First Ride: 2006 Honda Deauville
Famous for being dull, the new generation of Deauville has grown up from humdrum commuter into baby Pan European.
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The Deauville has been quietly going about its business since the late 90s and there are over 5000 of them pottering about our roads.
The shaft driven V-twin has been given an overhaul at last, including fuel injection and 33 extra ccs, and potential customers can contemplate the sales brochures and gasp into their Ovaltine at the array of new features and optional extras.
But let's resist sarcasm. The Deauville is a low stress tool that will travel to the other side of the world without fuss (or excitement), no doubt providing pleasure for its owner while doing so. The difference now is that it will do it with a bit more gusto - the motor has a new four-valve head and 10 extra bhp to help deal with a passenger and luggage. All very positive but, while the difference in performance is duly noted, the bike still has to cart 240 kilos around even before two people and their clobber climb aboard.
The ride is acceptable if a little soft, though it does a reasonable job of dealing with poor road surfaces. The inclination is to wallow rather than glide, though I can't imagine becoming uncomfortable on a long journey; there is no reason why you couldn't spend long consecutive days in the saddle. One of the more disappointing improvements is the new two-position screen, the adjusting of which involves at least 10 minutes and a tool kit .
We get larger storage compartments, luggage capacity and fairing, and even a baguette-shaped hole running between the panniers. Optional extras include front and rear fog lights, larger pannier lids to increase capacity, a 45-litre top box, and digital amplifier and speaker system for your MP3 or CD player. GPS and heated grips are two other must-have options.
The new Deauville will no doubt appeal to a wider audience than before, and will appeal especially to those of a nervous disposition as there's nothing here to get excited about.
VERDICT 3/5
Thrill-free from the offset, but otherwise a well-equipped and quite capable mini luxury tourer or upmarket commuter
SPECS
TYPE - COMMUTER / TOURING
PRODUCTION DATE - 2006
PRICE NEW - £6199 / £6499 ABS
ENGINE CAPACITY - 680cc
POWER - 87bhp@8000rpm
TORQUE - 48.9lb.ft@6500rpm
WEIGHT - 236kg / 240kg ABS
SEAT HEIGHT - 805mm
FUEL CAPACITY - 19.7L
TOP SPEED - 130mph
0-60 - n/a
TANK RANGE - N/A
Click to read: Honda NT700V Deauville owners reviews, Honda NT700V Deauville specs and to see the Honda NT700V Deauville image gallery.
The Deauville has been quietly going about its business since the late 90s and there are over 5000 of them pottering about our roads.
The shaft driven V-twin has been given an overhaul at last, including fuel injection and 33 extra ccs, and potential customers can contemplate the sales brochures and gasp into their Ovaltine at the array of new features and optional extras.
But let's resist sarcasm. The Deauville is a low stress tool that will travel to the other side of the world without fuss (or excitement), no doubt providing pleasure for its owner while doing so. The difference now is that it will do it with a bit more gusto - the motor has a new four-valve head and 10 extra bhp to help deal with a passenger and luggage. All very positive but, while the difference in performance is duly noted, the bike still has to cart 240 kilos around even before two people and their clobber climb aboard.
The ride is acceptable if a little soft, though it does a reasonable job of dealing with poor road surfaces. The inclination is to wallow rather than glide, though I can't imagine becoming uncomfortable on a long journey; there is no reason why you couldn't spend long consecutive days in the saddle. One of the more disappointing improvements is the new two-position screen, the adjusting of which involves at least 10 minutes and a tool kit.
We get larger storage compartments, luggage capacity and fairing, and even a baguette-shaped hole running between the panniers. Optional extras include front and rear fog lights, larger pannier lids to increase capacity, a 45-litre top box, and digital amplifier and speaker system for your MP3 or CD player. GPS and heated grips are two other must-have options.
The new Deauville will no doubt appeal to a wider audience than before, and will appeal especially to those of a nervous disposition as there's nothing here to get excited about.
VERDICT
Thrill-free from the offset, but otherwise a well-equipped and quite capable mini luxury tourer or upmarket commuter.
Honda Deauville Specs
SPECS
TYPE - COMMUTER / TOURING
PRODUCTION DATE - 2006
PRICE NEW - £6199 / £6499 ABS
ENGINE CAPACITY - 680cc
POWER - 87bhp@8000rpm
TORQUE - 48.9lb.ft@6500rpm
WEIGHT - 236kg / 240kg ABS
SEAT HEIGHT - 805mm
FUEL CAPACITY - 19.7L
TOP SPEED - 130mph
0-60 - n/a
TANK RANGE - N/A
