NC750XD: Initial review ...

[GoldOxide_imp]

For those who have or are interested in Honda beasts with DCT ...

[pdedse]

Good video...I remember when we were youngins how my mechanically inclined brother would try to explain to me the workings of gears, clutches...engines in general. After a minute or two my eyes would glaze over and I'd be wanting to return to my Horatio Hornblower novel. Too bad youtube videos didn't exist back then.

[the Ferret]

I must say the DCT on my NC 750X DCT works pretty slick, and the ability to have an instantaneous and seamless downshift with the tap of the - button is awesome for quick passes of slow moving cars, or freeway entrances, going up hills or engine braking on curvy down hills.

[the Ferret]

I guess I could list my own set of pros and cons with the 750DCT. I am closing in on 8,500 miles on mine in 6 months (picked up June 22)

Pro's:
It does get good gas mileage, between 66 and 74 mpg depending on how I ride. I still have to fill it up way too often but it usually only takes 2.3 gals or so.
It feels incredibly light compared to the CB even though it's only 56 pounds lighter.
It handles well
It's narrow between the knees
Brakes more than adequately
The DCT trans is brilliant if you don't go into it with pre-conceived notions as to when it should shift. Let it do it's thing, and it will be fine.
I ride mainly in Standard mode, and occasionally (rarely) in a USER mode I have set up a little more aggressive than standard. I never use manual mode. I tried it once and it was great but if I wanted to do the shifting myself I'd have bought a manual shift model.
Scheduled replacement for oil and filters is incredible... 8,000 miles for oil and 16,000 miles for filters (interestingly it uses the same spin on filter as the CB ... the DCT filter is separate and a cartridge filter)
16,000 miles for valve inspection which is screw and lock nut (no shims required, no cam removal)

Con's:
I find the 270 degree firing order of the motor annoyingly throbby, so much so that it tarnishes the experience for me
It could use more HP and torque. You really realize this after riding the CB and the NC back to back. The CB's power characteristics are awesome.
Don't mind the stock suspension most of the time, or the seat.... most of the time. I suppose both could be better, but not bad enough that I'm willing to spends thousands of dollars to update.

Finally:
As a daily rider (and a substitute for keeping miles off the CB) the NC is getting the job done for me, but the throbby engine and lack of power taints the experience. I fight with myself daily over whether the NC is a keeper or not. I love the light feeling, and the great mileage, IMO it's 2 best attributes. There is no reason why the NC shouldn't satisfy me, after all I'm only using it for local country curvy road rides of generally 45-60 miles at average speeds of 45-60 mph, but the CB is so much more satisfying to ride on these same rides.

There is a new NC 1100 coming out that at 525 lbs (manual shift model), weighs in between the NC 750 and the CB 1100 with 100 hp and 76 # torque,( more comparable power to the CB). Plus it comes with fairing w/ adjustable windscreen, saddle bags, heated grips, cruise control, updated gauges etc. which extends it's touring capabilities and usefulness over the NC 750. I intend to test ride one if possible. Unfortunately, it's also a 270 degree P twin and if it's throbby like the NC, I'm afraid I'll have to pass. That's how much I dislike the throb of 270 P twin of the NC 750. BTW my brothers Triumph Bonneville T-120 has the same 270 degree P twin motor and I also dislike riding it, although he loves it. There are guys on both the Triumph forum and NC forum who claims the throb gives it "charachter" . Maybe so but it doesn't suit me.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Hey Ferret:

Can't help on the twin versus inline-4 feel. Definitely different behaviours. On the NC750XD I could not stand the default "Drive Mode", which to me felt "throbby". Again, not surprising for a twin of any configuration. However, I exclusively rode in "Sport Mode 1" (S1, and sometimes higher) on the NC. For me anyway, the throbbiness was reduced to very enjoyable for me and the response was peppy.

The Africa Twin experience is much better, but I still rarely ever use "Drive Mode" (the mode that is default on ignition power-up). Even with the extra power on tap, I still prefer Sport Mode 1 (S1) for regular riding.

I do find "Drive Mode" useful for heavy city traffic congestion situations.

One more note: On the NC I did not notice a hit on fuel economy when riding in "Sport 1" mode versus "Drive" mode. But again, that is with my riding style and your mileage may literally vary. lol

[the Ferret]

GO I rode today's 52 mile ride all the way in user mode, (more aggressive than standard...between standard and sport I'd say) and it is less throbby, but of course the rpms are running about 1,000-1,500 rpms higher than standard and about a gear lower than I would normally ride. It seems to become no longer a "leisurely ride" but a more sporty ride.

I dunno. Tomorrow I'll ride in standard and see how I feel. lol

[GoldOxide_imp]

GO I rode today's 52 mile ride all the way in user mode, (more aggressive than standard...between standard and sport I'd say) and it is less throbby, but of course the rpms are running about 1,000-1,500 rpms higher than standard and about a gear lower than I would normally ride. It seems to become no longer a "leisurely ride" but a more sporty ride.

I dunno. Tomorrow I'll ride in standard and see how I feel. lol

Yeah, the littl' double thumper has to rev a bit more to deliver and smooth out.

But that is what I did without extraordinary lose of economy. Basically, I still managed 350 to 360 kms on a tank (30 to 40 clicks left when refilling), yet managed to sustain passing rates on the freeway all day.

Keep in mind this was done on a 2018 version of the NC mill / fueling.

[redbirds_imp]

There must be a greater difference in the riding experience with the DCT as opposed to the manual. My manual feels "throbby" and underpowered but only in 6th gear at less than 65 mph. 5th is top gear for me in most circumstances. On my recent trip to Florida I did a 40 mile ride on I-75 to bypass Ocala; 85 to 90 mph was about average to stay up with traffic with one burst to 95 mph to pass a line of trucks. 6th gear worked great at these higher speeds and bike felt very smooth. Riding through Lakeland I met with some heavy traffic and multiple traffic lights that made me wish I had the DCT. Everything's a trade-off.

[GoldOxide_imp]

With my "style" of riding, taking the same route, I actually found the CB1100 less comfortable compared to the NC750X at highway/freeway speeds because of the extra harmonic "buzz" sometimes thrown out by the CB1100. Grip Puppies helped on the CB1100, but the NC was a smooth experience for the same route. For sure upon ramp up to speed from stop, the CB1100 was sublime - like butter, whereas the NC was like milk chocolate with hazelnuts. Both enjoyable, in the own rite.

[the Ferret]

There must be a greater difference in the riding experience with the DCT as opposed to the manual. My manual feels "throbby" and underpowered but only in 6th gear at less than 65 mph. 5th is top gear for me in most circumstances. On my recent trip to Florida I did a 40 mile ride on I-75 to bypass Ocala; 85 to 90 mph was about average to stay up with traffic with one burst to 95 mph to pass a line of trucks. 6th gear worked great at these higher speeds and bike felt very smooth. Riding through Lakeland I met with some heavy traffic and multiple traffic lights that made me wish I had the DCT. Everything's a trade-off.

In standard mode the DCT Shifts into 2nd at 11 mph, 3rd at about 21, 4th at 31 or so, 5th at maybe 36 or 37 and 6th by maybe 45 always shifting at 3200 rpms or less. So you are riding around at 45-55 mph in 6th at less than 2500 rpms, most of the time. Probably why it feels throbby lol.

Put it in sport mode and it shifts at about 42000-4500 and you get in 6th at about 56 or 57 mph.

Btw my new Givi touring shield recommends a max speed 81 mph, lest the well nuts that mount the shield get pulled out of their mounts by wind pressure.