Honda NX650 Dominator

Honda NX650 Dominator is a dual sport bike that can be used in traveling ON and also OFF road. It was introduced in 1988 and since then sold with few modifications to 2001 when Honda decided to discontinue the line.

When entering the market, Dominator had 13L tank and a rear drum brake. This version was placed on US market. However few years later Honda upgraded rear brake to disc and tank to 16L. This version was for European market and is rare on American market.

In 1995/6 production was relocated to Italian factory. Dominator changed design for modern but is was also "cheaper" - parts used were lower quality. Few thing were downgraded in compare to japan model.

In addition to the NX 650, there were also NX125, NX250, NX350, NX400 and NX500 variations. The NX350 Sahara was produced in Brazil until 1999, when it was replaced with the NX400 Falcon model. This last motorcycle was also produced in Brazil from 1999 to 2009, when it was discontinued.

This is short story. Now the facts:

ON Road Dominator is capable of riding with speed up to 150kph and more, but riding above 100kph (about 4500rpm) is not comfortable. Engine starts to roar loud and without any additional deflectors it's hard to turn head (especially when in enduro helmet). Sure, it can be done - but what for:) Short 130kph cruises won't hurt him, but it's not mean to use like sport bike or cruiser.

City riding is something easily done. It handles very well, have good sneaking ability and rides fast.
It easily beats those racing machines in making the way to pole-position. 21" front wheel is good to climb on curbs. It's pure fun to use it this way.

OFF Road can be done with reasonable mind. Using back road to get short cut? Why not! Dual sport tires provides enough traction to handle most road when dry. Mud and dirt can be passed occasionally, but with knobby tires it's much easier. Dommi will take you whenever you want to go and wherever you want to be. Torque is provided in from low rpms and thus with good balancing enough traction is provided to climb almost any hills.

Overall this bike is one of its kind. Can be used equally On and Off road and most important thing: it's reliable! Engine with some minor modification was used from 1985, and there is a reason for that. It's the same engine used in Honda XR650L because it's dry sump and air cooled and can do about 50 000km on one piston. Just put another one, and another 50 000 can be done. Oil changes are short - 3000km as manual says. But is easy and can be done in a parking lot.

I can suggest this bike for everyone, even novice.

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