I just happened to remember that thread. I was, at first, uninterested in this bike, but I'm warming up to the thought of a light/midweight tour machine. From what I gather it is a solid, dependable bike - typical of Honda. Winter rides, 100 mile rides and 400+ mile days would be good... and I've noticed lately that my riding style is changing. It may be a couple years before I can afford something new though, and I've made some investments to make the 919 more tour-worthy in the meantime. Just need to figure out what I really need in a bike, or do I need 3 different bikes?
A short blurb on the Dullville is available in MotoPsychoist magazine this month. I can see where it will have a following here. Not all folks are interested in critical power and major roadgoing tonnage.
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Maybe this fellow could give you some input (post #25, rode one overseas): http://wristtwisters.com/naked-bikes...-no-naked.html
Just need to figure out what I really need in a bike, or do I need 3 different bikes?
Speaking from experience, your neighbor and potential fellow local trip rider...
Location: Santa Maria, CA Otherwise known as heaven on earth.
Posts: 1,799
The Deauville has been in continuous production for European and, well, every market but ours, since 1998. It's a touring version of the NT650 Revere using a variation on the aluminum chassis, but now has shaft drive and a more conventional swingarm.
The engine is one of the most proven reliable in the motorcycle world with hundreds of thousands of incarnations racking up tens of millions of miles, and with practically no maintenance whatever will easily top 100K without breaking a sweat. Add fuel injection to this and it becomes one of the items in your will. This reliability has made it by far and away the most popular motorcycle amongst courier riders in Europe (Take that BMW!), and I have heard reliable reports of over 300,000 miles before major engine maintenance.
Despite a reported lack of meaningful power my '88 has spent hours on end touring the western U.S. near 100MPH, and the Deauville has been given a bit more power as well as longer legs which translates to long stretches of superslab / "I wonder where this road goes?" at much greater than reasonable speeds with good rider protection. The one I rode in England felt at once quite familiar in engine manners and handling, and very different in wind protection and touring amenities compared to my '88 Hawk. Overall a very nice ride I would not hesitate to pack up and ride to Florida and back. Plus it has a 5 gallon tank! I would have sold my left kidney for an extra 1.8 gallons when making the long stretch from Redding to Boise.
Unfortunately your comment on upping it to 900cc is a telling one -- and explains why Honda will sell a couple of dozen of them in the U.S. If you really want one get it within a year because Honda won't sell enough to justify bringing them here for very long.
Infinitely adjustable, made of the finest materials available, and completely sourced from local suppliers -- gotta support the local economy! Order today and know handlebar Nirvana.
Unfortunately your comment on upping it to 900cc is a telling one -- and explains why Honda will sell a couple of dozen of them in the U.S. If you really want one get it within a year because Honda won't sell enough to justify bringing them here for very long.
Rob
You are probably right, they probably won't sell here in the States. However, if someone wants one, they should probably wait as long as possible and pick one up for nothing on the dollar when there are several sitting on showroom floors without good homes.
It wasn't too many years ago that I happily rode all over the South on a 450 Night Hawk, with stuff bags bungeed all over the back seat. I didn't know then I had to have 100hp to enjoy a ride. We Americans have to have the biggest and best of everything, and I'm guilty too
I was thinking Dullsville too at first, but a Moto that is Honda reliable with luggage built in and ready to ride to the grocery store or on a cross continent tour might just be the ideal ride that thousands are looking for in a motorcycle. It's not to big and heavy for everyday riding and should be in direct competition with BMW's Mid range. I'm sure it's as nice as a BMW 800 series and most likely, less expensive to own. Not to many new, first time riders want to spend the big bucks on something they may not care for after they've own one for a while.
Honda should be building moto's that inspire the current non riding, small car driving, American consumer to want to learn to ride motorbikes and incite the desire of owning one. In the long run, it's really good for all of us when more folks would want to ride and love the idea of motorcycling and if this model can spur that feeling and urge people to ride instead of drive, so much the better.
Nice bike Honda and Good luck in the New Year!
Has anyone seen in person or riden the new NT700? They are on order here for Dec.1st. I wished they'd upped it to about 900cc.
I have a 2009 Deauville 700 as my everyday transport (NO CAR) which I use for my 75 mile rtound trip to work each day in all weathers except snow. It has covered just under 24000 since March 2009 with only regular services and the usual consumeables being required. This is my 3rd Deauville the previous 2 being 650s.
The bike might not be as cool or as much fun as my VFR1200DCT but as a means of transport it does what it says on the box. I can highly recommend it
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That would sell here, either in a 1000cc version or a 650/700cc version.
It looks WAY better than the VStrom or Versys.
I thought it was a VStrom before I read your comment.
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