Just bought a 2018 NC750X - Have Questions!

[WingMan71]

Well, I did it! I just picked up a really nice 2018 NC750X with just 7,500 miles on it.

Here's a picture of it safely parked in its spot in my shop.



So, I have lots of questions. Just a few for starters:

1. Only has one key! (No owner's manual with a key number written down in it.) How do I find the key number? How do I get a spare key? Honda dealer only?

2. I'm gonna need a taller windshield. Looking at National Cycle VStream, Puig, and Madstad. Saw a note on the Puig site that their windshield for my bike "cannot be used with Honda OEM handguards". Does that same restriction apply to VSteam and Madstad too? Are the handguards going to hit them at full turn?

3. Need a USB power source for my GPS/Phone. I see two Honda accessories: One is a "12V Accessory Socket" $20.95, that I guess mounts in the frunk? The other is a "USB Charger Kit" $35.66, but there is no picture of it or info on where it connects/mounts. Any advice on which to choose would be appreciated.

4. Definitely gonna need some saddlebags as well. I need some big enough to hold an XL size Arai full-face helmet. I know the Honda bags won't hold that. Looks like Givi or Shad will. Those with Givi or Shad saddlebags please let me know if your full-face helmets fit and in which size bags. Thanks!

5. I need some bar risers to move the bars mostly BACK toward me. I need more BACK than up. What are the best risers to do that?

That's it for now. More questions later, I'm sure.

Gonna be a few days before I get to the DMV and get plates. Can't wait!

 

[670cc]

Be aware that when Honda offers an electrical accessory, there may be 1 or 2 more accessories you have to buy from them to make the first one work. Also, most Honda accessory 12 volt outlets are limited to 1 amp, and in my opinion and for my usage, pretty worthless.

It never ceases to amaze me how previous owners lose a key or don’t bother to dig it up at the time of sale.

If you install handlebar risers that move the bars rearward, it will change the likelihood of handguard interference with windscreens. On a manual bike like this, you can easily do 1.2 inch rise without cable length problems. At 2 inch rise, you start to run into problems but it can be made to work depending how happy you are with the results. I’m at 3.2 inches of rise, which required extensive work to all cables: mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical.

The bike looks great. I hope you enjoy it!

 

[dduelin]

Congratulations!

I use a pair of Rox risers that allow generous pull back then I rotated the bars forward in the Rox risers to straighten wrist angle.

 

[potter0o]

I took my key to the local locksmith. I would start there.

 

[mzflorida]

Well, I did it! I just picked up a really nice 2018 NC750X with just 7,500 miles on it.

Here's a picture of it safely parked in its spot in my shop.

View attachment 54050

So, I have lots of questions. Just a few for starters:

1. Only has one key! (No owner's manual with a key number written down in it.) How do I find the key number? How do I get a spare key? Honda dealer only?

2. I'm gonna need a taller windshield. Looking at National Cycle VStream, Puig, and Madstad. Saw a note on the Puig site that their windshield for my bike "cannot be used with Honda OEM handguards". Does that same restriction apply to VSteam and Madstad too? Are the handguards going to hit them at full turn?

3. Need a USB power source for my GPS/Phone. I see two Honda accessories: One is a "12V Accessory Socket" $20.95, that I guess mounts in the frunk? The other is a "USB Charger Kit" $35.66, but there is no picture of it or info on where it connects/mounts. Any advice on which to choose would be appreciated.

4. Definitely gonna need some saddlebags as well. I need some big enough to hold an XL size Arai full-face helmet. I know the Honda bags won't hold that. Looks like Givi or Shad will. Those with Givi or Shad saddlebags please let me know if your full-face helmets fit and in which size bags. Thanks!

5. I need some bar risers to move the bars mostly BACK toward me. I need more BACK than up. What are the best risers to do that?

That's it for now. More questions later, I'm sure.

Gonna be a few days before I get to the DMV and get plates. Can't wait!

First, congratulations on the new bike! It looks really well cared for. I'm 602, 34" inseam, used to wear an Arai full face and now a Schuberth C5. For me the Puig touring screen, with lip, did not perform very well in most measures. I installed a Madstad and it is honestly amazing. If you want to try a Puig let me know. Mine is sitting in the garage and you can have it cheap.

 

[hickelbrent]

Well, I did it! I just picked up a really nice 2018 NC750X with just 7,500 miles on it.

Here's a picture of it safely parked in its spot in my shop.

View attachment 54050

So, I have lots of questions. Just a few for starters:

1. Only has one key! (No owner's manual with a key number written down in it.) How do I find the key number? How do I get a spare key? Honda dealer only?

2. I'm gonna need a taller windshield. Looking at National Cycle VStream, Puig, and Madstad. Saw a note on the Puig site that their windshield for my bike "cannot be used with Honda OEM handguards". Does that same restriction apply to VSteam and Madstad too? Are the handguards going to hit them at full turn?

3. Need a USB power source for my GPS/Phone. I see two Honda accessories: One is a "12V Accessory Socket" $20.95, that I guess mounts in the frunk? The other is a "USB Charger Kit" $35.66, but there is no picture of it or info on where it connects/mounts. Any advice on which to choose would be appreciated.

4. Definitely gonna need some saddlebags as well. I need some big enough to hold an XL size Arai full-face helmet. I know the Honda bags won't hold that. Looks like Givi or Shad will. Those with Givi or Shad saddlebags please let me know if your full-face helmets fit and in which size bags. Thanks!

5. I need some bar risers to move the bars mostly BACK toward me. I need more BACK than up. What are the best risers to do that?

That's it for now. More questions later, I'm sure.

Gonna be a few days before I get to the DMV and get plates. Can't wait!

I bought an extractme usb charger on Amazon. $15. Works great. I have a Givi top case from Revzilla. Holds my scorpion full face helmet and coat. Called them to get the right adapter. My helmet will fit in the frunk, barely. Picked up a Givi windscreen at revzilla. Better than stock though wind hits my visor.

 

[SoopaBee]

Nice looking machine! Very clean! Mine is a 2014 so not sure how applicable these comments are for the 2018 model. But for what it's worth:

1. I agree with potter0o above. I took my key to a professional locksmith to get a spare key made. I found that most of the in-store key kiosks/key duplicators won't do motorcycle keys.
2. I use the stock mini screen so no comment.
3. I have the Honda OEM 12V Accessory Socket on my bike and yes, it is installed in the frunk. I wanted make sure it was done correctly so I had my local Honda dealer/mechanic to install it for me. I use a dual USB adapter that I got off of Amazon to give me two USB ports. I've used the socket for phone charging and charging my Sena communicator/camera. It works great.
4. I use soft bags on my bike. I have the Givi GRT720 Canyon saddle bags and they are awesome. I can fit a full-face helmet in them with room to spare.
5. I don't need/use bar risers so no comment.

Lastly, I saw the extra large footprint on your side stand. Hope it works for you! I used to have a very similar one on my mine. It worked fine, but honestly, for me, it didn't work out. When I would park and use the side stand, it made the bike stand too upright, thus risking tipping over. This was especially noticeable if I parked on a slight hill. I opted for one of those side stand pucks that you can slip under the stand whenever I needed it (mostly for dirt) and just keep it in a bag or the frunk.

Hope you enjoy the bike. Ride safe!

 

[WingMan71]

Thanks much for all that feedback!

The sidestand foot is a Givi product. Very clever design that adds barely 1/8" to the thickness. Still plenty of lean angle with it holding the bike up.

 

[yojimg]

Well, I did it! I just picked up a really nice 2018 NC750X with just 7,500 miles on it.

Nice bike! I have the exact same model. I also bought mine used with around 7k miles.

1. Only has one key! (No owner's manual with a key number written down in it.) How do I find the key number? How do I get a spare key? Honda dealer only?

There are several forum threads on spare keys - I recommend starting there:

https://nc700-forum.com/threads/spare-key.19299/
https://nc700-forum.com/threads/spare-key.15289/
https://nc700-forum.com/threads/affordable-spare-key.13382/
https://nc700-forum.com/threads/spare-key-blanks.7678/

The 2018 US model requires what's known as a "sidewinder" key blank -- Partzilla (among others) have them available:
https://www.partzilla.com/product/h...r5FktGHYtto7QW7gajfKU0a7jg7PJL2oaAgWOEALw_wcB

My bike only came with one key as well and no code. I followed this Youtube video to reverse-engineer the key code:

2. I'm gonna need a taller windshield. Looking at National Cycle VStream, Puig, and Madstad. Saw a note on the Puig site that their windshield for my bike "cannot be used with Honda OEM handguards". Does that same restriction apply to VSteam and Madstad too? Are the handguards going to hit them at full turn?

I have a Givi on mine, and I also have handlebar risers. My Barkbusters clear with no problem due to the risers.

5. I need some bar risers to move the bars mostly BACK toward me. I need more BACK than up. What are the best risers to do that?

You can buy the clutch cable from a CTX700 for about $25 which is ~4 inches longer than stock. That, along with some loosening/rerouting of the other stock cables & brake lines on my bike, works great with the bar risers. https://partzilla.com/product/honda/22870-MJF-A30


-Jim G

 

[yojimg]

Also, there are a bunch of excellent DIY maintenance videos on the NC750X at https://www.youtube.com/@AfricaTwin-Stuff/ (he changed the channel name recently because he "upgraded" to an Africa Twin).

-Jim G

 

[WingMan71]

Nice bike! I have the exact same model. I also bought mine used with around 7k miles.



There are several forum threads on spare keys - I recommend starting there:

https://nc700-forum.com/threads/spare-key.19299/
https://nc700-forum.com/threads/spare-key.15289/
https://nc700-forum.com/threads/affordable-spare-key.13382/
https://nc700-forum.com/threads/spare-key-blanks.7678/

The 2018 US model requires what's known as a "sidewinder" key blank -- Partzilla (among others) have them available:
https://www.partzilla.com/product/h...r5FktGHYtto7QW7gajfKU0a7jg7PJL2oaAgWOEALw_wcB

My bike only came with one key as well and no code. I followed this Youtube video to reverse-engineer the key code:

I have a Givi on mine, and I also have handlebar risers. My Barkbusters clear with no problem due to the risers.




You can buy the clutch cable from a CTX700 for about $25 which is ~4 inches longer than stock. That, along with some loosening/rerouting of the other stock cables & brake lines on my bike, works great with the bar risers. https://partzilla.com/product/honda/22870-MJF-A30


-Jim G

Thank you very much for all that info. That really helps.

 

[SoopaBee]

Thanks much for all that feedback!

The sidestand foot is a Givi product. Very clever design that adds barely 1/8" to the thickness. Still plenty of lean angle with it holding the bike up.

Nice! I probably should look into the Givi version myself!

 

[Rabbit]

Nice! I probably should look into the Givi version myself!

T-Rex racing also has one a little cheaper I believe. I have the Givi. Works well