the number of times that I accidentally hit the limiter was far too many to remember.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

Yes even I’ve managed that, apparently they’ve upped the redline on the new model a whole 500rpm to 7000!

quickbuck

2nd April 2022, 21:24

I’m still riding my 2014, just clicked over 50,000kms and I continue to be very happy with it. Would love to take a new one for a test drive but not really a fiscally responsible option at the moment.

My 2015 has just done over 88000k. Got it when it was 6000k old. Did the clutch at 85000, as it was dragging since about 20000... Finally got sick of it being difficult to push it in gear with the lever travel where I like it...
Anywho, bike still feels like new... Will probably replace with new model, eventually.... Or get the new one and keep the old one as a back-up. Not that it has ever let me down.

As for hitting rev limiter, only done that once... Thought I had hooked the gear, but had not! I grew up short-shifting the heck out of everything...

I use it for work. (Instructing).

nerrrd

3rd April 2022, 09:05

My 2015 has just done over 88000k. Got it when it was 6000k old. Did the clutch at 85000, as it was dragging since about 20000... Finally got sick of it being difficult to push it in gear with the lever travel where I like it...
Anywho, bike still feels like new... Will probably replace with new model, eventually.... Or get the new one and keep the old one as a back-up. Not that it has ever let me down.

As for hitting rev limiter, only done that once... Thought I had hooked the gear, but had not! I grew up short-shifting the heck out of everything...

I use it for work. (Instructing).

That’s interesting, at my last service I asked about the clutch and turns out the plates are getting a bit worn and ‘sticky’ but there doesn’t seem to be any other symptoms once underway. I picked up mine at 2000kms and have ridden it in a lot of stop/start traffic as filtering with my 42L panniers can be a little challenging at times, so a fair bit of feathering the clutch happens…and I’m not the most coordinated of riders lol.

Pretty sure I’ve been on one of your ride forever courses too, they’re always good value. Haven’t done any for a while what with Covid and everything but used to do them regularly with Prorider.