Honda Deauville

[Muscle Bike Rider]

Whats the opinions on here from the more experienced bikers of the honda deauville, is it good as an everyday bike, servicing costs, tank range, handling etc. Not a speed jockey, comfort and good mpg and the ability to keep a decent pace fully loaded with a pillion are more important. I have narrowed my next choice of bike down to a deauville, newer divvy and a honda cbf600 as I want to stay around the 600cc range and I like the look of these bikes equally, tried a fazer but it just diddn't feel right, could not put my finger on why but hey! tt600 and thundercat was just to sports orientated for me. My current ride is an xj600s which I'm happy with, but as with all of us I'm now in a position to be able to purchase a newer bike and then sell the divvy or pass it on to my son when he passes his test, so the hunt for a new ride has began, willing to consider bikes that any members on here have for sale which would suit my needs as well. But for now what do you think of the deauville?

Ta,
____________________
Previously Known As A5tra_G
Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
Current Bike : XJR1300

[jamm13dodger]

It's not an exciting bike (it's nickname is the dullville) but it is super reliable, easy to home service and all day comfortable. Built in panniers make it even more practical - pretty cheap too. Get over to the DV Owners Club and check it out.

[parkmoy]

Not an experienced biker, but I have one and love it. Certainly no sports bike but would fit your criteria. Generally described as 'under rated' in magazine reviews as well as what jamm13dodger says.

[Polarbear]

A mate had one that he used for a 3 week tour of europe with me. Never missed a beat, shaft drive
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[arry]

[Cheeseybeaner]

Never fancied one myself but they are a courier's favourite which tells you an awful lot about them in terms of reliability and ease of maintenance and running costs.

[Ariel Badger]

Depends on what you want from your biking, if you are after arm ripping acceleration and knee down cornering avoid. For dullness and reliability they can not be beat.
____________________
Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[junglejim]

[Sako]

i notice one of your requirements is to be able to ride the bike at a decent pace 2 up with luggage, this bike, nor any other 600 is going to be particulairly brisk loaded up with luggage and pillion, the mid range just isn't there, something more torquey is what you really need, i realise you saying you want to stay around the 600cc mark, but thats not the best tool for the job.

[junglejim]

[Sako]

[junglejim]

[Polarbear]

[Sako]

[junglejim]

[nowhere.elysium]

OK, noob dickwaving contest aside; the Deauville is competent enough. It's a middleweight V-twin in a low state of tune - as such, it'll do what you ask of it, just not incredibly fast. From what I remember, the engine is pretty nicely balanced, and the shaft drive makes for a smooth, quiet and low-maintenance ride. Suspension's OK, handling's nice and neutral.

It's not exciting by any measure of the imagination, but it will do touring just fine; it is, after all, what it's designed for.
____________________
'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[junglejim]

[Gazz]

Great bikes.

A bit slow and not much pull at low revs but if you are doing miles and miles of motorway riding then it is excellent bike.

Mine has done 102,000 miles and is still going strong.

[Muscle Bike Rider]

Thanks Guys, honest opinions always a help, next step is a test ride of one I think.
____________________
Previously Known As A5tra_G
Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
Current Bike : XJR1300

[Amreet]

Also, consider the NTVs and Reveres perhaps?

Lighter, and longer gearing, single sided swing arm but still all the good bits, utterly bulletproof motor, dead comfy, fast enough, very economical. IMHO not quite as ugly and still MORE than enough to have some serious fun on. You barely have to crack the throttle more than 1/4 to 'make progress' at legal speeds. I love mine to bits, and Im already putting some serious miles on.


They are also cheaper to buy in most cases, and being at the very bottom of their depreciation/appreciation curve you probably won't lose out?

Edit:

In my opinion, as well, the new Deauville is very poor value for money. I think the whole honda range is great EXCEPT for the deau. They should do a shafty version of the NC700 with a single sided swing arm and that would be fantastic.


If I were buying new, I would definately have a look at the NC700s, they look absolutely fantastic, seem to be really capable and cheap bikes. Id like to test ride on, even though I have no intention whatsoever of replacing my Revere.

[panrider_uk]

Shaft drive every time for me.

Although bigger than 600cc the Pan Euro is also a good all rounder and has removeable luggage.

Mark
____________________
Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[Easter Bunny]

I've had 4 (or was it 5) Deauvilles, great bikes that will happily sit at 80 mph all day, done 700 mile days on them (although the seat wasnt as comfy as the pan) each one of them had in excess of 130K on the clock (except for the last one, I crashed) and always returned good mpg.
I dont recall them being dull to ride but then I suppose its how you ride them, quite narrow despite having panniers and great for filtering around London, light enough to chuck around the traffic....


...and yes I was despatching on it!
____________________
The light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train!

[Cheeseybeaner]

As has been said ignore the nobby dick wavers and go with your instincts.
I'm sure if you want a reliable, low maintenance economical tourer the Deauville will be superb. I'm sure its even fun too, as I'm sure most will agree fun is possible on virtually all motorbikes...Its only the narrow minded who fail to see this.

[delsol]

[Easter Bunny]