The Bike You’ll Appreciate More At 45 Than You Did At 25
In your formative years, your body and mind can handle aggression better, which is why thrilling sport bikes can be exciting and rewarding choices. But as you get older, your physical condition, life experiences, and personal goals change, and so do your motorcycle choices. In fact, after 40, even motorcycles that seemed ‘boring’ in your younger days start making more sense. Your priorities shift from performance, aggression, and nimbleness to practicality, convenience, and comfort. That is also why many experienced older riders enjoy ADVs, touring bikes, and traditional cruiser motorcycles. However, we want to highlight a unique Honda motorcycle that offers the best of all worlds.
Why Riders Appreciate Certain Motorcycles Only When They Get Older
Experienced motorcycle riders choose different bikes than younger, thrill-seeking riders because their priorities shift from raw speed and aesthetics to comfort, practicality, and self-awareness. They value the overall journey and have more mental clarity and freedom. Instead of focusing on flashiness and performance, older riders prioritize a smooth, predictable experience for more peace on the road. Comfort and practicality become paramount as the body takes a toll with age.
Less powerful motorcycles that young riders once booed make a lot more sense in their 40s, as riders have a realistic view of their limits and focus on matching their physical endurance rather than punching above their weight. Maintenance and budget also play a major role. Experienced riders factor in the “maintenance cliff,” avoiding bikes with expensive, specialized service intervals in favor of mechanical reliability and longevity.
Versatility Takes Over As A Key Requirement, Too
Topping all of the above is the versatility of the platform. Compile everything, and you’ll end up looking at examples like the Suzuki V-Strom 650 and the Kawasaki Versys 650. These seem boring compared to the more stacked rivals, but they make their presence felt more than ever when you turn older. However, there is one motorcycle that stands out most for versatility and convenience, beating both of these in nearly every regard.
You’ll Appreciate The Honda NC750X More As You Age
Price: $9,499
The Honda NC750X offers the comfort of an adventure tourer, the fuel efficiency of an entry-level commuter, the ease of a naked bike in the city, and even the storage space of a scooter. It is as practical as a motorcycle can be, which is why it appeals to mature 45-year-old riders who will instantly fall in love with this Honda. In many ways, it feels like a spiritual successor to the quirky Honda DN-01—a bold mash-up of a sportbike, a cruiser bike, and a scooter.
Additionally, for under $10,000, it’s Honda’s only affordable, full‑fledged touring motorcycle. With its range of capabilities and distinctive ADV-inspired design, the Honda NC750X is a motorcycle you wouldn’t expect to be this practical. In fact, NC750X pricing is unchanged for the upcoming year, giving the 2027 model a strong start in its value proposition.
A Relaxed And Highly Efficient Engine
A 745 cc parallel-twin engine powers the Honda NC750X. This is a unique mill because it isn’t shared with any other Honda motorcycles in the US. This is unusual for Honda, which typically shares components among models. This liquid-cooled engine produces 57.8 horsepower at 6,750 RPM and 50.9 pound-feet of torque at 4,750 RPM. This gives the engine its “relaxed” character: a linear performance curve similar to a modern cruiser bike, with meaty low- and mid-range torque. This is mainly due to its long-stroke design, with a 77 mm bore and 80 mm stroke.
Its Automatic Gearbox Makes Riding This Motorcycle An Easy Affair
Its standard automatic gearbox makes the riding experience much simpler. This is the only sub-$10,000 ADV equipped with a six-speed DCT gearbox. Power is sent to the rear wheel via a final chain drive system. This system helps eliminate the need for left-foot shifting and manual clutch engagement, offering a riding experience similar to a twist-and-go scooter. For a more engaging ride, Honda also offers a Manual mode on the DCT that uses paddle-like shifters to toggle through the gears.
The combination of a relaxed engine and a well-synchronized automatic gearbox makes the Honda NC750X one of the most fuel-efficient motorcycles in its class (67.2 MPG). For reference, that’s about the same as many 400 cc commuter-grade motorcycles on sale today. Thanks to its impressive MPG, the NC750X, despite its small 3.7-gallon fuel tank, still offers a maximum riding range of nearly 249 miles.
Versatile Underpinnings That Feel At Home Both In Cities And On Highways
The NC750X sits on a steel diamond frame that uses the engine as a stressed member. The chassis is suspended on 41 mm telescopic front forks and a preload-adjustable rear monoshock. Both ends offer identical suspension travel of 4.7 inches. Braking duties are taken care of by dual 296 mm discs coupled to twin-piston floating calipers up front. The rear gets a 240 mm disc coupled to a single-piston caliper.
Adding to its comfortable, tarmac-focused ride are 17-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 120-section front and 160-section rear tubeless tires. The hardware setup balances urban and highway riding. Despite its tall riding stance, Honda has made clever engineering choices to keep the center of gravity low and improve nimbleness. Notable choices include slanting the parallel-twin engine forward at 55 degrees and relocating the fuel tank under the seat. Speaking of which, you get a relatively accessible seat height of 31.56 inches. The rider sits upright and relaxed, thanks to a tall, wide handlebar and a neutral footpeg position.
Clever Features That No Other Motorcycle Gets
Relocating the fuel tank from its traditional spot has helped Honda carve out enough space to store a full-sized helmet on the NC750X. This storage space is neatly hidden under a color-coordinated flip-up panel. It notably dials up this versatile Honda motorcycle’s practicality. Honda also showers the NC750X with a wholesome suite of technology features.
The cockpit features a 5-inch TFT screen, which comes standard with Android and iOS connectivity via the Honda RoadSync app. It connects via Bluetooth and enables hands-free navigation, music playback, and call controls. Safety, assistance, and ride-enhancing features include ABS, traction control, a ride-by-wire throttle, and ride modes. LED lighting provides illumination all around.
The Honda NC750X Is The Jack Of All Trades
Beyond the already practical standard package, Honda offers more on the NC750X with a slew of accessories focused on touring comfort and convenience. It offers features like a top case and panniers, with mounts that fit the slim rear section. Convenience accessories include a center stand and a USB charger. Comfort and protection come from heated grips, hand guards, comfort seats, fairing guards, a lower wind deflector, and an adjustable windscreen.
Source: Honda Powersports
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