HONDA NTV 650 - any faults?

Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

I'm going to look at a NTV 650 tomorrow and was wondering if anyone knew any specific faults I should look out for? Also any general information about the bike that could be useful would be greatly appreciated.

Bike details:
1997 P Reg , 43,000 miles, Red, MOT-07-2006. Warranty. Two owners from new , a bit tatty cosmetically ,but mechanically very good £1,145

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Sounds like rather a lot for a bike with that many miles, especially this time of year.

tatters · Exxon Valdez Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Karma :

haggle him down to £800-900 Thumbs Up

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R4nger · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Karma :

Far too much.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Tarmacsurfer · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Karma :

Probably been dizzied at some point in it's life, and even if it hasn't then they're bloody awful to ride anyway. Leastways, after spending 6 months doing 200+ miles per day on one that's my opinion.

Not to mention I never saw any sign of the much vaunted reliability. Give me an XJ or a GT any day of the week Confused

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Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

Thanks for all your replies, I should have mentioned that the bike is being sold by a dealer; Warehouse Motorcycles in Godstone.

sickpup, you have mail. Smile

Tarmacsurfer, what was so awful about them to ride? Also what reliability problems did you have?

alfie698 · Nova Slayer Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Karma :

Had mine for 6 months now and no real problems - its 1995 vintage. The only thing is they arent fast enough Mr. Green

Cheers, Alfie
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Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

I've got one

L reg 49K when bought , 53K as of today.

1K+ is too much mine was ab out 600 quid which came with a crap aftermarket fairing and a full touring pack (paniers top box etc)

weaknesses:

gear box , has an awful habit of jumping out of first

the neutral is a bugger to find I find....

fork seals and fork oil seem to need regular changing had my NTV650 for a while and had to have each side changed.

Look for altered exhausts I saw one recently with a missing collector box and both downpipes put into a normal can not the short one , this apparently gives it a much better top end. Though yesterday on my 350mile ride from Mancs to Cornwall it happily did 110MPH though it was hard hanging on (I broke the fairing a while ago).

For the price they are asking for see if they have a centre stand those things are life savers the NTV650s don't have them as std , only the side stand.

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

Oh and tatty cosmetics be good! cars move out the way for you.... Laughing

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

yup your right about that , but then I needed some transport urgently and its just about OK , though I hope to replace it with something else when the insurance runs out maybe a hornet or an SV depending on how much I can wing that the knacked NTV650 nearby that has crash damage)

Got a P&H crawley No plate on it by any chance?

I don't under stand that...

its got a number plate and a frame plate on it , and a faded made in Japan thing on the side

Klause · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Karma :

I got my ntv600 for £140 70,000 miles, engine runs fine. The fron end is abit buggered at the moment but thats because a BMW decided to eat me.
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Current bikes: 1960 Triumph 5ta x2, TTR600RE, KTM200EXC, Cagiva Elephant 900ie.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

Klause · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Karma :

Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

I had a look at it today and the description was accurate.

It had a dent in the tank and a few rust spots in non-major areas, it had obviously been down the road a few times. But the handle bars were straight and it sounded good when started.

It looked like it had stainless steel down pipes (are these standard?), the wheels and brakes were in excellent condition. It did have a centre stand btw.

I'll be taking it for a test ride later in the week and seeing what they'll give me for my Thundercat.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

SS down pipes are standard.

Get them to put the bike on a bench and check under the collector.

Pull the price down to £1000-£1050 with a good warranty.

Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

carvell · Scuttler Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Karma :

If it's a dealer then by law they have to issue a warrenty for everything you buy off them, not just the engine, IIRC.
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sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Most places should do this if you ask as they can check the bike themselves in front of you with a check sheet so as to cover there arses with the warranty they now have to give by law.

If they refuse to allow a full inspection walk away.

Warranty should cover engine, gearbox, shaft, running gear and electrics. anything less is illegal.

The bike is being sold as a roadworthy vehicle and as such has to be warranted as one.

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Yes. Its also the reason the trade is shifting so many bikes through public auctions like ebay. Auction = No warranty.