Two middleweight adventure bikes, the Honda XL750 Transalp and Honda NC750X, return for 2025 with a few upgrades each. Common to both bikes are new LED headlights and updated 5-inch TFT displays, and both ADVs make use of Durabio, a sustainable bio-based polycarbonate resin mainly derived from plant-based isosorbide. The Transalp will begin arriving in dealerships in June 2025, and the NC750X will arrive in May 2025.
2025 Honda XL750 Transalp
The Honda XL750 Transalp returns after its second year in the U.S. market with a few upgrades aimed to improve comfort and convenience, including changes to its aerodynamics, instrumentation, lighting, and suspension settings.
The Transalp entered the U.S. market in 2024 equipped with a 755cc parallel-Twin engine, five ride modes, traction control, ABS, and 21- and 18-inch front and rear spoked wheels with tube-type tires. For more information and riding impressions, read our Honda XL750 Transalp review.
For 2025, the Transalp gets a new central aero duct in the upper fairing to improve aerodynamics and agility. The windscreen is now constructed from high-transparency Durabio and is said to reduce buffeting around the helmet with the help of the revised middle cowl. This redesigned front end is focused around a new dual-projector LED headlight. The updated 5-inch TFT display features optical bonding to make it more visible in bright sunlight and now offers Honda RoadSync iOS/Android smartphone connectivity.
The 43mm inverted Showa Separate Function Fork is now tuned to offer less compression and rebound damping and offers 7.9 inches of wheel travel and preload adjustment. The remote-reservoir Showa shock with Pro-Link system features increased compression and rebound damping for more control on uneven ground, as well as offering preload adjustment and 7.5 inches of travel. Ground clearance is 8.3 inches.
The 2025 Honda XL750 Transalp will be available in White or Deep Pearl Gray with an MSRP of $9,999.
2025 Honda NC750X DCT
Honda’s “Swiss Army knife” adventure bike also returns for 2025 with a few updates. Introduced in 2012 as the NC700X and upgraded in 2021 with more engine performance, lower weight, and a reduced seat height, this ADV gets refreshed styling, improved brakes, lighter wheels, a revised DCT transmission, and a more visible TFT display.
The NC750X’s 745cc parallel-Twin returns for 2025, but its Dual-Clutch Transmission has been improved. The new version is said to offer a more delicate clutch response thanks to its ability to estimate the oil pressure of the clutch piston chamber and review the way feedback gain is applied. The DCT also gets a setting to facilitate low-speed riding. It offers four ride modes that affect settings for power, engine braking, and Honda Selectable Torque Control.
The bike’s upper and lower fairings are revised with sharper creases and detail lines, as well as easier removal and installation. The new seat cover features added stitching, and there’s a revised cover for the storage area where the fuel tank would traditionally sit. The bike also gets a new LED headlight and a revised tailsection. It also makes use of Durabio material in some fairing parts, the windscreen, and a few other components.
Like on the Transalp described above, the NC750X’s 5-inch TFT screen is improved with optical bonding to make it more visible in bright sunlight, and it offers Honda RoadSync connectivity with a simplified and backlit four-way toggle-switch on the left-hand controls.
The previous single 2-piston front caliper and 320mm disc is replaced with dual 2-piston axial-mounted calipers paired with 296mm discs. Rear braking components remain the same: a 1-piston caliper paired with a 240mm disc. New 17-inch “three-by-three” spoke cast-aluminum wheels save 4 lb of unsprung weight compared to the previous wheels.
The 2025 Honda NC750X DCT will be available in Matte Pearl White with an MSRP of $9,499.
Visit the Honda website for more information.
Check out more new bikes in Rider’s 2025 Motorcycle Buyers Guide
The NC is begging for more power
I just don’t understand the love affair with matte finishes. It’s hard to make myself buy a bike that already looks old and faded. At least offer one other color with a gloss finish.
Drive by wire with 5 ride modes and yet still no cruise control? What is Honda thinking?
Agreed. CC and heated grips would be nice. Who needs five ride modes on a bike that makes little HP?
At this point a new bike with this level of technology and no cruise control is ridiculous.
Completely agree. Greed is the only possible explanation.
Why cant create a little brother of the africa twin that looks exactly the same but smaller, im 100% sure that it will sell. Its not rocket science a lot of rider love the africa twin but too uncomfortable with its size.
I own the NC750X over here in the US and a Forza 750 in Europe (2023 both of them, same engine). I’m pretty happy with both, despite having owned bikes with a lot more hp not so long ago.
The thing about this engine is the strong torque at low and mid-range and the low rpm’s while cruising at highway speeds.
3K is 60 mph and 5K is almost 100 mph. These miraculous numbers for a 750 and the fun factor of the DCT are the essence of this new concept. The practicality of the ‘frunk’ and how the chassis and wheels hug the pavement complete the fun puzzle. Very effective ABS brakes and the 4 riding modes do make a difference as well.
And I agree about the matte colors. Planning to plasti-dip with clear coat some of the plastics around after I finish pinstriping them.
Most riders don’t care about all the rider modes etc. which increase the price of the bikes. Also if they lower the seat heights a lot of shorter men and woman would consider buying them.