Ten Years On, Another Deauville

The first time I rode a Honda NT650V Deauville was in 1998, the year that they were introduced to the UK market. I was writing for BikeNet in those days and was asked if I wanted to write a review as Honda were arranging a ride out for motorcycle journalists to have a peek at the new model.

So, several of us set out from Chiswick and headed across country to North Wales, ending up at Lake Vyrnwy where we carried out a very wet photo shoot. My impressions of the bike were that it was an ideal all-rounder. A decent middle-weight that would appeal to the commuter and occasional long distance rider. Not especially exiting but a sound workhorse that would serve its owner well. I was in the minority in giving it a good report. Most journalists wrote it off as dull because it wasn’t the latest hyper sports bike. No, it wasn’t. What it was what a lot of fun on at legal speeds those Welsh roads. It handled well, went quickly enough and was fuel efficient. Dullville, it most certainly wasn’t.

I liked it so much that the following year, I bought one and took it to the Isle of Man for that year’s TT. I loved it. Like many owners of these machine, I tweaked to to put right those minor niggles that most stock machines have; in this case, a taller screen and the fairing lowers to keep the rain off my feet.

Three years on, I traded it in against my current BMW R1150RT, no longer having a need for two bikes. My commute was now longer and the Deauville was something of a luxury.

Once more, my circumstances have changed. Ever since I started motorcycle training again, I’ve felt the need for something a bit smaller than the BMW for following learner riders –  especially the restricted mopeds. The BMW does it well enough, but I’m not using it for the purpose it was intended and I’m aware of its bulk. I would rather keep it for what I bought it for –  long distance hauling. With this in mind I have been thinking about getting a CB500 or similar for my training work. I’ve been scanning the market for a decent example –  not too expensive and not too abused.

The other day, the dealer a few doors down from the training school asked if I was interested in a Deauville. At twelve years old and with 29,000 miles on the clock it was in decent condition, he told me. For the price he was asking for a trade sale, it was comfortably in my budget and allowed for me to spend a couple of hundred on sorting out those minor things that I need, heated grips, a higher screen and fairing lowers.

I took it out for a spin and was instantly reminded what a marvelous little bike this is –  handles well, brisk acceleration and civilised weather protection. Unlike my one of ten years ago, this one no longer has the original exhaust system, which comes as no surprise as they were prone to rotting. Mine was on the way out when I sold it. This example has a Motad stainless steel system and comes with a throaty V-twin growl that mine didn’t have. It suits it.

I like it. I’ve bought it. So, here we are, ten years on and I’ve got  another Deauville in the stable –  or, at least, I will have once that cheque from the French house clears and the dealer has finished sorting out those little tweaks.