NEW NTV650 rider.

[alan1968]

Hi all. just purchased my 1996 Honda NTV650 40,000 mile (08/07/2016) so thought I'd join your Forum for future info and help and a bit of good old banter. Only been on my full license for 5 years now, and since I started on "L" plates I've gone through the following bikes. Honda CG125 (on L plates) loved it, Kawasaki GPZ500 (first big bike after passing test) was great but underpwered and lumpy. Yamaha FZS1000 fazer (2nd big bike) absolute power monster that scared me sometimes. And now I've down sized a bit to the Honda NTV650 because after a knee injury I found the fazer to heavy and high seated and also liked the lookmof it, a proper looking naked bike. But I've got to admit I'm loving my first few days on the NTV, it reminds me of riding the CG125 but with more power. I just love the sound of the V twin. Im adapting to the different gear changing but find it difficult to select neautral. is this common and is there a cure. I'm not familar with shaft driven bikes and the gear set up etc. would a better quality oil or an additive help. all normal gear changing seems fine its just neautral thats a bugger to get.

[seastate]

Hi and welcome. Its very quiet in here now so there's no chat but loads of info if you search the forums

I've had three NTV's now - the first two got to 100k and this one's on 50k and I've never had any problems with them at all and they're comfy, handle well and are cheap

As for oil - a good quality motorbike specific 10-40W is perfect. As the oil also lubricates the clutch - car oil sometimes have slip additives which isn't good for a clutch - it slips!

Neutral is a skill you will learn, I tend to let the clutch out a bit and clunk it in. The gearbox on the NTV is agricultural at best and sometimes they'll loose 2nd but it's an easyish fix if you dont mind rebuilding a bit of the engine. Best not to cane it in 2nd...

Saying that - I caned all mine and never had an issue!

Post some pics..

[barry211]

hi all, just bought an NTV650 about 3 weeks ago (K reg - never remember my years...) done about 90,000+ but in pretty fair condition for age and miles.
i agree with the gear changes and the joy of finding any one of the several neutrals available but as its a honda gearbox they are pretty indestructable. previously owned old jap in-line 4's so finding out how much vibration and genuine fun a v-twin is.

only picked it up as the RAT project GT550 was proving to be a money pit, will be looking at changing this from the green it currently is to a lovely shade of black/rust but i must say i love it. Doing about 300+ miles a week and will only buy shafties due to the mileage i do, always try and join a bike specific forum as mostly do my own mechanics.

will try and post a few pics of its progress into a rat as i get round to doing it but i must admit this bike is really good fun to ride after not being on 2 wheels for a few years.