Matteucci Garage Creates Dakar Rally-Inspired Honda NX650
For both on-road and off-road riding.
Matteucci Garage has just released a better look at its Dakar Rally-Inspired “Dakhla” Honda NX650 Dominator motorbike. The team took the early-2000s NX650 dual-sport, a model that often gets modified into a scrambler type bike, and went on to emphasize the motorcycle’s off-road capabilities.
The build sees multiple 3mm-thick aluminum panels welded together to make a geometric monocoque — creating contrast between ascending and descending lines. The angles are most present at the front fender, front light visor, fuel tank and storage cases. This whole structure mounts on the original frame and only requires a few bolts to remove. Performance-wise, the Dakhla features a 2-1 exhaust, a Beringer brake system with 320mm rotor, a Viseco high-compression piston, lowered head gasket and camshaft re-profiling.
While the rebuild yields an additional 6 horsepower, the bike has been optimized for the ultimate road feel for both on-road and off-road scenarios.
In other automotive news, Gemballa’s Avalanche 4×4 off-road concept puts Porsche’s 911 on stilts.