Honda Forza 750 (2025)– Review | Maxi-scooter or Bike?

Technical Review: Ben Purvis (08/10/2024)
Riding Review: Luke Brackenbury (21/08/2025)

Yamaha might have started the capacity battle for maxi-scooters with the launch of the TMAX in 2001, and while Honda’s Silver Wing also arrived at the same, Big H really took it to the limit with the Integra 700 a decade later – and even in 2025 its direct descendant the Forza 750 is about as big and fast as a ‘scooter’ has ever been.

We put ‘scooter’ in inverted commas here because the Forza, like the Integra before it, really blurs the distinction between motorcycle and scooter like no other bike (scootercycle?). The proportions say scooter, but while there’s no tank between your legs, there’s a big 745cc twin-cylinder engine that prevents it from being a step-thru. And while there’s no clutch or foot controls, the transmission is Honda’s high-tech dual-clutch manual rather than droning CVT.

With 100mph-plus potential and a 200 mile-plus range, it can tour more capably than many ‘real’ motorcycles, and for 2025 it’s got better than ever before.

But here’s the real question: can a maxi-scooter really offer the thrill, comfort, and versatility of a ‘proper’ motorcycle—without the compromises? If you’re curious whether the Forza 750 is the ultimate hybrid of style, substance, and practicality, read on. You might just rethink everything you thought you knew about scooters.

Pros & Cons

2025 Honda Forza 750 - Price & PCP Deals

While the launch price was £10,499, by the time we got to ride the 2025 Honda Forza 750 it's list price was £10,699, and the first reaction to the Forza’s price is that it seems pricey – you’ll be getting comments like “You could have a real bike for that!” – but once you start to dig around for rivals that share the same combination of practicality, ease-of-use and performance rapidly becomes clear that there’s little else out there that offers the same combination of abilities at a comparable price. Let’s remember, the Yamaha TMAX Techmax costs over £14k!

Sure, you can get a ‘real’ bike for less, even a twist-and-go Honda NC750X with DCT is more than a grand cheaper than the Forza, but for customers who really want a premium, high-performance scooter the Forza 750 is pretty much the default option.

While the updates for 2025 don’t amount to a clean-sheet redesign, they’re laser targeted at the job of making the Forza package even more compelling. When we tested the previous model our main gripes were the lack of an adjustable screen or cruise control – both really essential on a bike with the Forza’s aims. Guess what two of the main additions for 2025 are? Yep, an electrically adjustable screen and standard-fit cruise… it’s like they were listening.

This A2-compliant machine has a current PCP offering shaped like this:

2025 Honda Forza 750 - Engine & Performance

The Forza 750’s heritage can be traced back through its predecessor, the Integra 750 and the Integra 700 that came before it, all the way to 2010 and Honda’s ‘New Mid’ concept bike – a machine that Honda said at the time ‘reinvents the way we look at two-wheeled travel.’

That might have been a little overblown, but with nearly 15 years under the bridge since then it’s clear that Honda was onto something, and the essential rightness of that New Mid idea was illustrated in the fact that the Integra 700 that reached showrooms two years later in 2012 was all but identical to the concept bike.

And while the name has changed and the style has been updated, the descendancy is clear all the way to the latest Forza 750, and particularly in its powertrain. The low-slung parallel twin engine is the same 745cc unit used in the previous Forza 750 and the Integra 750 that preceded it, itself a development of the 670cc version that first broke cover in that New Mid concept in 2010.

With 57.8hp on tap at 6750rpm and 50.9lbft of torque at just 4750rpm, and redlined at just 7000rpm, it’s a motor designed for economy and efficiency rather than performance. Despite a 270-degree firing interval, the SOHC motor is kept smooth by twin balancers, and the same engine can be found in both the NC750X and the X-ADV. As in the past, a power-limited, 47hp version is available for A2 licence holders as well.

The engine might be designed to be unobtrusive above all, but it’s bolted to a transmission that remains one of the most technically interesting ever to grace a production bike. It is, of course, Honda’s DCT – a twin-clutch, automated manual that can truly claim to be ‘seamless’ thanks to its ability to select two gears simultaneously and then switch between them by hydraulically disengaging one clutch and engaging the other. In contrast to previous attempts at automatic bikes, right back to Honda’s old ‘Hondamatics,’ DCT has proved to be a roaring sales success despite its cost, weight and complexity. Nearly quarter of a million DCT-equipped bikes have been sold in Europe alone since the system’s debut on the 2009 VFR1200F.

For 2025 the box is revised with a new system to give more delicate clutch operation (not that you operate it), improving low-speed controllability – exactly the region where Forza 750 users are likely to benefit the most. And we can say it’s an improvement.

Like the previous version, there are both full-auto and manual modes, giving the Forza 750 an edge over more traditional twist-and-go scooters that can’t give riders the same level of control. Auto mode offers four programs, progressively increasing the shift point rpm, and it’s tied into the bike’s riding modes which include ‘Rain,’ ‘Standard,’ ‘Sport’ and configurable ‘User’ settings.

Having the choice of gearbox is good, something that the TMAX would benefit from. On our test, commuting through a city and shop runs was handled by fully auto, but when we wanted to get a move on when riding up through the Lincolnshire Wolds, the manual shift made for a more engaging ride.

2025 Honda Forza 750 - Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight & Brakes)

Like other models in the ‘NC’ range that first appeared alongside the Integra 700 and have today evolved into the NC750X and the X-ADV, the Forza 750’s chassis is a steel ‘diamond’ design, and – somewhat counterintuitively – the Forza’s suspension and brakes are of a higher spec than the motorcycle-style NC750X, including USD forks and radial brake calipers.

The chassis setup is carried over unchanged from the previous generation, but the 2025 bike gets new ‘3by3’ alloy wheels – 17in at the front, 15in rear – and its weight rises by a single kilo to 236kg including fuel.

The overall chassis specs include a long 1580mm wheelbase, bigger than that of the NC750X but a fraction shorter than the X-ADV, and the same 27° rake as its sister models. Even though its wheelbase is longer, the Forza’s turning circle is tighter than the NC750X’s, matching the X-ADV’s 2.8 metres.

The ergonomics allow for more options of changing your riding position, so you can shift weight when you’re in full attack mode. If you’re coming to the Forza from a conventional bike, it allows a similar foot position as well as a feet first style. And for me, the former provided more feel to push on and have a good time.

I feel like I’m attacking the TMAX a bit, but that bike couldn’t handle faster bumpy roads without knocking the air out of your lungs and compressing your spine. In comparison, the Forza’s out of the showroom suspension lapped up everything I threw at it (it at?) and handled one particular ‘ambition outweighing talent’ moment when I was forced to brake very deep into a corner. It really is an impressive suspension and ABS set up.

2025 Honda Forza 750 - Comfort & Economy

The Forza might be a scooter, but it’s one that’s big and fast enough to double as a long-distance touring machine so comfort is high on the priority list.

A low 790mm seat height gives it the edge over the X-ADV and NC750X on the accessibility front, and it’s new profile aids easier reach to the ground. With my 30 inch inside legs, I can vouch that this combined with the re-profiled bodywork for the improved confidence of getting my feet to the ground - again, a criticism of the TMAX that it is very wide for those with short legs. And while I’m Yamaha bashing again, you can actually semi-step through the Honda…

Also for 2025 Honda has addressed one of our main criticisms by adding not only an adjustable screen but an electric one at that. Some 10cm (25%) wider than the previous version, the new design moves over 10° of angle and 120mm of height through its range of motion, and like some more expensive tourers it automatically lowers to its minimum position when the ignition is switched off, making the bike as compact as possible when parked. A memory function puts the screen back to its last-used position when you get going again, but not until your speed passes 5km/h (3mph).

Like the new 2025 X-ADV and NT1100, the screen and much of the fairing are made using Durabio, a biologically-based polycarbonate, and there’s an increased amount of recycled plastic elsewhere on the bike’s bodywork.

As well as giving the bike a new look for 2025, Honda claims that the restyle makes the mirrors easier to adjust and boosts wind protection without adding bulk that might compromise the bike’s in-town abilities.

In our time with the Forza, we managed an average fuel economy of 57.69mpg, giving us a theoretical tank range of 167.5 miles. That’s quite a way off the claimed 78.5mpg and 230-mile range. But I did give it some thrashing…

The new cruise control function is easy to activate and further use of that might make it a little easier to hit that maximum efficiency. Even if it doesn’t, it does take some of the strain on long-distance, constant-speed trips. It’s operated by new bar-mounted switches, with software that integrates it with the DCT transmission.

2025 Honda Forza 750 - Equipment

The optically bonded TFT screen, keyless ‘Smart Key’ operation of the ignition, fuel cap and seat lock, as well as kit including Emergency Stop System rear indicators that flash when you hit the anchors hard, are carried across from the previous generation of Forza 750 but there are also new additions for 2025.

Among these are a repositioned USB-C port, now mounted on the bars for easy access rather than under the seat. But my issue with this is that the bars turn and there’s not a bit of space for an aftermarket mount to put a smartphone (probably because Honda has the RoadSync app which is easy to use and features turn-by-turn directions on the splendid dash and, when paired with a Bluetooth helmet, let you operate music and phone functions with announcements for calls, messages and emails etc.). So, they could have left the plug under the seat so phones could be out of sight, and means the best place to charge your phone is in your pocket.  Speaking of the screen, simplified and backlit four-way toggle switch to operate the menus.

Buyers can also upgrade their Forza 750s with an array of options packages including a ‘Comfort Pack’ of wind deflectors, comfort seat, heated grips and a console bag. There’s also a ‘Style Pack’ with fog lights and cosmetic body add-ons, and a ‘Travel Pack’ that includes colour-matched panniers – 26l on the right and 33l on the left for a total of 59 litres of space. The ‘Urban Pack’ adds a 50-litre top box, aluminium rear carrier and more. Of course, you can also pick and mix options including luggage and comfort equipment to suit your own requirements.

2025 Honda Forza 750 - Rivals

Two of the closest competitors for the Forza 750 come not only from within Honda’s own range but the same model family – the X-ADV and NC750X are both machines that offer a similar combination of practicality and useability combined with that all-important automated transmission. However, potential buyers might also want to consider Yamaha’s TMAX – the grandaddy of the maxi-scooter breed – or as an early-adopter choice, how about BMW’s electric CE 04 with its motorway-capable top speed and 80-mile range?

Honda X-ADV (2025)| Price: £11,249

Read more

Power/Torque

57.8bhp / 50.9lb-ft

Weight

237kg

Honda NC750X DCT (2024) | Price: £8799

Read more

Power/Torque

57.8bhp / 50.9lb-ft

Weight

224kg

Yamaha TMAX Tech Max (2024) | Price: £14,403

Read more

Power/Torque

47bhp / 41lb-ft

Weight

220kg

BMW CE 04 (2024) | Price: £12,850

Read more

Power

42bhp / 45.7lb-ft

Weight

231kg

2025 Honda Forza 750 - Verdict

Honda has answered the biggest criticisms of the previous model in terms of comfort, accessibility and weather protection. Very well done. But is it a motorcycle or is it a scooter? Well, it’s both in one. You can be lazy, feet forward and full auto or sweep your feet back and shift up and down with your finger and thumb.

Much like the Yamaha TMAX, this is a premium machine and feels every bit of it and a bike’s transmission shouldn’t really be a judge of its value. The DCT box is a genius bit of engineering and sure, ‘purists’ might not like it, but not all riders can or want to shift gears conventionally; the Forza provides an option.

The Forza 750 is a bit long and heavy to manoeuvre if you’ve not got a lot of space where you park it, and you’ll have to remember there’s a chain to lube and adjust.

Unlike some other large capacity scooters that are fairly restricted to less exciting roads, this is where the Honda trumps the opposition as this scooterbike can really get a lick on. And I know looks are subjective, but I think the Forza looks good, but would like it in a Fireblade red, white and blue colour scheme! No need for winglets (yet).

So, if you’re not quite ready to give up shifting gears and have a smaller engine capacity, but want to make riding that bit easier, then get a test ride on the Honda Forza 750 and save a stack of money over the Yamaha TMAX.

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2025 Honda Forza 750 - Technical Specification

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MCIA Secured gives motorcycles a rating out of five stars (three stars for bikes of 125cc or less), based on the following being fitted to a new bike as standard:

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