Honda NX 650 Dominator

The Honda NX650 Dominator is a dual-sport motorcycle manufactured by Honda from 1988 to 2003. Honda sold the Dominator from the factory at $3,500 msrp. The engine was a slightly enlarged version of the tried and proven XR600R, around since 1985, with the 97 x 80mm bore enlarged to 100mm, stroked to 82mm, for a total of 644cc. This generated 44 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, with 53 lb-ft of torque at 5,000rpm. To smooth out vibrations created by the large single cylinder engine, a gear-driven counterbalancing system was installed. A single chain-driven overhead camshaft pushed down on the four valves, and the compression ratio was 8.3:1. Intake was via a 40mm Keihin constant-velocity carburetor, obtaining as much as 45 mpg from the 3.4 gallons in the tank. The Dominator had a dual exhaust that tucked alongside the rear fender.

The powertrain was a wet clutch that powered a 5-speed gearbox. The bike featured a dry-sump engine in which the frame carries the oil supply. The non-adjustable fork had 41mm tubes and supplied 8.5 inches of travel; rake was 28.5 degrees, trail, 4.5 inches. A fork brace was built into the underside of the fender. Front wheel was a spoked 21-incher, carrying the standard 90/90 tire. And it had a single brake disc with twin-piston caliper. At the back, the single-shock setup allowed for preload alterations, with the rear wheel travel at 7.5 inches. The rear tire featured a drum brake. The foot pegs had rubber inserts, which appealed to the urban rider. If someone was interested in a more off-road situation, the inserts could be punched out, leaving saw-toothed metal pegs that are useful in slippery situations.The NX650 sold, but not in the numbers that Honda America had projected. The NX650 was off the US market after two short years, while the European version sold well all the way through 2003.

In addition to the NX 650, there were also NX125, NX150, NX200, NX250, NX350, NX400 and NX500 variations.