Bikers know it: You want to greet a like-minded person – and accidentally raise your hand for a scooter. How embarrassing, get your hands off! But why actually? Most motorcyclists take it for granted that scooters are not part of the community. The cliché of slow and cheap replacement cars no longer applies in every case.
The Forza 750 and the NC 750 X from Honda show how close the two species can now be. Or to put it another way: a scooter with 750 cubic capacity, 17-inch front wheel and chain drive. And a motorcycle with a large integrated storage compartment and (optional) DCT gearbox.
Scooters and motorcycles have never been so close.
In terms of engine and chassis, they even share the same basis. That means: almost. While the NC comes with telescopic forks and a disc brake on the front wheel, the Forza is adorned with upside-down forks and two front brake discs. Both are powered by the same powerful, purring 750 cc two-cylinder engine, which with its 59 hp cuts a fine figure in both the tourer and the scooter.
And what about everyday usability? A draw, we’d say. The storage space of the NC is larger and more accessible. In return, the lush Forza paneling protects more reliably from the weather. Only the step-through with the scooter can hardly be described as such. Because the truth is, Forza riders mount like a motorcycle. However, they are both handy.
The NC 750 X has a monochrome LC display with fewer functions than the scooter.
This is not only due to the almost identical seat heights of 790 and 800 millimeters, which are also suitable for short drivers like our testers, but also to the low centers of gravity of both vehicles. The suspension and damping also leave a similar impression: Both the scooter and the touring bike are tightly tuned, but without appearing bony.
The NC seems to have copied the intuitive operation from the Forza. Instead of an overloaded cockpit, a simple control element provides information here, via which three driving modes can be selected. Neither of these two companions really needs more technical frills.
engine
displacement
perfomance
Max. Torque
Top
tires v./h.
seat height
Weight
tank capacity
Price
43 kW (59 hp) at 6750 rpm
120/70 ZR 17 / 160/60 ZR 17
43 kW (59 hp) at 6750 rpm
120/70R17 / 160/60R15
That means: except for the fast-reacting and optionally manually operated dual-clutch transmission. This is warmly recommended to everyone who doesn’t feel like constantly shifting gears in city traffic or on alpine pass roads. The almost 3000 euros more expensive Forza is equipped with it as standard. For the NC, the DCT costs 1000 euros extra. The plus in comfort: priceless.
We would like to say the same about the seat of the NC 750 X. However, it is not only narrow, it also turns out to be too hard on longer journeys. The rather acute knee angle and the very narrow footrests quickly cause unpleasant tingling in the legs. The driver wishes she could be on the wide sofa of the scooter with plenty of legroom and two running boards. On the other hand, the sportier NC has the edge in terms of lean angle freedom. The Forza does not have to hide here either.
The Forza 750, on the other hand, has a color display and can pair Android smartphones.
That leaves the image. The NC 750 X clearly has the higher acceptance and petrol talk factor. This is not least due to the refusal of many bikers, as described at the beginning, to recognize a scooter as part of the two-wheeler community. Good for Forza drivers! Because while the scooter can be unabashedly functional and comfortable fun equipment, the NC struggles a bit with its reputation as a characterless bike. (Bike innovations for 2022)
Despite skeptical looks, the scooter rider is confident of victory.
Honda puts the 750 X in the “Adventure” category, raising false expectations of an uncomplicated and rock-solid bike. When you stop at the motorcycle club, you sometimes get the feeling of having to justify yourself. Also because some experts define themselves by the cubic capacity of their machine, laugh at “girl mopeds” and ramble on about “fear stripes” if the tire isn’t worn out on the outside. We like to get on the scooter. And plead for more tolerance.
