Honda NT650VX Deauville buying advice?

looking at getting one of these for commuting any advise ?

Drink plenty of coffee to keep you awake.

Craig
I am not up on the letters - what year is that.
I got DV650 new in 2003 and kept till new DV700 came out in 2006.
2003 onwards had linked brakes and bigger panniers.
The 650 had the old reserve switch which you had to turn when fuel low.
You had to practice switching it as it was a bit of a scare at 70MPH and the engine starts to splutter and die with no fuel.

Are you looking at a specific bike?
on the deauvilleuk.org site there are always a few for sale and enough background info to keep you occupied for weeks.
As a commuter it is fine, you can carry a small laptop in LH pannier or a bigger one in topbox.
The pannier on RH (exhaust) side is a bit smaller.

The shaft may be maintenance free but getting back wheel off is only easy if you read up tips on webpage and get help from friend.
MPG is good.
there are 5 gears which have to be used for brisk riding
I liked it but preferred the 700 - it had more power, fuel injected and even bigger panniers and fuel gauge.
SMcG

hi its a 1999 model , here is a pic of it , just carnt make my mind up yet , looks good , think it would make commuting much better than the sv , would you say id get as much mpg as I do on the sv ?honda.jpg

It is certainly good cutting through traffic but what bike isn't.
The mirrors are at a good height not to hit car mirrors.
MPG will be good and no worse than SV, I had a Gladius, depends on how much you give it at lights.
Some of the early bikes had an issue with front disks warping. I had 2003 bike for 3 years and it never missed a beat in that time.
SMcG

[yorkie_chris]

I dunno mate, I don't think the economy is any better than the sv on those. Weather protection is reasonable though and obviously no chain to worry about. I hate working on them with a passion. Although they do have nice calipers even if the hydraulics are retarded.

But I get better economy on my 900 than a lot of people do on the 650s, which knackers the entire point that you'd want a duvill for.

How far is your commute, what sort of roads?

[embee]

I've had a 2002 model from new, that was when the main mods were done on the carb 650 (engine internals, headlight, panniers, linked brakes etc). The 700 injected version came in at 2006.

The early panniers were pretty small, the later 650 ones were only a bit better. You can get big lids for them (if you can find them now!). Weather protection is pretty good with the high screen, hand wind deflectors etc. Most people find the standard low screen is awful, directs wind straight at your chest. Early headlight pretty awful.

Check out the forum here

They do exactly what they look like, a bit heavy, not exciting, handle fine for what they are, brakes are decent if working properly, only a few weaknesses/faults mostly easily fixed (fuel pump points on 650, head bearings if not greased and adjusted properly etc). If serviced & looked after they'll go on for ever, couriers do typically 150k miles plus before they get too tatty. Getting the rear wheel out of the 650 is easy peasy, the rear part of the mudguard comes out with a few screws and the wheel rolls out the back. The 700 isn't as easy.

They get run-in at around 20k miles. I've just done a trip to sunny Scotland on mine, 360mls in one go is no issue at all. Black forest trip in late May, no problem. Never had to lube or adjust the chain once

Fuel cons at legal limit cruising is just about 60mpg, most people get 55-60mpg. Tank range 180-200 before reserve with another 20 or so reliably.

Condition is everything. Personally I wouldn't go for the early one, but some people prefer them.

[yorkie_chris]

Oh yeah those pumps on the 650s are a bag of crap. Ditch it and stick a facet one on or something.

Originally Posted by craig dow

looking at getting one of these for commuting any advise ?

Yes. Don't.

I bought one for winter commuting a few years ago. Hated it and sold it again very quickly. The wind noise at motorway speeds was unbearable, it's heavy, slow and the brakes require advance notice in writing if you need to stop. You might be better off looking at an older Triumph Sprint ST or RS instead.

[carelesschucca]

Dave at my work has a dough ball 650 in beige, he calls it the most uninspiring bike he's ever ridden. fuel pump has gone on his too. He also says its a complete pain in the Proverbial to work on as there is so much plastic in the way... and its corroded away to rust (lack of love on daves part)