Honda NTV 650 motorcycle - review, specifications and reviews

Description

A motorcycle like the Honda NTV 650 has an excellent power unit, good handling, dynamic movement, and ergonomics in the exterior. As a rule, high-quality “iron horses” are distinguished by a rather high price.

The production of the model in question was suspended back in the late 90s of last year, therefore, now only used units can be purchased. Motorcycles with an engine capacity of over 400 cubic centimeters cannot a priori be classified as modifications for beginners. It is in this category that the Honda NTV 650 Deauville (647 cc) is classified. This two-wheeled vehicle is in many respects not inferior to and superior to most analogues. In general, the equipment under consideration can be briefly characterized as follows: a reliable, fast, beautiful and serious motorcycle.

Advantages and disadvantages

Judging by the reviews of owners and experts, the Honda NTV 650 bike has a number of objective advantages. These users include:

• Excellent build quality.
• Magnificent exterior.
• Speed ​​reserve up to 300 km.
• Long wheelbase for increased stability at high speed.
• Excellent handling and adaptability for moving around the city.
• Easy to care for.

Among the disadvantages, the owners highlight the following points:

• At high speeds, vibration of the power unit is felt.
• On a dirt road, power and controllability are significantly reduced.
• Not very bright light elements.
• High price.

Engine capacity, cm3 647 Power, hp 60 Number of cylinders 2 Number of strokes 4 Maximum speed, km/h 165 Gasoline consumption, l. 5 Tank volume, l. 19 5-speed gearbox Weight (dry), kg. 185 The reliable two-cylinder V-engine as standard has a good set of characteristics and was installed on Transalp, Pacific Coast, Deville. Good traction characteristics at any speed allow you to change gears quite rarely. The liquid cooling system saves you from overheating in urban environments. The transmission consists of a five-speed gearbox, the drive is a cardan. The brake system is reliable and easy to maintain, although (according to reviews, since I haven’t driven it myself yet - it’s not the season yet) one brake disc on the front wheel may not be enough. The issue is resolved.

Advantages of the model 1. Low in saddle, i.e. a mot for short people. This is rather a subjective plus. 2. Affordable price. 3. High quality assembly and components. Yes, it's a Honda! 4. High-torque motor with a large margin of safety. Can run up to 300 t.km. and more. I was amazed by the elasticity of the fifth gear: from 50 to 160 (and maybe more - I didn’t check)! 5. The power reserve is 250-300 km. Although during my trip to Bolgar my tank lasted for 350 km, and only after that I switched to reserve (2.5 liters). It is worth taking into account the presence of a huge windshield and a very uneconomical speed of 140-160 km/h. 6. Comfortable fit. When I sit in a semi-athletic position, my lower back quickly begins to ache. 7. The extended wheelbase reduces the likelihood of “bumping.” 8. Good handling, maneuverability, width allows you to move comfortably around the city. Kazan, of course, is not Moscow, but we also have traffic jams of 8 points. The bike is like a herring, able to squeeze into a narrow aisle. 9. Easy to care for. 10. Spare parts are still available for purchase. Many parts from Bros fit. 11. CARDAN!!! You no longer need to carry a can of lubricant with you, treat the chain after every rain and every 500 km. Hooray!!! Freedom for parrots!!!

Disadvantages of the model 1. High center of gravity due to the steel frame 2. The V-twin engine is characterized by vibration at high speeds. More of a feature than a minus. 3. On a dirt road it significantly loses controllability. I wonder how it will behave with a more aggressive tread pattern? 4. Weak light. Solvable. 5. One brake disc per wheel. It may not be enough, which can also be solved. 6. Naked, no wind protection. But you can buy an aerokit. I simply installed a windshield, which at the same time protects my hands from the wind.

Honda NTV 650 Deauville

This modification of the touring motorcycle was produced from 1998 to 2006. Later it was replaced by an updated version of the NTV 700. The device can more often be found on the European or American market, since it is an export version.

• The engine is a V-shaped power unit with a pair of 647 cc cylinders. cm.
• Power – 56 horsepower.
• Torque moment – ​​57 Nm.
• The maximum speed is 170 km/h.
• Braking system - discs.
• Fuel tank - 19.5 l.
• Weight – 223 kg.
• Transmission – 5 speeds.

Owners note the quiet operation of the engine along with high efficiency.

Appearance

The Honda NT 650V Deville looks more aesthetically pleasing than many representatives of the touring class. And this manifests itself in the following: tourists often have a very angular appearance, but here all the corners are smoothed out, and the bike looks somehow “cosmic”. Especially if the frame is silver in color.

However, the headlights and mirrors also give the motorcycle a resemblance to an alien ship from science fiction films. And given the smooth dynamics on a flat track, such associations will probably arise often. Rarely can a touring motorcycle be said to be beautiful, but in this case it certainly is.

Honda NTV 650 Revere: technical specifications

The following are the technical parameters that the motorcycle in question has:

• The power unit is a 647 cc four-stroke petrol engine. cm.
• Power – 60 horsepower.
• Maximum speed – 165 km/h.
• The gearbox is a five-speed cardan unit.
• Fuel consumption – 5 liters per 100 km.
• Gas tank capacity – 19 liters.
• Weight – 185 kg.
• Brakes - disc.
• Suspension: telescopic forks at the front, damper at the rear.

The Honda NTV 650 Revere motorcycle is equipped with a two-cylinder V-engine, which is worthy competition for similar power units. A good set of traction characteristics is combined with infrequent gear changes, regardless of speed.

The machine has a liquid cooling system and OHC fuel injection. Disc brakes make it possible to stop equipment quickly and smoothly. The five-speed transmission is combined with a cardan drive.

Test Drive

It’s worth noting right away that at low speeds the NTV 650 Honda is somewhat more difficult to control than its analogues. Quite a lot of weight combined with a narrow handlebar means that considerable force is required. The wobbling is especially noticeable when overcoming holes and potholes. However, after a short period of time, you quickly get used to such features.

The suspension unit showed pretty good performance, although the motorcycle shakes noticeably on large potholes. Telescopes cope well with small uneven surfaces on the asphalt. To properly adjust the rear shock absorber stiffness, use special knobs (no additional tools required).

The engine spins vigorously in all gears, actively gaining momentum. To optimize its operation, it is advisable to synchronize the carburetors. For driving around the city, third speed is quite enough; the sound of the power unit pleases with a special powerful “purr” without disruptions or wheezing.

Peculiarities

The riding position on the motorcycle is standard for this type of machine. You can note the wide tank and rear-set footpegs. The driver feels confident at any speed, without moving from the “seat” during maneuvers.

The saddle itself is thick, wide and low. It also works as an additional shock absorber, taking away some of the load on bumps. In fact, this is a full-fledged double seat with an easy step and direct passenger seating. If desired, you can adapt the trunk so that there is somewhere to lean against from behind.

Comparative characteristics of Honda NTV 650

Below are the main differences between the bike in question and its European counterpart, the Hawk GT. The parameters of the last unit are given in parentheses:

• Frame type – steel (aluminum alloy).
• Fuel tank - large 19 liter tank (compact 10 liter tank plus reserve tank).
• The steering wheel is standard (with clip-ons).
• The seat is large, low, soft with a full-fledged passenger seat (the saddle is high, compact and hard).
• Luggage compartments – there are several places for storing tools and other “small things” (there are practically no luggage compartments).
• The tail part protrudes beyond the dimensions of the wheel (a shortened tail that weakly protects the motorcyclist’s back from dirt).
• Switching box - during operation, the unit creates a characteristic sound during switching (the unit operates almost silently).
• Drive – cardan (chain).

Reviews

As the owners note, the technical characteristics of the Honda NTV 650 are excellent for driving within the city. Users consider the motorcycle’s unpretentiousness in operation and maintenance to be a positive aspect. The comfortable fit allows you to cover long distances without any problems. Unlike most Japanese bikes, purchasing spare parts for this unit is not particularly difficult.

Honda is economical; one refueling is enough for about 300 kilometers, depending on the condition of the road and driving style. A two-wheeled vehicle in this category is designed to move on high-quality asphalt, so controllability and dynamics are lost on a dirt road. Consumer reviews further confirm this fact.

What do the owners say?

One review noted that parts are now difficult to obtain, making maintenance difficult. Otherwise, this motorcycle does not cause any complaints. The machine is aesthetic, comfortable and durable. A noteworthy point: the reviews advise that you carefully choose a motorcycle so as not to buy a copy that is already significantly worn out.

IMPORTANT! It’s impossible to get a new bike now, but a used one is fine. But before that, it is advisable to watch a video on how to choose a motorcycle wisely. According to some descriptions, sometimes it is enough to ask the owner to take several detailed photos, from which it will become clear whether it is worth going and looking at the motorcycle at all.

As for the dashboard, it is convenient and laconic. This is good not only for the touring class, but also for bikes in general. And most owners agree with this. After all, even on a smooth, leisurely motorcycle, the rider has little time to familiarize himself with the instrument readings.

The NT 650V Deauville is a good car, which is distinguished primarily by its beauty. However, this tourist is also okay with practicality. It’s difficult to say whether this is the most convenient travel item or not. For many this is probably true. The model has no noticeable flaws.

About competitors

Let's take a brief look at the parameters of the main competitors of the Honda NTV 650 motorcycle:

1. VFR 750 from . The device is equipped with a 748 cc engine with a power of 105 horsepower. The bike accelerates to 232 km/h and is equipped with a six-speed transmission. The fuel tank holds 21 liters of gasoline, the consumption of which is 7-8 l/100 km.
2. NSR-125. Despite its aggressive, sporty appearance, the motorcycle has very modest parameters. Engine capacity – 125 cubic meters. cm, top speed – 120 km/h, number of cycles – 2, gearbox – 6 modes, fuel consumption – 4.3 l/100 km.
3. Translap 600. This bike is a typical enduro bike. The engine power is 55 “horses”, the volume is 583 cubic meters, fuel consumption is 5-6 l/100 km, the speed threshold is 174 km/h.
4. "Husvarna Strada". The motorcycle is equipped with a 625 cubic centimeter engine with a power of 58 horsepower. The weight of the unit is 186 kg, the capacity of the gas tank is 12.3 liters.
5. BMW C600 Sport. Engine volume – 647 “cubes”, power – 60 “horses”, weight – 249 kg. Fuel tank capacity – 16 liters.

Disadvantages of the model

1. The V-twin engine is characterized by vibration at high speeds.
2. On a dirt road it significantly loses controllability and power.
3. Weak light.

According to owner reviews, the Honda ntv 650 revere is a very good option for daily driving due to its unpretentiousness and ease of maintenance . A comfortable fit allows you to adequately appreciate the bike even over long distances. Finding spare parts is not difficult, which is an exception for Japanese motorcycles.

Honda Revere is quite economical, so a full tank lasts for at least 250-300 km, and when driving on the highway, fuel consumption decreases. The motorcycle is designed to ride on good asphalt, so if you go onto a dirt road, you may encounter some problems.

Honda Bros 650 road bike model

produced from 1988 to 1992. Despite such a short release period, the model still has many fans around the world. At the time of its release, the Honda Bros 650 model was considered advanced in terms of technology - an aluminum diagonal frame, a Pro-Arm cantilever rear swingarm, installed on the Honda VFR750F sports tourer.

However, the main feature of the motorcycle is its engine, which is a V-shaped 2-cylinder liquid-cooled unit with a volume of 647 cc. see, producing 56 hp. power and almost 57 Nm of torque, available at 6000 rpm. The engine has smooth, confident traction at low and medium speeds. This engine was also installed on the Honda NT 650 Deauville and Honda XL 650 V Transalp models.

Main modifications of Honda Bros 650:

• Honda NT650 Hawk GT
  - version for the American market. Produces 58.5 hp. power, has a 2-piston front caliper. Differs from other modifications in gearbox ratios.
• Honda NTV 650 (Revere)
  - version for the European market. Equipped with a steel frame, produces up to 60 hp. power, has a cardan drive, a 19-liter fuel tank, rebound-adjustable rear suspension and a center stand. Based on this modification, the Honda NT650V Deauville model was manufactured in 1998.
• Honda NTV 600 (Revere)
  - version for the English market. Identical to the previous one, but differs only in engine size and smaller carburetors.
• Honda Bros 650
  - version for the Japanese market. It has common features with the American modification, differing from it in colors, wheels, 4-piston front caliper, gearbox ratios, engine tuning (56 hp) and lower clip-on location.

The “younger brother” of the Honda Bros 650 is the Honda Bros 400.

Despite the generally interesting concept, the Honda Bros 650, NT650 Hawk GT and NTV600 models were completely discontinued in 1991-1992. The only exception was the European model Honda NTV650 Revere, which was on the market until 1998, after which it was replaced by the touring version Honda NT650V Deauville, built on the common NTV650 base.

Currently, only Japanese (Bros 650) and European (NTV650) versions are found on the Russian market, all others are extremely rare.

The main competitors of the Honda Bros 650 in the class:

Release Features

Honda Bros 650 – chain drive.

Honda NTV 650 Revere – cardan drive.

In 1997, the line closed, giving way to the tourist Honda Deauville 650 , which appeared a year later. But despite this, it will have many solutions and details used on the Bros 650.

When planning sales markets, the company's engineers acted outside the box. There were no special restrictions, but each continent received its own, slightly modified version.

In particular, for European markets a cardan , although models for Japan/America received a chain . It is impossible to find new models now, but on the secondary market, there are both Japanese and European variations. For $3,000 you can find a pretty decent version without mileage in the Russian Federation.

Specifications

Specifications of Honda Bros 650/NTV650/Hawk GT:

Dimensions and weight

Of course, this is a large vehicle compared to both sportbikes and road motorcycles. Anyone who purchases such a bike must have the appropriate physical strength to handle it properly. Otherwise, there is a risk of not being able to control the car, even if it has a relatively calm character.

Dimensions:

• tank – 19 l;
• ground clearance - 130 mm;
• curb weight – 248 kg;
• height – 1260 mm;
• width – 780 mm;
• length – 2215 mm;
• seat height – 814 mm.

The weight including fuel is comparable to that of sports touring motorcycles. So, if you have already driven a sports tourer before, mastering this model is unlikely to be a difficult task. If you have never driven anything heavier than a dirt bike before, you will have to get used to it so that this bike does not cause problems.

Reviews

Honda Bros 650 reviews:

It’s infinitely convenient to drive through traffic jams, because the motorcycle is narrow and the widest part is your hands on the clip-ons. (By the way, my clip-ons are low, and the landing is with a noticeable tilt forward. Would I say that it’s uncomfortable? I won’t say. On the P1, for example, the landing is really uncomfortable, but here everything is as it should be). The only negative is that the engine doesn’t really like extremely low speeds and at one point it can stall, tightly dragging the rear wheel with a skid - you have to play with the clutch. This did not cause any problems, but the situation was not the most pleasant.

Time passed - the realization came that the throw was not big at all, rather the opposite, and the engine began to growl pleasantly instead of thrashing wildly. Driving on the highway is quite comfortable if you drive at the speed of an office sedan: 80-90. If you drive faster, it starts to feel noticeably deflated and the ride becomes strained (or you have to lie down on the tank, which saves the situation, but also strains), and when you try to look back, your head automatically turns to the limit.

Comfort

The dashboard looks simple and clear. Nothing else is needed. The rational primitiveness of the instruments is a good solution for motorcycles, because it helps to quickly obtain the required information and immediately concentrate on the road again.

The windshield is tall enough to protect the eyes and face of an average-sized person, but not too large; it fits harmoniously into the overall design. Much the same can be said about containers for things: not too large so as not to interfere with aesthetics, but practical enough to meet the standards and functions of the tourist class.