For the first year I called this bike 'Pony' because you could leave it out in all weathers and totally abuse it but each morning it would raise its head and get you where you needed to go without a complaint. Fuel and a little bit of oil every now and then was all it needed. After being knocked off a couple of times over the winter periods (always at slow speeds) I changed its name to 'Punchy' after the Bruce Willis character in 'Pulp fiction'. You knock it down but it just keeps getting up and will always get you home. Where you can bend back the various bent apendages <ul>Disadvantages and things to look out for !</ul> Rear Disc's can warp with over use due to the pro-arm. Engines retaining bolts (Four long ones) can cease into engine block, remove to check and 'copper grease'. You will only have to do this once in your ownership but its worth it. The frame is steel and will quickly bind to the bolts if left un-checked. They don't mention this in the Haynes manual! Fan behind the radiator seizes with under use and rot with rust in the english climate so just get rid of the whole unit. Radiator filling cap is under the tank if you need to check the levels or if you have lots of movement of the temp needle, ignore the Reserve it can be a bit unreliable. Second Gear can be a bit irratic, false nuetrals when running onto roundabouts. Does need some form of Screen as cruising above 70 can be un-comfortable / noisy
All previous bikes have been maintenance nightmares / money pits in comparison to the NTV. Owners only ever have feelings of admiration and respect for this bike.
Had my bike now for over 4 years, used for the commute to and from work as well as one distance journey through France Italy and Spain, without a single problem. Not been able to ride much the last year or so due to a job move, and I miss it like crazy... If your interested in this Bike check out the Owners site at,
Had my bike now for over 4 years, used for the commute to and from work as well as one distance journey through France Italy and Spain, without a single problem. Not been able to ride much the last year or so due to a job move, and I miss it like crazy... If your interested in this Bike check out the Owners site at,
The Honda NTV is an excellent bike. It was available in 600 and 650 with a totally bombproof engine. Many bikes are still going strong after over 100,000 miles, many of those at the hands of demanding despatchers. Parts can sometimes be an issue, but never a problem.
Check out the vibrant forum at http://www.ntvhonda.proboards.com with an active set of members sharing news, views and technical help.
Reliable, Economic, FUN
2nd gear is a challenge on well used bikes
Reviewing a 1996 model.
I have a 650
Owned for 3 years.
I brought my NTV650 4 years ago, i had a blade at the time and wanted a bike to ride through everything the brittish weather could throw at me..... MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. I have had and sold a blade, blackbird, cbr600rr, R6, GSX1000R K5. And an R1 which i still have as a toy for track days. but through all these bikes not one of them has given me the reliability and peace of mind as the ntv. that is why i still have her. I Stripped her last summer as the frame was showing serious signs of rust behind the rad, she got bead blasted and powder coated in a gunmetal silver now looks brand new. She had done 63,000 miles when i brought her and has now done over 130,000 miles. She is solid as a rock and gives stability in rain/snow. but by god i can have some fun on her in the summer. And to those of you who think you can't get yer knee down on them you need to try harder. i manage it nearly every day on good roads.
Any way i have now switched to the dark side and brought a car for crappy days, but the missus now has the keys and still uses her every day.
I have never found a bike so well built she still runs as good as she did when she ran off the production line.
WHAT A BIKE, SHE WILL NEVER BE SOLD
build quality, ride position, durability
can't think of one
Reviewing a 1994 model.
NTV 650 revere
Owned for 4 years.
Hi Got my NTV almost by accident (was looking for Yam / Suzuki) but saw the NTV going CHEAP and not too far away. So saw it, bought it , Love it!
Not the fastest, but fast enough. Cheap to run and reliable. Had it 6 months and not ONE moment of concern. She always starts first time winter and summer, wet or cold.
It is 'THE' NTV Owners Club. This bike is BIG in europe, and for a very good reason. It is fantastic value for money. To be honest, If you want the latest 'Plastic Fantastic' pocket rocket, then this is NOT for you, but if you want a good quality, Economical to run and reliable bike, you wont't got far wrong with one of these.
Sure it has it's faults but all round, The NTV is a Diamond. Despatch riders loved them.....Nuff said!
Jaz
Economical, easy to ride, ultra reliable and surprisingly quick (up to a point)
Getting older (so cheaper to buy;-) ) and 2nd gear can go missing, but not a great problem (Gearbox is TOUGH)
Reviewing a 1997 model.
NTV 650
Owned for 6 months.
Folks, I too own an NTV650 and I'm trying to start up a website dedicated to this machine. If interested please check out http://www.geocities.com/gontv650
I bought a L reg NTV650 as "a steady comfortable old hack to return to biking following the direct access route. It was fitted with an effective but very ugly Rickman fairing which has since been removed and replaced with a fly screen. It feels quite big when sat on it but it s very nimble once rolling, Bridgestone BT45 tyres are fitted front and rear, giving a lovely planted, confidence inspiring feel when ridden on twisty A or B roads. It has a single disc brake front and disc rear (HH pads fitted) best described as adequate! (later Dullville has twin fr discs!) Servicing was reasonably straight forward, (although I ve not yet done the valve clearances, ref other reviews on here). I used a synthetic oil in the shaft final drive figuring anything to help the losses has got to be a benefit. That shaft housing is a design masterpiece single sided swinging arm, easy rear wheel removal, no chain throwing grease everywhere, cool looks. The engine starts first time everytime and sounds lovely through a MOTAD silencer, it must sound fantastic through a sports silencer.......as it is it has a thundering deep note, often people hear the bike, look to see then are disappointed that its only a Honda commuter! It has lots of torque throughout the rev range and pulls like a train, although it s V twin layout and vibration is evident if it's chugged along below 3000rpm.....above that right up to its redline no problems, I often think 5 gears isn t enough and it would pull a slightly higher top gear (or a 6th) The big front headlamp is also surprisingly good when riding at night. My only disappointment is the painted steel frame (cost had to be saved somewhere!), which has evidence of surface rust at the seams and under the seat and behind the plastic. Also the headlamp bowl was heavilly rusted but this hadn t been cleaned for many years as it was hidden in that horrible Rickman Fairing. After I bought the bike I learnt of the US Hawk and Japanese Bros models with the aluminium frame and better looks, these and even the NTV have a big following. Honda in Japan sell the lovely VTR250 (mini ducati monster lookalike) also there s the VTR1000 range, considering the success of Suzuki's SV650, I wish Honda would do a new middlweight V twin sports tourer....until then I ll keep the NTV and get it sorted.....
What a great motorbike. I just hope that it goes on for ever (chances are it might). I wanted one of these 4 years ago, but went through CB500, 600 and 1200 Bandits, 250 RS, XBR500 to get to it. Now swapped the Bandit for BMW K1100 LT same year as the NTV (1995) and don't think that the K is any better than the NTV apart from higher cruising speed (NTV750 would be nice) and better weather protection. I have had the NTV for 1 year and used it year-round between London and York in all weathers. I gave it a full service when I bought it a year ago and have only changed the oil (twice) and filter (once) and final drive oil since. Starts every day and runs beautifully on my 20 mile round-trip commute. Quite happy to live outside in the elements. Changed awful cheap tyres after near get-off on greasy roads for BT45s (don't skimp on the tyres). Replaced fork seals once the forks appeared to be empty and the MOT loomed. It is a superb all-round bike Mr Honda: riding position, brakes (though I may fit braided hoses next year), handling and (the jewel in the crown) the engine. Mine has just gone over 30,000 mile and runs great. Lots of low down torque. Plods through heavy traffic or purrs up the motorway at 75-80. Open the throttle wider past 5000 rpm and it is finding a Welsh Cob (pony) suddenly taking off for the National course at Aintree (didn't know you had it in you old girl). Gearbox: hmmmmm! What were you thinking of Soichiro san? But it says something that the rest of the bike more thatn makes up for it. Took the exhaust off this summer and repainted the collector box (small hole needed filling, but my Bandit exhaust collapsed after 3 years). If it's cold and raining, you're tired and in heavy traffic with a long way to go, this is the bike to be on.
I can only echoe the other comments about the NTV650. I've used mine (1996 S model) daily for 2 years now and it just keeps going. I've not had one refusal to start on the button. I've cranked up the rear suspension setting as it was too bouncy on the lower settings and this allows for more positive cornering/scratching. I rarely wash it and it still looks great. After a wash it looks practically new, that's how good the build quality is. Mind you it was built in Japan as they all should be. In experienced hands it's possible to give 600cc sports bikes and Sunday riders a hard time and the V twin engine sounds great! As was mentioned the left front spark plug is a pig to put back requiring the use of the old bit of hose trick. rear cylinder valve check not too bad but front was a bit of a pig even with everything removed (tank/radiator/etc.)But I can't fault this excellent machine. I'd like to fit a renegade exhaust (the Germans and Americans are really into their NTV's or Hawks/BROS) the noise rivals Ducati I'm told. Whoever mentioned an NTV club is right, there should be club! but like you say the tech page would be very small they never break down it seems!!!!!!
In Feruary I laid my bike up for the Winter. This meant following the Haynes manual, using lots of masking tape as lables and writing everything down so as to be able to re-assemble it all. Three months later and I'm putting it back together again. One problem worthy of mention was getting a particular spark plug free. This was the front left [aerial view] but after loosening the thermostat housing and pushing this out of the way it was possible to get the tool kit's plug spanner in place. the others were no problem.
Once all was back together again it started first time till it ran out of the meagre amount of juice I'd poured in. Apart fromt hat error it was up and away. I ran it to the garage and filled up and then burned along a two lane stretch to clear away the oil, gunk, grease that had gathered.
The next day it endured a 160 mile ride home. Again - sweet as a nut. Following this I've set about some regular riding and then finally decide it was time to get a new front tyre fitted. I combined this with an air filter and new set of plugs. I'm about to change the brake lines for Goodrich ones and also fit new pads all round.
My planned trip round Europe is coming together and I expect to depart for France in about 3 weeks time. By then should the top end have any serious rattle, though I know it'll go on forever, I may get that done.
In the menatime I'm looking to rid eit 'heavily laden'. that's with the panniers, top-box and tank bag in order to see how it handles. If all is OK then I'll be travelling with such a configuration of luggage. Also, I need to buy the necessary camping 'survival' gear. Having said all that I do want to travel 'minimalist'. We'll see how that pans out.
Today saw a 200 mile plus round trip that was great fun. green lanes were terrific, moor-land roads begged to be thrashed and the hills were mereblips to be leap frogged. The bike is awesome, asure footed and remains forgiving. hence better brakes as I don't think I'm slowing down!
I'm looking at fitting a brightter headlamp bulb and have read about Xenon being just the job. I'm not sure whether it can go straight in though.
I'm told 19 came to NZ, by a fellow that said when I asked him to tell me when (if) he puts his one up for sale, "Never. I love it. I sold a BMW to buy it, it's done 132,000 miles and I did the top end at 100,000. If I could buy a new one I would." He finally told me of a 1988 one that I eventually tracked down and bought. After the first 2hr ride I felt compelled to fix the seat that had suffered from over-use. 50mm of foam later I rode it south for 4 hours and could have kept going for another 4. The return revealed a total 600mm of oil consumption for the 8hr trip so I went searching the net for parts and turned up the "stolen & recovered" 1995 model on eBay 7-day auction. I bought it! I've just got to get it here now. So I now own (UK) N940OJR, that has 22,000 miles on the clock. Its got a twin headlight after-market fairing and I'm trying to trace the previous owner. I figure it might just be Terry G's, and I'm looking forward to the response to this posting. Cheers everyone, thanks for your offerings so far. It's a pity you've not been easier to find! GeoffNZ
Its good to see this bike getting the credit it deserves. I have owned mine now for 6yrs from second hand. No problems even though I am not that religious concerning maintanence and thrash it a bit. It has spent 6 months continuous touring (german autobahns), a year comuting through London, a year in storage and has been through 2 danish winters. Parts changed: Battery, radiator cap, fork seals, stearing and front wheel bearings, neutral gear sender switch (these do wear out) and rear shock (after storage), spark plugs etc. It is a little bit heavy but you get used to that. Only thing to be aware of that I have heard is to keep the cooling system maintained as overheating can kill them. Its now done 61000 miles and is time for a new exhaust. Alegedly these things are de-tuned as standard and an aftermarket exhaust and carb set up can give up to 10 bhp more without stressing them too much.
In my ratings I've selected 'outstanding'. What follows is an explanation of just why. Quite simply, it does just what it says on the tin.
I returned to biking after 18 years and did my DA on a Honda cb500. Great bike and I wanted to stay with that same positive feel and safe steady ride. However, the bike world's view seemed to be that 'I'd soon outgrow' a 500. I must admit I'd met many bikers that were on their fourth bike in two years since passing the testand each seemed to get bigger. This convinced me that I needed to make a careful choice. That is, a bike that was big enough yet not too big. At 10 stone and 168 cm I wasn't ever going to be into muscle bikes.Furthermore, the fact that the inductry is obsessed with selling race replicas did nothing for me. So, the more I researched it the more convinced I became that the NTV basically couldn't be beaten at the price. It would tour, was economical, ultra reliable, super shaft driven and cheap to insure. I found one that had been lovingly cared for and yet used every day! With it came a full set of luggage - and I mean full! If that's not enough it came with heated grips!A ride up the motorway brought it home and touching 80 mph it was safe and surefooted in the driving rain. Following that and despite the approach of winter I began to take it out and familiarise myself with its characteristics. It certainly was forgiving and eventually I learned to solidly put it in first [ it had jumped out when turning right at a junction!]and put some revs into it as I pulled away. I began to trust it in to bends and the wet roads prevented much of a lean but again it just breezed everything. Even slowing is aided by the massive effect on closing the throttle. A real plus is the fact that it will pull away [even up hill]in second. This gives it a really smooth ride up to about 40 mph. It makes traffic a doddle. Also, it just drives thru' the speed range in higher gears and I can just rest foot and clutch hand. A bonus. I don't know what kind of speed people expect but I opened it up on an ordinary ribbon of blacktop that just happened to be straight and quiet. The thing just gazoomped from 60 to the ton and it was such a surprise I thought I'd settle for that. Also, like you read about any bike everywhere, it leaves almost every car for dead. As for servicing it, tho' it's early days the levels don't drop; it starts first time; every thing works and is kept outside during this winter! I can't fault it. With the speed it will do I don't think I [ or in truth many riders] could really push it to the limits. Besides that's not what I want from motorcycling. It's comfortable and the powerbronze screen gives good protection when wind speed kicks in. I plan to tour Europe on it come Spring /Summer and expect it will really come in to its own. I do think it'll be a bike that I keep for a long time. It looks the part. I'm glad I'm light years away from multi-colour leathered, race replica wannebes. In 5 o'clock traffic cars give it respect.No boy racer antagonisim here. A cruise up the off side gets admiring looks and traffic allows me in. It's big but not too big and smoothly efficient in traffic crawl situations. Yes, I've got to do my bit and master 650 cc and over 400 pounds of power. However, it provides a realistic stepping stone straight to the big bike world that the newcomer can master. I tried a Bandit and it screamed at me. The NTV is a big pussycat that simply purrs. The v-twins are machined perfection that have been around since Samson and equally as strong. They do not break down. Finally, and it's the only criticism I'd level towards it; why is there no NTV club? Let's get together and share bits of tech. info., how to's etc. Or is it that the things just so reliable we don't need it? a great bike and I love it!
Couldn't agree more, a bike to see you through the roughest winters. My gearbox problems revolve around it dropping out of 2nd (just when I'm leaning into a sharp bend!!!). Recently had a strange rattle from the engine, it turned out to be an empty snail shell trapped in the 'V' of the cylinders. I do about 8K per year and wish I could do more.
Owned for 2 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed October 2003.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
A steady bike for a steady oldy, Love the NTV I bought with a fairing and full set of GIVI hard luggage. Been to France for a gentle week and starting to get around uk. Reliable until it stopped on second morning of end to end, with a charging problem. The garage found nothing wrong after I put a new battery on it. Really dead battery after 200 miles the day before ? Not sure, so a little hesitant. Love the bike, love the twin engine, hate the clonky box, Girlfriend loves the comfy seat, and I love hers!!!Wouldnt put my £2k anywhere else for a late 95 bike with 15k on the clock Hmmmm. Terry G
Owned for 1 year.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed April 2003.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
Back in the saddle after 20 years, I chose a 97 NTV650. Why? It looks like a motorcycle, is easy to maintain (shaft drive...) and it matched my red helmet (joking). It plods along, goes round the corners and has pleasant thump from the twin cylinders. I am looking forward to many miles above the 40,000 when I bought it.
Owned for 3 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed February 2003.
Performance
Reliability
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I crashed my bike a Honda CBX550 great bike too ride now i am still recovering but i already both a otherone NTV650.Thanks for the information i already got from this site.When i'm back on the road i will let all of yuo know how it rides.
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Never owned
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed November 2002.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
WICKED BIKE 100% RELIABLE,EASY TO WORK ON.LOW FUEL BILLS.IF U WANT A GOOD CHEAP COMUTER THIS IS THE 1 4 U........
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