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Expert Review

Honda NC750X (2025 - ) review

Honda’s mild-mannered but best-selling all-rounder gets a refreshed look, uprated brakes and improved spec for 2025

Phil West

Words by: Phil West

Published on 24 January 2025 | 0 min read

The Auto Trader expert verdict:

4.5

Honda’s easy-going adventure-styled all-rounder has been a big seller in its various forms since it first arrived in 2012, its option of a DCT automatic gearbox proving popular with buyers. This latest update includes refreshed styling, improved brakes, new dash and switchgear, extra accessory options and even ‘green’ recycled body panels and if not the most exciting bike in the world it could be one of the most all-round capable.

Reasons to buy:

  • tickSuper-friendly versatility, especially with DCT
  • tickAffordable and economical
  • tickEnhanced spec and accessory options

At a glance:

2025 Honda NC750 X

Design

This 2025 version represents another tweak to the winning formula
The original NC700CX had the broadest appeal of Honda’s experimental ‘New Concept’ trio, the adventure styling working well with the shared foundations of low-revving flexibility, DCT gearbox option, friendly riding manners and practical features like the storage compartment where you’d usually have the fuel tank. The scooter style 700 Integra and NC700X roadster have since departed the scene, leaving the NC750X the sole survivor with various updates over the years, including the increase to 750cc in 2014, changes to the looks and various other incremental improvements along the way. This 2025 version represents another tweak to the winning formula, with an additional disc brake up front, improved TFT screen and joystick for controlling it, a brighter headlight and subtle refashioning of the front and side bodywork. Beneath that the engine’s fuel injection has been tuned to hit the Euro5+ emissions regulations and the DCT gearbox has had further refinement. There is also a significantly expanded range of accessories. If it wasn’t broke, and all that…
Expert rating: 4/5

Riding position

The X always had an unintimidating mix of upright roadster manners and adventure style and so it remains
No change here. The X always had an unintimidating mix of upright roadster manners and adventure style and so it remains. Conventionally sized wheels and regular suspension travel means the seat is nice and low while the bar position is more ‘urban’ than off-road. Comfort is fine for the intended use as a commuter or all-rounder and the small screen takes the edge off the wind blast. Better still, where the old version had the option of a tall accessory touring screen there’s now an optional two-way height adjustable version, though it does require two hands so can only be adjusted at a standstill. The optional ‘comfort’ seat also lived up to its name over the duration of our test.
Expert rating: 5/5
2025 Honda NC750 X

Practicality

Fully kitted up, the new X really does pretty much do it all
Bikes at this sub-nine grand price point simply don’t get much more versatile or practical, which explains much about its best-selling status. The base bike is flexible, friendly, comfortable and sufficiently stylish when combined with the various luggage solutions. The optional DCT semi-automatic gearbox adds another level of ease and, at 60 per cent, has the biggest take-up of any model in the Honda range that offers it. The 2025 version gets more genuinely useful options than ever, including luggage sets, handguards, heated grips, bespoke luggage compartment bag, riding lights and crash bars. Fully kitted up, the new X really does pretty much do it all.
Expert rating: 5/5
2025 Honda NC750 X

Performance & braking

While still available with a full manual gearbox the DCT option really suits the bike
It was tempting to score this a middle-of-the-road three marks here given the long-stroke, slow-revving twin remains so tame. But there’s more to the whole package than that, improved brakes included. Sticking to the engine for now the 745cc inclined twin produces the same 58 horsepower as before but changes to the fuel-injection comply with the latest Euro5+ regs and it feels smoother than ever. Which might not sound exciting but the languid, sub-6,000rpm powerband is both effective and relaxing while the Sport mode (one of four, including a configurable one) sharpens things up when needed. While still available with a full manual gearbox the DCT option really suits the bike, and the X remains the longest-lived application of it in Honda’s range. Put simply it gives you the option of automatic shifting or rider-selectable gear changes via buttons on the left-hand switch cube. It’s even better on this 2025 version as well, and after trying it out with ‘manual’ shifts in Sport mode we quickly reverted to enjoying the smooth automatic mode as a default. Perhaps the most obvious visual change, meanwhile, is the switch from a single to dual-disc brake combo up front, delivering a sharpness and power that was lacking a tad in the previous set-up even if the components themselves are on the basic side.
Expert rating: 4/5
2025 Honda NC750 X

Ride & handling

On the whole the ride is on the plush side of comfortable, while the handling remains neutral
Like its brakes, the X’s suspension is a little basic but given its position as an affordable machine (made more accessible still with the option running in restricted A2 licence trim) it’s up to the gentle manners of the bike. Comprising a pair of conventional and non-adjustable 41mm Showa forks at the front and a single, preload adjustable Showa monoshock at the rear, both are essentially the same as before, although the damping settings have been revised slightly for 2025. On the whole the ride is on the plush side of comfortable, while the handling remains neutral. Sure, there isn’t the precision of a sports machine. But that’s not what this bike is about.
Expert rating: 4/5

Running costs

The car-derived engine was always conceived to be efficient and easily delivers 70mpg-plus
Another major plus for the NC750X. The car-derived engine was always conceived to be efficient and easily delivers 70mpg-plus, which is way better than the 50-odd you’d expect from a bike of this size. While the DCT transmission adds £750 to the price it remains an affordable bike to buy, with insurance and running costs likely to be reasonable as well given the mellow performance and manners. It all adds up to the X being one of the most frugal middleweight bikes you can buy which, again, is a large part of why it’s so popular.
Expert rating: 5/5
2025 Honda NC750 X

Reliability

The base bike has been around now for over 12 years without reports of significant reliability issues
Although updated for 2025, the engine is largely unchanged. The base bike has been around now for over 12 years without reports of significant reliability issues and the X has been repeatedly updated and refined over that time so we have very few reasons for concern. The motor is also notably under-stressed, so should keep going forever with the proper care.
Expert rating: 5/5
2025 Honda NC750 X

Warranty & servicing

As with all larger Hondas the NC750X comes as standard with a manufacturer-back 24-month unlimited mileage warranty
With no major mechanical or other changes the NC750X sticks to the existing 8,000 miles (or annual) service intervals with the more expensive valvetrain adjustment at 16,000 miles. As with all larger Hondas the NC750X comes as standard with a manufacturer-back 24-month unlimited mileage warranty covering all parts and labour.
Expert rating: 4/5
2025 Honda NC750 X

Equipment

There’s also an updated 5.0-inch TFT screen and switchgear, with an improved joystick controller
As well as the improved front brakes the NC750X also gets a new headlight, said to be 50 per cent brighter than before. The panels are also new, and made from a material called Durabio based on non-edible corn. There’s also an updated 5.0-inch TFT screen and switchgear, with an improved joystick controller. Other tweaks include a revised seat with new stitching and a new wheel design but the real treat is the expanded range of options and accessories. These include the aforementioned taller and adjustable screen, new luggage packs, heated grips, centre stand, comfort seat, hand guards, crash bars, riding lights and more worn by the bike you see here. All are welcome additions but if you tick too many of those boxes the X won’t be quite the bargain all-rounder it looks at the start.
Expert rating: 4/5
2025 Honda NC750 X

Why buy?

The base NC750X has an awful lot going for it given the price, comfort and convenience of commuter friendly features
If you want an affordable, proven all-rounder the base NC750X has an awful lot going for it given the price, comfort and convenience of commuter friendly features like a lockable storage big enough to stash your helmet when you park up. The 2025 updates only add to that appeal, but the bike really comes together when you add the DCT option. While the value of automated shifting remains debatable on bikes like the Africa Twin it makes total sense on NC, where it combines into one of the easiest, most effective and most versatile middleweights of all.
Expert rating: 4/5

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