Honda NC 750X

From a press release issued by Honda:

Sharp new bodywork, with a minimalist style, defines the silhouette and builds in a protective screen and revised LED headlight design. A new five-inch full colour TFT screen features revised menus and colourings, designed for improved readability on bright days. The unit also features Honda RoadSync connectivity, which is managed by a new, easy-to-use four-way left hand backlit toggle switch. This allows the rider to now enjoy on-screen, turn-by-turn navigation in addition to other smartphone features. Seat height is set at an accessible 800mm, and the unique storage area where the fuel tank would normally be offers 23L of volume.

The parallel twin-cylinder engine blends strong low- to mid-range performance with easy manners and excellent fuel efficiency. Peak power is 43.1kW with an impressive maximum torque of 69Nm. A near 400km fuel range is achievable from the 14.1L fuel tank.

Throttle By Wire (TBW) serves three default rider modes plus a customisable USER choice, while Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) features input over three levels, with newly refined RAIN mode. The Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) option has automatic shifting schedules that integrate with the riding modes; the USER mode allows the rider to choose their preferred programme. For 25YM, the DCT has been updated and refined for smoother low-speed response.

The tubular steel frame chassis houses 41mm telescopic front forks and Pro-Link rear monoshock. For 25YM dual 296mm discs replace the single front disc of the previous design; the 17-inch front/rear wheels feature a new lightweight ‘3by3’ design, which offsets the additional weight of the new front brake system.

The 25YM NC750X will be available in the following colour options:
- Earth Khaki with Graphite Black trim
- Earth Black with Mat Beta Silver Metallic trim
- Mat Pearl Glare White with Graphite Black trim
- Fighting Red with Graphite Black trim

Key Features
Styling & Equipment
- Refreshed styling and distinctive new LED headlight exude tough durability
- New five-inch TFT display offers Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity
- Application of Durabio and recycled materials in bodywork
- Integral 23L storage space holds an adventure-style full-face helmet

The 25YM NC750X adopts a new dynamic, tough identity thanks to evolved upper and lower fairings with sharp creases and detail lines. Revisions to the fairing’s structure, and how they affix to the bike, also improve the ease of removal and installation of the fairings, and ultimately improve the overall ease of maintenance.

Other revisions to the NC750X include a new a new seat skin with added stitching, which amplifies the premium feel of the bike, and a revised muscular cover for the storage area that sits where the tank usually would. A new LED headlight provides the bike with a strong frontal signature. The screen also offers excellent wind and weather protection, whilst slim side panels, covers and a revised tail unit emphasise a ‘mass-forward’ stance. To tailor the bike to individual’s needs, a height adjustable screen is available as an optional accessory as is a new comfort seat, which uses additional urethane padding to provide a more comfortable ride.

This generation of NC750X makes increased use of the sustainable material DurabioTM (a bio-based polycarbonate resin), which has now been applied in the manufacture for some fairing parts, windscreen and other components. The NC750X is the first Honda to utilise coloured Durabio; with six parts employed throughout the bike in the Khaki and Black colourways.

A unique NC feature – the storage area where the fuel tank traditionally sits – has 23L volume and careful internal shaping allows it to hold an adventure style helmet. There’s also an optional USB socket, which can be installed - tucked away on the upper left of the compartment as well as an optional divider, which compartmentalises the luggage space for improved useability.

Premium technology, in the form of a new five-inch full colour TFT screen, uses optical bonding to improve visibility in bright sunlight. By sealing the gap between the cover glass and TFT screen with resin, glare is reduced, and visibility improved. The display itself is customisable between ‘Bar’, ‘Circle’ and ‘Simple’ display patterns and offers smartphone connectivity via Honda RoadSync.

Honda RoadSync, alongside a new simplified, easy-to-use, backlit four-way toggle-switch on the left handlebar, allows straightforward, on-screen turn-by-turn navigation as well as the option (via a Bluetooth helmet headset) for the rider to make calls, listen to music or receive voice feedback of weather conditions. All an owner needs to do is download the free Honda RoadSync app from either the Play Store or the App Store, connect to the NC750X, and go.

The rear indicators have an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) function. If negative acceleration of 6.0m/s2 is detected at a minimum speed of 56km/h with either brake working, the hazard lights flash to warn other road users a hard stop is in process. At the same speed the threshold is reduced if ABS is activated to a negative acceleration of a minimum 2.5m/s2.

A ‘wave’ key features the Honda Ignition Security System (HISS). If the ID chip embedded in the key and the ID in the Engine Control Unit (ECU) do not match, the engine will not start.

Engine
- Peak power of 43.1kW with 69Nm torque
- EURO5+ compliant, with 3.6l/100km fuel efficiency
- Assist/slipper clutch control available on MT models
- 35kW A2 licence version available

The design of the NC750X’s liquid-cooled, SOHC 8-valve parallel twin-cylinder engine ensures punchy performance in the low-to-mid range. Its relatively long-stroke architecture and specially shaped combustion chambers combine with the high-inertial mass crankshaft to produce large amounts of effortless torque from very low rpm. A forward cant brings the centre of gravity down for optimum stability.

Peak power of 43.1kW @ 6,750rpm is matched to maximum torque of 69Nm @ 4,750rpm. Bore and stroke are set at 77mm and 80mm respectively, with the compression ratio at 10.7:1.
For A2 licence holders a 35kW version is available, which can be easily converted to the full power version by a Honda dealer at the appropriate time. Equally, it is possible to restrict the full power version to 35kW by a Honda dealer remapping the ECU. An assist/slipper clutch reduces lever load and manages rear-wheel lock up under fast down changes of the manual 6-speed gearbox while decelerating.

Twin balancers counteract vibration from higher rpm inertia without affecting the distinct ‘throb’ delivered by the engine’s irregular firing order and 270° phased crankshaft. Where possible components are made to do more than one job: the camshaft drives the water pump, while one of the balancer shafts drives the oil pump. By keeping the number of parts to a minimum in this way, the engine is kept light, efficient and reliable.

A lightweight pentagon-shaped muffler uses two chambers joined by a hole-punched link pipe, which works with a final resonator chamber to create a deep, distinctive sound and exhaust pulse. And the NC750X engine sips fuel ­– with a measured consumption of 28.3km/l (WMTC mode) – providing a near 400km range from the 14.1-litre under seat fuel tank. It also now has an OBD-2 sensor and new catalyser to optimise emissions for Euro5+ compliance.

Engine Electronics
- Throttle By Wire delivers three default riding modes, plus USER customisation
- Three-level Honda Selectable Torque Control features smooth management and refined Rain mode

With TBW managing engine performance and character there are three modes for the rider to choose from for various riding conditions, with pre-set combinations of settings for Power, Engine Braking and Honda Selectable Torque Control. Mode selection is managed between the left-hand switchgear and the LCD display.

SPORT gives more aggressive delivery of engine Power (P) and Engine Braking (EB), with low HSTC intervention and DCT mode four.

RAIN delivers P and EB least aggressively, has high HSTC intervention and Level one for the DCT shift pattern. It has been refined for smoother intervention of HSTC.

STANDARD delivers a balanced middle point for P, EB and HSTC, plus mode two for the DCT.
USER offers custom options of low/medium/high for delivery of P and EB braking, low/ medium/ high/ off for HSTC, and four different shift patterns for DCT

Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) is fitted as standard on both the manual and DCT NC750X. It offers soft, intuitive control as it manages rear wheel torque thanks to TBW, over three levels:
Level 1 allows the minimum intervention for some rear wheel spin – on gravel or dirt for instance.
Level 2 is the default setting and provides confidence-inspiring traction for general riding conditions.
Level 3 provides maximum control for slippery roads, and links to the new RAIN mode settings.
HSTC can also be switched OFF.

Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)
- Improved starting/slow-speed response uses same clutch oil pressure estimation update as 24YM Africa Twin
- Differing shifting schedules link with riding modes
- USER mode allows choice of settings from smooth to aggressive

Honda’s DCT technology is now in its 14th year of production, and over 230,000 units of DCT-equipped Honda two-wheelers have been sold in Europe since 2010. It delivers consistent, seamless gear changes up or down and very quickly becomes second nature in use. It uses two clutches: one for start-up and 1st, 3rd and 5th, the other for 2nd, 4th and 6th, with the mainshaft for each clutch located inside the other for compact packaging.

The system delivers consistent, seamless gear changes and very quickly becomes second nature in use. It uses two clutches: one for start-up and 1st, 3rd and 5th gears, the other for 2nd, 4th and 6th, with the mainshaft for each clutch located inside the other for compact packaging. Each clutch is independently controlled by its own electro-hydraulic circuit. When a gear change occurs, the system pre-selects the target gear using the clutch not currently in use. The first clutch is then electronically disengaged as, simultaneously, the second clutch engages.

For the 25YM update smoother starting from standstill and control at low speed – under 10km/h – were the targets. This requires a ‘quick yet gentle’ driving force at small throttle openings.

Surpassing the operating parameters of the previous generation DCT, the new version estimates the oil pressure of the clutch piston chamber and completely reviews the way feedback gain is applied – rather than just relying on an oil pressure sensor upstream of the clutch piston – resulting in improved, more delicate clutch response. Alongside the way TBW now opens from closed, the DCT also features a dedicated setting for extremely low speed running.

Consistent, fast and seamless gear changes are always on offer. As the twin clutches transfer drive from one gear to the next with minimal interruption of the drive to the rear wheel, any gear change shock and pitching of the machine is minimised, making the change feel direct as well as smooth. Extra benefits include durability (as the cogs cannot be damaged by missing a gear) impossibility of stalling, low stress urban riding, reduced rider fatigue and – crucially – the ability to concentrate more on riding lines, braking and acceleration points.

The DCT system offers two distinct riding approaches – Automatic Transmission (AT), with pre-programmed shift patterns which constantly read vehicle speed, selected gear and engine rpm to decide when a shift should occur, and Manual Transmission (MT), for gear changes using the paddle-shift style triggers on the left handlebar.

Through TBW control there are four automatic shifting schedules available. Level One is the most relaxed, with upshifts and downshifts operating at relatively low rpm; it is linked with the RAIN riding mode. Level Four, on the other extreme, shifts up at higher rpm and also downshifts earlier for more engine braking effect; it is linked with the SPORT mode. Level Two is linked with STANDARD riding mode, with Level Three situated between STANDARD and SPORT.

The USER mode functionality allows the rider to select any of the DCT shift patterns with the preferred permutations of the other parameters – power delivery, engine braking, and HSTC.

Chassis
- Tubular steel diamond frame, 41mm SDBV telescopic forks, Pro-Link rear monoshock adjustable for spring preload
- New dual axial mount two-piston front brake calipers, 296mm floating discs and ABS
- New, lightweight ‘3by3’ wheel design for 17-inch front and rear

Core of the chassis is a tubular steel diamond frame; it’s both light weight and strong. The riding position is upright and neutral, with a high viewpoint for enhanced hazard perception. Another advantage of this adventure-style riding position is great low-speed control – combined with the low centre of gravity and generous steering lock, the result is exceptional low-speed handling and balance.
Caster Angle is set at 27° with trail of 110mm, wheelbase at 1,525mm (1,530mm DCT) and front/rear weight distribution of 49/51. Kerb weight is 216kg (226kg DCT). Seat height is 802mm.

41mm telescopic forks employ 120mm travel and use Showa Dual Bending Valves (SDBV) with ratios optimised for both compression and rebound damping. This allows the creation of damping force in precise proportion to piston speed – from the low-speed range – improving ride quality and comfort. The rear monoshock features a spring preload adjuster system with 120mm travel. It operates through Pro-Link that offers an optimised balance of a soft initial stroke together with excellent control, for dealing with a wide range of riding scenarios.

Up front, the single 320mm wavy disc and two-piston brake caliper of the previous design have been replaced by dual two-piston axial-mount calipers and 296mm floating discs; offering confidence-inspiring braking power and confidence in all conditions. Rear braking is provided by a 240mm disc and single-piston caliper as before. Lightweight two-channel ABS provides powerful and confident braking even on slippery or wet road surfaces.

New ‘3by3’ spoke cast aluminium front and rear wheels – sizes 17 x 3.50-inch and 17 x 4.50-inch – wear 120/70 ZR17 and 160/60 ZR17 tyres and save 1.8kg, negating the extra weight of the revised front braking system.

Accessories
- An expanded range of Genuine Honda Accessories are available, with 14 new items, for the NC750X either individually or in carefully curated packs for added convenience.

The Urban Pack enhances daily commuting ability:
- Resin Rear Carrier
- Main Stand
- 50L Top Box
- 25L Top Box Inner Bag
- Aluminium Top Box Panel
- Top Box Pad / Cushion
- Luggage Divider

The Travel Pack increases carrying capacity and convenience:
- Panniers 36L right/ 37L left & supports
- Pannier Inner Bags
- Aluminium Pannier Panels

The Adventure Pack gives extra road presence:
- Front Side Pipe
- Led Fog Lights
- Knuckle Guards

The Comfort Park ups ride quality, comfort and practicality:
- Adjustable Screen
- Comfort rider seat
- Comfort pillion seat
- Foot Deflector Set
- Heated Grips

The following accessories are also available:
- 38L Top Box
- USB Charger
- U-Lock
- Alarm unit and security buzzer