Honda NTV 650 Revere

Built:1988-9819881989199019911992199319941995199619971998

Photos: Motorradtest.de

One of the biggest advantages of the Motorradtest.de team, besides our modesty, is that we are not too bad to test cheap used motorcycles. This time, an unusual 1994 Honda NTV 650 Revere went to check. The data: Only 24,000 kilometers run, stands for 1,700 at the dealership – and has the cardan drive, which is rare in this class. Get on and off!

Real sales hit

Let's face it: motorcycles have to be loved simply because they have almost no practical utility value. If you still want to have one, but don't want to make yourself poor (or can), look for the reasonable in the unreasonable, then tester Markus comes into play. Markus doesn't care how it comes, the main thing is it has two wheels and an engine. If it's the 158 hp Ducati Multistrada, it's driven across the runway at full throttle – and if it's a weaker test object, then it's not, but it's still fun. It comes as it comes.

Markus likes to ride old mopeds, as they remind him of his time, which in hindsight is gladly provided with the transfiguring addition the "good old one". Stories about stories I could ... but I digress. In a nutshell: The test object of this used motorcycle check is the ("good old") Honda NTV Revere. Their basic data are quickly told: The V2 motorcycle was a real market success between 1988 and 1997, with around 15,000 machines bringing Honda to the man (plus f/d). A nearly 650 cubic metre V2 initially provided 60 hp, later less than 50 hp.

The performance reduction over the years is not all unusual, because the NTV has a gimbal drive. Short detour into technology: A shaft running in the oil bath, the cardan shaft, transfers the power of the motor to the rear wheel instead of a chain with gears. Advantage: There is no need for maintenance work such as chain clamping, grease, cleaning and replacement after approximately 20,000 kilometers. Except for an occasional oil change, the cardan is very easy to care for, which makes it extremely popular with touring drivers. However, such a cardan is heavier, and if something breaks, it becomes expensive. This is not to be expected with our test object, because it has only run 24,000 kilometers. It is said to cost a slender 1,700 euros, while it cost around 10,575 ("good old") German marks a new one. Our NTV is available from a dealer, which is why handover inspection and fresh TÜV are included in the package price.

Well processed

Sitting up is comfortable, there is enough seating space in the second row, even compared to most modern Naked Bikes. So the problem is not sitting up, it could be sitting down, especially for pilots with longer legs. The knee angle is quite pointed. If we were to divide Markus horizontally at the height of the belly button, which we did not do, then Markus' top would be comfortably accommodated, his lower part on long-haul rather not so. Unusual, but by no means bad, is the narrow handlebars for today's conditions.

Starting and starting off is easy, the operation does not annoy with the opposite of smooth running. Unfortunately, the Honda also takes it lightly and loosely when braking. This shows the greatest distance to modern bikes: The single disc at the front ensures that riders from an intelligence quotient of 75 upwards always pay attention to the safety distance. Better is that!

Overall, the Honda looks well done, processed and assembled with reasonable parts quality. Somewhere he has to come, the reputation of this Japanese company. Of course, something is bursting here and there, and the first shine is gone. But overall, it's doing well. By the way, it rides just as well: The almost 50 hp ensure a zero hundred sprint of 5.3 seconds measured in absolute numbers, there can be no complaining. It is 175 km/h maximum, this is ok. The Newton meters have arrived at 6,500 tours for the assembly, the Honda pulls through well. Not always, however, because occasional misfires indicate a need to speak to the seller. There is no constant driving jerking, handlebar beating or load change, the gearbox switches exactly.