Honda NC750X Review: Renting It in Lisbon

The Honda NC750X has never won a beauty contest and has never tried to. It wins something else: a reputation as the bike that gives you no trouble. People who rent it in Lisbon usually pick it by elimination. They don't want a 125 that runs out of breath on the motorway, they don't want a tall, heavy trail bike that makes them think about every stop, and they don't want a sportbike that makes their wrists ache after an hour. What they get is a bike with 59 hp, 216 kg and an 800 mm seat that does everything reasonably well and almost nothing dramatically. This article explains who that is an advantage for, who it is a flaw for, and how the NC750X compares with its bigger siblings in the fleet.

In short:

• 745 cc engine, 43 kW (59 hp) at 6,750 rpm, 6-speed manual gearbox.
• 216 kg ready to ride, 800 mm seat height, 14.1 L tank and a range of around 400 km.
• Requires a category A licence (59 hp exceeds the 35 kW limit of the A2) and a minimum age of 21.
• November 2026 price: €100.43 per day, 2-day minimum, 400 km per day included, €1,000 deposit.
• It is the calmest option in the fleet above 125: not intimidating, economical, and with storage space in front of the seat.

What the NC750X is, without the brochure

The NC750X belongs to Honda's adventure family, but anyone expecting a proper trail bike will be disappointed. It is a road bike with an upright riding position, wide handlebars, moderate suspension travel and one very clear idea: to be easy. The engine is a 745 cc twin tuned for low and mid-range torque rather than a number at the top of the scale. The 43 kW arrive at 6,750 rpm, which is early. In practice, the bike gives you useful power as soon as you leave a roundabout in second gear, and stops asking for more before you feel like revving it out.

That character is the opposite of the Honda Transalp 750's, which in our fleet is rated at 67.5 kW (91.8 hp) at 9,500 rpm. The Transalp wants to be ridden with conviction. The NC750X invites you to ride with a relaxed wrist and change up early. Anyone who has never had a bike above 500 cc usually feels the difference within the first few kilometres: less nervousness, fewer surprises, more time to look at the scenery.

The spec sheet on the bike's page boils down to this:

Feature	Honda NC750X
Displacement	745 cc
Maximum power	43 kW (59 hp) at 6,750 rpm
Gearbox	6-speed, constant mesh
Seat height	800 mm
Weight, ready to ride	216 kg
Fuel tank	14.1 L, 95 petrol
Range	around 400 km
Display	5-inch TFT

Two numbers deserve attention. The first is the weight. At 216 kg and with a low centre of gravity, the bike feels lighter than the scales suggest, especially in slow manoeuvres, and that is what makes it friendly in Lisbon, where you spend your life making U-turns in narrow streets. The second is the range: 400 km on 14.1 L works out, in round figures, to an average consumption of about 3.5 L per 100 km. At a relaxed pace, that means half a day on the road without thinking about petrol stations. At a brisk pace or with a strong wind on the A2, the numbers go up, as with any bike.

How it behaves in the city

Lisbon is a difficult city for a 216 kg motorcycle: wet cobblestones, trams, steep hills that end at a traffic light and lines of cars where the gap between mirrors is a negotiation. The NC750X copes well with all this for three simple reasons.

First: the seat height. At 800 mm, most average-height riders can put both feet down comfortably, which gives confidence when pulling away uphill. Second: the wide handlebars and upright posture, which give you leverage to control the bike at low speed and good visibility over the traffic. Third: the engine. Because the power comes early, you don't need to keep the revs high or play with the clutch to pull away from a traffic light; you just open the throttle gently.

The less pretty side of the city shows up on streets with uneven surfaces. The suspension is designed for comfort, not sport, and that is a blessing on Portuguese cobblestones. On the other hand, under hard braking the front dives more than on a sporty naked bike, and it is worth bearing that in mind when riding near buses. If you want to know more about parking and traffic rules for motorcycles in the city, check the information from EMEL (Lisbon's parking authority), which manages parking in Lisbon.

On the road: where the NC750X is really good

Outside the city, the bike shows its most convincing side. With an engine that doesn't need to be pushed to the limit, the whole package is quiet in terms of effort: no tiring vibrations, no urge to accelerate just because. On a road like the one linking Sobreda to the Cabo Espichel area, with sweeping bends and open views over the sea, the NC750X does what is expected of it: it keeps whatever pace you choose, without imposing one.

Wind protection is reasonable, not touring-grade. For a whole day at 100 km/h on the motorway, you will feel the wind on your shoulders and helmet, but it isn't unpleasant. If you are planning long motorway stages with luggage, consider models with larger fairings, such as the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT, which we also have in the fleet.

One practical detail you only discover after renting: the fuel tank is not in front of the rider, as on most bikes, but under the pillion seat, which frees up space at the front. That space is a storage compartment that can hold a backpack, a rain jacket or a bottle of water. The bike's page calls it a trunk, and it is a serious argument for anyone renting the bike for a day or two who doesn't want to ride with a bag strapped to the seat.

Passenger and luggage

The passenger position is comfortable, with good back support and well-placed footpegs. For trips for two on secondary roads, the NC750X is an honest choice. The 59 hp is enough, but you notice it when the bike carries two people and luggage, especially on long climbs. If the trip will be for two with heavy luggage, consider the Transalp or the Africa Twin, which have more power in reserve.

Who should choose the NC750X

The honest question is this: who is better served by this bike than by another in the fleet? I see four profiles.

The rider with an A licence but little recent riding. Anyone who got their licence years ago and doesn't ride regularly needs a forgiving bike. The NC750X is forgiving: it delivers power in a linear way, doesn't frighten you when pulling away, and the low weight helps.

Anyone who covers a lot of kilometres a day at low cost. With 400 km per day included, the allowance on the Honda NC750X rental page comfortably covers a loop through Sintra, Cascais and Cabo da Roca with a return to the shop, or a day in Arrábida. Each additional kilometre costs €0.49, but you are unlikely to need it.

The rider who wants a single bike for city and road. This is where the NC750X is strongest: the city doesn't punish it, and the road doesn't bore it.

The one who wants to save on the deposit or the price. At the November 2026 price of €100.43 per day, it comes in below the Transalp 750 (€110 per day), the Tenere 700 Rally (€120 per day) and the Africa Twin (€140 per day). The €1,000 deposit is the same as the Transalp's and lower than the €1,300 for the Tenere 700 Rally.

Who it is not for

It would be dishonest to pretend the bike pleases everyone. Anyone looking for strong thrills will find the NC750X too sensible. The engine doesn't have the howl of a triple or the shove of an 1100 cc twin at high revs. Anyone who wants to ride on proper dirt surfaces should also look for another bike: the NC750X is an asphalt bike, although it will calmly handle a well-maintained dirt track.

And anyone who wants a poster bike to impress in photographs won't be happy either. Here the argument is usefulness, not style. For those who appreciate that honesty, it is a compliment. For those who don't, a warning.

NC750X, X-ADV and Transalp: three sisters, three characters

Honda has several 750 cc bikes and it is easy to get confused. The NC750X is the calmest and the most practical. The Transalp 750 is the sportiest and has an engine from a different family, with more horsepower and more willingness to rev high. The Honda X-ADV 750 review shows the more urban, maxi-scooter side of this line, with a character of its own.

For a first experience with a bike above 500 cc, the NC750X is generally the most welcoming of the three. For those who already have experience and want to go faster, the Transalp justifies the extra €10 per day. For those who just want to cruise with the least possible effort, it sits comfortably between the two.

What you need to rent it

The conditions come from the bike's page and from the terms and conditions, and they are worth reading carefully.

• Citizen card (cartão de cidadão) or passport.
• Category A driving licence, with a minimum age of 21. Category A2 is not enough: the A2 allows bikes up to 35 kW and the NC750X has 43 kW.
• Adequate motorcycle riding experience. For bikes above 700 cc, like this one, the terms and conditions require at least 2 years of proven experience on motorcycles with similar characteristics.
• A €1,000 deposit, blocked on a credit or debit card in the rider's name.

On the licence: category A and the conditions for obtaining each category are described by the IMT (Portugal's mobility and transport institute). If your licence was issued outside Portugal, the European portal Your Europe explains the rules on recognition of licences in the European Union.

Price, deposit and what is included

The November 2026 price is €100.43 per day, with a 2-day minimum. Included are 23 per cent VAT, third-party liability insurance, travel assistance, 400 km per day, a basic rider helmet and a padlock. To book, you pay 30 per cent of the amount; you pay the rest at pick-up. The deposit is held separately, at check-in, on a credit or debit card, and is returned within 5 working days after the bike comes back.

Pick-up is at the shop, at Estrada Nacional N10-1 189, in Sobreda, every day between 09:00 and 19:00. Delivery to the airport or to your door is available as a paid service. There is no discount for long rentals: the daily price is the same whether you rent for two days or ten.

A day trip with the NC750X

A suggestion that respects the bike's logic: leave Sobreda after breakfast, head for the Cabo Espichel area on secondary roads, have lunch in a coastal town, and come back without hurrying. It is a medium-pace route, demanding no effort at all from the engine, where the bike shines. With a 400 km range, a full tank before you set off covers the round trip with room to spare.

For those who want more, the suggestion is to link two days together. On the first, coast and views as far as Cabo Espichel. On the second, the mountains and the villages of the interior. The bike's page suggests a few destinations such as Sortelha, Cabo Espichel and Viseu, with mountain roads, sea views and historic streets. To plan outings and stops, the Turismo de Portugal portal gathers information about destinations around the country.

Practical tips before you set off

Before leaving the shop, adjust the mirrors and find the fuel filler, under the pillion seat. Spend the first few kilometres on a route without traffic to get a feel for the engine braking and the throttle response. On wet surfaces, slow down: Lisbon's cobblestones and the polished asphalt of roundabouts are slippery, as in any city.

As for gear: the basic rider helmet is included, but gloves, jacket and protective trousers improve safety and comfort. See what you can add to the booking on the bike's page, choosing your dates to see real availability.

Verdict

The NC750X won't make your heart beat faster, but it rarely lets you down either. It is the right bike when the aim is to enjoy the day rather than treat the bike as the main subject. It has enough power for the motorway, is agile enough for the city, is cheap to run and costs less than its bigger siblings. For a weekend in Lisbon and the surrounding area, it is hard to argue against it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent the Honda NC750X with an A2 licence?

No. The A2 category allows bikes up to 35 kW and the NC750X has 43 kW (59 hp). You need a category A licence, a minimum age of 21 and, because the displacement is above 700 cc, proven experience of at least 2 years, according to the terms and conditions.

How much does it cost to rent the NC750X, and what is the deposit?

At November 2026 prices, it is €100.43 per day, with a 2-day minimum and 400 km per day included. The deposit is €1,000, blocked on a credit or debit card in the rider's name and returned within 5 working days.

Is the NC750X good for two-up riding?

Yes, for relaxed-pace outings on secondary roads. With heavy luggage and long climbs, the Transalp 750 or the Africa Twin have more power to spare.

Where do you refuel the NC750X?

The 14.1 L tank is under the pillion seat, not in front of the rider. The space in front of the seat is a storage compartment, useful for a rain jacket or a small backpack, but it is worth checking at pick-up what fits inside before planning your luggage.