Honda Deauville

G'day all,,

This is my first time to this news group so please be patient

I'm about to embark on getting my 'L's and buying my first road bike. I want
to buy something that I'll keep for a good while and also do some touring.
In NSW now it's ok to buy up to a 650cc bike providing it's no more than
150kw/tonne so I've been looking at a new Honda Deauville which has the 650
V-twin that slips into this catagory.

Do you think I'm biting off more than I can chew with this as a first bike?
Does anyone own one of these and can give me their opinions on this bike or
does anyone have any other suggestion...I'm all ears...ahh i mean eyes!!

Thanks in advance

DJ

 

If you're new to bikes, want something pragmatic for running around town
and getting out of same, have the cash to buy new and aren't encumbered
with an ego, then you're the person Honda had in mind when they
developed the Deauville.

Integrated panniers, big fairing to hide behind, shaft drive (waves to
Clembo), big tank range, unthreatening power delivery and brakes... the
modest looks may well have been a consequence of Honda's car division
being worried a sexy Deauville would make too big a dent in Civic sales.

I reckon go for it. Ridden it yet?

Keep in mind that, since they're not selling that many of them, a
bikeshop will be keen to deal.

 

As a first bike ... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell if you're under 21 I'd give
you a couple of months before you start and think of upgrading to
something a bit more responsive. Once the novelty of being able to carry
half a slab of beer wears off it's not much of a bike. It has lots of
low-end torque, will keep you in front of the traffic (just) from the
traffic lights, assuming no one's wanting to race you to the next red,
and it seriously needs a sixth gear. I consistently get between 20-23km
per litre. The linked brakes are a mixed blessing. I've had no concerns
with mine over 20k km but for stones blocking the auxiliary radiator fan
and a bit of oil weeping from the final drive. The stock pipe is, well,
good for making a breather pipe on a septic tank.

I bought one because I needed a cheap (they were just not selling at
$14k, so Honda dropped them to $10k to move a few), economical commuter
bike, and with the Deauville that's what I got. It's not exciting, it
makes your arse look big, and it makes you look a lot older than you
really are.
- sanbar (no I'm not really *that* old)

 

Yah... it must be the longest and heaviest 650 on the market!

Have you looked at the 650 TransAlp? They look like fun....


G-S

 

In aus.motorcycles on Sun, 31 Jul 2005 06:50:56 GMT

ON the other hand, you could get a cheap bike to learn on so if you have
the highly likely drop at low speed it won't matter, then when you can
get a sightly larger bike, buy a Guzzi 750 Breva, which is a beautiful
easy to ride bike that can still be quick when required....


Zebee

 

Actually I'm 45, about 95kg's and not really into breakneck speeds, I'm more
into cruising but would be nice to hit around 130-160 at times when it's
safe. I guess that comes from driving heavy vehicles for a living.
Thanks a million for all your replies......want to hear more though...keep
em comming.

There was a remark about Honda not being able to sell many of those
Deauvilles,and they dropped the price from 14K down to 10K? They quoted me
about $12,995 on the road.....maybe i'll just have to keep looking and
comparing.

Cheers

DJ

 

The Transalp is just the dual purpose version of the Deauville.. and it's
taller and wider and longer.

Nev..
'03 ZX12R

 

I have. It's a hoot!

-----sharks

 

Bloody Guzzi spamming bitch! ;p


johno

Breva mate?

 

"Zebee Johnstone"

As usual, right on the money !!
cheers
pete

 

I agree - it's not a bad idea to buy your first bike for the slide, not
for the ride You WILL send it down the road, it just happens - so
plan for it with a good cheap bike and good riding gear. Big fairings,
panniers etc... All expensive to fix, and the size and weight of the
deauville compared to many of the bikes out there make it easier to
drop in your driveway.

Get a cheapy, perhaps a 2fiddy or a GS500, which will commute with
ease. They're also nice and skinny which helps with lane splitting in
traffic. Go naked too, no expensive fairings. You'll have no problems
learning some roadcraft out in the hills and you'll have a better idea
of what's a good new bike that fits your style when your skills outgrow
it and decide it's time to spend bigger bucks.

My 2c

 

No you won't... maybe you're just a crap rider.

Nev..
'03 ZX12R

 

yeah as Zeebee said "low speed" - sorta like in the driveway type of stuff

ck

just ask my wife about her fun..............

 

Make up your mind. You WILL or you WON'T send it down the road???

Nev..
'03 ZX12R

 

Whaddya mean maybe? I'm a great corner marker though, ask Glitch!

 

In aus.motorcycles on Mon, 1 Aug 2005 15:07:19 +1000

I also said "highly likely".

Believe it or not, not everyone does drop their bike when learning.

Just almost everyone...


Zebee

 

Gawd... the first time in 10 years I forget to use an emoticon and Nev
takes me seriously ;-P [1]


G-S

[1] They look like fun... (not)

 

I've ridden the TransAlp.. thought it was great.

Nev..
'03 ZX12R

 

I always think learners are better off on bikes without fairings and
$5000 worth of plastic.
If you dropped one of these, it would cost 44 bombs, let alone the
limbs you would have to Ebay off.

Someone mentioned a Transalp, large capacity chooks like these, and
Tenere's are good tourers and also good light bikes around town..

its a hard decision, but I commend you for having enough brains not
wanting an R1, or one of them 40,000rpm 250's.

 

Were I in your shoes as a newbie I would check out all the bikes that are
available within both my price range and suitability (ie. height etc).

Personally, I would suggest that you have a good look at both the Kawasaki
ER5 a bike I have not had experience with (have heard many good stories)
and also the Suzuki GS500 a bike I have experience with (albeit in the
past).

The GS500 has 2 versions, the naked and the fully faired and you should be
able to pick one up from around $7500 (or less) for the naked and around
$8500 for the fully faired. I have had 2 of the nakeds and both were very
capable bikes to tour on (did a few 2500k tours) and also very good in the
tight twisties (can scare many a big bike). Very cheap to run, economical
and cheap to service, While I no longer have a GS500 I was waiting to see if
the faired model would come out in black before I bought my 750 and if black
was available I would have had my third (funny though, I bought a red 750).

The ER5 is basically Kawasaki's equal to the GS500 and it has recently
dropped price to match (only naked version available) so you may also want
to look there.

For what it is worth I am around 95kg and 5ft 8 so found the GS500 more than
capable for my tastes (and I did use it to great effect on the old pacific
highway many times)


Garry