Soli Moto builds the Baja Dominator that Honda never did…
In the 1980s, Honda was a dominant force in both the Baja 1000 (victories in 1982 and 1984-87) and Paris Dakar Rally (victories in 1986-1989), recording four successive wins in each race. Soon enough, Honda was rolling out special Baja series bikes like the road-legal XLR250R Baja and Z50J Monkey Baja Africa — complete with dual front headlights and special graphics / bodywork:
“Baja is so big to the Japanese that Honda developed a street-legal XR250R and sells 10,000 units a year there…” –Dirt Bike Rider, 1989
As compared to the dirt-only XR250R, the XLR250 Baja offered taller gearing, passenger pegs, street-legal lighting, metal gas tank, a rear disc brake, and other road-going accoutrements.
These XLR Bajas continue to be prized among riders and collectors. Strangely, though, Honda never made an official Baja version with their RFVC big singles — neither the Baja-winning XR600R nor the street-legal, fairing-clad NX650 Dominator. Said Dirt Bike Rider:
“Loyal Honda dual-sport enthusiasts have lamented the loss of the old XL series and many are shying away from the street-oriented NXs, because of their low front fenders and full fairings.”
That’s where our new friend Florian Gounaud of France’s Soli Moto comes in. A product designer, Florian built up a beefy BMW R NineT scrambler before setting his sights on a 1989 Honda NX650 Dominator RD02 — one of the last models to include both kick and electric start.
“The bike is inspired by the Baja series from Honda. They never built a Baja version of the Dominator so I did it. I tried to keep a lot of OEM parts from the bike to preserve its identity.”
Whereas most of the NX650 Dominator customs we feature bear little resemblance to any factory model, Florian sought to create the bike that Honda never did, closely following the pattern of the XLR250R Baja.
The OEM fairings are gone, and the bike is now running UFO vintage enduro fenders, a modified rear rack, paint similar to the XLR Baja, and a bespoke front fairing Florian created to hold the stock dashboard and the all-important Baja-style dual headlights.
On the performance front, this “Domi Baja” is sporting an Arrow Dakar exhaust and Twin Air filters. Florian says it’s significantly lighter than the original, runs like a top despite nearly 30,000 miles on the clock, and continues to take him on off-road adventures.
“Being able to keep the essence of the Dominator in the final appearance is what I’m proud of. Also, unlike many builds around that model, it doesn’t look fragile.”
Below, we talk to Florian for more details on his “Domi Baja.”
NX650 Baja Dominator: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
My first build was my BMW R NineT Scrambler. As a product designer, I created a bunch of parts for that bike. Then came the need for a new project!
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
It’s a Honda Dominator RD02 from 1989. It’s one of the last with both electric start and kickstart.
• Why was this bike built?
It’s a personal project, just like the one before. A playground for my imagination.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The bike is inspired by the Baja series from Honda. They never built a Baja version of the Dominator so I did it. I tried to keep a lot of OEM parts from the bike to preserve its identity.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Most of the work is on aesthetics, with only the exhaust (Arrow Dakar) and air filter (TwinAir) on the mechanical part.
Front and rear fenders were replaced by UFO vintage enduro ones. Rear rack was kept but reduced in width. Tank was painted in Honda red to match the original seat and hand guards.
Finally the front fairing was replaced with a custom one I’ve created, which hides all the original electronics, including the dashboard.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
“Domi Baja” seems appropriate!
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
With 44,000 kms on the odo, the bike runs just like new.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
Almost like a regular Dominator, it’s just a little lighter.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Being able to keep the essence of the Dominator in the final appearance is what I’m proud of. Also, unlike many builds around that model, it doesn’t look fragile.
