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ADV BikesHonda NX650 Dominator Coming Back for 2017?

Honda NX650 Dominator Coming Back for 2017?

Honda may be adding a new middle-weight Adventure Bike to their lineup.

Published on 03.14.2016

A new patent filed by Honda may reveal the company is ready to bring back the discontinued NX650 Dominator from the grave. UK-based MoreBikes Magazine broke the news after uncovering a drawing filed with the US patent department by Honda.

The NX650 (or Dominator as it’s known outside of the US) debuted in 1988 and only lasted two years in the US. This was a time before Americans had an appreciation for adventure bikes and the NX650 never took off. However, the Dominator was a great success in world markets where it continued production until 2001.

The old NX650 was powered by an air-cooled 644cc single that produced 44 horsepower. An XR650L-based chassis and 21″/17″ wheel combination gave it good off-road agility, while a small windscreen, luggage rack and 4.3 gallon (16 liter) tank made long-distance travel an option.


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While the patent drawing may be purposely disguised, it does show some similarities to the original NX650 Dominator in the styling and it also has the proportions of a middle-weight adventure bike.

2017 Honda NX650 Dominator patent
A patent filed could reveal a new Honda NX650 Dominator for 2017.

Few details are available at this time and Honda has not made any announcements yet. But we did see this same pattern about a year and a half ago when Honda released a patent drawing of the new Africa Twin. Honda’s genius marketing team slowly leaked more details about the new model that caused a frenzy of activity on social media leading up to the final reveal.

At this point, we don’t know what size the engine will be or even the number of cylinders. A 650cc single is probably more likely than a middle-weight twin that might take sales away from the NC700X.

New Honda NX650 Dominator coming for 2017.
The original Honda NX650 Dominator was produced from 1988 to 2001.

A new Adventure Bike with a 650cc single, fuel injection, 6-speed and modern electronics would be an excellent entry-level machine. And with the release of the Africa Twin, Honda seems to have a new-found interest in building ADV bikes with real off-road capability. If we could have our dreams answered, the new Dominator would be based on the old water-cooled, aluminum-framed XR650R (the undisputed Baja 1000 winner from 1999-2006). The light-weight, agile, powerful and reliable XR650R would make an ideal platform for a truly off-road-capable adventure bike.

In these first few months of the year, the Africa Twin has been the best selling Adventure Bike in the category. Strong sales in the Adventure Touring category may be what’s convinced Honda to take more risks with exciting new models. Only time will tell if the Dominator will be brought back to life. Let’s just hope Honda give us Americans another chance with the NX650!

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.

Author: Rob Dabney
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23 Comments
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Andrus Chesley
Andrus Chesley
March 14, 2016 11:03 am

The 650 water cooled engine in that chassis, FI , 6 speed Kinda like the Husky Terri. With Honda’s net work, Wow!

sal silva
sal silva
March 15, 2016 4:50 am

That is what i am waiting for

Kurt Goss
Kurt Goss
March 15, 2016 6:38 pm

“If we could have our dreams answered, the new Dominator would be based on the old water-cooled, aluminum-framed XR650R (the undisputed Baja 1000 winner from 1999-2006). The light-weight, agile, powerful and reliable XR650R would make an ideal platform for a truly off-road-capable adventure bike.”
I’ve been saying this for 15 years. Nice of Honda to finally wake up and recognize the market.

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
March 15, 2016 6:44 pm
Reply to  Kurt Goss

Yes. Let’s keep our fingers crossed Kurt!

Dutchgit (Ard)
Dutchgit (Ard)
March 18, 2016 12:19 pm

If you read through this you will notice “2 cilinder”
http://images1.freshpatents.com/imageviewer/20160059924-p20160059924

Jim Owen
Jim Owen
March 27, 2016 8:36 am
Reply to  Dutchgit (Ard)

The patent in the link that you provided sure looks like the Africa Twin if you compare it to left side images of the new AT.

trackback
New NX 650 coming ?
March 19, 2016 3:16 am

[…] there's anything in this ? now we have the new Africa Twin maybe the new DominatorHonda NX650 Dominator Coming Back for 2017? – ADV Pulse xjr1300,gs1000,nx650 scrambler,dr350,dt250 and enough "might come in handy one day" bits to fill […]

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Is Honda Building A New Middleweight Adventure Bike for 2017? | ride2adventure
March 25, 2016 8:36 pm

[…] publications ADV PULSE and MoreBikes are reporting that this filing is evidence that Honda intends to bring back some […]

Rob
Rob
March 26, 2016 9:02 am

I remember how cool this bike was in the day. Honda has come to the realization that not everyone wants a monster ADV machine. I would buy this bike hands down. 6 speed, EFI, twin of single, ABS, and original bodywork. A+ Simpler, lighter, is the way to travel off road. I continue to aid riders in picking up their BMW GS’s and KTM’s Yamaha ST’s off road as I scoot away on my DRZ 400S.

thomas
thomas
March 28, 2016 5:12 am
Reply to  Rob

+1

Andrew
Andrew
September 3, 2016 10:05 am
Reply to  Rob

650cc is a good second start, I personally still prefer a lighter bike like a 350-500cc dual purpose/ADV bike, under 150 kg.

Henry Harrison
Henry Harrison
March 31, 2016 4:25 am

Looks more like a new Transalp to me.

trackback
Could it be??? FZ-07 Based ADV Bike? - Page 2
April 14, 2016 9:05 pm

[…] This also could be something promising Honda NX650 Dominator Coming Back for 2017? – ADV Pulse […]

dirtknapper
dirtknapper
April 21, 2016 3:29 pm

Another Honda “Yawnmaster” adventure bike.

herbert kozlowski
herbert kozlowski
April 26, 2016 6:29 pm

i love this bike hope its a great bike me and my wife enjoy it alot nx650

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
April 26, 2016 7:02 pm

Yes, the old NX650 is still a great bike. A great option for around the $3000 range!

trackback
Motorrad-Nachrichten - Seite 440
May 11, 2016 5:02 am

[…] […]

Charles Webber
Charles Webber
May 11, 2016 1:19 pm

An updated xr650l or r would be awesome….dual sport!!

Robert Dixon
Robert Dixon
May 20, 2016 12:04 pm

Ok now I’m not so sure I want to go buy an Afica Twin. I may just wait for this one.

Lee Albeck
Lee Albeck
August 3, 2017 8:15 am

I’d sign up for it right now, even PAY FOR IT right now if they’d let me.

Grams
Grams
February 16, 2019 9:49 am
Reply to  Lee Albeck

First off da no 650 is monster it need 17” rims ,upside down fork and smaller plastic in front

trackback
Honda XR650R 2000 – 2007 Clymer Owners Service and Repair Manual | Workshop Manuals
May 27, 2018 12:58 pm

[…] Honda NX650 Dominator Coming Back for 2017? – ADV Pulse Honda NX650 Dominator Coming Back for 2017? Honda may be adding a new middle-weight Adventure Bike to their lineup. […]

Isaac Davies
Isaac Davies
December 12, 2020 9:56 am

Can someone please show me how i can get dominator nx650 carburetor?

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