Age: 5 years (L reg.)
Cost: about &#a63;3,500 at time of purchase
Insurance: about &#a63;170 p.a. (38 year old rider, clean licence, cheap post code
Economy: 60-65 miles/gallon from mixed urban/rural riding
Good points: Superb machine, cheap and reliable
Bad points: Difficult to obtain, clunky gearbox
The NTV 650 is a direct descendant of the Revere model (its 600 cc predecessor) and is definitely an improvement, probably from the experience Honda gained with the Revere. It is a sound, well-proven design, with typical Honda engineering excellence. The machine has a 650 cc V-Twin which produces a claimed output of 57 bhp. At this level of power from that swept volume, the state of tune is low (with the concomitant increase in engine durability and longevity). Also, some loss through the drive shaft is inevitable, so this is definitely not a caf racer in-the-making.
With the NTV, Honda have produced a superbly reliable machine, with low running costs. It is aimed directly at the commute/courier market and takes a lot of beating, with few comparable machines made by other manufacturers.
The machine is completely docile and has no handling quirks. Its relatively upright riding position makes for excellent visibility in heavy traffic, and it is still light enough to be able to manoeuvre well. Although obviously not in the same class as a trailie like the Yamaha TDM 850, the NTV does well. The major hassle in stop/go situations is the gearbox. Honda obviously recruit designers from Massey-Ferguson, as the gearbox attached to the NTV would grace one of their tractors, persistent missed cogs when rapidly going from first to second can often ruin an otherwise slick and rapid acceleration to illegal velocities. This is a real nuisance when accelerating hard away from the line and needing second in a hurry.
Purchasing the NTV revealed the other major bugbear - these machines are made from an unusual metal known as 'unobtainium' which has the remarkable ability to make people say "Sorry mate, it's already sold." I eventually had to go to a dealer and cough an extra few hundred pounds to get mine. Stories of cash buyers queuing overnight outside showroom doors are not unknown - remember, when purchasing you're up against every courier and despatch rider in the country.
Servicing is reasonably straightforward, and any competent amateur mechanic should be able to achieve an oil, filter and plug change with little difficulty, even if forced to use the naff tool kit supplied with the machine. The plug spanner supplied by Honda is worth its weight in plutonium - changing the source of ignition without it is literally impossible.
By the nature of the bike, a fairing is a good idea, as the purchaser presumably intends to spend a significant amount of time astride it. The NTV will sustain 90 mph until the tank (or rider's wallet) run dry, so don't attempt any macho endurance feats - the bike will carry on, but you will need physiotherapy.
After 40,000 miles, commuting 5 days a week, in all weathers, the finish on my machine is beginning to lose its original gloss. Sadly, Honda have allowed welding sputter to mar an otherwise superb finish, and tin worm is using it as a beachhead in the inevitable rust war. The machine continues to run reliably, always giving a stalwart 60-70 miles per gallon. I fully expect to put another 20 or 30 thousand on the clock - after which I shall probably buy another one.
All in all, the NTV is a superb commute/despatch weapon, with viceless handling and enough 'oomph' to give a nasty shock to GTI drivers. My commute involves a regular standing start from lights on a straight dual carriageway (the Lightwater crossing of the M3 for cognoscenti) and it is always a delight to watch my humble NTV make the four wheel herd disappear in the rear view mirror.
P.S. Since I first wrote this review, Honda have introduced the Deauville model, which comes with
a fairing as standard [and panniers, I think - KB], so obviously enough 'arm-lengthened' punters
have complained to Honda that they've finally done something about it. Anyone
out there care to review a Deauville for my benefit?
©1994-2006 Kevin Boone, all rights reserved