What 2 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Honda Nc750x

After starting up the motorcycle after refueling it at the end of a 70 mile drive the DCT, dual clutch transmission, refused to engage. The motorcycle refused to go in gear when the transmission rocker switch was pushed to engage the transmission. I then waited approximately 15 minutes thinking it might be good to let the transmission cool down after the previous long drive, and then I started the motorcycle, and after numerous attempts with the transmission rocker switch finally, the transmission went into gear. I then left the gas station, but soon realized the transmission would not shift to a higher gear either automatically or using the paddle shifters on the left handlebar, the transmission refused to shift up from first gear. The motorcycle shop I purchased this Honda motorcycle from was 12 miles away so I proceeded to that shop in first gear at 25 to 30 mph on the shoulder of the road with my four-way flashers flashing. The general manager of the motorcycle shop road tested the motorcycle the next day, the transmission engaged and shifted as normal. I should mention that about a year ago similar problems occurred with the transmission being frozen in third gear. The same Honda shop thought they had sorted the problem with a transmission reset protocol, and the bike has functioned normally over the past year until the recent transmission failure prompting this report. This is a true safety concern if the transmission refused to engage or not shift properly in any number of scenarios where the motorcycle rider could be left in vulnerable position. I have read on Internet, Motorcycle forums where a number of higher mileage Honda DCT Motorcycles are experiencing similar problems. The Motorcycle described in this incident has 55,000 miles on the odometer.

NHTSA ODI 11672362

Honda redesigned the left switch housing on the handlebars of their street motorcycles beginning about 2014. They placed the horn button above the turn signal switch. This is completely opposite of what is standard across multiple brands and countless millions of street bikes such as the 2012 Yamaha which I also own. The horn button is in an awkward location and counterintuitive. One must completely relax their grip and reach up with their thumb to "find" the switch. In such a situation where reaction time is vital, like warning a car about to change lanes dangerously, the moment lost trying to "find" the horn button on my 2018 Honda NC750X could be fatal. This has nearly happened more than a few times since I purchased the bike in April of 2019, including today, 2/27/22.

NHTSA ODI 11454383