2016–2020 · Naked Bike · Buyer's Guide
The Sensible Commuter Done Right
The NC750S is the naked bike Honda built around your weekday instead of your Sunday. Its 745 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin makes 55 hp at 6,250 rpm and 50 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm, so the pull arrives low and the engine never asks to be wrung out. Where you'd expect a fuel tank there's a secure trunk that swallows a helmet. A steel diamond frame, chain final drive and standard ABS keep the rest deliberately simple, and Honda DCT is on the options list if you'd rather not shift at all. It's one of the most sensible bikes in its class. A true workhorse!
It rides the way it looks on paper: calm, predictable and easy to trust from the first mile. The handling is accessible rather than sharp, the throttle answers cleanly, and at 67 mpg the 3.7 gal (14 L) tank goes a long way between stops. It ages like a Honda should. The mechanicals just keep going, though bolts and brackets pick up surface rust early if you ride year-round and skip the protective spray. This is a bike for commuters and practical all-rounders who want low costs and zero drama. If you want an engine that lights you up at the top end, look elsewhere. That's not its job.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 55 hp (40 kW) @ 6,250 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) @ 4,750 rpm |
| Displacement | 745 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 160/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 60.0 in (1525 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Wet weight | 478 lb (217 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 gal (14 L) |
| Fuel economy | 67 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Lighting
Safety
The named systems that set this bike apart — and what each one does for you.
Drivetrain
For years I've listened to the people who live with these bikes: paddock talk, owner chats at club nights, and the emails and messages riders send me. For the NC750S the picture is consistent. The praise is about daily usefulness, the complaints about comfort and excitement.
The front storage compartment comes up more than anything else. Riders call it weatherproof and use it for shopping as much as for a helmet. Fuel economy is next: owners say the twin sips fuel even when ridden hard. High-mileage bikes that needed only routine maintenance are a regular story, manual or optional DCT. Newer riders add that the DCT takes stalling out of traffic riding. Simple as that.
The stock seat is the most common gripe: many owners replace it or add an air cushion for longer trips. The suspension follows: riders call it harsh over bumps and short on control at a brisk pace. Riders who like revs say the engine signs off early and gives little back. Some owners also mention the headlight: a step up from the earlier halogen, they say, but still too weak for unlit roads. Auxiliary lights are a common fix.
Uncomfortable stock seat causes pain on long rides
The forward-sloping seat design creates pressure points and discomfort after about an hour. Many owners resort to aftermarket seats, air cushions, or custom upholstery.
Corrosion on fasteners and small parts
Bolts, brackets, and fasteners show surface rust prematurely, especially on bikes used year-round. Regular cleaning and application of protective spray helps, but it's a common cosmetic issue.
Where this Honda NC750S pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the NC750S is actually built for.
If you care about lines more than speed, this works: 55 hp and predictable handling let you practice all day. The non-adjustable fork sets the ceiling, so don't expect sharpness.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
Honest answer: this isn't your bike. It's great in city traffic, but 55 hp and a non-adjustable fork won't satisfy an experienced rider chasing precision and pace.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
For the weekday commute it's close to ideal: 67 mpg, a trunk for your helmet, no drama. Know that it has no smartphone connectivity and it won't be the star of the meetup.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2014–2015
Commuter Logic, Naked Form
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
