What the heck is big ' H ' doin?

[goodhawk]

I've read someplace Honda was dropping the F4.  And that the new Euro version of Hornet ( 600 RR engine, cooler styling) was not coming to U.S.
If true, why doesn't Honda just pull out of U.S. motorcycle market?

Just fer example, other posts have mentioned new Aprillia 750 , and auto trans 850.
Little Aprilia.
Then there's Triumph. Little Tri has bikes MUCH more interesting than Honda.  675 and Tiger, fer 2.  ' Classic models' as well.

[1moreroad]

If true, why doesn't Honda just pull out of U.S. motorcycle market?

Maybe because Honda sells about 10 motorcycles for every 1 Triumph sold?

Let's see Honda has a brand new 600RR to compete with the 675.  I've ridden a 675 and while it's a nice bike, it's not all that.  Like any of the Japanese 600s, it's an incremental improvement among middleweight sportbikes.  The riding position is compromised to favor front wheel feel -- which quite literally can hurt on the street with its bumps and imperfections.  And on the back straight of Buttonwillow racetrack (almost 3/4 mile long), my buddy on his 675 got about 2 bike lengths in front of my 5 year old 600 and could get no farther before the next turn.  The 675 is an excellent bike but it slots in amongst many excellent bikes.

Honda has the 919 to compete with the Triumph.  IMO the Tiger is now a very nice UJM, a category I think Honda started.

[GRN]

25 years primarily in the Honda camp here with one brief indescretion for an Italian Red head, until I jumped ship last year twice... first time due to no offering in the segment I was shopping (DL650), and then again gave up on a long time interest in the VFR after test riding a Sprint ST, and bringing one home a week later. IMO, when a little maker like Triumph can gain enough traction to dethrone the VFR, Honda isn't even making a play in the game. I've seen an awful lot of folks with interest in that segment express the opinion that the Sprint IS what the VFR SHOULD BE today... all very subjective of course, but also to prevelant to ignore. I also see a lot of concern in the ST, touring, and LD communities for the quality of the Honda network, albeit very available... I know I don't go near my local shop unless I have to, and then I make lots of notes for them before, ask lots of ?'s after, then go strait home and retourqe everything they may have even gone near... scary, and sad.

[miles]

Yeah, but every bike sat on the floor without moving back in the early 90s.  It does seem that Honda has little motivation to trot out any more showroom queens, but then they do something like this:


or like this little 100cc four-stroke track-only bike:



How many of these are going to fly off the showrooms?  Not many, at $27000 (!) and $4500 respectively.  Still, they make 'em.


miles
 

[bizarro]

Honda? Who cares? I've owned a lot of Hondas. I doubt I'll own another Honda unless I have enough disposable cash to get a vintage one like a 400-Four for in town posing. They are the masters of competency (except for cam chain tensioners and Reg/Recs).

[goodhawk]

OK, I guess I'll make this my last bash H. post fer year ( whoopie. I know everyone will be thrilled, esp. H.)
What I want From Honda
Bikes that are a little 'cool' - I believe their bikes in general are excel., equal or better than others in catagory, as far as 'fit & finish', but what is 'cool about the new Fireblade, compared to GSXR, ZX 10, R 1.  Or the in line 600 sports, same story. nit pick, I don't even like the paint / graphics, I guess it's supposed to be a 'pop art' version of Honda Wing . . .

Honda shoulda fixed the VTR 1000 - ( primarilly made it for what it's 'category ' was - 'sport/tour, I guess. certainly not pure sport.  Retune midrange for more MPG , I think the 916 Duc was better! and  5.75 gal tank.)note Suzuki put out TLS 10000 at same time as Honda the VTR - Suzuki made changes, first to the TL, then totally new SV 1000, and has made changes to the SV 1000 ( mostly very small, not really noticable, I'd guess.)
Honda did pretty much nothing to VTR - changed the instrument panel ( made it worse) and gave Euro model a slightly larger gas tank, thou not enough to make any dif.

the  919 /599 - excel bikes, seen as the UJM.  NOT in the 'streetfighter / sp. Triple - Tuono  ' cool bike' category.  There were a couple photos on this site, someone took faring off a fireblade - it looked pretty good.  would cost very little, by huge company standards, to modify a current production model.  I think the Yam. FZ 1 is the best lookin inline 4 , perhaps ever.  and maybe with new mods, the FZ 6 is similar. . .

I love my good 'ole NT 650 Hawk, my first new bike purchase way back when ( much modded)  I'd like Honda to put that back into prod., with upgrades easilly avail now, mostly. >>CBR F3 forks, brakes - work excel on Hawk.,  5 gal tank ( English Revere mostly 'bolt on')., 700 cc 80 HP engine.  This'd be the sticker, the 650 hawk crank apparently breaks at about 75 hp.  I'd imagine Honda Engineering could come up with a fix.  new 6 sp. trans.   OR  ( much cheaper) take the bare bones VFR - perhaps with the old Magna 750 engine, or a 'cleaned up' 800. Delete fairing, all the techno babble. oriente more towards 'sport'.  better brakes, etc. > Again, would cost Honda virtually NOTHING .

[Mr Sunshine]

Goodhawk why do you even care if Honda makes anything that you want?  It is apparent other manufactures make stuff you want so go buy their stuff.  If Honda sees their sales slipping then they may start to do something.  In the meantime don't worry what Honda is or is not doing.  Go buy those other brands and get what you want.

If you want a better Hawk go get an SV650.  Its better in every way except for the forks.  There it is the same but you can do lots of various mods to the bike to get better forks.

[pearsonm]

Bash away, Honda deserves our scorn.

It seems like Honda used to be run by a bunch of gearheads who just wanted to go faster. Their solutions were always innovative and well-executed. Now it it's like they're run by a bunch of accountants, which is too damn bad for us since they've got the most resources (imagine what Aprillia, Triumph or even Buell could do with a budget like Honda’s).

I've said it a million times what a travesty the VFR has become, but not updating the Superhawk disappoints me more. All it needed to stay relevant was fuel injection and a fully-adjustable suspension. Less weight wouldn't hurt as long as it could be done cost effectively. It’s a shame to watch them piss away the RC51, too.

[gritsngravy]

I lusted so bad after the Honda CB 1300 I actually hatched a plan to have my brother in law secure on in the UK and ship it to me but massive cost and legalities reared its ugly head.   I ended up with a bandit 1200s and have enjoyed it much.....now looky looky, suzuki has made a new bandit 1250 h20 cooled, f.i., great lighting, centerstand, 6 speed , opt abs, all for around 8k.   Everything the honda is except for one thing, it's available at any suzuki dealer in the US.  

Honda's are nice, I really like the '07 600rr and of all things the trusty shadow spirit 1100 but there are waay to many bikes out there to get hung waiting for honda to do anything spectacular like introduce a wave of new models like they did in the 80's.    

[cyeager]

This reminds me of a funny article I read from a 1982 edition of Cycle Magazine. I was researching one of my favorite bikes (V45 Sabre) and ran accross it, one passage in particular that I found amusing was this:

The Sabre shows that Honda already has one technological foot firmly into tomorrow. Honda's willingness and ability to play by current rules while engineering into the future, anticipating new rules, is encouraging. The Sabre sets many new standards in production motorcycle design and technology, and the motorcycle says Honda is moving ahead, full at ideas, and there is no end in sight to the continued production and sale at technologically enlightening motorcycles.

http://users.metro2000.net/~cdc/magna/other%20features/articles%20and%20ads/v45%20sabre%20cycle%20may%201982/v45%20sabre%20may%201982%20cycle%20article.htm

Do those words still ring true to your ears?

[malbojah]

This reminds me of a funny article I read from a 1982 edition of Cycle Magazine. I was researching one of my favorite bikes (V45 Sabre) and ran accross it, one passage in particular that I found amusing was this:



http://users.metro2000.net/~cdc/magna/other%20features/articles%20and%20ads/v45%20sabre%20cycle%20may%201982/v45%20sabre%20may%201982%20cycle%20article.htm

Do those words still ring true to your ears?

I still have an 85 V45 Sabre sitting in my shed waiting for the Spring so I can sell it,

[UFO]

A metallic maroon 1984 V45 Sabre was my second street bike.  I remember it fondly to this day.

Just like this, but I didn't have the honking fairing...mine was nekkid until I eventually sold it in 1990.

[Black Ice]

Honda? Who cares? I've owned a lot of Hondas. I doubt I'll own another Honda unless I have enough disposable cash to get a vintage one like a 400-Four for in town posing. They are the masters of competency (except for cam chain tensioners and Reg/Recs).

I had a '76 400F, over 1.5 decades ago.  Guess what two things I ended up fixing on it?  

I miss that bike.  

[Black Ice]

 

That thing looks like OCC ate a bad burrito and took a giant dump on a Gold Wing.            

C'mon, Honda...get back to the real Valkyrie!!!  

[miles]

That thing looks like OCC ate a bad burrito and took a giant dump on a Gold Wing.            

C'mon, Honda...get back to the real Valkyrie!!!  

The OCC tards could never produce such an integrated design as the Rune.  To me, the Rune is an amazing piece of design work.  I love it, and if I had the money, I'd buy one.  Of course, at nearly $30k, it would mean I'd have to have A LOT of spare cash to justify it...


miles

[Against The Wind]

The Aussie situation seems a bit different than ours. Check out the XX presence.


Honda Australia had another big year in 2006, topping the official charts for retail sales for the seventh consecutive year since the turn of the decade.
The manufacturer is also the first to sell over 30,000 units, setting a new milestone in a burgeoning Australian market.

Honda had significant increases in sales across all classes according to figures released by the Equipment Research Group (ERG) in association with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI)

In addition to having the highest percentage of total retail sales for the calendar year Honda secured the strongest overall market share in the Road and ATV categories.

Number one selling bikes nationwide in their respective categories for year end once again included Honda’s championship winning CRB1000RR Fireblade (#1) and CBR600RR (#2), Sports Tourer CBR1100XX Blackbird, Motocrossers CRF250R (#1) and CRF450R (#2), 4-wheel favourite TRX350TM, and the iconic Postie Bike (CT110X).

Sales were also strong for the manufacturer’s remaining models such as the VFR800 (up 32%), the new CBF250, enduro favourite CRF450X, Today50 scooter and the full range of mini bikes. Overall, Honda sold a total of 30,865 units which is around a 9% increase on last year’s sales.

FCAI figures show total industry retail sales for the period including Japanese, European and American manufacturers are up by over 16% and are expected to continue to grow.

[bizarro]

The OCC tards could never produce such an integrated design as the Rune.  To me, the Rune is an amazing piece of design work.  I love it, and if I had the money, I'd buy one.  Of course, at nearly $30k, it would mean I'd have to have A LOT of spare cash to justify it...


miles

+42

[CoolWhip]

"What the heck is big ‘H’ Doin?"   …Maybe something like this:



...Ok Big Red...give me an updated XX and say pretty please and I *might* forgive you.  

[Against The Wind]

I need a new generator. I think I'm going to buy a H____ generator. I mean a H____generator. I seem to be having a hard time saying H____ generator. I wonder why? Maybe I'll try saying it without the frustration felt by Blackbird owners who feel abandoned. Here we go for 1 last try. I'm going to buy a




Yamaha generator. There that seems to have worked. Sorry Big Red. I seem to find blue an attractive colour.

[Black Ice]

The OCC tards could never produce such an integrated design as the Rune.  To me, the Rune is an amazing piece of design work.  I love it, and if I had the money, I'd buy one.  Of course, at nearly $30k, it would mean I'd have to have A LOT of spare cash to justify it...

miles

Sorry, bro...I don't see one original thing on that bike,* and the whole thing put together is about as ugly as a can of smashed assholes.  I also have to disagree with Mr. S...Honda really doesn't give a damn if their sales slip, at least in this country.  As far as the US is concerned, they only care about cars now.  And AFAIC, their cars are insanely overpriced and you're much better off with a Toyota.

I started out on a Honda.  I've owned more Hondas than any other bikes...I even considered a Honda tattoo.**  And I'd love to be able to travel back in time and meet Soichiro-san for the sole purpose of giving him my personal thanks for his wisdom, ingenuity, and the revolution he engendered in the world's transportation market.  But the Honda MC Company of today sucks wildebeest ass, and they're going to be rendered irrelevant well inside of a decade if they don't get back in the game.  

<sub>*  The F6 motor is indeed original, but it was done first in the Valk and Wing.  The Rune is an unholy alliance of motor-with-potential and styling-by-committee-of-poser-fucks-who-may-have-seen-a- custom-Harley-once.  

**  I still may get it, but it'll be the old-style "HM" diamond-and-wing logo...like on the sidecover of my first bike.</sub>