How do you feel about the new bikes coming out these days?

[Rincewind]

Well, the new NC700X is priced at £5700 OTR here in the UK. That converts to approx. $8800. Now let's put that in another context. A new Yamaha Super Tenere here is £12,000. Converted to $$$'s = $18, 565.  But a Super Ten is approx. $14,000 in the States. Convert that to £££'s = £9,045. So , the new Honda, should it be released in the States could possibly be around $6/6500.

Not that it really matters if Honda doesn't release it in the States.

A Honda V-strom/Versys like that could do very well in the US.  I agree it's a very nice looking design.  But Honda haven't brought us an adventure bike since 1990!  That's 22 years ago! 

[Hunter]

Kawasaki and Honda entered the market with new/fairly new 250cc sportbikes that are pretty good.  Suzuki recently updated the GSX500F.  So yeah, the entry level bikes from Japan are here.  Even Ducati is in on it with their Monster 696.

I was all set to jump on this about the price of today's beginner bikes but while quickly looking up some MSRP's I came to a different conclusion.

2012
CBR 250 @ $4099
Ninja 250 @ $4199
Monster 696 @ $8795

I was thinking why can't the manufacturers come up with a smaller/medium bore, lower tech, sport bike for around $3000 to $3500 for the beginners as it seemed to me that 4 grand was a lot of bones to lay down for a starter bike. Then I looked and even the Johnny Pag (Chinese) FX3, all I could find was a 2010 price, was $3400 so a '12 would more than likely be over $3500. Of the JP bikes or Lifan that I've seen up close, I probably wouldn't give 35 dollars for one. That, to me at least, makes the price of the CBR / ZX a steal. I guess if you bleed marinara sauce, the Duc is a relative bargain as well.

Of the other new bike offerings, nothing has come out that I feel like I just have to have sport bike wise. I can't come anywhere near accessing the power or handling of my old 9 on the street especially after the engine and suspension mods I've done. I will be buying a ST rig in the next year or two when my son gets a little older if he shows continued interest in motorcycles, if not I'll just get a Miata for us to take to the mountains.

[atadaskew]

except they have no plans on bringing that bike to the U.S.   It sounds like an excellent first bike or a commuter bike.  I'd buy to ride to work as long as I had another bike for fun.

Why can't your ride to work bike be fun to ride?
Posted on: January 19, 2012, 10:14:45 AM

Well, the new NC700X is priced at £5700 OTR here in the UK. That converts to approx. $8800. Now let's put that in another context. A new Yamaha Super Tenere here is £12,000. Converted to $$$'s = $18, 565.  But a Super Ten is approx. $14,000 in the States. Convert that to £££'s = £9,045. So , the new Honda, should it be released in the States could possibly be around $6/6500.

Not that it really matters if Honda doesn't release it in the States.

Seeing that the NTV 700 Dullville was $11200 in the US, very doubtful that the NC would be properly priced.
It also looks like the Dullville will not be coming back for 2012.  Something about a Mayan prophecy.  They were waaay ahead of their times predicting that overpriced underpowered bikes would not sell.

[NoGear]

Why can't your ride to work bike be fun to ride?
Posted on: January 19, 2012, 10:14:45 AM

Seeing that the NTV 700 Dullville was $11200 in the US, very doubtful that the NC would be properly priced.
It also looks like the Dullville will not be coming back for 2012.  Something about a Mayan prophecy.  They were waaay ahead of their times predicting that overpriced underpowered bikes would not sell.

Well, it could be except I don't want to ride my FJR to work everyday if I had a bike that was cheaper and better suited to going in and out of traffic.  Especially if it got better mpg than the FJR

[Davy F.]

A Honda V-strom/Versys like that could do very well in the US.  I agree it's a very nice looking design.  But Honda haven't brought us an adventure bike since 1990!  That's 22 years ago! 

Well there you go then................
And I wasn't too far off with the price.  

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/honda/2012-honda-nc700x-preview-91209.html

[Rincewind]

Well there you go then................
And I wasn't too far off with the price.  

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/honda/2012-honda-nc700x-preview-91209.html

I gave you a rep point for your close estimating.  

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,69504.0.html

[jsanford]

I like that more and more new bikes are equipped with ABS.  Other tech advances seem like hype, though.  Take TPM--it malfunctioned on my F800ST test ride in '07, scaring me half to death, and has recently proven itself inoperable on my '09 Yaris.  I haven't heard a single airbag deployment story from the Goldwing.

I bought two bikes new for very different reasons.  The BMW because I could and I hope to own it for a decade or two or three.  The Monster because it was not much more than used--they hold their value in the PNW--and every single used one had suffered some sort of neglect or abuse that, once repaired, would price the bike more than new.  My monster was also the last 695 in the showroom and priced to sell two weeks before the 696's were due to show up.

The Guzzi was used and belonged to the owner of the local dealership, who is the same height as Grant and had already modded the bike to accommodate that.  Smartest purchase In motorcycles I've made by far.

European bikes seemed to be designed for basic transportation.  So are some Japanese bikes, but they don't import many to the U.S..