My Review of the Honda NT700V “Deauville”
Back in November, I purchased a 2010 Honda NT700V(Non-ABS), known World Wide as the Deauville. After a few months of riding the Deauvlle, I now feel qualified to offer my opinion of this machine. So read on if you want to know what I think. From here on, I will refer to the NT700V as the Deauville.
The 2010 Honda NT700V
The Deauvlle has been available on the World Market for the last ten years and Honda finally decided to release it into the US Market for 2010. For years I have been waiting for Honda to find similar sense and release their other Jewels like the Trans Alp, African Twin and Varadero, so when the Deauville hit the showroom floor I jumped at the chance. In other parts of the world, the Motorcycle is used as a daily tool where practicality is the rule of the day. Narrow streets, heavy traffic conditions and when the Motorcycle is your primary transportation, the ability to carry cargo and reliability are more important than looks. In the U.S., riding for most part is a recreational pastime so chrome and how it looks are more important than funciton.
I am pretty practical when it comes to what I ride, so I don’t like chrome. I ride my machines so they get dirty and I’d rather spend my time riding instead of polishing my machine with all its nooks and crannies. I like being able to spray some dry and wash on my plastic, wipe off the dirt and take off. I also require performance and reliability. I don’t buy a Motorcycle to convey an image. I use a Motorcycle to take me to adventure and as a means to help me check off the items on my bucket list. I own both the Honda ST1100 and ST1300, Big Brothers of the Deauvlle. That being said, you should have a understanding of my mindset and where I am coming from.
My NT700V moments before the sale
My first visual impression of the Deauvlle was that of the smaller brother to the ST1300. The side Paniers and the adjustable wind screen have similar lines to the ST1300 but thats where the likeness ends. You should not compare the Deauvlle to the ST1300, as they are completely different machines with dissimilar performance envelopes. The Deauvlle needs to be judged on its own merit. I can see why Honda waited to release the Deauvlle into the U.S. Market, as their most popular machines in other countries like the Trans Alp, didn’t catch on here. I still don’t think the Deauville is ready for the U.S. Market for reasons I stated previously. The other reason I bought the Deauville is if it goes the way of the Trans Alp, its rarity will increase its value.
After some no B.S. talk with the Manager of Georgetown Texas Honda, I was out the door with the Deauvlle for $9.8k, with a Honda 2 year extended protection plan. Note: the ABS Model is about a grand to a grand and a half more. Two others called during my dealings, so I got away with the last Deauvlle on the floor.
Fuel/Range: My first stop with the Deauvlle was the fuel station, where I topped off the tank. With the built in Fuel computer and the odometer, I wanted to find out how far the Deauvlle would go on a single tank. I rode until the fuel gauge went below the left bottom corner of the “E”. Refer to figure “”. The odometer read 205 miles and the needle had been in the red for the last 35 miles. The fuel computer said I was getting around 51 MPG, from a mix of highway, city and Interstate travel. This fact impressed me.
With 205 Miles on the trip meter, I had almost a gallon of fuel left
Handling: This is where the Deauvlle shines. The Deauvlle is nimble and easy to ride. The beginner and the expert will both feel comfortable on the Deauvlle. The ride is a little buzzy as the speedometer gets over 70 MPH, reminding me of the Concours. I was able to obtain 109 MPH indicated with no problem but didn’t push it any further on the public roads. The acceleration is not impressive but taking the machines purpose in mind, it is adequate and smooth. In traffic or Urban areas the Deauvlle is a champ. Easy to manuever in tight conditions, its low speed handling is excellent and braking is very good. The bike is well balances and I can easily come to a complete stop and a Stop Sign without putting my feet down. Because the Deauvlle is light, heavy cross winds or Big Rig traffic will push you around a little but you have to expect that with any machine in that size range. The cornering is very good and handling the twisties is no problem but it is not the right type of machine for knee dragging. The ground clearance is excellent and it handles very well on rough, unimproved and improved dirt roads.
Cargo: The Deauvlle has two small compartments on either side of the handlebars. The left one locks and the right one has a friction latch. These compartments are adequate for your registration, documents, garage door openers, tire gauges etc. You must rotate the handle bars left or right to access these compartments depending which side you want to get into, otherwise you cannot open the lids. Anyway this means you cannot access the contents while riding, which for most is a good thing. The built in/or integrated saddle bags are ample for extra clothes, shoes, nightly groceries but won’t hold a motorcycle helmet like the ST’s or BMW RT’s. What I did like about the bags is at the back of the bags, there is a through compartment. There is a slot where is about 4 inches wide which goes from one bag to the other, allowing storage for longer items that won’t fit lengthwise in the side bags. The lock and latch for the bag lids are found along the left passenger hand rail. There is a small platform at the rear of passenger seat. You should be able to get a Givi rack to bolt to this if you wished to ad a trunk. As of this writing, there are no Honda made, model specific accessories available in the U.S. If you know better, let me know.
Ammenities: The trip and fuel computers are great tools, easy to read and to manipulate. The Wind Screen is manually adjustable, a feature which I like since I don’t like looking through plastic. The rider protection is adequate and squeezing the knees in behind the trailing edge of the side Paniers, takes your legs out of the slip stream.
The Instrument lay out and fuel computer. Reading 48.8 MPG at 145 miles through the first tank.
Click for the Specifictions.
Overall: The Deauvlle is the perfect machine for the Urban Commuter, who would like to do an occasional over nite or multi-day trip. It is economical to operate and there is every indication that it will maintain Honda’s reputation of reliability. The Deauvlle is an everyday riding machine which handles very well. The Deauvlle makes and excellent first bike, or secondary machine for the experienced rider who needs a utilitarian machine. I have yet to do a multi-day ride on the Deauvlle. but it should prove extremely capable for a 400 - 500 mile ride day.
Nice lines
If you have any questions or resources that I may find useful being a Deauvlle owner, drop me a line.
Ride Safe, Ride Hard!
nice review. Just bought a silver non-abs. Looking forward to many comfortable and safe miles of reliable travel !!!
Right on review. I bought my NT700V in January. And yes Honda has a rear case (made by Givi) which is very good.
Bob, I had to buy a Pan European Trunk for my ST-1300. I was hoping someone might have a lead on what the Euro’s are using besides Givi. If you get a chance or have the model # for the base plate, could you forward me the info? Thanks!
I am considering one of these. How do you think it would do two up? I weigh about 200 and the wife 125.
Should I consider an ST 1300 instead?
Thanks,
Dale
Dale, for Two Up I would go with the ST. I ride two up on the NT and my better half says that’s is okay for local rides. Especially if you plan on doing over night touring.
Brad, Thanks for your comments….ride safe!
Zeke,
I’ve got an ABS NT700V with the big pannier lids (so mine advertises itself as a Deauville!). I bought the panniers from Honda of Bournemouth, UK. I’ve added a Throttlemeister, FendaExtenda, Honda’s heated handgrips and wind deflectors, a CooCase top trunk, bar risers and peg lowerers, wiring for my Gerbings heated Jacket, a GPS, and Denali LED Driving lights.
I’ve done a SS1k on the bike and just passed 5000 miles last week. Your review is pretty much on target, but I don’t find the vibration objectionable at all (of course, I never noticed much vibration with either of my Concours C-10s either). I like it partly because it feels so much lighter than the Connie. I think I could still pick it up, even with my artificial knees (# 4 & 5).
Phil Tarman
Fort Morgan, CO
I guess you have to experience the smoothness of the ST1100 and 1300’s to appreciate my viewpoint. None the less, it is a good machine suitable for many tasks.
You say “The ground clearance is excellent and it handles very well on rough, unimproved and improved dirt roads.”
I would love to hear more about this. I’m thinking about buying an NT and fitting a SLIGHTLY more open tread for the occasional dirt road.
Tony
Upstate NY
Tony, I have a BMW 1150GS and two Honda Transalps (89,90). The NT is similar in weight to the Transalps and much lighter the the GS, so it is great on bad roads. You don’t need new tires unless you are doing some serious off road riding and then you would be trying to make a Silk Purse out of a Sow’s Ear. The NT is a general purpose machine that does everything good but is not the best choice if you want to specialize in a specific Genre of riding.
Dale, My girlfriend and I ride two up on it occasionally just on day rides. I am 200 she is 130 and it works fine. I would add a trunk which should have a backrest to make it more comfortable for her. If you are doing multi-day rides, I would opt for the ST-1300 or Gold Wing.
All, I recently purchased this bike, thinking that it would offer me a nice small bike for a 50 mile daily commute. Thankfully, I was right. It is nimble and fast enough for me. I’m no speed demon. Last weekend, my friend (an ST1300 owner) and I rode 1000 miles in 4 days. We traded bikes a couple of times. Although I was impressed by the smoothness of his bike, and its obvious power superiority, I have to say that I am very pleased with the NT700. The only small concern, is that because it is a light bike, cross winds will move you around a bit.
You made a good choice and like I said, it is a perfect workhorse. It doesn’t do everything great but it does everything good! Congratulations!
Finally an honest review. I’m an ST1300 owner and I must say the weight of the bike and the heat coming off the engine is kicking my butt. I live in Chicago where construction season begins immediately after the last snow melts. I spend a lot of time in traffic and the ST1300 is too hard to maneuver at slow speeds. How does the slow speed riding (crawling) on the NT compare to the ST?How much heat are you getting off the engine, keep in mind that I sit still a lot (lights,merging lanes, etc)? I have to downsize and I’m wondering if NT is a good option.
Rich, The NT has less rider protection so in the summer, you get more moving air over you. Also there are two cylinders to heat up, so I prefer it in the summer. Remove the front inner panier panels from the 1300. It made a significant difference.
Oh, on the NT I can balance all day long. One of the advantages of a lighter bike but the 1300 is heads above all bikes in its class or larger for balance. I really notice the difference on gravel or soft roads. A lighter bike has its advantages. I just wish we could get the 700 Transalp which is available world wide except here in the states. America is hung up on engine size and not practicallity.
[...] This is a great practical everyday Motorcycle. Read my review. [...]
I bought a new 2010 NT recently. I fit the profile of many other buyers…..I’m in my mid-50s, 6′2″, 210#, and have ridden street and competition (MX) off road bikes since I was 13 years old. I’ve had BMW, big cruisers, sportbikes, and a C-10 Concours. The NT fits me perfectly!
I bought it as daily transportation that can go on weekend jaunts without feeling “lesser” in too many ways. The gas mileage is as advertised (aver. 50+mpg), nimble, and fun to ride. I like it’s quietness, too. I call it my “stealth” bike. I do a good bit of riding in the North Ga./ North Carolina mountains. Went and buzzed through the famous “Deals Gap” a couple of times, and the more fun but lesser known roads of the area. No problem of any sort (handling wise). Easy to maneuver, comfortable, sharp cornering. Going in hot on corners and chopping the thottle abruptly while applying heavy front brakes WILL lighten the rear wheel enough to chirp and drift (because of the shaft drive). Once you realize that, it really is no slower or faster than many sport bikes through most areas. I am completely satisfied with my purchase. I am considering adding a better seat for longer distances, the hand wind guards for winter, and the larger pannier lids. That’s about it!