... At first glance, the Honda NT650V - Deauville may not be everyones cup of tea. As more and more people get in to biking, or return to biking after many years away, the demand for stylish, high powered performance bikes is the driving force behind most of the major manufacturers.
For the ... Read review
Advantages: Excellent Roadholding, ecconomical, comfortable Disadvantages: very slightly underpowered
...versa. At first glance, the Honda NT650V - Deauville may not be everyones cup of tea. As more and more people get in to biking, or return to biking after many years away, the demand for stylish, high powered performance bikes is the driving force behind most of the major manufacturers.
For the last 8 years or so, the king of the large touring section has been the Honda Pan European (ST1100). This reliable, comfortable shaft drive bike ... ...then, I have taken a Honda MAC course (highly recommended) and my Institute of Advanced Motorists motorcycle test, as well as covering over 2000 miles of my own.
The first impression when sitting on the Deauville is its size. It "feels" like a big bike. And yet, just rolling it out of the garage, it shows that it is light and superbly balanced. It does not take a handful of steroids in the morning to manhandle it out of its ... more
Riding a motorcycle is a very personal affair. What one person loves, others will hate and vice versa. At first glance, the Honda NT650V - Deauville may not be everyones cup of tea. As more and more people get in to biking, or return to biking after many years away, the demand for stylish, high powered performance bikes is the driving force behind most of the major manufacturers.
For the last 8 years or so, the king of the large touring section has been the Honda Pan European (ST1100). This reliable, comfortable shaft drive bike has found its way in to the highly competitive market of big tourers, even dominating the market as the choice of most of British Police forces as their main traffic response bike.
However, many people have found the Pan to be too big and heavy for day to day commuting, with fuel effeciencies not that much better than a small car. It was here that Honda, in typical Japenese style, found the niche in the market. A mid-range tourer, with sporty ability, light enough to be easy to ride, yet sturdy enough for everyday use in all weathers. what the came up with was the Deauville.
In simplist terms, the Deauville is an adaptation of the now aging NTV600, a reliable V-twin shaft drive. The frame is nothing fancy, but its strong, light and predictable. The main and obvious differnce is the new body work that covers this frame, which includes a half fairing, with optional tall screen (Very similar to the Pan European), large panniers that are incorporated in to the tail section, and very aerodynamically shaped. The fairing has several little cubbies for storage of items, and the list of optional extras which includes a 6 CD multi-changer, 12v socket, and a Traffic Master system.
My own Deauville is a 1999 registered bike, in red, with the optional tall screen and handlebar wind deflectors. I took possesion of it in February 2002, with 17,000 miles on the clock.
Since then, I have taken a Honda MAC course (highly recommended) and my Institute of Advanced Motorists motorcycle test, as well as covering over 2000 miles of my own.
The first impression when sitting on the Deauville is its size. It "feels" like a big bike. And yet, just rolling it out of the garage, it shows that it is light and superbly balanced. It does not take a handful of steroids in the morning to manhandle it out of its parking space, and it wont need them once on the road either.
Controls are all typical Honda. Clear, concise and well placed. The 648cc V-twin is normally carburated with electronic ignition and the now standard H.I.S.S immobilizing system. Its starts and settles to idle without fuss or drama, with a deep yet refined exhaust note. The 5speed gearbox is smooth, positive and crisp. As one pulls away, the natural balance of the bike takes over within half a wheel rotation. Around town, the very torquey V-twin allows you to select 3rd gear which will pull u easily from a near standstill up to over 60mph without any distress. Its agile frame allows for easy filtering of busy traffic queues, with the confidence of knowing that there is the agility and exceptional braking available to you if the un-thinkable happens.
On open roads, the cornering ability is sturdy and sure footed. this is not a "get-your-knee-down-racing-bike" yet still handles smoothly and laps up bends like a cat with a saucer of cream. Again the torque from that v-twin makes for almost effortless riding, with gearshifting only required occaisionally, and not the constant up and down shifting required of many of the modern superbikes.
After 2 or 3 hours in the saddle, you are still comfortable, without the back breaking strains often encountered on sports bikes. And whilst it is conceeded that the power of this bike is no match for the likes of the CBR600's or ZX6R's of this world, do you really need that much raw power to enjoy a days touring? The power that the Deauville offers is refined, clean and usable, and will also give you fuel returns in the 50-55 mpg range, even on spirited rides.
In short, Honda have created a spot in the market that as yet, no-one else has tried to probe. Mid range touring, at the right price, with the advantages of big bike feel, but without the backache!
Advantages: Perfect all round light weight tourer. Disadvantages: None
As my wife and I started to have more free time, we decided to take up touring again. We mistakenly purchased a Shadow as the seat height is low and I am only 5' 9". Big mistake and my wife hated it.
We bought a new NT700V Deauville and were very happy with it. However, I had a few problems with keeping both feet on the ground at lights etc.
For some unexplained reason, we replaced it with a new Shadow Spirit. This only lasted a few months before ... ...unexplained reason, I have no problems with both feet on the ground with this one.
This is good because the NT700V is the best light weight tourer I have owned. It has excellent manouvarbility, good acceleration and spped, excellent fuel consumption and probably the most comfortable seat on modern bikes.
All round, an excellent bike, perfect for day long cruises around the Yorkshire dales and moors.
Highly recommended. ...
awb714 09.09.2008
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Advantages: Looks good. Integrated panniers Disadvantages: No fuel guage.
...and so I bought a Honda 125 cg to relearn on and to do my test. By law you can not ride larger. Having passed my test (at 52) I changed to a Honda CB500. I enjoyed this for a few months but I wanted something larger engine wise and suitable for a little weekend touring. I found the Deauville!
I am not disappointed. OK a few little things - no fuel guage which I would have expected on a "mini tourer". The panniers are on the small side but serve ... ...the bike easy to wash and to keep clean.
I write this review as a user of the bike and it reflects my findings as a commuter,tourer and someone who enjoys biking. The finer details regarding specification can be found in the sales blurb and on the Honda website. ...
mountainman 01.10.2006
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Comfort
Handling
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Fuel consumption
Quick review of Honda NT650V - Deauville
Mine is a wonderful work-horse. Fairly quick to get out of trouble, stable in corners even in the wet - inspiring confidence and spirited riding, tons of room in the side panniers (I have the bigger ones) and can fit a lid in one side if need be, and still thin enough to weave in and out of traffic. When I can afford it I'm buying the new version. Couple of niggles, screen seems to blast air to the wrong place so I get a head battering at speed (non standard screen I think), Handle bars too low for a shorty like me - though I understand you can get clamp extensions to raise them up an inch... ...
palmerpalmer 22.11.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Honda NT650V - Deauville
Quick review of Honda NT650V - Deauville
excellent machine,comfort,very reliable an excellent little touring machine.very econimical.the engines on this machine are practically bullet proof.they may not be the quickest of bikes but are ideal for daily commuting,touring and even shopping with the top box loads you can carry are immense.would recommend to anyone ...
eggsy66 10.09.2007
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...vibration - just a noise. Finally, I would like to know why a 650 cc motor cycle only gets 4.8 litres/100 km when a Honda Jazz motor car can do as well or better. It's time for motor cycle manufacturers to smarten up in the fuel economy department. ...
Over55 10.12.2004
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