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Honda NX 650 Dominator in check

Fast all-rounder with off-road talent

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In 1988, Honda brought the NX 650 Dominator, a motorcycle that looked inconspicuous and yet had considerable off-road talent that made it look good not only in the urban jungle.

AT.Bought frica Twin, but secretly always raved about the Dominator – that briefly describes my relationship with the Honda NX 650, whose concept I found very attractive 30 years ago. As more and more enduro singles with more and more lush tanks and fairings gave the impression that only the fastest way from Paris to Dakar counted, the slim Dominator set an attractive contrast. The only reason why I didn’t buy it because the price difference between the more universal XRV 650 and the 650 single was relatively small. With a list price of 8,870 marks, the NX 650 was one of the most expensive single cylinders.

First opportunity to drive a 1988 Dominator

Unaffordable for a student like Michael Sperling! The Dominator fan from the very beginning was only able to fulfill his dream in 1992 with a four-year-old used car. Since then he has remained loyal to the Dominator, driving her through half of Europe and even as far as Namibia. With the Honda he has experienced many ups and downs, which the qualified geologist describes on his entertaining and informative pages on the Internet (www.nx650dominator.de). Because Michael goes into all the weak points of the NX and their elimination so thoroughly, and also gives many valuable and detailed technical tips that would hardly be possible here, I would be happy to recommend its excellent homepage for technical questions about the Dominator.

So I can fully concentrate on Michael’s NX 650 during the on-site visit at the foot of the Swabian Alb. For the first time I get the opportunity to drive an original Dominator from the 1988 year of construction! The 52-year-old only acquired the black beauty last year – “on the occasion of the upcoming anniversary”. During the conversation I quickly realize that I am dealing with an expert who has lost his heart to the “dominatrix”, but not his mind. On the contrary, despite all the fascination, Michael has kept a clear view of the NX singles. “The 650 has a few weaknesses that you should be aware of in order to enjoy it for a long time. Otherwise there is a risk of overheating or a lack of oil, which can even lead to major engine damage. "

1988 Domi with the best sound

This is what happened with his first copy. After an engine overhaul, a subsequent crash and two conversions – first to a scrambler, then to a purist roadster – it has now broken the 120,000-kilometer mark. Well, I don’t need to worry about possible engine malaises with Michael’s well-maintained machine. It comes from first hand, has already run 50,400 kilometers, but still in top shape. “In addition to coating the rusted rocker, I only had to change a Simmerring on the clutch release lever in addition to the usual maintenance work involving changing all fluids. Nothing more could be done on the engine. "He speaks and presses the button to prove it.

Jacek Bilski

Promptly, the 100 piston stamps up and down at relaxed idling speed, drowning out pithy rumbling from the two short pots over the mechanical background noise, which is surprisingly discreet given the numerous components in the four-valve radial head. “Only the first year of construction with an open intake snorkel and the large exhaust outlets has this wonderful sound,” enthuses Michael with a delightful smile and tugs on the gas. "For purists, the 1988 model is also the first choice because of the stainless steel manifold, the golden-coated handlebar and the kick starter," he gives me on the way before I engage the neatly adjustable clutch.

NX angles extremely quickly

The single cylinder willingly hangs on the gas and, thanks to the short gear ratio in the lower gears, flexes its muscles even on low tours. In fourth and fifth gears, however, you need a sensitive right hand and at least 2,500 rpm to accelerate the Dominator up without heeling. The large-volume single feels most comfortable in the middle speed range, where it answers every gas command with a full acceleration. Thanks to the appropriately stepped five-speed gearbox, the NX 650 looks really lively on country roads, although "hardly any series Dominator should ever have achieved the specified performance", as Michael later explains to me. No matter. Because at the moment I don’t miss anything on the not particularly lavishly upholstered and rather short bench. When the big single plays out the entire repertoire of its wide-ranging entertainment program on small country roads, the oldie is still good at music. With its melodious single-cylinder bass, the original Dominator turns every ride into such an intense acoustic experience that you don’t even have to worry about missing horses.

Jacek Bilski

Especially since the single cylinder drives the needle of the calm and clearly displayed rev counter willingly into the red area. What is neither necessary nor recommended in the long run – there are definitely more suitable vehicles for fast motorway passages, if only because of the risk of overheating that Michael hinted at. After all, the smooth running of the Honda single is still pleasant even at higher speeds. The latter is really not needed in the Winkelwerk third-class Alb-Strabchen. I keep the black Domi in her comfort zone and enjoy the stress-free, predictable driving behavior in the interplay of the radii. With their narrow rubbers – Michael specially had the Dunlops of the original equipment fitted with the characteristic, arrow-shaped profile – I hit every target line. The NX angles extremely nimble and avoids unpleasant peculiarities, even if it has to be corrected in tight serpentines.

Everything is easy to do

Even the brakes, and even the 30-year-old suspension elements, play a role in cornering frenzy, and despite their age and mileage, they absorb both large and small distortions surprisingly well. As the “dominator” of the Honda, everything goes so easily on the low handlebars of the 176 kilogram 650er with a full tank that I internally want to congratulate Takeo Fukui, then Head of Development at Honda. Namely for the decision that he did not design the NX 650 as a disguised desert racer, but as an all-rounder for predominantly use on asphalt. Somehow I must have guessed back then that this orientation might suit me well, otherwise the Dominator wouldn’t have been my secret crush. Although I really like enduros, I had nothing to do with rougher aardvark, but I lack skill and experience.

Jacek Bilski

Which is why both the first driving report (MOTORRAD 24/1987) and the terrain assessment of the large enduro comparison (MOTORRAD 16/1988) left me cold. Here as there, the testers certified the NX 650 as having the best off-road properties. Which I couldn’t savor anyway for the reasons mentioned, see above. Today, such off-road escapades are forbidden anyway, as Michael warns: “Even if you fall over, the panel breaks quickly – it’s expensive fun. In addition, most of the fairing parts and stickers have not been available for a long time. “Well, please, I’ll tell you! But I never felt addressed by Honda’s copywriters. They said that the Dominator was good for "all Hopis, hippies, yuppies, Navajos and normal people". But they didn’t come to the most obvious thing – that the NX 650 fits everyone who just wants to have fun!

Conclusion

After I told an old buddy about my "domina" experience, he asked me how a decision between XRV 650 and NX 650 would turn out today. I didn’t have to think twice: of course I would buy a well-preserved 650 Africa Twin again – because a 1992 Dominator has recently been parked in my garage!

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