Honda NC750X - DCT vs Manual - A Quick Comparison.
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 13 июл 2023
- A quick comparison between the DCT and Manual version of Honda's NC750X / NC750S. In some ways very similar, in others very different. Which do you prefer?
For a more detailed review of the NC750X, check our review here:
• Honda NC750X Ultimate ...
#OnTheDrive #bikingchap #Honda #nc750x #nc750 
Авто/Мото
I fully agree 100% with your conclusion,both versions of the bike will suit many different riders but for me personally in a commuting role the DCT just makes sense. I’ve watched quite a number of vloggers doing a first review on the DCT model & as you point out most take a dislike to it & just don’t seem to get it. But live with one a while & then the penny just drops,I just hope that Honda will eventually give us a DCT Transalp with Tubeless tyres as that would be perfect. Love the NC chat.
I agree, I think many bloggers feel the need to appeal to their ‘traditional’ biking audience and are tempted to play down the DCT because ‘it’s more like a scooter’.
I speak as I find and I think it’s a great option for many riders. 😀
Well done to you doing the video in the poor weather. I would have been back in the house in a shot. After 40 years, I bought a Suzuki GS550E which was a great bike but, i never had confidence in going on a long journey. My neighbour bought a NC750X manual, and i was blown away with it. I am 64 and not wanting a sport bike, far from it. Anyway, found a 2018 750X DCT with 29K but full Honda history and took the plunge. Rode it back home, 114 miles and was so happy, went back out and did another 20 miles when I got home. Parked the car and ridden it to work every day since. Amazing machine!
Thanks for your kind words I was desperate to get the video finished! They’re great bikes, good value, supremely economical, tough and versatile. I’m sure you’ll continue to enjoy it :)
Great review.
Thanks!
❤
Thanks so much! :)
In my opinion the NC750X-DCT is the most versatile motorbike I have ever owned. I ran a 2015 for almost 2 years and still regret selling it, though a new/er one is on the horizon. I originally only bought it as it was good on fuel economy, and boy it was. I rode it in a very disciplined manner and was regularly getting the digital display to max out at 99.9mpg for a tank of petrol. Faster than almost every car you are likely to meet from the lights, and extremely nimble to get through the traffic. Sure, if you want "speed speeds peed" then you will not want the NC.
A brilliantly boring yet boringly brilliant machine.
Hi Bib, I couldn't agree more, I managed over 110mpg (imperial) in one of the other videos, it's quite incredible. Honda have always excelled at the bombproof workhorse from the CX500 through the NTV650 and now to the NC750. "Boringly brilliant"? I couldn't put it better myself!
I took the plunge and bought a new 2022 DCT 750X. The DCT set up and options on the newest version seem to be more user friendly and accessible than previous models. In town I tend to use the Rain Mode I like the low revving, crobby feeling it gives the bike, reminiscent of my old aircooled boxer BMWs. Open roads I shift to Standard, I rarely use the Sports setting, though it can be useful for overtakes.
After 10,000 miles in just over a year I'm fully converted to this bike in its DCT format.
Interesting to here how the newer models are configured, thanks for that. The DCT system certainly gets under your skin and gets better with each iteration. 👍
Thanks for the video! Very informative to see an “older” type of nc750x. I own a 2023 model, my first motorbike ever and good to see Honda made some improvements regarding the gearbox and shift controls.
Absolutely they’ve steadily improved the model, with small tweaks here and there so the current one is a big improvement over the original in many ways. Here’s hoping for a twin disc front brake similar to the CB500X for 2024!
@@BikingChap I'm waiting on the 2024 for financial timing reasons or I would have picked up a 2023 six months ago. It won't affect my purchase decision, but it would be nice to see a model update since the 2021, 22, and 23 have had no changes or updates, other than paint color. My little wish list would be cruise control, TFT screen, dual disc front brakes, standard USB and 12v power outlets, and a damn center stand! Charging additional $$ for an accessory center stand on a bike that comes with chain drive is criminal. Just about every motorcycle sold for the street in the '60's, '70's, and '80's came standard from the factory with a center stand, and manufacturers wouldn't even think about NOT putting one on a bike, as that just didn't make sense.... oh, how the times have changed.
Hi, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Yes, when I look at the upgrades to the CB500 series the NC does rather look at those it's been 'orphaned' rather. Whether this is because sales are still solid or because they don't want to push the price up and then it start to look poor value, who knows.
They could certainly look at the building on the middleweight tourer segment so yes, USB as standard and absolutely the centre stand (i got mine as part of the deal so forget it's even an option!) For me in order of priority would be a better still seat, the long overdue update to twin discs and then upgraded suspension. Give me all that and I could live without a TFT personally. Thinking about it, I'd plump for the twin discs as first choice, the seat can at least be modified / changed out!
Either you are very lucky, or did some spectacular research for the NC750 in its DCT form is the most versatile motorcycle ever made in my opinion.
Hiya Thank you for a very good review and I agree with your findings.
Thanks Paul, really appreciated the feedback :)
This is a bike version of my Smart diesel with the Auto/soft auto/paddleshift. I use the paddles most the time.
Interesting, these systems certainly seems to give the best of both worlds, don't you think?
smart video. cheers!
Thanks for that, glad it was helpful!
Well cars nowdays are becoming all automatic.I do not like automatic at all though.But a motorcycle with DCT is welcome.I have manual car also manual bike,but at high traffic,you get tired,also very long trips.DCT is very good solution!
I think it's great to have that choice and sales seem to split roughly 50:50! :)
Hi - I own a 2020 DCT model which I bought from new here in Central Mexico where I live. I'm a retired exPat Brit in my earlier 70's but still pretty adventurous and and like taking my bike out on longish rides which include occasional light off road dirt and gravel roads. You mentioned that the DCT can be a bit awkward to get used to when slow moving. I don't find this to be the case in slow moving traffic because the bike balances remarkably well until you actually bring it to a full stop at which point you feel its weight. However, one issue which I don't think gets mentioned enough in DCT reviews is how to make slow tight U turns. On a non DCT bike you would feather the clutch to control the power to the back wheel whereas on the DCT you need to keep some power on the back wheel but control the forward movement by dragging using the rear brake. For me this took a while to get used to and I did suffer a nasty accident shortly after buying the bike when in a small hotel car park I had to make a sharp left turn at the bottom of a polished concrete ramp. I didn't have enough power on the rear wheel which caused it to slide away from me as I turned resulting in a fully loaded bike dropping onto its left hand side and onto my left leg. A resultant fractured tibia and broken fibula along with a damaged shoulder put me out of action for 3 months! On the positive side I did learn a valuable lesson and despite now having a weakened left lower leg and ankle I don't actually need to use it when riding with the DCT. The accident hasn't put me off of the bike at all. I actually love riding it both as a commuter bike and as a medium to long distance touring bike. Its comfortable to ride, reliable, easy to maintain, extremely economical with respect to fuel consumption and comes in at a price point considerably lower than other bikes in its class.
Thanks for the review. Ride on!
Hi @OGOAB2023 , thanks so much for the comment and sharing your story, great to hear you're riding in to your 70s. Sorry to hear though that you had a tumble and got a couple of breaks, not fun. Like you, it's taken me a good while to learn to balance the bike on the rear brake in very slow manoeuvring but I think I'm there now. They're great bikes and I hope you enjoy yours for many years to come. :)
It's definitely right to say that a first impression is not the way to decide this question. DCT does involve mastering new low speed back brake dragging techniques. With such a light throttle inexperienced or nervous drivers can easily shoot forward unexpectedly or lose balance during 8's or u-turns while grabbing for that non existent clutch. In u-turn and slalom exercises drive mode will change gear on you when you are leaned over, and that can be disconcerting and might lead to a panic mistake. Sport 1 is probably better for these slow speed exercises. Well worth practicing if you've come from a manual gearbox, as you wont have the appropriate reaction burned into muscle memory until you've done that.
I think that's a really good point and you do get used to it. The only situation where i did miss the manual clutch was when i would've liked to change the point of engage, engine speed wise, that option is obviously not available on DCT.
Another good reason to champion the DCT is how it assists disabilities, the reason I bought my 2023 model. Having struggled with left foot gear changes for 50 years, due to a dropped foot as the result of an accident, my NC has proved to be a game changer, and one of the best bikes I've ever owned. I'd reached an age whereby the strain of gear changing with the left leg was giving me arthritic pains in my other leg. After trying and buying the DCT I can say how much more pleasurable it is to ride a bike without concerns for my health and whether I'd be able to walk properly when getting off. I've also found that the automatic changing does indeed free up more of your brain space to concentrate and enjoy more of your ride, and that's probably why I feel it delivers so much more than it promises.
That’s great to hear Chris, it’s easy for us able bodied folk to overlook the unique opportunity that the DCT bikes give those with disabilities. I had started looking at maxi scooters as I’d tired of gear changing but so pleased I went with the 750. 👍
That was a beautiful review Chris, I can't look further than s dct
I recently made my motorbike license and I bought myself a used DCT bike from 2016 with already around 46k kilomteres. I think (I hope) the DCT version lasts longer than a regular clutch operateted bike, because the computer knows better when to shift than a human, so I hope this bike will last me many years.
I’m sure it’ll be fine, there’s a guy in Brazil with a DCT with over 200k miles and the engine, including clutches, is all original. Enjoy that bike! :)
Good morning. Just a quick question about the padded seat you have fitted. Looks comfy,what make is it.? I use an air hawk on my nc750s. But still not 100% comfy. Thanks for an informative vid.
The one I have is listed here, though I got mine from Amazon. www.tucanourbano.com/en/pp/accessories-black-326-65644
It’s not great but an improvement on the original. From what I’ve read folk have had better results from the Airhawk with the trick being to only have a little air in it rather than fully blowing it up. Hope this helps. :)
I have a 2022 DCT and find standard/drive mode to be very convenient for most situations. If I want more acceleration and engine braking, I'll switch to sport mode. The owner's manual describes the option to vary (within limits) when the gears shift but I haven't bothered to try that yet. My previous bike was a CB500X. I prefer the DCT, though a bike with a smooth quick shifter, relatively tall gears and a light clutch would be fine as well.
Hi, thanks for the feedback! On mine I tend to be in Drive / Standard most often unless it’s hilly, then I find it does labour the engine a little too much for my liking. Everyone’s different though and some people use S3 which would be way too ‘busy’ for me personally!
Good review on the DCT
@@stephengrainger7586 thanks Stephen, much appreciated! :)
DCT is the only one you need, manual is pointless, may as well buy a Tracer 700...
The DCT has a manual mode and you can fit the foot gear lever if you wish.
I have the DCT, it is brilliant, and I almost never use the manual mode. I honestly don't think I could change the bike now..
It's better than the manual in every way, quicker, more efficient, easier..
Interesting isn't it, I've just sold the NC and I'm trying to decide what to get next. Even though i liked the DCT I didn't like it enough to only be looking at DCT equipped bikes going forward. Good job we're all different eh? :)
107.6avg mpg over 236 miles. Thats brilliant!
Crazy good isn’t it? :)
I had the opportunity to buy the manual in 2021 but didn’t. I bought a Rebel 1100 DCT instead. Now I want a 750X manual but they’re DCT only in the US market for 2023. Finding a second hand example in Southern California is proving extremely difficult.
Hi, how frustrating, I didn’t realise they’d gone DCT only in the US. I can’t help but wonder if they’re trying to ‘encourage’ buyers to look further up the range to the Hornet / Transalp?
I’ve just looked and both variants are still available in the UK so perhaps it’s an issue of reduced / low sales of the manual bike in the US.
Is there no possibility of a ‘new old stock’ manual somewhere in the US dealer network?
Not sure why the NC750X is so hard to find myself. I think the shift to DCT is because most people seem to start on scooters. Most of which don't have a clutch with their VCT and a GY6 engine. So having an automatic more powerful bike would make sense.
@heathbruce9928 most of the guys I know who’ve bought NCs are ironically older and coming down the bike capacity chart. The DCT work well in the commuter role and I was tempted by a maxi scooter but they’re so expensive for what you get.
@@BikingChap I was thinking of the cognitive work load of shifting in traffic or on the highway. Fit example having to soak on the brakes and swerve. Not having to think about down shifting or grabbing the clutch is simply something less to have to think about. Not sure if that's what Honda was thinking about but it's what I'm thinking about with my next bike. And I'm on my way up. But really am looking for a good commuter that can also do this that and the other thing. The storage in the frunk is a huge idea for me since I had to buy a storage trunk on my current bike. Not sure if it's enough but...
@@heathbruce9928 aha gotcha, I can only speak for myself but if you're doing a lot of commuting, much of it in town or with frequent speed change then yes i think the DCT is brilliant. I'd come from a TDM900 and the gearbox was getting such a pain I thought I'd try a DCT. On the flip side, no matter what people tell you, it does rob you of a little of the involvement. Bottom line it's great we have a choice and, if at all possible, get a good long test ride on one to confirm it's what you're after. Good luck!
Any add the optional foot shifter on the DCT models, I’m assuming it just gives a more manual feel and overrides the paddles
Exactly, it’s simply a foot operated switch that works the same way as the buttons on the handlebar. Those who’ve tried it seem to quite like it. :)
@@BikingChap very few models available at dealerships here in ireland, so I’m struggling to get a chance to try out the DCT!
That must be really frustrating. Is there any possibility of getting a cheap flight to say the UK / France and getting a test ride or would the dealers not permit that on an Irish passport?
@@BikingChap might be worth looking in to!
Sorry but this is ok for a used bike review but when comparing a post 2021 bike they are completely different both in switchgear and driving modes. I have a 2021 DCT. I did try a manual version and found it topped out far too early in the rev range, the DCT was much better to ride. You say the post 2021 bike has a TFT screen, it doesn't but the display is totally different. So many differences to make this comparison irrelevant unless you are buying a pre 2020 bike. I've had both and they're chalk and cheese.
A fair call out and sorry if it was disappointing Kevin. As a recent start up channel, access to the latest bikes is limited so until I can resolve that I shall try to make the point that any similar videos are basically looking at the secondhand market though I don’t believe the relative merits of the manual / DCT will have changed massively.
I have an Africa Twin vs NC review coming soon but that will be pitched for the second hand market as they’ll both be ‘17 or ‘18 models. The challenge with securing new models is that dealers, let alone importers, will expect very positive reviews so while you get to see the very latest bikes, the integrity of the commentary in reviews often needs to be taken with a pinch of salt imho.
Thanks again for the feedback, it’s appreciated even when I’ve fallen short. 👍
@@BikingChap Good points, well made. Maybe a second hand market review channel is not entirely a bad thing. The Missenden Flyer does a good fist of it.
@@kevinf-b5065 Thank you. I think it’s about listening and learning, hence why the feedback is so important and appreciated. I know of channels that have received manufacturer / importer support but lost it due to less than positive reviews, so while it’s great to have access to the latest models, it can be a poison chalice.
I’ll reposition a couple of the reviews in the pipeline accordingly and hope the exhaust reviews coming up shortly will apply to the latest models and will therefore be more relevant to a wider audience. Thanks again!
At least you won't be bouncing off the rev limiter with the dct !!
Absolutely, well not until you accidently catch the Auto / Manual switch pulling away and find yourself sailing up to 5,000 rpm or so before realising that it's not the DCT that's having a funny five minutes... ;)
Dct version is cooler, than manual
It’s a very much a personal preference I think, what is cool is have the bikes available with both options! :)
It's the poor man's Africa Twin
I think that’s a role the transalp has picked up now so it’s leaving the NC in a commute / cheap tourer role, a bit like a modernised NTV650 / Dueville albeit, sadly, without the shaft drive.
what I think is.... it looks a boring bike...... I think you will have more fun on the MZ when its done.....I get not everyone want to hoon around but...boring so......not for me......
I’m a great believer in there not being many ‘bad’ bikes these days and every bike has a mix of strengths and weaknesses. In other words if you’re main priorities are reliability, economy, relaxed riding and long life the NC is hard to beat as a package.
If fun and excitement are higher up the list, then you’re absolutely right, there are better options out there. :)
@@BikingChap I hear you....... thanks for your videos by the way
@@adam-qf2vz Have you ridden one?
@@clay2pot no.......And I guess the proof would be in the ride....but my view was it LOOKS a boring bike.......now....Im not a tearaway but I have aZ900RS which is lively but also an R80 which is less so....... its just the fact that sometimes you dont want auto change up.....I had a scooter so see the attraction in no gearchange but.........