Honda Africa Twin vs NC750X - Quick Comparison

[@vohannes]

Good comparison. I have owned a 2014 NC750X since new, so almost 10 years now. I tried almost every new adventure bike on the market for the last 5 years to see if I want to upgrade and can honestly say, at least in my opinion, that there is not another bike with the allround ability, comfort and smoothness of the NC. I have just come back from a two-up ride on the new Transalp with my wife, and we both decided that we will stick with the NC for years to come. Admittedly I did modify my seats, put bar risers on, etc, etc, which made it a more tourable bike, but I paid so much less for the NC, that it was money extremely well spent. I now have 103 000km on the bike and it looks and feels almost new.

[@BikingChap]

Hi, thanks for the feedback. I tend to feel the same and the NC is certainly the longest I've held on to a bike. Is it perfect? No. Is it the most exciting bike on the planet? No. Is it a really good compromised of abilities, reliability and value? Absolutely! I don't doubt our NCs will go on for many years to come :)

[@AleixCatala84]

What seats did you go for? My NC700X could use a much better seat for longer distances!

[@vohannes]

@@AleixCatala84 I modified the seats myself. I took seats from old bikes and used it to build up mine. Had them covered by an upholsterer. Extremely comfortable.

[@AleixCatala84]

@@vohannes omg that sounds amazing. Could you suggest any tutorials or did you just wing it? I'd genuinely love to build a custom seat myself.

[@vohannes]

@@AleixCatala84 I searched for tutorials on you tube and watched a few of them. You need sone basic tools and a good understanding of what you want to achieve. It is not always a softer foam that makes the difference, but rather just an angle adjustment. I could only find a seat with slightly softer foam than the original. I looked for a seat of which the bottom closely fitted my seat shape. I then used a wire brush to shape the bottom and glued it onto my seat. I then cut away excess foam and shaped the rest with a wire brush while regularly putting it on the bike and sitting on it. Lastly I glued a 1cm thick foam sheet over the seat to round it off and had an upholsterer cover it in grippy vinyl.

[@keithallan8200]

At 5’6” with a 29 inch inside leg the Africa Twin is an absolute non starter for me. As you said, I’d miss the practicality of the frunk and I love the low revving nature of my 2021 NC. I plan to hang onto it for many years to come.

[@BikingChap]

I absolutely get that Keith, I'm 6'2" as I said in the video I had to think how I parked it to ensure I could easily get on, though old hips don't help! I just wish they did a 'road' bike with this glorious engine. We get the 'cruiser / custom' in the CMX1100, the 'adventure' bike in the Africa Twin and the 'tourer' in the NT1100 but I'd dearly love a CBF1100, a street bike with a small fairing and something you could still add panniers to if you wanted to go away for a week here and there...

[@amirstravel]

Thanks for your review, I am changing my NC with ATA 1100 so your video did help me

[@BikingChap]

Thanks for your feedback, that's great to hear. They're a great bike and I'm sure you'll love it, good luck!

[@adam-qf2vz]

Seeing you standing there with a bike either side the AT looks so much bigger and so much better.. It looks more comfy for the taller person too. MayI ask price comparisons?

[@BikingChap]

There’s a BIG difference in price Adam. List price for the current NC is £7,949 or £8,779 for the DCT. The Africa Twin starts at £13,119… It’s taller in the saddle, I can still flat foot it, but only just and I’m 6’2” with a 33” inside leg. There’s certainly more room, seat to pegs, but ultimately the seat, while better than the NC, still gets uncomfortable after a couple of hours.

[@bobevans4040]

What about the servicing difference between the two bikes? The NC is very easy to home service, spark plugs and filters are easily accessible. How does the AT compare?

[@BikingChap]

That's a really good point and one I didn't address in the video, I think the NC is unusually easy to service and the AT, like the CB500X, is a lot more involved to do the basic maintenance tasks.

[@bobevans4040]

I looked at lots of bikes before buying an NC and apart from the fuel economy it was the ease of maintenance which tipped the balance for me.​@@BikingChap

[@BikingChap]

I absolutely get that, they really are as easy as they come.

[@deltaskyhawk]

Thanks for the comparison. I have an NC750 manual and have been thinking about an upgrade. I can't put my finger on it but I have never felt fully comfortable on the NC750. Might be the wind buffeting. I have a DR650 and it handles fine to me. Have been looking at some older GS like 1150.

[@BikingChap]

Hi, glad it was helpful. I have to say I feel the same, I don't know whether it is the forward seat slope or the relatively small distance between pegs and seat but I get pain in my hips on the NC I've never had before, perhaps it's just old age! The 1150 GS is a great bike but you'll pay a premium, especially in silver, because of the whole Long Way Round thing. Good luck!

[@arthurdunga345]

as it happens my nc750x dct is in for service this thursday and i'm taking the africa twin out for a test ride while they do both are 2023 dct looking forward to have a ride on it

[@BikingChap]

If you can get on it without issue Arthur, I think you'll love it. The motor is a peach and the suspension cossetting, they're not cheap though. Let us know how you get on eh? :)

[@colinbarber9324]

How does each bike carry its weight ? The NC has a low slung pitched forward engine with the fuel carried low down. Is the AF top heavy ? I have the 22 manual model that comes in at 218kg, has approx 10% more bhp, so the power to weight ratio is a little more relevant. I’ve always liked the AF, but it’s size always put me off

[@BikingChap]

Hi Colin, no it really isn't. I think it's because the bars are quite high and wide so it gives the impression of being lighter than it is. Don't get me wrong, pushing it up the slope of the drive I was aware of all those kilos but although I'm tall, I'm lightly built and honestly the AT felt light once underway and never felt in the slightest bit top heavy, even fully fuelled like a Triumph 1200 explorer does for example. If anything the NC feels slightly heavier than the AT and at least part of that comes from the single front disc. While it ultimately has the stopping power, it needs a good pull or help from the rear and that gives the impression of a bike that's heavy. The AT brakes are effortless, though very progressive, which again gives the feeling of a lighter bike subconsciously. Hope that helps, a rather long review of the AT is available here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2KQnWptncd2oK8si=FI8B5dZ3th0MNyzz

[@michaelreid5307]

Would be interesting if you could do a comparison of your NC750 with an NT1100.

[@BikingChap]

Hi Michael, if I can prise one out of a local dealer, that’s very much on the list! Watch this space!

[@UpsideDownFork]

The Africa Twin looks to be a beast, but probably not very practical relative to the NC750 unless you are planning some green-laning or such?

[@BikingChap]

I have to say I love the engine and looks but it's a bit tall for casual everyday use in my book. If they put it in a chassis like the old CBF1000 it would be a brilliant road bike. As is you could stick a top box on and have the convenience of the NC 'frunk' but for day to day hacking and commuting it's an expensive way of doing things.

[@adildewji]

Loved the video. Unfortunately the AT is too tall for me.. I’ll stick to the NC. Subscribed.

[@BikingChap]

@@adildewji as I’ve got older I’ve found some of the really tall bikes off putting too. Nothing wrong with the NC, there’s nothing else quite like it. 👍Thanks for the sub!

[@daddystu7046]

Both heavy bikes. My little, nippy Tracer 700 is just 197kg without my top box and panniers.

[@BikingChap]

That's where the Transalp comes in, more bhp than the Tracer 700 and no heavier. Thumbs up!

[@daddystu7046]

@@BikingChap Ideally yes but for me not until the price comes down a bit. Will have to wait a few years then maybe trade in the amazing Tracer.

[@BikingChap]

That’s no hardship, the Tracer’s a cracking bike eh?

[@willex13]

I have both models and I find it difficult to decide in favour of just the one. The simple handling Honda NC with the high-torque engine and the practical helmet compartment. Good, a little less power when overtaking. Very economical in consumption. The thoughts ? Decelerating riding and the thought that you really need more to ride a motorbike. Then the Honda CRF 1100 DCT from 2020 good chassis, the engine with some tractor character, enough power for everything with some weaknesses in the lower speed range not as strong as the Honda NC. I am still drawn to the Honda NC, perhaps out of habit and the great practical benefits. Besides this AT incredible handling and more power.but too much electronic gimmickry. Where is my way going ? feel like vohannes 🙃😀 I love to ride through German towns at 30 km without jerking on the NC that doesn't work so well with the AT CRF 1100 DCT

[@BikingChap]

I get it. Most twins these days are fussy low down, probably down to emission limits and the NC, driving effortlessly from idle, does stand out as different. It's almost like an old school twin, a Guzzi almost. There's nothing else quite like it and good though the AT engine is, it just doesn't feel simply like a bigger NC.

[@monirhossen4241]

Finally did you upgrade to Africa Twin?

[@BikingChap]

Well, I've sold the NC but haven't decided on what comes next!

[@hotdoug1000]

You can't fool me, look's a cb125f and the twin you have there 😆

[@BikingChap]

The NC looks like a Honda Grom next to the Africa Twin lol.

[@bmccameron7642]

I just bought an NC...perhaps not the right bike for me. Really lacks any excitement whatsoever. Dull, utilitarian bike and no fun to be found. I think it'll be back on the market before long.

[@BikingChap]

Yep, that sums them up, a great, economical and practical every day workhorse in the CX500 / NTV650 mould but not an exciting bike designed more for sunny Sunday type riding. In your shoes I'd try a Tracer 700 as a starter for ten.

[@bmccameron7642]

@@BikingChap I've got 40 years of dual sport and dirt bikes behind me...that alone presents a challenge because anything else feels wooden and undynamic. Africa Twin or Tenere 700 might be more familiar for me. The NC does what it does, and very well but I can't play up on it.

[@BikingChap]

@@bmccameron7642 sure, I get that. I really like the Africa Twin but personally i think the Tenere 700 is better for everything but long distance touring. It's got enough punch to be fun and is lighter on it's feet than an Africa Twin and that would tip the balance for me. YMMV of course :)

[@johncummins3860]

I use a nc750x for touring and still have my Bandit 1200 for Sunday blasts - the best of both worlds for less than six grand !!

[@BikingChap]

@johncummins3860 and if it’s a mk1 bandit it’ll only go up in value now. Great, fun bikes that haven’t really got a modern equivalent