Honda Deauville- What are they like?

[captaindefib]

Hi everyone,
I currently have a ER-5 and I want to change it at the end of the summer.
I am soon starting a new job, where i will be riding every day to work (about 10 miles).
I want a comfy bike, which could do touring, but mainly for commuting and general riding around.
I have been looking at a Honda Deauville, I know they are not an exciting bike, but has anyone owned one, what are they like to live with? any good/ bad points?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Jim
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Captaindefib
2001 Kawasaki ER-5 >>> 1997 Suzuki GSX600F >>> 2002 Triumph Sprint ST 955i

[NSR Mick]

The most hideous looking bike ever to come out of Honda's factory, although thats my opinion. Saying that though there probably a good bike.
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If you dont like the way that I ride.......Stop trying to keep up!!!

[TheShaggyDA]

I'd have one.

https://www.usedbikeguide.com/bible/display.asp?id=153
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[map]

As luck would have it I've just read a review of the Deauville in Motorcycle Sport and Leisure (July 2006 copy) - magazine site here with the start of the article. See if you can get a copy, it's a quite favorable review.

Basically says it's a bike built to get you from A to B. Does it in comfort and with the newer 680cc engine a bit quicker. It's Honda so reliable but as you say, not exciting (whatever that may mean).

I also looked into getting the older 650 model for commuting to work. Came to the same conclusion that it would do that job plus allow me to tour in a bit of comfort. I fully accept that it wouldn't set my world on fire but then because of a bad back I can't make full use the head down, arse up sports machines anyhow.

One point to note if fitting aftermarket lower fairings. If you drop the bike they'll more than likely break as the tipover crashbar wings don't stop them being crushed (unlike a Pan).

You are aware the pannier's aren't removable aren't you? If you want to tour then the bigger pannier lids are advisable. Also I'm told larger ones needed for work commuting with laptop, etc. Depending on your size you might also prefer a taller screen. Many 2nd hand older models may already have these mods.

HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[bazza]

Deauville a.k.a. Dullville. Says it all, really.
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"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter

[map]

[Itchy]

I ride the older version the NTV650 , and I have ridden the NT650V , the extra lard the faired one doesn't seem to carry too well (the fairings add another 30 kilos) , though I did like the extra front disc, though that was more to do with my worn pads,

its designed to do a job - commuter /cheap cop bike / blood delivery vehicle/ courier machine , and does it well and does not advertise to be anything else , until Jannie Obramngie rides it , she can get the hero blobs worn right down on that thing.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Johnny GSX-R]

They are like a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng snooze.

ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz Stick to what you have already, the Dullville really is bland and lazy.

[Johnny GSX-R]

Actually, having said what i have, i feel its probably ideal for you want it for. You get good luggage space and easy filtering which makes commuting a doddle.

[captaindefib]

Thanks very much for the opinions everyone! especially for the links- very useful.
Varying opinions really, but it seems to be suited to what I would want to use it for. Next stop- test ride!

Jim
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Captaindefib
2001 Kawasaki ER-5 >>> 1997 Suzuki GSX600F >>> 2002 Triumph Sprint ST 955i

[extreme3d]

The bottom line is they have built in panniers, large protective faring and are very comfy. Whilst not 'fast', they are not slow either and will still beat just about any normal car on the road and have a top speed of well over the ton.

They are well built with stainless downpipes etc. Add that to the shaft drive, and a whole host of other accessaries available and I honestly can't think of a better commuter/small tourer. In fact all you would need as an extra would be heated grips... although the speaker/radio/amplifier kit looks interesting

The latest injection 700cc one kicks out 65hp and weighs 236kg. This on paper would appear to give the bike similar performance to an ER-5... BUT, Remember it's a V-twin so look at the torque figure - to get a comparable V-twin/IL4 figure horse power figure add 20 to the V-twins hp output. A good example of this is to use my bike verses the new GSR600. The SV kicks out 70hp, the GSR 90. Both have a top speed of 135mph, both have similar accelleration, one's 20hp down though

So in reality the Dueaville has the eqivilent power of an 85 horsepower IL4 so you are looking at slightly underpowered (because of weight) fazer territory. Still that's good enough to blast you around in comfort in the fast lane with additional horse's to spare

[bazza]

[BorderHooner]

my wife wont come on the back of my storm and i am considering a dullville as a potterer abouter.

good bikes for what they do.
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Benelli. Happy as a pig in cacky.

[captaindefib]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

More of a commuting bike than a touring bike.

Sit's at 70-80 mph quite nicely, 90-100mph isn't so nice on it. So good for the odd tour but get a Pan or similar if touring's your thing. Nice and comfy for rider and pillion, panniers hold enough as standard though not a great deal. Reasonably quick as well, to the point I could easily put my hand out and touch the ground when cornering on the back of my Dad's bike, and I have relatively short arm's.

My Dad likes the position as it suit's his aging back.

Bit akward for Pillion's to get on and off but once on it's comfier than a car. Although due to the panniers the pillion has to sit with penguin feet when in traffic as the rider's feet hit you.

Servicing is easy and the bike goes on forever, part's will be easy to get hold of as well.

For a commuting/occasional touring bike it's perfect, though not particularly exciting, but how exciting do you need a commuter/tourer to be?

Edit: 110mph is your realistic top speed, and acceleration will be noticeably slower than your ER-5. Although it will also be alot smoother. Also only has an 8000rpm rev limit (or thereabout's).
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[Itchy]

[lumphammer]

Heard that Deauvilles can vibrate a bit at about 85. Anyone else come across this?

[craigs23]

ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz........

A, er, hmmm, sorry, what were we chatting about?

[ISLAND GIRL]

[Itchy]

just go visit any honda dealer and ask for a test ride , there are at least 3 places in manchester where they have a demo bike , nothing quite like trying it out yourself as your own yardstick fits you best,

as a so so rider the older model fits me ok , the newer model not, but I only use it for the odd commute and weekend pooter.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[extreme3d]

[sickpup]

Pretty much the same as an NTV EXCEPT they are slower due to higher weight, don't like worn front tyres, hitting bumps on corners and don't handle anywhere nearly as well.

Big problem on them is foot space. My other half is quite tall for a woman and wears size 7 shoes and there is not enough space for them due to the panniers. Her toes stick into the back of my legs.

So if you regularly ride 2 up make sure you take the other half on the test ride.

[pete-dotphp]

I've got one (2000 model), and a naked Hornet for the weekends. I do about 20,000 miles a year on the Deauville, mostly motorway miles commuting, with a few 200 miles trips to Plymouth as well, and it's fantastic for that sort of work. My other bike is for weekend blasts etc - horses for courses.

The Deauville's pretty good for filtering and the like (the front's wider than the back which is good).Probably for what you're looking to do it's overkill though, as your commute's so short (I do 45 miles each way daily, all weathers). It's happiest in traffic or on long straight roads, although it's not that bad on the twisties really, but the suspension's too soft for serious blasting. The soft suspension and comfy seat mean I can easily do 2 and a half hours in the saddle without even noticing.

Like has been mentioned before, if you take a pillion with big feet it's a bit awkward. Luggage capacity is good, as is fuel economy. You can buy bigger pannier lids if you like, and a topbox, although be careful when filtering then as your back will be wider than your front. If you're not the strongest person in the world you might find backing the bike in and out of spaces and u-turns a problem, as it's heavy (240kg I think). Shaft drive is a major bonus if it's a bike you're putting big miles on. Finish isn't brilliant, but it's purely cosmetic, very little breaks. They hold their value very well.

All in all it's a great bike for commuting, longer distances especially. If you're after a tourer/long distance commuter it's good, short commutes with some weekend scratching not so good. If this is what you're after, get something like a ER6-F, faired Bandit, faired Hornet or similar, which are lighter, and give enough wind/rain protection for short distances, and have a bit moe poke.

[bazza]

[Heckthusula]

They were designed with the courier/light tourer in mind on NTV650 underpinnings. If that's what you want, then knock yourself out.