| LIKE REAL NAZA-BIKES' 650 CRUISER |
Report & photos by Mel Lee
If you have doubts about the integrity of motorcycles, especially the large-
capacity ones built for performance and high speed, offered by non-
traditional brands, you have valid reasons. There is something to be said
for expertise and accountability when you are crouched in your bike,
belting along at insane speeds, or about to commit to a turn with very little
margin for error. You least want something to go wrong, not work or work
itself loose. Even something like a minor tank-slapper would have your
heart lodging itself in your throat; let’s not go into stuff like the
suspension, frame or brakes failing.
You would have less cause to worry about things like these if the bike in
question is a cruiser. Designed more for slow-speed riding and posing,
the concern here is more about the bike not looking good and the engine
not sounding right. The NBE650 scores high in these areas.
This Korean-sourced cruiser really looks good. It is the right size, has the
requisite mass, and the necessary bits, especially the amount of chrome.
You won’t be faulted for thinking it is related to a Harley V-Rod, the
original version. I thought it was when I first saw it.
There is nothing new or special about the NBE650. It is, however, a pretty
good rendition of the genre; an eye-opening attempt at out-cooling the
coolest of them all. The large tubular frame is an unabashed copy, just
like the lines and flow of the bike. Eschewing the dulled look of the innards
of the V-Rod and going instead for the chrome-everything look of the
Dyna, the NBE650 adds upside-down front fork, twin front disc brakes, a
massive radiator, a carbonfibre-reinforced belt drive, and about the
largest production muffler ever. This cruiser looks very substantial, one
side of it anyway.
Instrumentation is basic, as is the style of this sort of bikes. There is a
large organic-looking binnacle which reaches back over the large and flat
gas tank. It features an LED display with a digital speedometer. The
binnacle complements the retro-type headlamp and signal lamps. The fuel
tank has a capacity of 16 litres.
The rolling stocks are 120/70ZR18 59W for the front and 180/55ZR17
M/C 73W for the rear. The tyres fitted were Bridgestone Battlax radials.
If you were to remove all the Naza badges, which the owners would as
they are rather cheap and temporary-looking, most people, even bike
enthusiasts, would have a hard time guessing its origins, and also engine
size. Actually there are quite a few Hyosungs imprinted on the bike, the
most prominent one on the muffler, but most people tend not to notice,
looking instead for a familiar badge or logo.
This bike can easily pass off as a 1000cc or larger machine. The 650cc V-
twin and its ancillaries pack up the available space, letting little sunlight
getting through. It even sounds convincing.
There are a lot of chromed parts but the engine itself is not treated.
Neither is the frame. There is, after all, such a thing as overkill. As it is,
the NBE650 makes quite an arresting sight, looking equally convincing in
daylight and in the night. It makes the Modenas Jaguh look like a skeletal
wimp of a low-rider. Heck, that low-budget cruiser is made to look pathetic
even by the 250cc version of the NBE. The 650 would not be easily cowed
by big Japanese easy riders.
The stance is pure cruiser, thanks to the low seat, wide handlegrips, and
extended pegs. In fact, the pegs are set a bit too far for the average rider
here. The Naza guys brought them back a bit but as they are positioned
now it is still quite a bit of a stretch to brake effectively. The photo shows
how awkward the position is. But they do match the splay of the grips.
First-timers to this type of riding style would have a sore butt and back
after any ride further than 30km.
The bike is also rather cumbersome to ride between traffic, as it is wide,
and the pivot point is not favourable for manoeuvring in tight situations.
This, however, is true to the spirit of cruisers; they are cool when the
riders are not encumbered by narrow passages.
The bike is a steady cruiser at 120kph; any faster and you will have to
counter with wind resistance. There is little indication of noise and
harshness, as long as you keep to this sort of speed. Roll-on
performance is convincing enough, enabling this bike to pull away from
most traffic.
You need to get used to your heel scraping when taking corners as there
are no metal stubs under the footpegs. In fact, your heel will tend to hit
the road square, because of the riding stance. I am sure that after the first
couple of times you would learn to be prepared.
The pillion seat is quite small, due to form taking precedence over
function. The pillion would also be a head above the rider due to the
stepped design of the seat. The 650cc engine has no problem coping with
two-up riding. The transmission is a 5-speeder, with the usual 1-down-4-
up sequence. The shifter is smooth and effective enough. The brakes too
offered no drama.
This 650cc cruiser sells for about RM33K (the 2-tone version costs
RM300 more), which is an attractive proposition, if you are into this sort of
bikes. There is nothing like it available here.
Naza-Bikes have not been selling many of them due to a combination of
lack of publicity and supply. It seems that the Koreans have not been able
to meet worldwide demand. The bikes are supposedly shipped here in
knock-down form and built at the Shah Alam factory. Only 20 units were
built last year.
So, if you have always hankered to live the easy rider life but baulked at
the thought of paying lots of mullahs for the usual branded offerings,
check out this 650cc Korean cruiser handled by Naza. You may be in for a
pleasant surprise. Mel
If you have doubts about the integrity of motorcycles, especially the large-
capacity ones built for performance and high speed, offered by non-
traditional brands, you have valid reasons. There is something to be said
for expertise and accountability when you are crouched in your bike,
belting along at insane speeds, or about to commit to a turn with very little
margin for error. You least want something to go wrong, not work or work
itself loose. Even something like a minor tank-slapper would have your
heart lodging itself in your throat; let’s not go into stuff like the
suspension, frame or brakes failing.
You would have less cause to worry about things like these if the bike in
question is a cruiser. Designed more for slow-speed riding and posing,
the concern here is more about the bike not looking good and the engine
not sounding right. The NBE650 scores high in these areas.
This Korean-sourced cruiser really looks good. It is the right size, has the
requisite mass, and the necessary bits, especially the amount of chrome.
You won’t be faulted for thinking it is related to a Harley V-Rod, the
original version. I thought it was when I first saw it.
There is nothing new or special about the NBE650. It is, however, a pretty
good rendition of the genre; an eye-opening attempt at out-cooling the
coolest of them all. The large tubular frame is an unabashed copy, just
like the lines and flow of the bike. Eschewing the dulled look of the innards
of the V-Rod and going instead for the chrome-everything look of the
Dyna, the NBE650 adds upside-down front fork, twin front disc brakes, a
massive radiator, a carbonfibre-reinforced belt drive, and about the
largest production muffler ever. This cruiser looks very substantial, one
side of it anyway.
Instrumentation is basic, as is the style of this sort of bikes. There is a
large organic-looking binnacle which reaches back over the large and flat
gas tank. It features an LED display with a digital speedometer. The
binnacle complements the retro-type headlamp and signal lamps. The fuel
tank has a capacity of 16 litres.
The rolling stocks are 120/70ZR18 59W for the front and 180/55ZR17
M/C 73W for the rear. The tyres fitted were Bridgestone Battlax radials.
If you were to remove all the Naza badges, which the owners would as
they are rather cheap and temporary-looking, most people, even bike
enthusiasts, would have a hard time guessing its origins, and also engine
size. Actually there are quite a few Hyosungs imprinted on the bike, the
most prominent one on the muffler, but most people tend not to notice,
looking instead for a familiar badge or logo.
This bike can easily pass off as a 1000cc or larger machine. The 650cc V-
twin and its ancillaries pack up the available space, letting little sunlight
getting through. It even sounds convincing.
There are a lot of chromed parts but the engine itself is not treated.
Neither is the frame. There is, after all, such a thing as overkill. As it is,
the NBE650 makes quite an arresting sight, looking equally convincing in
daylight and in the night. It makes the Modenas Jaguh look like a skeletal
wimp of a low-rider. Heck, that low-budget cruiser is made to look pathetic
even by the 250cc version of the NBE. The 650 would not be easily cowed
by big Japanese easy riders.
The stance is pure cruiser, thanks to the low seat, wide handlegrips, and
extended pegs. In fact, the pegs are set a bit too far for the average rider
here. The Naza guys brought them back a bit but as they are positioned
now it is still quite a bit of a stretch to brake effectively. The photo shows
how awkward the position is. But they do match the splay of the grips.
First-timers to this type of riding style would have a sore butt and back
after any ride further than 30km.
The bike is also rather cumbersome to ride between traffic, as it is wide,
and the pivot point is not favourable for manoeuvring in tight situations.
This, however, is true to the spirit of cruisers; they are cool when the
riders are not encumbered by narrow passages.
The bike is a steady cruiser at 120kph; any faster and you will have to
counter with wind resistance. There is little indication of noise and
harshness, as long as you keep to this sort of speed. Roll-on
performance is convincing enough, enabling this bike to pull away from
most traffic.
You need to get used to your heel scraping when taking corners as there
are no metal stubs under the footpegs. In fact, your heel will tend to hit
the road square, because of the riding stance. I am sure that after the first
couple of times you would learn to be prepared.
The pillion seat is quite small, due to form taking precedence over
function. The pillion would also be a head above the rider due to the
stepped design of the seat. The 650cc engine has no problem coping with
two-up riding. The transmission is a 5-speeder, with the usual 1-down-4-
up sequence. The shifter is smooth and effective enough. The brakes too
offered no drama.
This 650cc cruiser sells for about RM33K (the 2-tone version costs
RM300 more), which is an attractive proposition, if you are into this sort of
bikes. There is nothing like it available here.
Naza-Bikes have not been selling many of them due to a combination of
lack of publicity and supply. It seems that the Koreans have not been able
to meet worldwide demand. The bikes are supposedly shipped here in
knock-down form and built at the Shah Alam factory. Only 20 units were
built last year.
So, if you have always hankered to live the easy rider life but baulked at
the thought of paying lots of mullahs for the usual branded offerings,
check out this 650cc Korean cruiser handled by Naza. You may be in for a
pleasant surprise. Mel
QUIK SPECS
NAZA CRUISE 650 SPORT
Engine: 647cc V-twin
4-stroke DOHC 8 valves,
water-cooled.
Gearbox: 5-speed.
Belt drive.
Brakes: Twin discs in front,
single disc at the rear.
Wheels/tyres: 120/70ZR18
59W front and 180/55ZR17
M/C 73W rear.
LxWxH:
2430x840x1150mm.
Wheelbase: 1700mm
Ground clearance: 160mm.
Dry mass: 218kg.
NSP: About RM33K.
For more on Naza Bikes:
NAZA CRUISE 650 SPORT
Engine: 647cc V-twin
4-stroke DOHC 8 valves,
water-cooled.
Gearbox: 5-speed.
Belt drive.
Brakes: Twin discs in front,
single disc at the rear.
Wheels/tyres: 120/70ZR18
59W front and 180/55ZR17
M/C 73W rear.
LxWxH:
2430x840x1150mm.
Wheelbase: 1700mm
Ground clearance: 160mm.
Dry mass: 218kg.
NSP: About RM33K.
For more on Naza Bikes:
CLICK FOR PHOTOS
