1999 Honda NT650V Deauville
Summary:
Sensible, comfortable, practicable and cheap...
Faults:
Leaking radiator caused by trapped grit between fan housing.
Fuel pump; since discarded, now use gravity feed.
Radiator fan switch.
General Comments:
I have owned motorcycles for 50 years and have no doubt that this is the best all round motorcycle I have owned.
Practical, easy for the home mechanic to work on (once the plastic is off).
Comfortable, inexpensive to run, quite a torquey engine for the size.
Ideal for day trips, plenty of luggage space with top box.
Not the best bike if you want thrills, and pose value is nil.
But if you like motorcycling for the pleasure of open air freedom this is difficult to beat. It's not too big, heavy or intimidating, it's just... well, NICE...
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 4th June, 2020
11th Apr 2009, 07:28
I am sorry to hear you weren't pleased with your Deuville. I like Honda in some respects because of the things they have achieved, but can honestly say I am not enthusiastic about Honda. I am more a Kawasaki man. I have had many motorbikes, especially as restoration projects and a lot have been Hondas and Kawasakis as well as a few Yamahas. The problems I have had with the Hondas, I haven't had with the Kawasakis.
In the mid eighties, Honda began exporting a lot of their production abroad, to the likes of Brazil initially. They now have production lines in India, Thailand etc. The early Hondas were made in Japan. I was thinking about buying a new Honda CBF125 to replace my aging CG125BR, but soon changed my mind when I found out it is made in India. Honda have always been so proud to announce they make motorbikes that are of high quality, reliable and more innovative than their rivals. I wouldn't totally agree. I have a 1990 CG125BR at present and my very first bike was a Kawasaki KH125. By god, I miss the KH125. I am disappointed in Honda. Even a lot of their early bikes had terrible engine problems. A shame.