Talk to me about ... Deauvilles (and Diversions) *edited

[Capitano]

A long story cut short.

I've been offered a low mileage (sub 20k) 2006 650 Deauville for a silly low price on the basis that it's for me, not for resale at a profit.

I know the seating is OK as I've sat on the self same machine not long after my surgery.

The thing is, do I want it? I have a bit of OCD about clutter and owning a bike I won't ride is something of an anathema. That's the prime reason that I just sold the baby Burgman.

On paper it makes sense. My main uses for a bike any larger than my Cub are:

- Occasionally taking Mrs Capitano pillion (with stowage room for her bag, and somewhere to park her helmet, jacket, overtrousers etc. etc.)

- Trips to see my Son, 150 miles away and ride with him on his Triumph Tiger 800

- Odd rides with mates on their bigger bikes: Suzuki Intruder 1400, Kwak VN 2000, Indian Chief, Triumph Rocket 3, Ducati Diavel + Harleys (various 1450-1745)

- 500 mile round trip in 24 hours to see my Dad (Sussex-Yorkshire-Sussex)

So tell me about your Deauville experiences, comments on the above related to Deauvilles only, please.

Ta muchly!



(Photo for reference - not the actual bike but similar)

[wightegi]

I like them as a long distance touring bike Honda reliability and shaft drive fill with petrol and go .Has the one you are looking at got the hand and foot wind deflectors ?

Edit to add the one in the picture has not got them

[125erCrazy]

Test rode a few as it was the perfect bike for my lifestyle at the time, commute, tour, camping, shaft drive

Trouble is it was replacing a Pan European so just didn't float my boat.

Recall rear brakes where an issue and needed maintainence otherwise a pig to get at.

Still hanker after them now but aged design and hold their value (but if price is right then winner winner....)
Pity it didn't evolve like the trans alp but as they say if it ain't broke " PS apparently it did shows how part of the furniture it was I guess.

Dave Weller had his for some time he's your man & I believe upgraded to an NC

[cozi70]

I sourced a super cheap(£500) 650 a few years ago for my dad,an ex riding instructor bike with unknown miles.
After a bit of fettling securing loss bodywork, service and new tyres he loved it,as he had most of the bigger honda siblings,1500/1200 goldwing,st1100 and pc800 and wanted lighter.
Watch out for rusty down pipes, especially the front one.
He liked it that much he replaced it with with the 700cc deauville.

[Diesel Dave]

Nope, all the weight up top and impossible to paddle backwards against a camber.

Limited luggage space and impossible to take the plastics off without breaking tabs.

[Bogger]

Capitano. If it's cheap just buy it. It can always be sold on if you don't like it. I've always liked them. They look a bit s*** but I think that is part of the appeal and charm. So buy it.

Bogger

[bikerbaker]

Not owned one but got close. I was touring on the SV and met a guy with one at Humber Bridge Park. It looked dire but deserved to as he had had it from new and it was on about 120,000 with nothing major done. By the time we parted company, somewhere near Lincoln, I had made up my mind to investigate further. I got sidetracked, decided I wanted the 700 and preferably new. The only new stock available was white, looked like a Cop wannabee, got further sidetracked by the F800GT and went that way instead. The built in panniers were a big plus for me plus the shaft drive and I do like a V twin.

What's done is done but in hindsight I should have just got a decent NT650 as it would have done all I need.

A mate who was a bike trainer for years had one, reckoned it was ideal. So much so that he is now on his 4th DN-01, same motor but auto as is his SH300 and NC750, he's allowed, he's 84 now.

I would.

[cozi70]

Also deeper pannier lids are available to increase capacity over the standard shallow ones.

[dmw1950]

I had my 2013 Deauville for about 4 years and traded it in for a 2015 Fiat Panda, a great deal was done, thanks Belle View Honda Southend, one of the few dealers that has a car dealership as well as a bike shop.
The bike was very reliable and handles well, I did about 24,000 miles was good on fuel doing a safe 200 miles per tankful. I did quite a few long rides with the Deauville owners club, many of the owners had 'upgraded' to Pans,
The pre FI models made their reputation for reliability, my model built in Italy in 2012 was not quite as good for some owners, mine was effected by build quality, the clutch cable was not fitted correctly and broke in use. The FI light did come on after fill up and stayed on all the way home for 175 miles. Never happened again after I restarted it.
The shaft drive splines require a good grease up every tyre change to prevent wear/rust issues.
The later bikes had a good full stainless exhaust.
The pre 2007 bikes have a carb, petrol supply is helped by a electric pump which is known to fail and the last 5 litres remains in the tank. I think the earlier models are the most reliable bikes, but they clutter up a garage if not used as the sole daily bike.



'

[SouthendMike]

Hi Capitano,
I have owned and used a 2009 700 Deaiville for the last 4 years. It has taken me over quite a bit of the Uk as well as multiple trips from UK to Costa Del Sol and back, allways by road and not via ferry. Utterly reliable with good mpg of approx 62 mpg on a run. A bit heavy for a 700 but OK once on the move. The right tyres make a big difference. As above, servicing of the back end is a bit of a faff for tyres, brake pads etc but you get used to it.
I have the wide pannier lids on mine as well as the topbox and they provide plenty of carrying capacity. The guys oh the Deauville forum still rate the earlier 650 model as a good choice. Have a look on there.
Mike.