Any Honda Dominator NX650 owners out there ?

[arkangel]

Thanks very much! More specifically.. I found several bikes in the $1500 range (DR350s... KLR650.. XT600..XL350R etc) Do you think the NX is a good choice vs. those machines? I like the look of it, but I just want a nice smooth bike that would be worthy of dirt rides if I needed it to. The DR350 looks like a good choice at this point, but I am not ready to rule out the NX until I see how much he will take for it!

[Pablo83]

Originally Posted by arkangel

Thanks very much! More specifically.. I found several bikes in the $1500 range (DR350s... KLR650.. XT600..XL350R etc) Do you think the NX is a good choice vs. those machines? I like the look of it, but I just want a nice smooth bike that would be worthy of dirt rides if I needed it to. The DR350 looks like a good choice at this point, but I am not ready to rule out the NX until I see how much he will take for it!

The NX is a smooth ride on the street. It will do well for commuting and does great in the woods as long as you don't plan to take any jumps, but there are more fairings to scratch/break if you drop the bike.

The 350cc bikes will be a little lighter, but the 600/650cc bikes will be much more comfortable at highway speeds.

Personally I'd go with the cheapest and/or best running of the 600/650cc bikes you have listed. They are all comparable. Here are my opinions of the bigger bikes you have listed. This is also the order of my personal preferance:

1) XT600 - Best offroad, easiest to work on.
2) NX650 - Best on-road, most reliable.
3) KLR650 - Great on-road.

But that's just me. I'm sure most people on the board would go for the NX first.

[arkangel]

Well.. I have pretty much narrowed it down to 2 bikes, and I can get them for the same price. Both bikes are very clean. It is a really tough choice :( On paper the KLR looks like the winner (holds more gas.. easier to get parts/plastic.. slightly more power.. rear disk brakes) but I really like the look of the NX! This is a tough decision =/

1992 KLR650 - 10k miles

1988 NX650 - 35k miles

[Assfault]

Originally Posted by pablo83

Mine was a runner until late yesterday. I ran up Rampart Range Road, Winding Stairs trail, Hotel Gulch, Manchester Creek, and I hit a big puddle on Signal Butte rd and the engine cut out. I thought it would fire up again when things dried out, but no luck. I had to hitchhike out with some grumpy old bow-hunter who complained about all the dirtbikes and quads scaring off his elk. Anyway, the bikes back home and will be running again soon.

I've done Goldcamp on the NX a couple if times and it was a lot of fun. I'd love to get down Shelf and Phantom as well. I'll be in touch when she's running again. There's another guy on this board (RaceTwins) who has an NX and he lives in Woodland Park as well. We'll have to get together some time.

Pablo83,
Yea, just let me know when you can get her out again.
I am off on a street ride with some guys over to Utah
this weekend. I have to get my twisty road fix now before
the snow hits. See you around for sure.
Assfault

[Pablo83]

Originally Posted by arkangel

Well.. I have pretty much narrowed it down to 2 bikes, and I can get them for the same price. Both bikes are very clean. It is a really tough choice :( On paper the KLR looks like the winner (holds more gas.. easier to get parts/plastic.. slightly more power.. rear disk brakes) but I really like the look of the NX! This is a tough decision =/

1992 KLR650 - 10k miles

1988 NX650 - 35k miles

That is a tough decision. You're right about the parts. I think Honda's are more reliable (despite mine breaking down last weekend). Either way you go you'll have a lot of fans of both bikes on this board. Let us know what you end up with.

[xDownSetx]

I used to be an NX650 owner. Gave the NX to my brother and now that he's beaten it to a pulp I've gone through the process of rebuilding it for him as a surprise(Don't tell him now .)

Shifter spindle was stripped. Valve gaps were measuring .017 In .020 Ex. Sparkplug looser then finger tight. Plastics destroyed. Blah blah blah.

So far I'm in the process of getting everything back together from the rebuild. Plastics have been fiberglassed and all painting done by mom and I've done all the grease monkey work. Stay tuned for the completed pictures since it will be done within this week(I hope!.)













The paint that we decided to use was duplicolor bedliner for the frame and plastics due to my brothers rough care, but I know he loves the bike, and semi-gloss black engine enamel. I'm thinking of painting the brake calipers red along with the shock spring while polising out the shock itself. If anyone has any other ideas please let me hear them.

[arkangel]

Going to have a look at the NX this evening after class.. If the test ride really inspires me I will probably get it, but if not I am going to snatch up that KLR and see if I can make it less ugly (I hate the seafoam green + blue paint!!!!) I am really hoping the Dominator impresses the crap out of me.

[pops]

my NX650 1988

[AJ..]

Originally Posted by Merle O'Broham

AJ, more about that fork brace, centerstand, and beak!!!

Hey...

the fork brace comes together when i bought the bike last month..and the fork have been swapped to DR650 fork by the previous owner...big mistake...the front end becomes slightly lowered...i am hunting for better fork in the future...WR400 inverted fork or XR600R,or XR400R fork.
The center stand brand is Five Star...not sure made from where.
The beak is a fibreglass job originally from Suzuki DRbig.
Here's my 1st NX.'94 model.


which i have sold the tank to cover the cost of the other NX and now remain in stock form for daily commute.


And now the 2nd dominator with what was done today..repaint the frame,and replaced fork boots and some other stuffs.




To learnt more of how the process of both the NX since March this year,browse here :

http://www.xrv.org.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=25695


cheers,

AJ

[Dakar dreamer]

Originally Posted by AJ..

here's my 2nd domi currently building her up.

Sorry, but did anyone ever tell you BMW GS's are pretty ugly bikes.

[AJ..]

Originally Posted by Dakar dreamer

Sorry, but did anyone ever tell you BMW GS's are pretty ugly bikes.

yup...i myself tell them that too...

but this is from DR800 fairings...so don't get confused...
I am a fan of the DRbig...but here,its very rare..and if able to get hold on one,parts would need to be source outside...

[Dakar dreamer]

Originally Posted by AJ..

yup...i myself tell them that too...

but this is from DR800 fairings...so don't get confused...
I am a fan of the DRbig...but here,its very rare..and if able to get hold on one,parts would need to be source outside...

My mistake. I am not to familiar with the big DR's here in the states being that the 650 is the biggest offering. That front end looks so BMW minus the lower fender.

BMW dual sport/adventurer touring has to hold the title of ugliest bikes ever made.

[fast*st]

Question for dommie owners, or almost anyone, my Calif CARB compliant dommie's carb got filled with goo, I wanted to remove the idle screw (with the bowl off) and umm, its going to snap that little brass neck clean off. Its squeaky tight and I'm wondering if they crimped the top of the bore or something. I suppose I could snap off the pencil neck, slot it and screwdriver it out.

The screw does turn but only about 80% of what the head turns.

[Pablo83]

Originally Posted by fast*st

Question for dommie owners, or almost anyone, my Calif CARB compliant dommie's carb got filled with goo, I wanted to remove the idle screw (with the bowl off) and umm, its going to snap that little brass neck clean off. Its squeaky tight and I'm wondering if they crimped the top of the bore or something. I suppose I could snap off the pencil neck, slot it and screwdriver it out.

The screw does turn but only about 80% of what the head turns.

No, the top is not crimped. Yes, this happens way too often. I usually end up slotting the top for a screwdriver just like you said. Be sure to soak the idle screw in WD40 or some other solvent before attempting to remove it. And choose a screwdriver that fits real tight. And be real careful. And say a little prayer. Good luck.

[xDownSetx]

Just spotten one getting off the 91 to Adams St. White and teal, wondering if it was someone here. Thats the first NX ive seen besides my bros.

Was riding my GS11 with my atv helmet, bet I looked odd.