Honda NTV650 Revere

After much waiting for the never-will-arrive Kawasaki ER6-n, I have given up and continue my search for a used high powered motorcycle. Among the bikes that I have considered includes the Honda CB400SF, Honda Shadow VT600, Honda Magna 750 (I blogged about it before) but never once did it cross my mind that I will "meet" what I would say, one of the rarest bikes in Penang, previously owned by a very nice uncle, the Honda NTV650 Revere.

The Honda NTV650 Revere is the European version of the Honda Hawk GT647 which has now achieve its cult status in the United States. Both bikes uses the same 52 degrees V-twin 600cm3 engine, but it is bored out to achieve 647cm3 and utilizes a single overhead cam with 3 valve per cylinder and features the twin spark ignition. It produces about 50 something horsepower and 56 Newt. The Revere, compared side by side with the Hawk, has a larger fuel tank for better touring capability and a longer rear section. Besides that, it uses the shaft drive which is maintenance free compared to the chain drive of the Hawk, but the Hawk uses a better chassis which is made from aluminum compared to the Revere's steel frame.

On the run, the Revere feels a bit panicky. The front suspension is a wee bit on the soft side, but the rear seems adequate though. Surprisingly, the bike is capable to handle corners much better than you think it can. For your info, the Hawk and the Revere was regarded as a high tech motorcycle back then when it was launched in the late 1980's. It was probably one of the first few bikes back then to use the Honda Pro Am single arm on the rear of the bike. Besides giving it a really nice design for the swing arm and wheels, it also helps in weight reduction and enables the use of the single suspension, better known as Monoshock.

The bike is claimed to achieve the 62 mph sprint in under 4 seconds, but it seems a bit optimistic. Nonetheless, it will achieve 62 mph within the 5 second range. The only complaint that I have about the bike is that it is somewhat under equipped. The meter gauges only shows a speedometer, a tachometer, temperature, high beam, turn signals and neutral gear. It lacks the fuel gauge which is an important feature. The gearbox though claimed by others to be less precise, to me, it is okay but just a bit rough as you can hear the 'klonk' sound when you shift up or down.

So, hmm... why did I suddenly talk a whole lot about the Honda NTV650 Revere? It is because it is my bike now. The uncle has finally agreed to sell it to me, at somewhat a high price many has claimed. Though, dad has bought it for me. Hehehe. I am a happy man now, contented. I can finally say I am a proud owner of a very rare bike in Penang. Hahaha (freaking show off here, mind you, it is an old bike, so nothing to show to people). Alright, done talking. It is time to go back and polish the new member to the collection of bikes at my house now, beginning with the monster muscle bike, dad's Honda CB1300SF, his Honda EX5, my Yamaha Lagenda Z and my Suzuki FX125 cyber sport, THE HONDA NTV650 REVERE.

The same original colour, the same wheels, totally original...