NT1100 Test Ride - Can I live with DCT? Do I chop the NC750X in for the Transalp or NT1100 or stick?

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

In 2020 I bought myself a Honda NC750X-DCT. I felt the DCT was made for the NC, but unfortunately it kept sticking in gear so I sold it. Nonetheless the NC won a special place in my affections purely because of how easy it was to live with. Fast forward 2 Hayabusa's and 2 ZZR1400's and I found myself hankering for another NC. Last year I bought myself a 2017 NC750X, but this time a geared model. I kept my ZZR, with the intention of seeing which of the two bikes I would "choose to use" the most. 12 months later and I can confirm the NC gets chosen 19 times out of 20. Sure, the ZZR is like your alcoholic uncle (great fun to spend time with, but you just cannot keep up the pace) but the NC is like your favourite pair of slippers. Ironically a few weeks ago I was giving serious consideration to part-exing the NC for a Transalp, but after a particularly good day riding the NC from Warwickshire all around Dorset (400+ miles) I reached the conclusion that 58hp is enough, and here's why: First off the NC deals with the motorways with aplomb. It will hold a steady 85 (not that I did obviously) and when you arrive in The New Forest it is so light that at no time did I feel like I was having to work hard to enjoy the ride. Furthermore the frunk is so useful for storing the crash helmet. On the way back the traffic was horrendous but once again the NC showed its agility in splitting the lanes filtering. Sure, the Transalp can do this too. But once the traffic cleared I got the NC up to its optimum cruising speed. With only 58hp this meant a speed that I obviously didn't do earlier on! It is at this point that the Honda is telling me "no more please dad", and so I settle into the rhythm that almost assures me I won't lose my license. Not so the Transalp or the ZZR. Both of those machines have enough capability that license-losing speeds are easily attainable. Then factor in the 100mpg+ the NC is regularly returning me and you might understand why I decided getting rid of the NC would be a huge mistake.

[@DavesPhotoUK]

Wow, thank you for such a full and concise reply. I have looked into upgrading some areas on my NC, a manual, suspension front and back, and the seat, but on reflection the return, comfort, is not guaranteed as it is subjective. My butt had a better time don't the Transalp and an even better one on the NT so I think you can all guess the direction I am heading 🙂 No matter what motorbike you ride, please be safe and have wonderful journeys. I wish you well.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

@@DavesPhotoUK And that's the best part of biking....there's a bike for everyone out there. Enjoy the ride, stay safe.

[@jfro5867]

Just happened across this ….. I’ve just bought myself a Transalp, same colour, thoroughly delighted with it. It’s got that ‘whatever you want I can do it no problem’ feeling about it, (to me anyway). It’s not especially high tech or showy but I do think it’s a really good bike. Now you may have gone another way which is fine, we all like different things.

[@bumpyroads-uk]

Look forward to seeing which way you go! I think you got more smiles from the Transalp but that power was winning you over with the NT1100. Great decisions to be making. Come what may keep up the blogs 🙂

[@DavesPhotoUK]

Thank you for the feedback. The decision is made and not completely by me. Having a break with Mrs C next week then picking up the new bike, maybe 🙂 I wish you well

[@TheBikerDodge]

As far as I know, the Transalp isn't available in DCT here in Spain and the NT is too expensive. So I went for a new 2024 model NC. I waited until after the new year and got €1200 off due to it being last year's model. Im due to pick it up late next week. I had a 2014 when I was in England, put 73000 miles on it without issues. Fabulous bikes. My only niggle is the tank being under the seat. When camping, if you strapped anything on the back seat, you needed to off load it every time you filled up.

[@DavesPhotoUK]

True the TA has no DCT but I was not looking for that feature in a new bike. On trying the DCT on the NT1100 I was pleasantly suprised and if the insurance for me was not so massive here in the UK, i am on my first year of a full licence, then I would of bought it. The TA is for me better that the NC in a few key areas and again it is my expereince and no everyone elses. I am now 4000+ miles in on the TA and so far its been a great bike. I wish you well and safe journeys.

[@patrickoakes7850]

Love my NC750X DCT ! Great alround machine .Unbeatable fuel economy, more than enough power and comfortable. Frunk just seals the deal😊

[@DavesPhotoUK]

I did mine but after putting 6k on it in the last few months, I just could not get on with the seat and the suspension, and thus handling, did not feel as good as the NT or the Transalp which I swapped it for. They are great bikes and if Honda could at least sort the seat out, a long-running discussion with many owners, then they really do have close to a perfect bike. I did like the NT1100 and nearly bought it on the spot when I took it back. 3k insurance stopped that :-) Wishing you well and safe journeys.

[@MotoGoato]

I bought myself a lightly used manual NT1100 a few months ago ... after riding nothing but naked bikes for the last 2 decades. The NT is bigger and heavier than any of my previous bikes, a very different kettle of fish indeed. Didn't take long at all to get used to it though as it's such a well balance bike and the weight is fairly low (especially compared to tall ADV bikes). I love my NT and have found it's pretty good all around .... comfortable, exceptional wind and weather protection, lots of practicality with the luggage and technology, it destroys long motorway journeys with ease and can also put a smile on my face on the back lanes and twisties too. For a relatively large and heavy bike it handles really well, turns quite quickly and is very stable mid corner .. suspension can be a little soft when really pushing on and riding aggressively though .. but thats easy to remedy (all be it at some expense). Never really saw myself as a touring bike rider .. but here we are .. and life on the NT is good!! 🙂

[@DavesPhotoUK]

@MotoGoato Thank you for the feedback. It is an easy big bike to ride, and the manual was / is my first choice. Getting on this 1100 and using DCT was novel but soon got used to the idea. S mode is great and should be the mode I would stick with if I buy it. I wish you well and safe journeys 👍

[@MotoGoato]

@@DavesPhotoUK You're welcome ... also with regards to your left shoulder issue, I also have a left shoulder issue - from a childhood injury ... the NTs bars in their stock position tend to aggravate the injury a bit and can cause a painful ache to flare up after an hour or so of riding. A couple of weeks ago I installed a set of Voigt offset bar risers that move the bars 30mm upwards and also 20mm back towards the rider ... definitely made a big improvement and I'm no longer getting the shoulder ache on rides. Which pretty much mirrors your feelings about the stock bar position .. from what you said I rekon the Voigt risers would put the bars in the perfect place for you too 😉

[@DavesPhotoUK]

@@MotoGoato noted and thank you for the advise. I will put it into action if I buy the NT.

[@barrygormley1618]

I ended up getting the NT1100 DCT and love it. The one tip the salesman gave me when I was taking a test ride was never ever put it in D mode. He said S1 was good for about town and S2 and S3 for some fun. I find S1 and S2 suits me best.

[@DavesPhotoUK]

@barrygormley1618 if I do swap the NC for the NT the I agree, I doubt it would be in "D" mode at all. "S" mode feels like normal riding. I did not know there was a 1,2,3 series in "S" . Wishing you well and safe travels

[@barrygormley1618]

@@DavesPhotoUK Yes, when it’s in sport mode, if you the hold the S button down it will change between S1, 2 and 3. Each S mode is slightly more aggressive in holding onto gears. Also if you were finding the throttle snatchy in S mode if you change the user mode to urban it’s a slightly more relaxed throttle response 👍

[@blearyview2254]

I have the NC and the NT and love both bikes but for different reasons. There is no doubt the NT is from a different design generation (my NC is 2019). The modern design that has gone into the NT is superior to the NC and rides better in just about every department. However, the NC is such an easy going, forgiving bike with a great engine for short shifting that it is hard not to love. I have the DCT version of the NT and Sport is really the only mode to ride in as you discovered. Good luck with your choice and am sure both are correct for different reasons.

[@DavesPhotoUK]

Thank you for your reply. I just returned from our short break and am starting to get sorted out for Tuesday's drop-off for work to be done to the NC or pick up the NT or Transalp. Wishing you well and safe journeys

[@MrJkfamilyguy59]

Hope you waited for the 2025 NT1100 DCT or the 2025 NC750x DCT. Upgrades on both.

[@DavesPhotoUK]

HI, I mention in the video my choice and the reason why. The new upgrade looks very good and I wish you well.

[@Negaah21]

I’m done with Honda for now. Here I come BMW :)

[@DavesPhotoUK]

Thank you watching and sharing.

[@deanwelsh5702]

I bought a second hand Africa twin 17 plate dct. I didn’t want a dct and had never test road one. But the bike was an absolute bargain. And to be honest I absolutely hated the dct . I kept it for 2 years and due to the Covid bullshit and shortages of bikes I got more than I paid for it 2 years earlier off a Honda dealer not even in part ex just a straightforward sale. It had 4 modes drive which was awful. Sport 1 2 3 . I permanently rode it in sport 2 and 3 . I had previously test road a manual Africa twin and absolutely loved it . The dct ruins the bike as far as I’m concerned and wouldn’t ever buy another one. Why when you can get a quick shifter.

[@alphasportstv]

You make it sound like "scooter" is a dirty word! After 34 bikes and only one of those a non-clutched scooter, I'll take the dirty word all day long. Living in Montreal where a one way shuttle to the office requires over 400 clutched shifts (yes, I counted!!!), you can have your clutch. Looking at an NC750x now, perfect real-world cross between "scooter" and "moto". K1300's gone to the shit-bin ;)