Dominate all trails: HB-Customized's rally-style Honda NX650

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It’s onerous to deny the attract of a rally bike. Each inch of it’s constructed to carry out, and each half on it serves a selected operate. Add all of it up, and it’s a complete vibe; the very definition of type following operate.

It’s little marvel then, that many trendy journey bikes take styling cues from purpose-built rally machines. And why the aftermarket is loaded with elements to transform filth bikes into rally bikes—both to really race them, or to easily make them extra appropriate for dual-sport use.

This tradition 1989 Honda NX650 Dominator, from Holger Breur at HB-Customized in Germany, was constructed to perform a little little bit of every part. It’s the second Dominator that Holger has executed up on this type, each with the particular goal of tackling the Trans Euro Path.

The Trans Euro Path is an 80,000 km [49,710 mile] journey driving route, 64 p.c of which happens on filth roads. It’s a digital navigation rally of types—individuals can obtain free GPS routes, stretching from the Arctic Circle all the way in which to Africa, and sort out them at their leisure, little by little. And this Honda appears to be like good for it.

Holger took a few of his inspiration from a good friend’s Husqvarna 701 Enduro, which had been outfitted with an aftermarket navigation tower. 701 conversions are commonplace, and elements for them are straightforward to search out. However this isn’t the case with the Dominator.

That’s why the nav tower on this explicit bike is a mash-up of repurposed, modified and one-off elements. Holger began with a handful of KTM bits, then pieced them along with quite a lot of custom-made gadgets. The precise windscreen comes from Rade Storage, an organization close to Prague that focuses on this type of stuff.

Lighting the way in which ahead is a pair of Hella headlights. The nav tower is flanked by a pair of hand-made panels that tie every part collectively. However there are various mods that may’t be seen, too—just like the tweaks to the steering neck and steering stops.

The format behind the display is tidy and sensible. A digital Koso sprint sits entrance and middle, with a smartphone mount greater up for navigation. Holger’s added a cost port too, to verify he doesn’t get misplaced.

Additionally in play are a set of Magura handlebars, fitted with soft rally-style grips, hand guards and new switches. The brake lever’s one other Magura half, and the brake hoses at each ends have been upgraded to braided stainless-steel gadgets. Holger additionally fitted a pair of grippy KTM foot pegs, however he needed to modify the peg mounts to accommodate them.

A lot of the bodywork is definitely OEM, however the entire bundle has been refined considerably. Holger left the gas tank and seat pan alone, however added a gel insert and contemporary upholstery to the latter. The entrance fender is from Polisport, whereas the rear fender is inventory, with the addition of a pair of seize handles for dragging the bike out of tough spots.

The wheels are inventory too, however they’ve been stripped, powder-coated, and re-laced with stainless-steel spokes. Different upgrades embody Brembo brake discs, Michelin filth tires and protectors for the entrance and rear brakes.

Holger upgraded the manufacturing unit forks with new, adjustable internals, and swapped the rear shock out for a fully-adjustable YSS unit.

The Honda’s guts had been additionally overhauled. Holger rebuilt the motor, and put in a Mikuni TM40 carb. He additionally fabricated a two-into-one-into-two exhaust system, and capped it off with matching titanium Leo Vince mufflers designed for the Honda CRF-series.

All of the wiring’s new, constructed round a management unit from Axel Joost Elektronik in Germany.

The Dominator’s livery is easy, but extremely efficient. Tasteful swathes of black and crimson adorn the bike, complemented by graphics ripped straight from Honda’s type information.

Holger went to nice lengths so as to add a way of authenticity to the graphics. The Honda ‘Wing’ logos, seat brand and ‘PRO-LINK’ motif on the swingarm are apparent hits. However look even nearer, and also you’ll even spot Honda’s ‘Rally Touring’ brand on the aspect covers; a graphic that’s adorned numerous Honda Transalps and Africa Twins all through the years.

It’s particulars like these that make this Dominator so tasty. However the irony is that Holger in all probability received’t trip it on the Trans Euro Path in spite of everything. He’s received one other NX650 already lined up—so he’ll both make this one out there to his girlfriend for the journey, or promote it.