What is the Honda NC750X?
Honda has been producing the NC700 series for over a decade now, and more than any other manufacturer, they seem to understand the need for a balanced bike that can do everything. Whether on the road or the dirt of a mountain trail, Honda sought to have its feet planted in both worlds, appealing to riders across the board. At first, the “New Concept” delved deeply into the ADV world, but during the last year or two, Honda seems to have rethought that leaning just a bit. While considered an ADV, most of the upgrades of recent years have strived to make the life of the daily rider easier and more user-friendly.
The NC750X underwent some major tweaks for the 2021 model, and the latest incarnation (2022) changes very little from that offering. Several years ago, Honda moved from a 670cc to a bigger 745cc. New valve timing and enhanced exhaust boosted the engine's power even further. The current 745cc twin-cylinder engine produces 58 hp and 51 lb.ft torque @ 4500 RPMs, which is plenty of strength for almost any application. What impressed me most about the bike was its fuel-efficient, getting 67 mpg from its 3.8-gallon tank under the seat.
With a six-speed DCT transmission, the bike shifts effortlessly, as if it barely bothers moving from gear to gear. (I enjoyed the smoothness of the shift and how the bike can do the heavy lifting for me. This aspect gives me more time to watch my surroundings without worrying about what gear I need to be in).
In addition to the DCT, the motorcycle has four driver modes, Sport, Standard, and Rain, and a custom-only User setting. While the Sport mode is quite peppy, and the Rain mode is more cautious (you would expect that), the Standard mode does an excellent job of balancing performance and giving you torque when pushed, even while it keeps its head about itself.
Aesthetically, the bike is sleek and refined and makes for a pleasant image. The 17-inch front wheel is very street capable, and the tires have good grip and traction even on wet pavement, particularly in Rain drive mode. The seat is lower, making it more rider-friendly and giving the bike a more street look than the ADV NCs of previous years.
What are the Best Tires for the NC750X?
There are various manufacturers who produce quality tires for the Honda NC750X. We have listed and reviewed our favorites below.
Metzeler Tourance Next
Each Honda NC750X comes equipped with Metzeler Tourance tires. This sport-touring tire is designed for mostly street vs. dirt use (about 90/10). The traction grips well when accelerated and holds during braking. The tire has a compound formula of polymers and silica that increases its ability to handle wet pavement.
This tire is remarkably stable, with a center strip to enhance the surface contact with the road on straightways and a more rounded sidewall that cushions and softens to maximize exposure in corners. In addition, it wears well and should last for up to 10,000 miles; for the average motorcyclist, that is about three years, give or take.
Metzeler is a German manufacturer of tires for motorcycles whose parent company, Pirelli, also has a rich history of tire building. The company started making small rubber items, hoses, and the like, in the late 1800s and quickly developed into producing tires. During WWII, the Allies bombed the plant, which set them back, but after the war, the company recovered with help from the West and soon began supplying tires on a global scale.
Metzeler has a rich European tradition and is one of the most popular brands of tires, especially for those on the racing circuit. The tire is moderately priced and suitable for the street or the occasional off-road excursion.
Load and Speed (58 - front; 72 - rear)
- The load limit for the Metzeler Tourance Next front tire is 520 lbs.
- The load limit for the rear tire is 783 lbs.
- This tire's speed rating is W, rated for 168 mph.
Pros
- OEM tire -
- Built for wear and wet road conditions
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Built overseas
- Sometimes tricky to purchase - out of stock, many retailers
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer's website.
- Check on Today’s Price at revzilla.com
Pirelli Diablo Russo IV
This is one of the best tires on the market, bare none. The tire is made with excellent treadwear and designed for optimal feel and grip. The compound has enough stickiness to aid braking and provide more than adequate surface contact for acceleration. The tire responds well to driver inputs and has enough cushion to minimize the stiffness you often feel from less expensive tires.
The Diablo Russo line has existed for over twenty years since it was first introduced in 2002. The engineers keep improving and improving their sport tire to be more efficient and solid. While first designed as a tire for supersport bikes, the Diablo quickly made a name for itself, and Pirelli expanded the compound for use in every kind of motorcycle tire, from scooters to ADV bikes.
Pirelli is an Italian tire manufacturer that has been in business since 1871 and is based out of Milan. They have a massive amount of race test data that helps them design what many consider the best tires. Their presence as the sole tire provider for Formula One and their usage in the World Supersport circuit attests to their commitment to safety and speed.
Load and Speed (58 - front; 73 - rear)
- The load limit for the Pirelli Diablo Russo IV is 520 lbs.
- The load limit for the rear tire is 73, which is 805 lbs.
- This tire's speed rating is W, rated for 168 mph.
Pros
- A quality tire that is built to last a long time
- Excellent grip on dry or wet surfaces
- Handles curves well and provides confidence in handling
- A rich tradition in the manufacture of motorcycle and racing tires.
- Five stars on the Revzilla website.
Cons
- Built overseas
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer's website.
- Check on Today’s Price at revzilla.com
Bridgestone Battlax T32
This sport-touring tire is an improvement over the T31 that Bridgestone has been producing for several years. A wider rear tire and flatter center space offer more surface contact, which in turn helps provide greater stability on wet pavements, and increased traction on dry. The T32 also has changed the tread design to evacuate more water away from the center of the tire, and the siping extends up the sidewall to provide additional contact and confidence for cornering. The tire has a compound that resists wear and gives more than adequate longevity. A definite improvement over the T31. (A GT option is available for heavier bikes).
Bridgestone began in 1931 in Japan as a producer of tires and, amazingly enough, golf balls. Over the years, the tire company grew to be the largest tire manufacturer in Japan and, in the mid-1960s, began selling overseas in the US market. About twenty years later, the company acquired its first American tire plant in Nashville, and shortly after that, it merged with Firestone, the second-largest tire maker in the US. The merger made them the largest manufacturer of tires in the world. (A distinction that they continue to hold).
Load and Speed (55 - front; 73 - rear)
- The load limit for the Bridgestone Battlax T32 front tire is 481 lbs.
- The load limit for the rear tire is 805 lbs.
- This tire's speed rating is W, rated for 168 mph.
Pros
- Much better tire than T31
- Better channeling of water away from the center
- New tread design
- Siping extends up sidewall for improved grip during cornering
- The largest maker of tires in the world
Cons
- Built overseas (Japan)
- Three stars on Revzilla (but five stars on Amazon)
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer's website.
- Check on Today’s Price at revzilla.com
Dunlop Sportmax Q3+
The Dunlop Sportmax Q3 is the only hypersport tire made in the US, and that is a very good thing. Dunlop is the only company that designs, tests, and produces motorcycle tires in the states. This particular tire is made by the folks at the plant in Buffalo, NY. So, if you want an American-made good tire, the Dunlop is the way to go.
The tires use unique carbon-fiber technology to reinforce sidewalls for better curve handling. The new tread pattern is minimal (it reminds me of a racing slick), but the siping channels water behind the tire grooves, improving traction on wet roads. The tire is in the Q3 series, which is a tire that has been around for the last decade and is considered one of the best sports tires on the market. The Q3 Plus is a refinement of what was already a solid sports tire that could also handle whatever condition a rider might face.
Dunlop is named after the inventor of the pneumatic tire, John Dunlop, who received a patent for it in 1888 and a year later formed a company to produce the tire for bicycles. During the early 1900s, the company grew in size, securing a steady rubber supply from Malaysian Plantations. In 1982, the company divested much of its rubber production to a Japanese conglomerate, and eventually, the company became a part of the Goodyear family.
Load and Speed (58 - front; 69 - rear)
- The load limit for the Dunlop Sportmax Q3+ is 520 lbs.
- The load limit for the rear tire is 69, which is 716 lbs.
- This tire's speed rating is W, rated for 168 mph.
Pros
- Built in the USA
- Excellent grip from tire in all conditions
- Handles curves well
- 4.8 stars on the Revzilla website.
Cons
- I would like more siping on the sides
- More expensive than other makes
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer's website.
- Check on Today’s Price at revzilla.com
Michelin Road 6
The Michelin is the most expensive tire on the list, but don’t let the extra cost fool you. The company has been making the Road series of tires for twenty years and has plenty of data to help fashion the perfect tire. Michelin is currently the second largest tire maker in the world and has had a reputation for building excellence into every tire they make (at least, that’s what my gramps always told me).
This is a balanced tire that performs exceptionally well. Michelin invented the dual compound technology and their latest rendition (2 CT+), which was developed to help the tire hold up during sudden acceleration, and panic braking. The sidewalls have been reinforced to provide better contact with the pavement during the lean on a curve.
The longevity of the tire is superb, improved by about 10%, and there is a 15% increase in stopping distance from the Road 6 over its predecessor.
Michelin is a French multinational that has been making tires for a long time (like 1889 long). Today, the company has grown into a global giant, with 123 production centers in 26 countries and employing over 124,000 workers worldwide. They make every kind of tire you might imagine, from the space shuttle to the most petite scooter.
Load and Speed (58 - front; 69 - rear)
- The load limit for the 58W is 520 lbs.
- The load limit for the rear tire is 69, which is 716 lbs.
- This tire's speed rating is W, rated for 168 mph.
Pros
- Very quality - balanced tire
- 15% better traction in wet conditions
- Handles curves well
- 4.9 stars on the Revzilla website.
Cons
- More expensive than other makes
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer's website.
- Check on Today’s Price at revzilla.com
Pirelli Angel GT II
Pirelli strikes again with one of the best tires you can buy. This sport-touring tire has a new tread design, a dedicated center stripe for superb traction on the straight road, and a new polymer compound for the sidewalls to help during curves. The tread cuts move away from the middle of the tire to aid in water evacuation, enhancing the grip on wet pavements. Pirelli has been making the Angel series since 2010 and continues to improve with the GT's intro in 2014 and now the GTII.
The rear tire has been revamped to keep in contact with the road through all weather conditions. As the GT name implies, the tire can handle more of a load on the rear than most sport-touring counterparts. This tire is the best seller on Amazon for Street Motorcycle Sport tires (which is why we saved the best for last).
Pirelli surrendered controlling interest in their company in 2015 to ChemChina. The agreement keeps the present leadership intact until next year, when the Chinese multinational will take over operations presumably, although that remains to be seen.
Load and Speed (58 - front; 69 - rear)
- The load limit for the 58W is 520 lbs.
- The load limit for the rear tire is 69, which is 716 lbs.
- This tire's speed rating is W, rated for 168 mph.
Pros
- Number one on Amazon
- GT handles additional loads for longer trips
- Handles curves well
- 4.8 stars on the Revzilla website.
Cons
- More expensive than other makes
Price
- For more information, please see the manufacturer's website.
- Check on Today’s Price at revzilla.com
What Do the Numbers on the Side of the Tire Mean?
Every motorcycle tire has a series of numbers on the sidewall that identify the size of the tire, rim size, load, and weight ratings.
The first number (120 on the front tire of the Honda NC750X or 160 on the rear) is the tire's width in mm.
The number following the / sign is the aspect ratio of the tire expressed as a percentage of the width.
The letter R indicates the construction of the tire as a radial.
Then there is a space, a series of two numbers, and a letter inside the parentheses. These figures indicate the load limit and the speed rating. For example 58W translates to 58 = 520 lbs and W = 168 mph. Motorcycles usually have heavier load limits for rear tires than for the front.
What Different Types of Street Tires Are There?
There are many different classifications for tires. Here are a few of the designations and what they mean.
Sport/Super-Sport/HyperSport
Sport tires have a slicker tread and softer compounds designed for higher speeds and better stability during curves. Due to the softer tread, the sport tire can provide traction for straightaways and has reasonable gripping force when braking. The only downside is that they tend to wear more quickly than other types.
Cruiser/Touring
These tires have stiffer sidewalls and deeper treads than many sport tires. Generally, these tires can handle greater weight and are built for long road trips and more extended miles. Due to this parameter, they also have excellent traction on wet pavements. A touring tire is made for tread wear and usually lasts longer than other tires.
Sport - Touring
The Sport - Touring tire strives to have the best of both worlds. Many manufacturers will make viable tires for both street and long-distance applications. The tires are usually made of dual compounds, with a softer compound for the sidewall (to increase grip during a curve) and a stiffer polymer for the main surface of the tread. The more complex tread helps the ride on straightaways and lends itself to tread wear and mileage.
What are the Signs A Motorcycle Tire Needs Replacing?
There are many signs a rider should look for when inspecting their tires to determine if they need to be replaced. A good tire inspection before you ride can help minimize the inconvenience of a blown tire.
The tire doesn’t hold pressure.
Many motorcyclists don’t ride enough to keep their tires adequately inflated. If you are a casual rider who takes your bike out for a ride now and then, be sure to check for the sign of a flat or underinflated tire before you take off.
The tire will not hold pressure if there has been damage to the valve stem or the rim is bent. This situation means the tire is not sealing to the edge of the rim and allowing air to escape. So, if you examine the tire and it is flat, try to air it up and see if you can determine where the air seems to be escaping.
The tire is punctured.
During the inspection, be sure to look for any pieces of metal, screws, or foreign objects. Often roofing nails or screws can get embedded into the tire. Any puncture on the sidewall is an immediate warning that the tire should be replaced.
The tire shows signs of dry rot.
Any signs of graying, small cracks, or tire feathering are likely signs of dry rot. Dry rot happens to tires because they sit too long, and the rubber compound breaks down. If you spot signs of dry rot, replace the tire immediately.
The tire has a bubble or wart on the surface or sidewall
Sometimes, a tire scrapes against a curb or rock and develops a weak spot. The tire begins to pimple or develop a wart (a raised bubble on the surface). Do not ride on your tire if you spot this abrasion. Instead, get busy buying new tires.
