Honda NX650 Dominator Review

Good Points
Excellent, charismatic engine. Handling is good for its type.

Bad Points
Very poor protection for rear shock. Cuts out for no reason if you set the tickover to get that lovely 'thump, thump, thump' sound - problem goes away if you set it a bit higher, but then you lose that sound.

General Comments
Before my Honda NX650 Dominator, I had a Suzuki DR650 for a few years, because I couldn't find a Dominator at the right price. I found it a rather top-heavy bike, which felt a lot like riding an inverted pyramid when you had just filled it up with fuel - always felt like the front wheel was going to tuck under as I turned out of the filling station. The way the large tank fairing totally obscured your view of the front wheel just made this feeling worse. The dominator seems to have a much lower centre of gravity, doesn't have such a big, ugly fairing or screen, and still feels 'right' even when the tank is full - much better. Add to this the same rocket-like delivery of power it shares with the DR, and you have a winner. Really glad I swapped.