This survey was conducted with the Deauville Owners (UK) Forum during the early summer 2005. Thirty completed questionnaires were analysed to produce the information.

In General

Owners like their Deauvilles for their practicality and reliability. They are in a class of their own (the bikes - not their owners) as middleweight shaft-driven do-anything machines. But they are not perfect and there are a number of improvements that could be made. Most noticeably, the quality of finish falls below an acceptable standard, particularly on more recent bikes built in Spain, or so it seems.

Some Numbers

Percentage buying the bikes new:

50%

Average length of ownership:

2.5 years

Average annual mileage:

5,500

Highest annual mileage:

12,000

Average total mileage:

17,500

Highest total mileage:

45,000

Satisfaction rating for reliability:

85%

Rating for dealer mechanical repairs:

65%

Percentage reporting corrosion problems:

70%

Rating for dealer corrosion repairs:

40%

Comment

Good on reliability. The bikes are out on the road touring and commuting and mostly all year round. The build quality is poor with much dissatisfaction at the way dealers and Honda respond.

Mechanical problems

Small in number but they were:

Problem

Number of reports

Rear wheel bearing failure:

1

Swingarm seizure:

1

Warped front brake discs:

3

Speedo drive gearbox:

1

Speedo cable:

2

Water temperature sensor:

2

Steering head bearings:

2

Water pump casing cracked:

1

Clutch slipping:

3

Clutch cable broken:

1

Centre stand seized:

2

Brake pedal seized:

1

Comment

One bike in the survey had significantly more problems than any of the others. A Friday afternoon job perhaps. Many do their own servicing and repairs but in general people are happy enough with their dealers when they used them. But they aren't cheap.

Corrosion Problems

Many in number and a real failing in an otherwise excellent motorcycle:

Problem

Number of Reports

Engine casings:

18

Fork sliders/stanchions:

13

Exhaust system:

11

Wheels:

6

Swingarm:

4

Foot pegs/hangers:

4

Water pump housing:

4

Engine block:

2

Shaft drive housing:

3

Centre stand:

2

Handlebars:

1

Comment

Once corrosion is established, getting it fixed is problematic - hence a quality rating of only 40% for Honda dealers' responses. Corrosion doesn't equate to older bikes. It does seem to be bikes from 2002 that exhibit more corrosion problems.

Accessories

Several owners mentioned that, for the price of the bike, there should be more equipment provided as standard. Most owners added their own accessories:

Accessory

Number

Top box:

19

Knuckle visor:

13

Honda high screen:

11

Heated grips:

10

Lower deflectors:

7

Vario screen:

6

Mudguard extender:

4

Large pannier lids:

4

Iridium spark plugs:

4

Autocom:

4

Radio:

3

12v socket:

2

Belly pan:

2

Other windscreen:

2

Better bulbs:

2

Handlebar risers:

2

Radiator cover:

2

Turnalert:

2

Alarm:

2

Stainless steel exhaust:

1

Fork gaiters:

1

Tank cover:

1

Louder horn:

1

Four candles:

631

Comment

Looking at the top of the accessories list, there are several items that ideally should be provided as standard - as should the four candles at the bottom of the list.

Which leads to the improvements that owners would like to see.

Improvements for the Future

Item

Number of mentions

More power:

18

Better standard of finish:

17

Fuel/temperature gauges:

15

Weight reduction:

10

Better lights:

10

Better gearbox (smoother):

5

ABS:

4

Heated grips as standard:

4

Larger panniers:

3

Stainless steel exhaust:

3

Self-cancelling indicators:

3

Easier fit/exchange pannier lids:

3

Better fairing (hand protection):

2

Better rear foot peg position:

2

Increased service intervals:

2

Power socket:

2

Easier DIY:

2

Adjustable seat height:

2

Wider mirrors:

1

Rear wheel hugger:

1

Radiator stone guard:

1

Alarm:

1

Lower price:

1

Comment:

It remains to be seen what answers the new Deauville will provide. It is going to be more powerful, but those asking for more power generally wanted either 750cc or 850 cc. Generally owners want the bike to be lighter, but the new one is going to be heavier. On the other hand there will be gauges and it looks like the lights will be better.

Build quality needs to improve dramatically and we need to hear from Honda that is going to happen. Deauvilles are very good motorcycles, but as yet are not as good as they could be.