NT700V Deauville. Is it sacrilege to consider these as an alternative to the ST?

[Bluey]

I've been looking for a "commuter" bike for a while. I find the ST1100 a little heavy when negotiating stop/start and slow traffic (but perfect on the open road).

The Honda NT700V Deauville is not a "pretty" bike and I'm sure some people would think it is a bit of a freaky looking thing, but each to their own. I used to have a DL650A Wee-Strom - and that was a great bike around town, but I wanted "longer legs" and that's what I got with the ST. I missed having a shaft drive on the Suzuki - The NT is in many ways what the Suzuki was meant to be for me. Shaft drive, electric screen, and (some) ABS.

Sadly, I have to admit, a day could come when when an "Oops. that was close" may become an "Oops" plus consequences. Not soon I hope.

The NT is about 60 Kg lighter than the ST. Has anyone had any experiences with these bikes?

They both have an "T" in their model designation, so they can't be all bad, surely.

[Biggles]

It's a Honda, so you've ticked the main box.
It looks fine, not vastly different to an ST1100.
The "fixed" panniers might annoy some people, but at least it has them.  They do the distances well- I've ridden in a group in Tassie with a guy who rode his over from Perth.  He's on his second one.  Even if he's crazy, he's happy.     

[Gadget]

Bluey,

I was considering the Deauville before I got the ST. I still think they look good. WendyL father ridea a Deauville and from what I've heard, loves it.

60 kgs is equivalent to a small pillion.

It matters not what you ride, as long as you enjoy it.

[StinkyPete]

A few years ago I was chatting with the owner of one somewhere in the middle of Victoria.   He regularly toured on his Deauville to WA.   They are a very reliable and capable bike.

[richo]

I had one before moving to the ST.   I found it a good bike with a decent range.  When going two up either you or the pillion should consider a diet plan because there is not much room.   The built in panniers were not huge  and must be taken off when changing the rear tyre.   Overall though it was a good reliable machine and I put 30k on it over a couple of years.

[tj189]

had the 650cc before going to the ST1100 found it a good bike.

[Philbo]

I test rode a new one in 2007, along with an 1100 Fireblade.  I was looking for a commuter bike for my 20km ride to work.  I liked the riding position of the Deauville, but found it a bit low on power.  I couldn't cope with the tucked up riding position on the Fireblade, but loved the silky smooth power.  I said to the salesman that I would like a Deauville with a Fireblade motor.  He said that would be the ST1300.  The price was way too high for me at $24K, but more investigations led me to an ex police ST1100 with 28 thousand kilometers on the clock for $11500.
I thought the Deauville was a nice bike, on the 10Km test run I did.  The reason I wanted a little more power is because I am generously proportion (read "fat bastard').  The ST1100 proved to be a good commuter for country roads.  On the occasions I have taken it down to Brisbane I have found it to be a handful in stop/start traffic in hot weather as I get a sore clutch hand and it gets hot behind the screen.
Phil 

[cravenhaven]

My wife had a 700 Deauville for a few years as both a commuter and tourer. They are a good reliable machine and considerably lighter than the ST. One thing to note about the panniers is that they have a tube between them that can be handy for things like tent poles etc. You can also get bigger pannier lids for the Deauville which help with carrying capacity.
BTW dont get fooled or tricked into thinking the 650 Deauville is similar because they are worlds apart in performance, finish, reliableness.

[WendyL]

Bluey,

I was considering the Deauville before I got the ST. I still think they look good. WendyL father ridea a Deauville and from what I've heard, loves it.

60 kgs is equivalent to a small pillion.

It matters not what you ride, as long as you enjoy it.

Correct Gadget, dad loves his Deauville.  He's on his second one after coming off second best vs a dog at 80ks.  Says a lot that he looked round and found the exact same model when looking for a replacement.  Not all that different to ride from the ST, and as has been said is quite a bit lighter, which is good for dad as his knee gives out occasionally resulting in the bike having a little lie down....