CBX500X / NC750X

[Lobo]

I’ve a good friend (>60), recently retired and now looking to buy a new road bike. (him & I spent 25+ yrs in Asia and have been well away from western offerings!)

So, any experiences of the CBX500X and NC750X please. The buyer is an experienced rider, though with more off-road time than ‘cruising’. He’s doing the rounds of all that’s on offer, and has recently highlighted these 2 machines.

Failing this, any glowing recommendations of any practical road bike, 500cc +. Looking to buy new / modern and not 1970s SOHC type 🙁. (his loss eh?)

[K2-K6]

A friend has used many iterations of the 500 of which I've ridden a few of his, very competent, reliable etc and with good design. They are currently I think a 180 degree plain parallel twin, do a very quite unassuming job, more utility than exciting. Its not a criticism but really just the market they've aimed at and hit it on the bullseye effectively.
The 750 is much more interesting technically (I've not ridden one) with engine running 270 degree crank along with long stroke narrow-er bore arrangement to run like a 90 degree v-twin. I dont think there are any of different crank arrangement, but that's possible. Co development with their car motor in the Honda Jazz, it's aimed at much larger torque spread across rev range and not high rpm spinning, overall efficiency in other words.
They develop a single cylinder that can be used across-the-board of shared designs to optimal head design for that operational target, then implement in some very different engines. Seems like it's very effective too with reports of very efficient fuel usage. It's supremely quiet and smooth in the jazz too (I researched and helped my niece buy a secondhand one ) a very good engineering wise overall design.

I'd test ride the 750 if I were him to get first hand what he feels about that one, certainly the most interesting one of the two.

[K2-K6]

Yamaha MT07 could be interesting alternative too, again a twin with a 270 degree crank to give that v-twin feel. They started this in general production bikes i believe with the TDM850 originally.

[Laverda Dave]

I looked at both these models last year when I was looking to replace my 23 year old VFR. Two friends have the CB500X so I was able to grill them about long term ownership. Of the two one sold his within six months as he found it very buzzy on the motorway anything about 75mph (he's a bike instructor and uses every day). The other friend loves his bike and has all the accessories fitted but he doesn't use motorways unless he has to. Finish is very good.
Another mate has the NT750X and he loves it, it's a 2018 model. Finish again is very good and the false tank is a real bonus, saves having a top box fitted for day to day riding. He gets between 70-80 mpg, amazing. Servicing is a piece of cake using screw and locknut  valve adjustment. Riding position is great as he has a bad back. He's fitted a sports exhaust that sounds fruity but not offensive. The nate who sold his CB500X pexd it for a NC750X and loves it
The only downside I've heard about the NC is the seat can be really uncomfortable after a few miles and the engine is a bit lacking in power as (I think) it's only 54BHP. The 2021 and beyond is the one to go for it has a much better seat and another 4BHP. The was a rumour that Honda were going to take it out to 850 for 2023 but obviously not as nothing is showing on their 2023 model range.
The biggest problem with both bikes.....try buying a new one, nothing available in the UK until at least March 2023 at the earliest!
I'm looking at another VFR, a second hand F-H model from 2018-2020 prior to being discontinued.

[flatfour]

My daughter has a Honda NC700X (the predecessor of the NC750X) that she bought new in 2012. As she works away most of the time and gave up her London flat with its garage during COVID, I keep it here and use it quite often to keep it in good shape.

At first, I found it quite a surprise to ride, there is almost no sound at all from it and it just gathers up speed pretty quickly. I often look down to see speeds some 20 mph than I expect to be travelling at. In addition, there is a long hill near to me (about one mile in length and perhaps 10% gradient) and, with half throttle or so it accelerates all of the way up. It also delivers around 70 mpg when we ride it (none too gently).

There are two things that regularly catch me out however, the first is that because it is so quiet it is easy to hit the rev limiter on overtakes. The second is that modern Honda's have the indicator switch fitted below the horn button and when cancelling indicators, I often hit the horn button.

My other bikes currently on the road are a BMW K1300GT and Honda CB750 K2. I think that the NC is, in its own way the equal of either of them!

[Lobo]

Many thanks all - infos passed on.
Simon

[Lobo]

The original question was wrt a close friend considering a new bike - now it’s me.
The Griso (1280cc Moto Guzzi), at 270Kg is just getting too big, and I’m thinking of downsizing it. I briefly looked at the NC750X, but now learn Honda / Oz no longer imports them; ie n/a. Today I looked at the CB500X, and came away unimpressed - it seemed a bit wee, and lacked presence somehow.

Anyways, anyone here own a late model Bonneville T100? - certainly it feels right to sit on, exudes quality, and for me, would be something different. Happy to hear any recommendations; am 5’8”; 82Kg, fairly sedate rider, and just want something easy to ride / home maintain / comfortable, but also with a bit of interest / quirkyness.

Ta. Simon (have really enjoy the Griso 😢)

[Rozabikes Tim]

Never ridden one myself but a friend of mine borrowed one when his other Triumph was  being serviced. He has owned all sorts of bikes and he was extremely impressed. Lovely motor very relaxed ride...

[K2-K6]

Dependant on age/availability/interest etc, the first iteration of Ducati Monster is an absolute peach of a bike. The aircooled one, bicycle like to sit on and push around/ride, just a great engine character with very eager torque, no great outright horse power but not the point really.

A fabulous ride and design classic. Perhaps a consideration.

[SteveD CB500K0]

I’ve ridden most of the Bonneville variants over the years.

My favourite was the 1200 T120.
The 900 felt a bit underpowered.
The Bobber was fun but hardly practical.


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[taysidedragon]

If you were interested in the NC750X you might want to have a look at the new Transalp 750. Coming soon in the UK. Twin cylinder,  "unicam" engine, does that mean it's a SOHC?? 😁

[K2-K6]

Kawasaki W 800 also interesting in direct-ish competition to Triumph twin.

Traditional 360 degree crank but with balancer shaft, sounds like a classic too.