By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer
CFMOTO 650MT (MY2021) vs Honda NC750X (RH 09-DCT)
CFMOTO 650MT vs Honda NC750X: which one's easier to live with on a long trip.
Hard on the gas, the Honda NC750X's twin pulls smoothly down low, and it's out of breath well short of the top. The CFMOTO 650MT's throttle keeps feeding speed while the chassis doesn't wander. At highway pace, it's still planted.
So which one do you buy?
The 650MT has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
Narrow edge: 650MT
The 650MT should leave you a bit fresher after a long day. It's down to better wind protection. Should, not will: the margin is small.
The NC750X has the edge if…
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Slight edge: NC750X
The NC750X asks a little less of a rookie. That's a narrow edge, so sit on both before you decide.
Daily commuting & city riding
By a nose: NC750X
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the NC750X pulls a nose in front. Thank friendlier manners for that. Your own commute could easily flip it.
Keeping running costs low
A touch ahead: NC750X
The NC750X comes out a little ahead on upkeep. Only a little.
What makes each one tick
650MT
The 650MT sits you upright on a thick seat that won't grind you down across a full day of commuting or touring. Corner entry is where it wakes up: the bars turn in willingly and the bike keeps you busy through the bend, even on budget suspension. Tight U-turns don't faze it. The engine just keeps stacking up miles.
NC750X
A low 31.5 in (800 mm) seat and either a featherlight clutch or the DCT make the NC750X easy to handle from the first mile. At a crawl there's no top-heavy lurch as the brake lever brings the bike to a stop. The weight sits low. In standard mode, the DCT can hesitate or upshift too soon, and it'll take time to trust. The soft suspension soaks up long stints.
Nils rode the NC750X in the Canary Islands in 2024 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The NC750X has the lower seat: 31.5 in (800 mm) vs 33.1 in (840 mm).
- The 650MT has the lower wet weight: 481 lb (218 kg) vs 493 lb (224 kg).
- The NC750X makes more peak torque: 51 lb-ft (69 Nm) vs 46 lb-ft (62 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
For twisty roads, you won't find daylight between them. Let the test ride settle it.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
650MT
What owners say
Strengths
- Outstanding value for money
- Comfortable all-day riding position
- Solid engine reliability
- Sporty and stable handling
NC750X
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable long-distance companion
Trade-offs
- Engine lacks top-end excitement
- DCT gearbox requires acclimatisation
Known problems to check before you buy
650MT
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
NC750X
- Front tire inner ply-cord defect (recall KS4, 2024 models) Recall 25V435000 On certain 2024 NC750X motorcycles produced between February 4 and August 1, 2024, the front tire (Dunlop, supplied by Sumitomo) was manufactured with a defect that can cause the inner ply-cord to loosen and unravel over time, leading to potential loss of handling and control. Honda issued recall KS4 (NHTSA 25V-435). Dealers replace the front tire free of charge.
- Intermittent stalling due to FI-ECU programming defect (recall KN0) Recall 21V901000 Improper fuel injection control mapping on early 2021 DCT models caused insufficient fuelling when stopping or accelerating from a stop, leading to engine stalling. Affected units produced from March 18 to August 30, 2021. Honda issued safety recall KN0 in the US (NHTSA 21V-901) to reprogram the FI-ECU and DCT-ECU.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 160/60-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 650MT | NC750X | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.1 in (840 mm) | 31.5 in (800 mm) |
| Wet weight | 481 lb (218 kg) | 493 lb (224 kg) |
| 650MT | NC750X | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 649 cc | 745 cc |
| Power | 56 hp (42 kW) | 59 hp (43 kW) |
| Torque | 46 lb-ft (62 Nm) | 51 lb-ft (69 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 7,000 rpm | 4,750 rpm |
| 650MT | NC750X | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 42 mpg (US) / 5.64 L/100 km | 67 mpg (US) / 3.5 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.8 US gal (18 L) | 3.7 US gal (14.1 L) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 650MT | NC750X | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Navigation | Option | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
