Honda Deauville Review

“Commuting over 100-miles a day on the 1999 NT650V was...”

Written on: 17/08/2008 by dbpg27 (3 reviews written)

Good Points
Ease of ride.
Fuel ecconomy.
Luggage potential.

Bad Points
Standard screen
Gear selector
Range

General Comments
Commuting over 100-miles a day on the 1999 NT650V was enough to drive me to a Pan European but what a great motorcycle all the same!

The ride, handling, luggage capacity, and longevity are fabulous. I had the bike serviced at 67,000 (shortly after I had bought it) and it flew through a mightily thorough inspection.

The bike has not been covered / garaged for many of its 9-years but aside some corrosion around fasteners and a touch to the foot brake the cosmetics have faired really well.

This seems a bomb-proof newbie-rider's bike and more than capable of commuting through town traffic and out to a range of, perhaps 30-miles each way. I just found 50+ miles each way a little tiring.

My Deauville had hand deflectors, MRA Vario screen, wide panniers, bottom fairing, and custom seat making it a special machine in foul weather. Windy conditions did little to change its handling and speed only once gave a worry on the M'way.

The standard screen was insufficient for a tourer and the gear selection can be clunky (Honda!). The 200-mile switch to reserve can also be a pain (ie. had to do this each 2-days) and there was little warning of when to grind to a halt; following an overtake, joining the M'way, etc.

The Pan is better - but only just. It eats miles as it was meant to do, but it's heavier, takes more care filtering, and is a pig to move at a standstill. The Deauville excels in all these aspects. I'll miss it when it's gone.