Hello all,
Fake Friday for me.
I just re-entered the motorcycle world this year. Took 5 years away after some broken bones healed. Not new to motorcycles but certainly new to the DCT. Last three bikes were a 2005 Honda XR650L, 2016 KTM 690 Enduro R and then for some reason I found myself with a 2025 Honda ADV160. I think the ADV was trying to fill a gap without having to admit I missed having a motorcycle. After realizing the ADV was just not right for me, I bought a new 2024 Honda NC750X. I'm in the US so it's a DCT. It has only been 1 week of ownership. At the time I was trying to decide between a 2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport ES DCT, 2024 BMW F900GS or the 2024 Honda NC750X. There is such a big difference between the first two and the NC. I was willing to spend the extra money to get the AT or the GS. I went to the dealers and looked at all three units and sat on them hoping one would speak to me. The AT and the GS feel uncomfortably top heavy to me. I wanted to give myself permission to buy the AT. On the drive over, I was convinced I would buy the AT. I sat on the NC and it just feels so much better for my needs. I don't need 7 gallons of fuel and I really didn't need a liter bike. My main purpose is running errands and riding 15 miles (one-way) to work. I'm not a peg grinder. Had a couple CBR600's but was never a person who could use a sport bike to its potential. I thought a 80% dirt, 20% road would be a good bike. Now I think 80% road, 20% dirt is better.
Here are some obvious observations that I made that pulled me to the NC:
- The NC has a good seat height to allow someone like me (5'10") to flat-foot. That is a good feeling to be able to flat-foot.
- The NC frunk allows me to store my work materials, coat, gloves without the need for a tail bag or panniers. I don't think panniers are very flattering for a motorcycle but they are quite functional.
- The NC's low HP and "high" torque really gives it an electric feel for power; I like that.
- The NC's fuel economy is really good so far. Seems like I'm getting 65 MPG.
- The NC's DCT is awesome. I'm hooked. I have no reason to return to a clutch.
- When I swing my leg over I'm not hitting a tail bag. Again, another thumbs up for the frunk.
- Low center of gravity makes the bike feel lighter than it is.
Here are some observations that I wish were better for the NC:
- There should be an aluminum swing arm and not steel tube.
- There should be inverted forks.
- There should be twin disk brakes in front.
- The LCD dash should be a TFT color dash like the AT.
- There should be self-cancel turn signals.
- There should be an option for a heated seat.
- There should be tubeless spoke wheels.
I have a fear Honda will discontinue the NC but I hope not. I really like it and I have no regrets buying the NC over the AT or GS. Both the AT and GS are beautiful bikes, but I want function over form at this stage in my life and the NC fills the function. Maybe the NC is not as beautiful as a AT or GS but maybe it is. I'd be happy and 100% wiling to buy another new NC in the future if Honda adds my wish list above. So the plan is to add heated grips, fog lights, center stand, USB and a GPS. That should be a good start. It would be great to declare this my "forever" bike. Time will tell. I don't see myself going toward a large heavy adventure bike as I start to get older. I'm not retired, but I'm not too far away.
What are your thoughts on these observation lists?
Regards,
Brian
Fake Friday for me.
I just re-entered the motorcycle world this year. Took 5 years away after some broken bones healed. Not new to motorcycles but certainly new to the DCT. Last three bikes were a 2005 Honda XR650L, 2016 KTM 690 Enduro R and then for some reason I found myself with a 2025 Honda ADV160. I think the ADV was trying to fill a gap without having to admit I missed having a motorcycle. After realizing the ADV was just not right for me, I bought a new 2024 Honda NC750X. I'm in the US so it's a DCT. It has only been 1 week of ownership. At the time I was trying to decide between a 2024 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport ES DCT, 2024 BMW F900GS or the 2024 Honda NC750X. There is such a big difference between the first two and the NC. I was willing to spend the extra money to get the AT or the GS. I went to the dealers and looked at all three units and sat on them hoping one would speak to me. The AT and the GS feel uncomfortably top heavy to me. I wanted to give myself permission to buy the AT. On the drive over, I was convinced I would buy the AT. I sat on the NC and it just feels so much better for my needs. I don't need 7 gallons of fuel and I really didn't need a liter bike. My main purpose is running errands and riding 15 miles (one-way) to work. I'm not a peg grinder. Had a couple CBR600's but was never a person who could use a sport bike to its potential. I thought a 80% dirt, 20% road would be a good bike. Now I think 80% road, 20% dirt is better.
Here are some obvious observations that I made that pulled me to the NC:
- The NC has a good seat height to allow someone like me (5'10") to flat-foot. That is a good feeling to be able to flat-foot.
- The NC frunk allows me to store my work materials, coat, gloves without the need for a tail bag or panniers. I don't think panniers are very flattering for a motorcycle but they are quite functional.
- The NC's low HP and "high" torque really gives it an electric feel for power; I like that.
- The NC's fuel economy is really good so far. Seems like I'm getting 65 MPG.
- The NC's DCT is awesome. I'm hooked. I have no reason to return to a clutch.
- When I swing my leg over I'm not hitting a tail bag. Again, another thumbs up for the frunk.
- Low center of gravity makes the bike feel lighter than it is.
Here are some observations that I wish were better for the NC:
- There should be an aluminum swing arm and not steel tube.
- There should be inverted forks.
- There should be twin disk brakes in front.
- The LCD dash should be a TFT color dash like the AT.
- There should be self-cancel turn signals.
- There should be an option for a heated seat.
- There should be tubeless spoke wheels.
I have a fear Honda will discontinue the NC but I hope not. I really like it and I have no regrets buying the NC over the AT or GS. Both the AT and GS are beautiful bikes, but I want function over form at this stage in my life and the NC fills the function. Maybe the NC is not as beautiful as a AT or GS but maybe it is. I'd be happy and 100% wiling to buy another new NC in the future if Honda adds my wish list above. So the plan is to add heated grips, fog lights, center stand, USB and a GPS. That should be a good start. It would be great to declare this my "forever" bike. Time will tell. I don't see myself going toward a large heavy adventure bike as I start to get older. I'm not retired, but I'm not too far away.
What are your thoughts on these observation lists?
Regards,
Brian