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1988 Honda Dominator (NX 650) Review + Barrels Alehouse Berwick
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2017
- A review of a 1988 Honda Dominator (NX650) and The Barrels Alehouse in Berwick.
Music by kind permission of The Warehouse Announcement
I like that you mentioned the smell. The Dominator really is the smelliest Bike I have ever owned. Its like a tour to one of those tank museums, where they preserve 80 year old tanks with a mixture of used engine oil and Diesel.
This is a Motorcycle, not a showpiece, not a couch on wheels, a real motorcycle.
Morning Peter - well, I think you completely nailed it with that analogy! Perfect...! I think you also get the same smell from a sun warmed mechanics shed, especially one where the tools are all imperial and the owner never throws out the oily rags....Thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
I picked up one last week. Its a '95 model in mint condition. I've got a big field around my house that now has a few ruts carved into it with the Dominator's rear Metzler. Great fun on the country lanes too.
Hello Mr B.Raff - your own big field and a Dominator? That's just about perfect! I can almost hear it thumping around :-) Great bike, great sound and smell! All the best, safe riding, cheers, Phil.
What a great little review of a great little bike ! Loved the look of the video too ! Now to find one ...
Thanks Matthew, glad you enjoyed the review & good luck finding one, cheers, Phil
I've owned my '96 model for two years now. Have replaced the mono shock with a YSS unit and the front springs for some progressive Hagons. Very easy installation. The YSS makes a radically positive difference. You really feel the improvement on and off road. The Hagons refine and stiffen the front but it's not a massive difference. Kudos to the original Showa set-up. Fitted some Mitas E07's and the Domi is amazing off road. It's my go to bike in the rain. A brilliant all rounder that's full of character. Love it. Love carbs. Love the noise and smell. Fantastic.
Hey Simon, great to hear from you. Dominators are just the best! The thump, the smell and the wheeze when starting are just sublime. I’ve not got mine anymore but loved every minute. Thanks for the advice, if I get a another one I’ll bear it in mind, cheers, Phil.
I own the 1996 since 1996! :-)
Really enjoyed)
Thank you.
Tomorrow morning will go to second hand bikes shop in Moscow to watch one. Same colour 1992.
Thanks for the comments & glad you enjoyed the review. Just been out on mine and despite the cold (though nothing compared to Moscow) had a great ride. Great, fun and cheap bike, cheers, Phil.
I went to Portugal 3 times and Greece once on an XT500E. I used to love these thumpers.
XT500...Brilliant...I think I’ve re-discovered the love also...I’ve been messing about on it loads over the last month - can’t get enough of it! I even built a ramp 😄 Anyway another Dominator video is coming soon in honour of its 30th birthday...thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
I had the original KL600R.... you're right there was something about these big thumpy singles that great fun. I certainly remember the handling as being superb.
+Christian Weller Evening Christian, thanks for your comments and glad you enjoyed the video, cheers, Phil.
I like this style of review, good job
Thanks Nathan! Might be another one coming soon! Thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Replacement plastic is so hard to find for these. And pretty much any part here in the states. That is the only thing keeping me away. I love the looks of them.
Hello! Yes, that’s definitely a thing and I guess for all bikes that fall out of the manufacturers support period. A lot of the engine parts are the same as the XR650L though so there are options.
They do look fabulous though 😀 All the best, cheers, Phil.
Ive got myself 1990 dominator. For ofroad and adventure. Its great first bike. I might not even sell it.
Dominators are the best! Keep it! I wish I'd never sold mine! The smell, the sound and charm of the bike overall is the best. Thanks for stopping by, all the best, Phil.
I had one of these in black. I loved it. Used it for commuting, all year round. Never had a single problem with it. Mine was a later one. Im pretty sure it was about 60 bhp and i thought it was pretty quick, for a thumper. Sold it to a guy who lived up a long farm track in the end.
Well, it is a great bike, charming and charismatic and yes, it does go well, although if yours had 60 HP, you certainly had a tuned up one! I’m jealous! Thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
Really enjoyed the review, I have a chance at one of these for good money and I think you've tipped me towards getting it.
I know what you're saying about interesting to ride as i've had a few Hondas I feel that way towards.
Thanks!
Hello Mr. Profile, thanks for stopping by and glad you enjoyed the review. The Dominator is a lovely, simple and beautiful bike to ride.
And as I mentioned in the review, to ride, it feels 'modern' - its not like riding something from the stone age and being carb-fed, it's so much 'organic' in terms of throttle feel.
And as for the sound and smell! Well, it's sublime. If you're after something robust, interesting and fun...A good Dominator will tick all the boxes. Let me know if you get one and what you think of it.
All the best, cheers, Phil.
It's a realy great bike, without a doubt. I have ridden a 1988 one, and I loved it. Gonna buy one when I've got the money.
And by the way: nice video, and beautifull pictures!
Thanks for the comments Tim! Yes, the Dominator is just lovely - there’s something really delightful about just gently chugging and bouncing around little roads on it. Best £1500 I’ve ever spent!
Brilliant video, I want an 80's trail bike too now. Quite fancy a TDR250 😬👍🏻🏍
+DervMan thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! A TDR....Hmmm...In blue and yellow? Yeah I could cope with that 😀
80:8 Photography & Design Yep blue and yellow. I had a TZR250 in the early 90's and recall that being a great bike.
Just watched this again, Phil. These were great bikes. I still like singles.
Morning Nick, they certainly were great bikes…I remember seeing them in a showroom when new (‘88) as I was putting a deposit down for a VFR750. They were so red, shiny and interesting looking….And they still are.
Singles are brilliant, I prefer them wheezy and basic as opposed to modern and revvy. Perhaps a Panther sidecar outfit beckons!
@@80eightReviews Back in '89, whilst on holiday in Portugal on the XT500, I really wanted a Dominator, then I saw the new Africa Twin 650...
Beautiful bike 🤌. Great review and visuals 👌
Thank you very much Mr Neutral! I only wish TH-cam could give you an idea of how the bike smells...It's oily and full of unspent hydrocarbons, which, while it's totally wrong, is very evocative and lovely. I have a theory that in a billion years from now there will be a planet full of super-cool brainiacs who breathe 2-stroke fumes. They'll probably look like 8ft locusts, but hey, that's progress.
Hope all is well in FL, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews Go figure... it has one of the coolest oem exhausts ever too. Maybe that's why all the oem exhausts now look like toaster ovens, bread boxes, other lame configurations. Can't look cool and be green I guess. Braniacs need to get to work on that theory. 60 days to 🌀 season here in the fungal jungle ✊🥳🤙
I like the stock Honda design. The red is sweet too. :)
Morning! Totally agree - I just love it! Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
love the vids
Looking into maybe getting one as my first bike. As commuter/week-end tourer.
Its so nice to here someone say something about the sound, its somehow fantastic for a 650 engine.
Prices are fairly high in germany, but it does look like a load of bike for the size and weight.
Not to fancy about the size of passenger seat though, looks pretty small for the misses :D
Hello! Well, it is a really nice motorcycle to own and while it’s very basic (given its age) it’s still a very fun and useful bike to own. Personally I wouldn’t want to take a pillion passenger but it would be ok for around town. Aside from that it’s a good first bike - bearing in mind it has no ABS or traction control - not that it needs either. I think the earlier ones up to around 1992 are the best as they are the lightest and have the most power (by like 2hp!) Good luck finding one and thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews
Thanks for the reply.
Yes weight is a concern, i dont want my bike to be heavy for the start.
You probably have ridden an TransAlp aswell, could you tell me your experience if it feels way more beefy/bulky then the dom?
For big rides on highways i understand. But light bikes are just so appeling to me (being that im a mountainbiker aswell).
ABS, traction control doesnt concern me all to much. I'm even thinking it may be nice to make your first experiences "raw".
My budget is just so tight that i really have to look if i can find one. Because i dont want to buy an old machine that hasnt been taking care of, because of budget :D.
I hope at the end of the day it's not going to be another scooter with bigger engine, seeing the price development here.
Morning! I rode a Transalp ages ago (the old 650 version) - quite a bit heavier than the Dominator but in no way bulky feeling. It’s much more suited to on-road distance riding and can handle a pillion much better. The engine was smooth with more power - and so easy to use. Those v-twin engines are very under-stressed and just run forever. A great option for tarmac touring and commuting. Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
Nice Video, I like the Dominator to. 😉
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and of course, I completely agree. Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Could a factory exhaust be modified with some drilling?
Morning, thanks for stopping by…Er, I guess so…Not sure what it would though apart from increase the noise…Cheers, Phil.
I remember the first time I saw one of these. They were a current model at that time. It was the first 'Super Trialey' I'd seen. I thought it was HUUUUUGE! Always hankered after one ever since.
Evening! Yeah, I was the same - and back then Honda had such amazing red paint - the Dominator looked as though it was made out of pure red gloss - just lovely. Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
I used mine for long distance riding (1000km +) always reliable
Morning Yossi, I’ve not done any big miles on mine but I never had any issues with it’s grandfather - the XR600. I think the key to distance on the big RFVC singles, is to leave a lot of rev headroom and keep well away from the redline when cruising + regular oil changes. Great bike! Thanks for watching, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews Hi there, as one dealer told me before setting off on a long journey on my NX650, 'do not give it top end at any time, just keep the machine moving'
Yes, that sounds about right - when I did a big trip on my XR I raised the gearing / took 3 teeth off the back and religiously went no faster than 65 mph - I worked out I only needed to get up 30 minutes earlier and ride 30 minutes longer to achieve a typical daily mileage rate done at faster speeds. And the bike was fabulous! Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews I never made any alterations in the gearing. I tend to ride with instinct and feel. This may sound boring to most bikers but I only ever changed chain/sprocket gear every 45000 kilometers.
Hey Yossi / not boring at all / that’s the way to do it - understand your machine...Cheers, Phil.
Hi, can i ask how you find this bike vs the XR400? im looking to buy a bike and have been looking at the XR6 and XR4, I want to be able to use the bike on the road for commuting plus being able to use it here on the the north wales green lanes. would very muck love to hear your opinion.
Morning Ian, well, I’ve had the XR400 and XR600 and used to do a bit of greenlaning in Wales a few years ago - we used to park up at the greasy spoon just outside Froncsysllite and hit the trail further along the A5. With that in mind and remembering what those trails were like I wouldn’t consider the Dominator at all for them - it’s too heavy and the suspension isn’t good enough - though if you were happy just to plod along it would do the job I guess and be fine on the road. I used to commute on my XR600 and indeed rode it over to Egypt and it was fine - you’ve just got to be happy at not being the fastest thing on the road and also make hand signals 😀 The 400 is lighter and better off road but on road is less effective so if you can find one I’d definitely go for the XR600...wish I’d never sold mine! Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
Would this be a good starter bike?
Good afternoon! Well, personally, I'd probably choose something else given it's basically from another era - so it's carb fed, has no ABS etc, so will feel quite basic compared to modern bikes. However, if that's what you're into and don't mind the lack of ABS it's an easy, unthreatening and robust bike to ride. Finding a nice one could be a struggle though. Hope that helps, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews Hello, thank you for the answer.👍