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...

Sigh... Can't help but sigh...

Life is just full of options huh? I always face this situation. Between KDU and Disted, between KL and OZ, between cars and bikes??? Well, between cars and bikes, my choice is dead obvious...bikes of course; LOL. So you guys would probably think that i am crazy, irrational... could be, but i don't know how to explain myself. And i don't think i have to explain all the decisions i make in life...

So, after 4 years of begging, and much pleading, dad finally gave in. It was luck too i guess. Kawasaki Motors launched the Ninja 250 and the odd looking ER6-n at affordable price. I grabbed that lil' opportunity i had, dragged dad to Mega Fortune and YES, finally, at last, a booking was made. A black coloured Kawasaki ER6-n... may not be my dream bike but then again, riding is dangerous, so a 650cc is good way to start.

The guy at the shop said that there is a one month waiting list for the bike. Well, one month seems like a long time, but compared to 4 years, hmm... i will wait, i will wait and i will wait patiently for it. Hehehe.

Time flies. Good thing. Hours turns into days turns into weeks and soon its a month. I think i couldn't sleep for about a week one month after the booking. I always kept my handphone battery in full charged, expecting the call from the bike shop. Did i get that call that i was soooo anxiously waiting for? Did i get the bike that was PROMISED to arrive in ONE month?

NO... NO... NO... Argh!!! Disappointed...

Million dollar question now is when will i receive the bike. The guy promised me again during mid August. Didn't happen. Now, it's going to be mid October. Haihz... But good news is, there is high possibility i am gonna get the 2009 revised model. 2009 model? YEAH!!! I will wait, i will wait and i will wait patiently for it...

I am expecting the bike somewhere mid December now. BUT... haiya, why did i follow dad out this morning. This, we call in malay "pungkok gatai" ... We dropped by Aprilia moto at Greenlane but sorry we are not buying Aprilia; LOL. Saw this handsome power cruiser ... HONDA VF750 MAGNA. The owner is selling it about the same price as the Kawasaki ER6-n. I am a big fan of Honda bikes, can't afford them new. So, this is another chance.

Dad, straight away ask me... "How, no need wait already la...". I was like ... err...err...errr... Don't know la. I am split. Two different bikes, a power cruiser and a street bike. Two different makes, a Honda and a Kawasaki. Two different machines, a V-4 with four carbs and an inline twin which is fuel injected. What to choose? TELL ME...someone... I think if i am impatient, i will go for the Honda, but 2nd hand wor... AND its a 1994 model. Should i wait? For the meantime, the waiting continues...

The 2009 Kawasaki ER6-n street bike

The HANDSOME power cruiser "HONDA VF750 MAGNA"