The 2026 Honda NC750X DCT Review.

For over a decade, the NC750 has been the “Practical and Sensible choice" of bikes. It was polite. It was an "acceptable compromise." It did everything well and nothing badly, but it rarely invited you to go for a ride just for the sake of riding.

So, when Honda SA handed us the keys to the 2026 Honda NC750X DCT, we didn't just want to commute. We wanted to see if Honda had injected new soul into the world's most practical machine. We sent Sean Hendley and Shawn Wilders out for a week of mountain passes, Cradle sweeps, and Gauteng gridlock to find out.

What’s Actually Changed?

Honda hasn't just given the NC a facelift; they’ve performed a series of surgical strikes where it counts most..

For years, the NC got by on a single front disc. In 2026, Honda finally listened. The bike now features Dual 296mm front discs with two piston calipers. This isn't just about stopping power; it’s about feel. The wooden sensation of the old brakes is gone, replaced by a progressive, confidence-inspiring bite that changes how you approach a corner.

The Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) has been the NC’s calling card, but early versions could occasionally be jerky at walking speeds. The 2026 logic is vastly more intuitive. It uses a new "start-stop" smoothness algorithm that makes lane splitting in Johannesburg traffic feel like second nature. It monitors throttle opening and gear selection with a level of "human" intuition we haven't seen before.

The fairings are now constructed from Durabio, a bio based resin. It sounds like marketing fluff until you see it, it’s tougher, more scratch-resistant, and the colors have a depth that the old "plastic-heavy" models lacked. The lines are sharper, more aggressive, and more sculpted around the rider for better weather protection and long distance comfort.

The addition of Honda RoadSync to the new 5-inch TFT display is a massive leap for the NC’s touring credentials. By pairing your smartphone via Bluetooth, the app allows for turn-by-turn navigation, music management, and call handling, all controlled via a backlit fourway toggle on the left handlebar and voice commands through a helmet headset. It’s a brilliant 'eyes on the road' solution that keeps your phone safely tucked away in your pocket while still giving you real world connectivity on the fly.

Sean says:

"I’ve always been an extreme type of bike fan. Superbikes, loud and brash V-Twins, dirt bikes... the NC has always been a bit uninteresting to me. I decided to put my preconceptions aside and look at it objectively. I wasn't bored for a single minute."

I’ve ridden every iteration of the NC over the years. They were always "okay," but forgettable. When I climbed aboard the 2026 model, my muscle memory immediately went looking for the clutch and gear lever. I’m a life long biker; I like being in control. But within seconds, I remembered why I actually like the DCT.

As I headed down the freeway, hitting the inevitable congestion of Gauteng’s never ending roadworks, the DCT proved its worth. In full auto, the changes happened exactly where I would expect them to for the speeds I was riding. Whether I was chilling or giving it some aggressive acceleration to gap a taxi or truck, I never felt the need to second guess the bike.

If I felt sporty? I just switched to the manual paddles on the left switch cluster. They fall to hand so naturally that you stop thinking about them. You just click and go.

At 2 meters tall, I dwarf most motorcycles. I generally have to fold myself onto bikes like an awkward prime mate. But the new NC750 has plenty of space for my frame. When I cranked it into the sweeping bends of my favorite local mountain pass on a sunny Wednesday, I had room to move. I wasn't just sitting on the bike, I was part of the cockpit.

The wind protection is a masterclass in balance. I like the feeling of freedom, a bit of wind in the beard, but I also want protection from the buffeting. Honda nailed it here.

Let’s talk about the storage bin where the fuel tank should be. My biggest bugbear on modern bikes is where to store your helmet. Helmet locks have disappeared, which is a serious oversight. Lugging an Arai TX-5 around a music festival or country market is a proper annoyance.

I managed to pop my Arai in there (admittedly without the peak) and my gloves with complete peace of mind. No top box required. Top boxes are ugly, they ruin the lines, and I inevitably kick the crud out of them every time I mount the bike. The NC’s "Frunk" is the most underrated innovation in motorcycling history.

Shawn says:

"The 2026 Honda NC750X DCT wasn’t a bike I felt at home on instantly, at least not at first. But sometimes the bike you don’t expect ends up being the one that makes the most sense."

I spent my week doing the "daily rounds" before heading out to The Cradle of Humankind for an industry event. I was apprehensive. In my head, I’d already decided the DCT was going to be a gearbox constantly hunting, up, down, up, down, especially in the rolling hills of Muldersdrift.

I was wrong.

The 745cc parallel-twin motor pushes out around 43 kW, but it’s the healthy slab of torque low down that defines the experience. It doesn’t beg to be revved into oblivion. It just delivers steady, usable power. On the long, sweeping bends in and around The Cradle, the bike felt composed. When I wanted drive out of a corner, the DCT gave it to me instantly. When I rolled off, it settled. It’s a very "zen" riding experience.

As a photographer and reviewer, I’m usually riding with kit. That 23 liter front storage compartment is brilliant. Proper helmet swallowing, camera bag hiding brilliance. I threw my gear in there without a second thought. No backpack digging into my shoulders, no straps flapping in the wind.

I did a 200 km round trip. Normally, by the time I hit the Gillooly's Interchange, I’ve got mild arm pump and that subtle stiffness creeping in. This time? Nothing. The upright riding position and wide bars meant I climbed off feeling fresh. Not shattered. Just… comfortable.

Overall, was it what I expected? No.

Was I pleasantly surprised? Completely.

Would I buy one?

Yes.

For commuting. For everyday riding. For light adventure. For real-world South African conditions where comfort, convenience and usable torque matter more than ego — the NC750X DCT just makes sense.

Sometimes the bike you don’t expect ends up being the one that makes the most sense.

When the industry event was over, we went out to really put the NC through its paces. We took turns "blasting" it through the long, sweeping bends of The Cradle.

We weren't just commuting anymore. We were pushing.

The low center of gravity, resultant from the fuel tank being located under the seat, makes the NC750X surprisingly agile. You can whip it through the bends with far more aggression than the old "Corolla" label might have suggested. It’s stable, it’s predictable, and with the new dual disc brakes, it’s actually fun.

We spent an hour hooking it through the bends, then just sat back and enjoyed where we were. The NC allows you to do that. It doesn't demand 100% of your attention just to keep it on the road. It’s a "lekker" bike, and the compliments we got from ladies on the looks and the new color palette suggest it’s finally become aspirational.

Is it a track day bike? No, though you could do one a lot easier on this model than the old ones. Is it a hardcore bike? No.

But for real world South African conditions, where fuel efficiency (3.5L/100km), comfort, and usable torque matter more than ego, the 2026 Honda NC750X DCT just makes sense.

So, if you’re looking for a bike that handles the commute like a pro and still gives you a "giggle" on a Sunday morning mountain pass, the NC750X is no longer just a compromise. It’s a serious contender!