Proof that Honda's interest in motorcycles is fading?

[keystonejenks]

I was watching television with the wife yesterday when this new Honda commercial came on. I noticed something very interesting, I'm sure you'll notice it too.

[Tar Snake]

I can't see it at work, but if it's the one with the robot and "all" the Honda products and innovations something is missing. The commerical bugged me, it ran a lot during the World Series

[atypical1]

What? Honda makes bikes? Wow, whoda thunk?  

 

james

[john m flores]

looks like Honda's interest in boats and generators and lawnmowers is fading as well.

It's a commercial, don't read too much into it.

[keystonejenks]

looks like Honda's interest in boats and generators and lawnmowers is fading as well.

It's a commercial, don't read too much into it.

But to focus on "the future" and show performance products and NOT include motorcycles? It seemed really odd to me.

[Brad1445]

I think its a car commercial

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I think its about Hondas and therefore in the Honda forum  

[spinalator]

I think its about Hondas and therefore in the Honda forum  

You mean the "used to be Honda motorcycle" forum...  

[john m flores]

But to focus on "the future" and show performance products and NOT include motorcycles? It seemed really odd to me.

Yes, from our point of view it is odd, but at the end of the day it is just a commercial and may or may not be an accurate reflection of Honda's corporate direction.

Brad1445 wisely points out that it is a car commercial - and Honda cars is clearly trying to show that they are future-thinking progressive people, thus Asimo and the jet. Kind of like Saab using their tenuous connection to jets in their "Made from Jets" ads. The creative director for the Honda spot may have considered motorcycles but concluded that motorcycles say "fast" but not necessarily "progressive" or "future"...

[R.Markus]

The creative director for the Honda spot may have considered motorcycles but concluded that motorcycles say "fast" but not necessarily "progressive" or "future"...

When it comes to Honda, the motorcycles say "boring".

[JoBu]

Wow, you've got a Triumph Honda...  Who makes that?

Cheers,

Joe

[Tar Snake]

Wow, you've got a Triumph Honda...  Who makes that?

Cheers,

Joe

Them are classics! I had me a Honda back in High School!  

[keystonejenks]

I think its a car commercial

Then why the Honda jets and that damn robot?

[Giaka]

That commercial has been modified since the first release. The new one has two or three Repsol Honda shots in it and one other bike.

[jschmidt]

The new literbike looks cool.

[Highrider]

Run through the video, on the main page on the lower right showing the bike, it's more representative of Honda's market segments. Quite a few bike references in that version. Again. ..don't read anything into it.

[Silverbird]

Absolutly positivly the glory days are over for now.  They will continue to make the highest quality bikes on the market but they are going to have to change their tag line to "Recycling old ideas and lacking in innovative products FIRST"

They can only make so much money off selling us bikes and new alternators & rectifiers.  Money talks.

[TuffguyF4i]

I don't think the comercial means anything.  I can't imagine you would ever put a bike and an accord in the same commercial. ... totally different market.

[Baz]

I just wonder if the deluxe 3D flame decal kit will be available on the Honda jet.

[olderbutfast]

why all the whining ? Nothing ever stays the same forever. Honda is making fantastic bikes that are a blast to ride right now. Just relax and enjoy. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

[JReazor]

I don't think Honda is loosing interest in motorcycles but I do think HoA is loosing interest in motorcycles that are not cruisers. Just look at their 2008 sporty-bike line up. You have the CBR1000RR, the CBR600RR and the VFR. 3 bikes, that's it. Then you have 2 touring bikes that haven't seen any significant changes in years and 2 dirt bikes with lights. One of those is "all new" but I doubt they expect it be a volume seller at 230cc.

Even Yamaha has more bikes to choose from this year.

[Wockman]

I didn't see a generator or lawn mower in the video either...  I smell conspiracy.



I hope I can still get spare parts for my Blackbird.

[chornbe]

I was watching television with the wife yesterday when this new Honda commercial came on. I noticed something very interesting, I'm sure you'll notice it too.

  The only thing I see is concept/future products, clearly marketed at the non-motorcycle market segments. Honda Motorcycles is fairly autonomous with regards to marketing and customer base and market segment. I've almost always had a Honda in the bike stable but only ever owned one Honda car, and that was a used, beat to shit Civic that I got from a customer who was going to junk it because it needed a flex pipe and had a big rusty hole in the quarter panel. It's almost like they're two separate companies and I don't really see any shunning or offense to motorcyclists in that commercial.

[gritsngravy]

Gotta go to the mother country for the really sweet stuff.  http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/cb400sf/

[Rigger]

I went to this webpage and found no VFR    

http://www.honda.co.jp/motorshow/2007/motor/lineup/index.html

[gritsngravy]

Looks like like you can still get a spanky new '08 vfr in the U.S. and Canada.  Plus you Canadians get these two Honda's the US doesn't.........http://www.honda.ca/MCPE/Motorcycle/SpecialOffers/eurobike.htm?L=E

[chornbe]

I went to this webpage and found no VFR    

http://www.honda.co.jp/motorshow/2007/motor/lineup/index.html

That's because it's discontinued after '07/'08 (depending on location).