New member from Tokyo... Love my Deauville so far...? on Spark Plug caps issues and iridium vs Platinum NGK

[Samaria65]

Hello everyone,

I have lived in Tokyo for 32 years and this is my first bike I bought here as my local shop around the corner had it and it was very reasonable, Less than 3K USD all registered. Semi retired but now
getting more busy with legacy clients.. I happen to be a music Producer / mixer / engineer and like to take rides as "Ear breaks" as we say... Used to be walks around the block but now I enjoy riding my Honda !!.

So Tokyo climate is quite mild because close to the Ocean of course... Occasional snow that melts in a few days, some years with nothing.. I have read about the sparkplug "Caps" issues and since my
bike I bought has about 50,000 km, is this a "Mandatory" replacement and while doing that, does anyone use iridium ngk plugs in their bikes vs just "Platinum"? For my vehicles, I always buy the NGK iridium plugs.
Also, my bike did not come with the Original Top box with the back pad and color coded. I have heard you can just by the (Givi type bracket) for the bike as the original box was supplied by them I guess? With that said, has anyone just gone for the biggest top box you can for added storage 50L etc., then just added the back pad and did "Matching paint" with a body shop for instance... Mine is the Silver model btw.

Any pointers would be appreciated... If anyone visits Tokyo, I can surely show you around and great bikes can be rented here... Not as cool as the NT 700. I think it Totally Rocks !!
Thanks !!

 

[mikesim]

Welcome aboard the forum! You will love the NT. Congrats on your purchase. Before you purchase new plug caps, check the old ones. If they are marked "NGK", they have already been replaced. The use of iridium plugs is a great idea. They will lengthen the replacement interval significantly as they will easily last 50,000 km. The OE top box was indeed made by Givi so you have a huge selection of boxes to choose from. Plus the Givi boxes are considerably less expensive than OE. Be advised than an OE box may be hard to find.

Hope this info helps!

Mike

 

[Samaria65]

Thank you so much Mike for the kind reply. I will have the dealer I bought the bike from change the plugs & at that time I can see if the caps need changing as well.
Thanks again. So glad I found this forum. The NT 700 turned out to be the perfect bike for me & the shaft drive really makes it responsive on acceleration in my mind. Plus with the modest speed limits here in Japan, even it being just a 5 speed was not a deal braker for me.
Cheers,
Allen

 

[Phil Tarman]

Allen, congratulations on your purchase of an NT700V. I'm (sorta') on my second one. Both have been 2010s and they were probably made within at most a day or two of each other. My #2 has serial # that is 16 lower than my #1. I put 139K miles on #1 before trading it for #2 in August of 2020. #2 had beeowned by a good friend who had traded it for a Triumph 900GT Pro. Like #1, it had been lowered and was equipped almost exactly identically. Unfortunately,I reralized not long after I bought it that my wife had Alzheimer's. She died 9/233 and I hadn't ridden much in the year before she died and have only ridden once since she died. I'm 81 now and have had six total knee replacements. (I'll either start to ride next spring or will sell the bike.

I haven't ever been bothered by the 5-speed transmission. It has seemed to me that Honda matched the ratios perfectly. In '13, when I retired, I took my "Epic Post-Retirement Ride to Alaska, the Four Corners of the US, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador." The bike performed great at speeds up to 90-95mph (not a lot of accelleration at 95!). My gas mileage out here in the west, where I live at an altitude of just a little below 5K' above sea level, has averaged 48mpg at highway speeds of 70-80mph. I've been pleased with the Givi topbox, which I've left unpainted. I think you'll enjoy your NT!

 

[Samaria65]

Allen, congratulations on your purchase of an NT700V. I'm (sorta') on my second one. Both have been 2010s and they were probably made within at most a day or two of each other. My #2 has serial # that is 16 lower than my #1. I put 139K miles on #1 before trading it for #2 in August of 2020. #2 had beeowned by a good friend who had traded it for a Triumph 900GT Pro. Like #1, it had been lowered and was equipped almost exactly identically. Unfortunately,I reralized not long after I bought it that my wife had Alzheimer's. She died 9/233 and I hadn't ridden much in the year before she died and have only ridden once since she died. I'm 81 now and have had six total knee replacements. (I'll either start to ride next spring or will sell the bike.

I haven't ever been bothered by the 5-speed transmission. It has seemed to me that Honda matched the ratios perfectly. In '13, when I retired, I took my "Epic Post-Retirement Ride to Alaska, the Four Corners of the US, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador." The bike performed great at speeds up to 90-95mph (not a lot of accelleration at 95!). My gas mileage out here in the west, where I live at an altitude of just a little below 5K' above sea level, has averaged 48mpg at highway speeds of 70-80mph. I've been pleased with the Givi topbox, which I've left unpainted. I think you'll enjoy your NT!

Hi Phil,

So sorry to hear about your "Loss". I know it too well. Both of my parents passed from this horrible disease "Alzheimer's/ Dementia". My mum, at age 84 in 2014, then Dad held on another year + 1 month in 2015 . It takes a toll on everyone, I was flying back monthly from Tokyo - L.A. - Nashville but have no regrets to see them, spend time with them and I had no choice as I was the only "responsible son" to make sure things were in order.... Go figure that out, half way across the globe... So, Phil, you are my "Hero" for that but you might want to think about a higher CC Scooter vs these "Heavier bikes". That is my plan.. If I am still "Genki" (Healthy in Japanese) when I hit the big 80, There are too many cool, even higher CC Scooters available here in Japan where I can stretch my legs out, all automatic, no left hand clutch fatigue , etc.
Until then, I am so lucky to make this choice on the NT 700 here... It is a rare bike in Japan... They have different licensing and taxes from 250cc -400. then 400 -700. then on up... This model being actually 680cc is a rarity here.... I am riding it everyday and loving it!

Thank you for your insights and advice and God Bless,

Allen

 

[minirane77]

Hello everyone,

I have lived in Tokyo for 32 years and this is my first bike I bought here as my local shop around the corner had it and it was very reasonable, Less than 3K USD all registered. Semi retired but now
getting more busy with legacy clients.. I happen to be a music Producer / mixer / engineer and like to take rides as "Ear breaks" as we say... Used to be walks around the block but now I enjoy riding my Honda !!.

So Tokyo climate is quite mild because close to the Ocean of course... Occasional snow that melts in a few days, some years with nothing.. I have read about the sparkplug "Caps" issues and since my
bike I bought has about 50,000 km, is this a "Mandatory" replacement and while doing that, does anyone use iridium ngk plugs in their bikes vs just "Platinum"? For my vehicles, I always buy the NGK iridium plugs.
Also, my bike did not come with the Original Top box with the back pad and color coded. I have heard you can just by the (Givi type bracket) for the bike as the original box was supplied by them I guess? With that said, has anyone just gone for the biggest top box you can for added storage 50L etc., then just added the back pad and did "Matching paint" with a body shop for instance... Mine is the Silver model btw.

Any pointers would be appreciated... If anyone visits Tokyo, I can surely show you around and great bikes can be rented here... Not as cool as the NT 700. I think it Totally Rocks !!
Thanks !

Hi.
I live in Korea near Japan, so weather condition is very similar that I think.
My NT is 2010 and 87,000km.
First, I replaced CKP sensor about 64,000km.
At that time, It was difficult engine restarting after Hi speed riding in summer seasons.
Now(87,000km), I am preparing to change Plug caps.
Because, the idle rpm is unstable nowadays and in case of reconnecting plug cap, the problem was clear.
I visit japan somtimes in a year. Actually my brother live in tokyo over ten years.
If I visit tokyo, I will get in touch with you.
Good luck.

 

[Samaria65]

Hi.
I live in Korea near Japan, so weather condition is very similar that I think.
My NT is 2010 and 87,000km.
First, I replaced CKP sensor about 64,000km.
At that time, It was difficult engine restarting after Hi speed riding in summer seasons.
Now(87,000km), I am preparing to change Plug caps.
Because, the idle rpm is unstable nowadays and in case of reconnecting plug cap, the problem was clear.
I visit japan somtimes in a year. Actually my brother live in tokyo over ten years.
If I visit tokyo, I will get in touch with you.
Good luck.

Thanks for the info minirane 77.

Yes, I already scheduled my (cap and plug) replacement for this week but before that. Something more pressing happened.
On a mountain ride the day after Christmas, Okutama (2 hours outside of Tokyo), right at the top my battery went totally "Flat" and I had to get a tow all the way back to the city.
It seems ( my thought is ) that the "Heated grips" is the culprit, some sort of short, not usual drain as I was riding completely for over
an hour before... So the "Grips" caused the drain and the "Sator/ Generator" must have failed as it was not recharging at all. I deduced this as
I charged the battery back up, did another 40 minute ride closer to home and again, it drained down to where it would not start..
It is a "Drain" during riding and not losing charge while parked... So they will do this 1st then go for the caps and plugs later.
Just interested if anyone else has had a similar issue? I have no USB ports or anything on the bike, it must be the "Grips".
So I have ordered a pair of (Battery heated gloves) and will have them disconnect the heated grips. It seems this part below is what I will need replaced plus
any "regulator" that goes with it... Let me know if you have any advice..
https://www.amazon.com/Artudatech-Generator-Deauville-2006-2011-31120-MEW-921/dp/B091CMK52D

Also, it is on my "Bucket list" to tour around South Korea at some point... I can take a few fairies to get there but this would be a Summer trip of course...
Besides this little "trouble", after 2 months on the bike, I totally "LOve, Love" my "Deauville". Also thankful it is the ABS version.... Cheers...

​

 

[minirane77]

Thanks for the info minirane 77.

Yes, I already scheduled my (cap and plug) replacement for this week but before that. Something more pressing happened.
On a mountain ride the day after Christmas, Okutama (2 hours outside of Tokyo), right at the top my battery went totally "Flat" and I had to get a tow all the way back to the city.
It seems ( my thought is ) that the "Heated grips" is the culprit, some sort of short, not usual drain as I was riding completely for over
an hour before... So the "Grips" caused the drain and the "Sator/ Generator" must have failed as it was not recharging at all. I deduced this as
I charged the battery back up, did another 40 minute ride closer to home and again, it drained down to where it would not start..
It is a "Drain" during riding and not losing charge while parked... So they will do this 1st then go for the caps and plugs later.
Just interested if anyone else has had a similar issue? I have no USB ports or anything on the bike, it must be the "Grips".
So I have ordered a pair of (Battery heated gloves) and will have them disconnect the heated grips. It seems this part below is what I will need replaced plus
any "regulator" that goes with it... Let me know if you have any advice..
https://www.amazon.com/Artudatech-Generator-Deauville-2006-2011-31120-MEW-921/dp/B091CMK52D

Also, it is on my "Bucket list" to tour around South Korea at some point... I can take a few fairies to get there but this would be a Summer trip of course...
Besides this little "trouble", after 2 months on the bike, I totally "LOve, Love" my "Deauville". Also thankful it is the ABS version.... Cheers...

​

I am really sorry to hear about that. I hope it is a just very simple problem.

1. Check battery voltage.(min 11.5v)
2. After engine start, off the grip heater, check battery voltage.
If it is 13.5~14.5v, regulater/alternator is ok.
3. When you open the throttle, if the voltage drop, alternater has a problem.

I got a simillar problem about 2 years before, when I replaced new battery. The battery had a early failure. Discharge rate was very high, so I could not cranking after 20min rest on touring. Fortunately, I had a jump starter, I could come back home.
After that, I always try to check the battery voltage through voltmeter while riding.
Good luck to you.