Calling all Dullville owners

[Mark_h]

I know a few of you own one of these exotic beasts as a commuter/winter hack.

I'm considering doing the same. Are there any particular vintages to avoid? Anything specific to look out for?

Thanks in advance,
Mark

[speedplay]

Are there any particular vintages to avoid?


All of them?:rolleyes:

[Stu]

Buy one with keys :roll:

[carternd]

Make sure they are in that particularly flattering purple-brown. Free hi-vis Sam Browne...

[sarah]

Buy one with keys :roll:

:lol: i was gonna suggest that

[Mark_h]

Any sensible advise out there?


Given they've been around for years there must be some vintages that are better than others. I appreciate they are not the most exciting bike in the world but for cheap transport they seem a good idea. That or a biggish scooter but the scooters seem to be pretty expensive at the moment.

[sarah]

Try the Dullville forum (http://www.deauvilleuk.org/forum/)

[embee]

OK, sort of serious answer...

I've had a 2002 Deau from new (NT650V, as opposed to the NTV650 which was the naked predecessor). See the website posted earlier.

Yes, they do exactly what it says on the plastic tin, certainly no ball of fire but just about the most practical and easy bike to own and ride. The handling is surprisingly good, pretty much rock steady, soft suspension but it works fine, reliability as good as most things and better than many, and looked after they'll do monster mileage.

There have been basically 3 versions, the first "mk.1" 650 from 98-02 had brembo brakes, small panniers, poor headlight and heavy engine internals. The "mk.2" at 2002 had slightly bigger panniers (lids now have hinges internal so the accessory large lid only fits the correct version), linked nissin brakes, better "clear" headlight, lighter engine internals, some emission changes, otherwise much the same (but most think preferable). The 700 (680, now 4-valve FI, a bit more power and quite a lot more torque) came in 06 (I think), ABS optional but most will have it, different styling, engine/transmission internals substantially different, bigger panniers with a linking "baguette hole", screens started with 2 position bolted adjustment, then went to multiposition pull adjustment. Many folk fit higher screens for touring, either Honda or aftermarket (MRA vario is quite popular).

Only a few things to watch for.
Paint finish went downhill a bit, engine paint after 2002 particularly poor, often get repainted (silver Hammerite works well done properly.
Fuel pumps can pack up, but there's a simple diode mod and replacement points are available from Wemoto which will fix most cases, otherwise fit a Facet.
Early Brembo brakes tended to have "warped disc" syndrome, which I'm not sure was actually the discs because the Nissin ones used the same discs and don't have the problems nearly as often.
Lower rear suspension unit bearings can fail eventually, the bolt can be a pig to get out.
There are a couple of hiccup issues with carbs sometimes, well documented and easy to sort out if you are practically minded at all, usually routing of carb breather hoses. Sometimes overrun pops/bangs can be due to PAIR valves failing, but not that common.
Reg/rec seems fairly good, only a few failures (unlike SV).
Do make sure you get spare keys, the HISS security system needs them. Programming is straightforward, you just need a spare key cut and a piece of wire and a resistor. The method is on the owners' website.
Steering head bearings seem to be set loose and dry in the factory, greased and adjusted they're fine but check the condition, replacement isn't uncommon but is straightforward.
Fuel economy ranges typically from the low 50's to high 60's depending.
Avon Storms seem a favourite tyre, I have Mez Z6 on mine which are excellent. The OE Michelin Macadams on the 650's were nasty nasty things, but they'll all have gone by now.

They are built for distance and do it comfortably, I've toured Europe every year on mine, very easy to live with. People who find the power lacking often end up with Pans or FJ13's.

Generally speaking they are very little problem, most owners are "mature" and just enjoy owning them. If you can see the reason for a Deauville, then try one.

[yorkie_chris]

The newer ones got stainless exhausts on? Seem to remember someone fitting a nexus pipe because the original had rotted.

[TSM]

Buy one with keys :roll:
thats cuz you made the mistake of getting the HISS one without keys

[Mark_h]

Thanks for the info. How about the earlier (cheaper) ones. Anything specific?

[Stu]

thats cuz you made the mistake of getting the HISS one without keys
Dealer on the phone said, from my reg no., it's not got HISS, but I'm not convinced.

[TSM]

Dealer on the phone said, from my reg no., it's not got HISS, but I'm not convinced.
is this the same pos that i saw and opened the rear seat? from what i remember you had a hiss coil over the ignition

[Bluefish]

I looked at these, then the mrs slapped me, thank god. But from what i read all the owners loved them.

[Stu]

is this the same pos that i saw
No, I like them so much I have 3 of them


















:roll:

[speedplay]

Try the Dullville forum (http://www.deauvilleuk.org/forum/)


They have a forum?!

I bet their rideouts are a real blast..:rolleyes:

[embee]

They have a forum?!

I bet their rideouts are a real blast..:rolleyes:

Yep, every year there's a Euro meet, first in Deauville France, then Luxembourg, Black Forest, Italy, Netherlands, back to Luxembourg, Czec republic, this year Portugal, usually around 170 bikes - enough of a blast for me.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh268/Hi-vis/IMG_0299Small.jpg

[embee]

Thanks for the info. How about the earlier (cheaper) ones. Anything specific?

Not really, just mainly overall condition and how it's been maintained. Regularly serviced and they'll go on for ever, just look for the obvious stuff, pitted forks, paint flaking off engine, etc. Like the SV they benefit from a decent carb balance, the engine isn't a smooth as the SV but should be reasonably OK.
As YC said, the 650 had chrome mild steel exhaust, double skinned downpipes, and they do rot eventually. Motad do a stainless replacement at sort of reasonable money (£250 ish complete IIRC), there's also a Predator system but the Motad seems most popular. The 700 is stainless anyway.

[yorkie_chris]

I don't know why they bother with the extra 50cc, slow bike like that it'd be nice if it had cheap tax :(

[embee]

That's the trouble with "retrospective" tax banding.

In France there's no road tax at all, as for our poxy government .....

My design for the Deau would be a 600cc 3cyl across the frame engine, VVT tuned for torque, nice.

[philbut]

I have one and hate it - so I don't mind it getting abused over winter. It has 100K on the clock, looks like it spent most of it's 12 years at the bottom of the Atlantic and goes like a slug on valium - but it does still go and that is the main thing. most bikes would be long dead after the abuse this thing has taken.

They are practical bikes, but not exciting. The handling is fine for winter riding but I can very quickly tie it in knots on a more spirited ride. wind protection is brill with taller screen but increases wind noise if you are more than about 5'9".

Mine is a 1998, so the "worst" of the bunch, but still fine for a hack. headlight is sh1te, but fit a HID kit and you're laughing. Panniers are small, but its not a grand tourer so who cares. I have a big top box fitted. Finish is non existent on mine so can't comment but all the electrics still work which is a miracle!

[Holdup]

1. Its Dull
2. Its a Honda so will go on forever

Had a customer the other day, he's a courier, has a 2007 Dullville with 105k miles on the clock, and probably still has another 105k left in it