Honda Deauville

Yeah, actually I was looking at some reviews and specs on both the ER-5 and
the GS 500 this afternoon thinking that that may be a better alternative and
I do have a soft spot for the naked bike although I'm not entirely rapt on
the exposed frame design of the modern bikes, I think I'm a bit old
fashioned with my head and heart back in the 70's as when i get some
experience, I'd dearly love one of those newer model versions or the Triump
Bonneville or even the Kawasaki W650 which is supposed to be somewhat of a
replica of the Triumph....very classy classics....I'm not sure if the Kwaka
W650 is learner legal or not.......but jeez I'd love to have one.

Once again...I appreciate you all giving me some fresh Ideas and insights
and advice, if you have more...please keep it rolling in. A few of the guys
at work who ride have given me some advice although alot of it conflicting,
some say yeah...you'll get used to the big bike eventually and don't get a
250 as you'll grow out of it pretty fast, some say get a road/trail/enduro
type bike first before a roadie....no wonder i'm confused!!

One thing I've noticed though, the dry weight of the Honda Deauville at
228kg's is approaching the class of the bigger 1000-1200cc
machines......quite heavy but doesn't that also have the advantage of having
more weight on the road and more tractability? Add 95kg's for me, 20 kg's
for fuel then a further 20+Kg's with luggage and that's a fair bit of
weight.

Cheers!!

DJ

 

Hi DJ,

I've had my Deauville for 11 months and put almost 16,000 km on it
during that time (I bought it new in August last year for $12,990 on the
road). Most of the riding I do is touring (500 - 800 km per day) and
I've found it to be a very comfortable bike for long stretches (up to
2-3 hours at a time).

The only gripe I've had is that the stock screen doesn't offer much
protection from wind noise at highway speeds (even though I have a good
quality, quiet helmet). I fitted a taller after-market screen in mid
June and the transformation was amazing - which was just as well because
I headed off on a four day, 2,000 km trip the day after I fitted the new
screen.

While the Deauville is capable of speeds in excess of 140 km/h you'll
probably find that you'll need to knock it down a couple of gears to get
it accelerating quickly.

I'm still on the original set of tyres and usually get about 340km to
the tank (highway cycle) before going onto reserve.

There's an almost new Deauville (03 model with only 2,600 kms on the
clock) advertised at http://allclassifieds.com.au/c/ac?a=vm&i=1847006059


Kathy

 

Just found another Deauville - an 04 model with only 1,500 kms - at
http://allclassifieds.com.au/c/ac?a=vm&i=911181978

 

Yes, it's heavy, but there's a lot heavier out there and the centre of
gravity is low. Try riding a BMW K bike and see what top-heavy really
means. Roll a K100 upside down and it would come close to matching the
Deauville's centre of gravity[1].
You can easily push the Deauville hard and get the pegs down, and yes,
it will hang on quite well. That said, you can't flick the bike from
side to side like you can a sports bike as you have the weight
disadvantage and no real power to help push it in and out of corners.
If you treat it like a big bike -- get on it and start the motor to move
it even over a short distance -- you'll never drop the thing when moving
it. And 19.5 litres of fuel != 20kg (sg of petrol is about 740kg/m^3, so
I've saved you about 5kg).
That said, I've now jinxed myself and tomorrow I'm going to drop my
farken bike ...
One thing I should have mentioned is that the recommended weight limit
is 160kg. You'd need a light pillion if you're touring two-up.
- sanbar

[1] Back me up here, someone. They *are* farken top-heavy mongrels.
Which other bike there has it's own swing-out handle to get the damn
thing on the centre stand?

 

DJ,
Depending on the state your in, being 45, you might only have to be on your
L's for 3-6 months and then your on your open licence. Maybe perciveer
while your on your L's with something you won't loose money on either by
depreciation or damaging it too much and shell out for the bike you really
want after you get your opens.
That's what I did but I went through the whole process. 18 months worth and
it was worth the wait.

Dan

955 ST Sprint

 

In aus.motorcycles on Mon, 01 Aug 2005 12:17:42 GMT

Doesn't seem to be, but if you look at the specs and it looks like it
should be, there's a process to go through to get it approved. It's not
too difficult.

SOme people want big bikes immediately, some don't. I was touring all
over Eastern Australia on a 250 for some years after I had my big bike
licence.

250s have the advantage of cheap rego, reasonably cheap asking price,
and good resale. Also lots of bits in the wreckers.

They have the disadvantage of generally being thrashed and ridden by
inexperienced riders, but if you get one that's not too old and looks
clean enough then you should be fine. I wouldn't bother with an
offroader unless you want to go offroad. They have too many drawbacks
as a general road bike. The headlights are better than they were but
still not as good as a road bike, they tend to have small tanks and are
poor at carrying gear. If you put road tyres on them they aren't much
good on the dirt, the dirt tyres wear badly and are uncomfortable on the
road.

I ride heavy bikes - big Guzzis - and while it does make for more
stability in high winds, it can be a pain otherwise. Guzzis carry the
weight down low so you don't notice it as much, but few bikes do that to
the extent Guzzis do. A heavy bike is hard work, much harder work than
you might at first realise. It's hard work to move around when you are
off the bike, it's hard work to move around at slow speed. It's only at
higher speeds that you don't really notice it.

I think that the first year of riding should be done on a small light
simple bike. Then either flog it and get something bigger,
or keep it as a second bike or commuter, and get something bigger.

Because you can get a 250 reasonably cheaply, and sell it for about the
same amount if you look after it, then it's not a big hit to the pocket to
hone your skills on it and get used to riding and decide if riding really
is for you. You'll also have a better idea of what you want in a bike.

Oh, and if you like the old style bikes, have you thought about an Enfield?
A real 1950s machine, none of these imitations....

http://www.streetbiker-mag.com/sb0121/5.html
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/Enfield/

They are learner legal, very easy to ride, cheap enough, and I bet you'd
love the looks! IF you go touring on it, it will be in the slow lane
and off the highways, but that's the best way.... Use an Enfield to
learn on and then keep it for those laid back days. Or if you find that
highways aren't you, you might never buy something else.

Moto Ciclo in St Peters, 02 9557 7234 is the Sydney dealer, and John is a
helpful and knowledgeable man. And if you don't want an Enfield, he can
probably find you a LAM Guzzi...

Zebee

 

I prefer my trail bikes with a bit more 'trail' in them...


G-S

 

Thats "approaching" as in "snuck up on it then blew past so fast that by
the time it'd stopped it couldn't even _see_ it", right?

Suzuki quotes a dry weight of 166kg for the GSXR1000...

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/GSXR1000K6/Specs/Default.aspx

Even the Hayabusa only weighs 217kg...

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/GSX1300RK5/Specs/Default.aspx



big (carefully comparing an aging touring bike with a full on late model
sportsbike)

 

Even my bloody heavy ZRX1200R is only 228kg.

That's a lot of weight for a 600... and it really means the bike will
ride like a big bike with a smaller motor, not a small bike.


G-S

 

They ARE bloody top-heavy mongrels. No problems getting it on a centre
stand, but heaps of hassles trying to keep it upright at walking speeds,
especially when the camber of the road means that the left leg has a
loooooong way to go before hitting the tar.

---
Cheers

PeterC [aka MildThing]
'81 Suzuki GS450-s (gone on to better and brighter things - I hope)
'87 BMW K100RT (write-off)
'81 Yamaha Virago (XV) 750H (work in progress)
'01 Yamaha FJR1300

www.dmcsc.org.au
http://eladesom.com.au/ulysses/
# 37181

 

Ducati SL Pantah.
(No sidestand and bodywork covering everything aft of the rider; it was
essential!)

 

I've got to admit that I quite liked it too!
(but then I am a "Great Northern Pansy")

 

~
[crinkles brow]
So you only rode it about 25 days?

 

~
Maannnn; that's like only TWO days riding!!

 

~
Hands up; who got that? (Put your hands down Nathan and Scrote; you have
an unfair predisposition!)

I must've read it 10 times ....
(But my perciveerance finally paid off!)

 

I thought it was something to do with a bloke named percy who veered off
into a ditch. It's what people on L's do.

Theo

 

DJ

 

Oh sorry, I didn't know that Percy lived in Sideny.

What's with the wanky attribution?

Theo

 

Gefugged!
They're certainly heavy to push at Peats Ridge.

Postman Pat

 

It's nowhere near as much fun in real life...

Postman Pat
XL650V