What's Up In Motorcycling These Days?

I have to say that I don't really fit into any bike classification. I had tats before I even owned a bike I opt not to wear my helmet most of the time because I mostly ride around town. I know no excuse but I say to each his own. Plus riding in Maine isn't like riding anywhere else, people in cages for the most part watch out for bikes and aren't trying to get somewhere at the speed of light like most other places I have been to. If money was no object I would have my Interceptor, a couple HD, a few sport bikes and probably a victory and a meanstreak. I love all bikes and I think everybike has there flaws, most of the time it is the person riding them not the bike.

 

I believe that Mr. Zanetti hit the nail on the head.

Harley and BMW make bikes that, although good quality, are expensive the buy and particularly to maintain.

I have always admired the fit and finish of the Honda.
and you cannot beat the infrastructure.
there's always a honda dealer close by, or a shop that handles Honda's.

Ducati's are beautiful, expensive, and, god knows, temperamental.

this is a great thread.

:grouphug:

 

I've always felt that Hondas golden period was about '85 to '91 or so. So many good bikes came out of that period, some class leaders, some not. The ones that come to mind, that we're really slow sellers at the time, the Hawk GT, the CB-1, and even the Trans-Alp are all cult bikes now, and command good money for almost 20 yr old machines. Plus the ST-1100 was introduced in that period as well, and is also very, very good, even today. Honda attempted to create new interest in motorcycling by introducing these new styles, to shake up the traditional sport/cruiser/tourer categories. Sad to say, it didn't work. Not that the bikes themselves were bad, but that American customers wouldn't break out of their habits. So, Honda was forced to give the consumer what they wanted. Keep in mind as well the this consumer is only about 10% enthusiast, by my count anyway. I think I might be generous there as well.

Think about Hondas '90 sport/sport tour lineup.
CB-1
Hawk GT
CBR600 (the "F1" not the Hurricane)
CBR1000F
Trans-Alp (in multiple displacements)
VFR750
ST-1100

Plus the Wing for touring.
Cruisers I don't know.

I've owned or ridden all but the T/A and the ST. There's not one of them I could say weren't really good bikes.


I doubt that based on the sales drubbing they took on those models they'll ever attempt it again, but as I said all of those have been recognized in later years as great machines, by the enthusiast community.

I can't say todays Hondas are bad either, but they certainly don't break any new ground, and I'm not sure that any of them will reach the cult status of those previously listed. (well the ST-1300 and Wing will, as they maintain those that came before).

KC10-FE (Now that's a job I might enjoy), I doubt that Honda can afford, from a sales perspective to stop the race bike competition and forfeit those sales to Suzuki. Right now, the bike buyers are mostly 40+ years old, with the second being the kids (20-25). The kids buy the race bikes, not ST and cruisers. If you want to grow sales, you go with youth.


--jeff

 

True that, but if money was no objet to me, I'd buy a bunch of Ducati's



sexy sexy sexy :jaw:

 

Reg71, Just to let you know I've been an organ donor since getting my motor vehicle lic. when I was 16. I agree with your point there.

I don't agree that an insurance company should deny your claim if you do not wear a helmet. If they don't want to cover unhelmeted riders they should not provide coverage in states that allow a rider to ride without one. I feel that it should be up to the rider or in case of seat belts driver/passanger. If I had worn a seat belt when I rolled my 93 pathfinder over I would not be around. That doesn't mean I don't wear my belt, I do 99% of the time. I just think in THE LAND OF THE FREE we should be able to make our own choice.

DISCLAIMER:
For the sensitive people I do not mean to offend anyone with anything I have said. It is just my opinion

 

Not to take this in another direction but I to believe that helmets should be an option. I hate any law that protects people from their own stupid selves. We have far to much of that in this country - Do what you want, but suffer the consequences and dont come crying to me when you need help. This can be problematic however because of Regs point. I always wear a helmet but I also ride to fast on occasion and know that it may (and has) got me into a couple of accidents. I didn't blame anyone but myself. I have had two friends killed on motorcycles and neither wore a helmet.

 

"Granted, at times I feel like a stepchild for riding a V4, but I chose it, and the unique factor has a tendency to put you in that category. For now, I'll just ride."

Riding a flat six Valk and a v4 VFR makes me feel GREAT! two fantastic engines that flat out work. the rest of the 99% can have the vtwin and the inline 4 - I've owned these and am yet to understand why they are more popular than the engines in my bikes.

 

I do believe someone already mentioned it but the CBR600RR has been class leading for a long time.

There is a 3hp differece between the 4 top liter bikes. Nice little video here of journalist picking the 2006 CBR1000RR as the best street bike available. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obRzUQHlzrA The CBR wins races just not in AMA where suzy was allowed to run traction control due to a loophole in the rule book. Things have been straighten out and I would be supprised if the 08 CBR doesn't come with a fully functional traction control not some 3 lame modes like the suzy.

I agree Honda needs to do something with the VTX but it's still the solid choice if you want a cruiser for the long run. That suzy m109 is having a ton of trouble


Now on to the other issue I see in your posts. GM is tanking and tanking quick. I hope they are fully bankrupt and out of the picture by 2010. They are no different than Harley with their outdated techonology. Onstar was needed because the shit breaks down so much. They are dumping money into the camaro/corvette when they should just dump them and focus on selling trucks. Maybe then they could be the best selling truck or maybe they are happy being ford's bitch in the truck market.

Pay attention while driving down the road and notice how many previous and current gen GM trucks/suv have lights out. Those things are electrical disastars on wheels. Sad thing is the've only recalled 500,000 of the little light duty models.

Another problem with GM is they brand engineer instead of being inovative and coming up with new better vehicles.

Here's the biggest problem with GM (insert Harley too). They have trained people that they can sell you crap and you will just have to put up with it because you are buying American .... pfft it's fraud. True story my future inlaws are looking for a newer vehicle for my fiance because she has 110,000 miles on her 01 Accord (they are GM people). That's brainwashing at its finest right there.

 

Who do give props to for this thread? Oh yea, Hey KC, props to you my man.. great thread.. love reading this stuff.

 

I simply call it like I see it. I'm not saying it happens all the time but I occasionally have a "vision" of sorts when Jack Daniels is talking to me.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

I agree Honda does need to step up the program big time.
The 6th gen viffers have been growing on me til the day I confused one for a friggin scooter coming at me...
Wish I could find something other then a profile shot.

I want to see the 1000RR's dominate the market, I want to see the Blackbird brought back to the US to compete with the Busa/the ZX-14(George Foreman Grill)/K1200S, and I want to see a VFR that doesn't look like a scooter (yah I know the viffer came first)...

 

For the record, the Big Ruckus (no relation) is the ONLY scooter to own, period...

 

what is the goal of each manufacture? does each manufacture meet its goals?
Take a look at the 1000RR, GSXR and the R1... Honda's goal was to build the best street and track bike. they did! the R1 and GSXR were/are built for the for track, they met there goals.
As for everyother bike on the market, I have no idea! But I am sure that each manufacture has a starting point and an ending point that will meet the goals they desire.

 

I got my VFR because im an engineer and I liked the tech, also, I am not wealthy, so I didnt like the K1200S price. I am a tall guy, so the tiny liter bikes dont work so well for me, I love the acceleration and handling, so cruiser bikes werent an option.
Many factors funneled me toward the VFR, and the bike may not have changed drastically in a while, but lets not forget that it is a pretty bitchin' and very popular bike, there isnt a whole lot of monetary push behind redesigning something that people already love!
That being said, if they made it in a 1000, id sell a kidney to buy it!

 

:rofl: SLOav8r, that scooter DOES look a lot like a 6th gen! Yikes hahaha
oh well, i still love my 07 :biggrin:

scooters are a riot. I have some buddies in the Boston Stranglers scooter gang, those guys have a blast on their rides. I think it really pushes home the point, to each his own!

 

I kinda agree with KC..
I was in the market for a new bike last year or two. Kept waiting for the new XX.. and waiting... and waiting... So I bought a K12S... Don't regret it at ALL... Honda Europe told me YEARS ago that a new XX was on the horizon. My wife and I got interviewed for two hours on why we would fly from the USA to the UK to ride a bike.. That showed them how much I loved the XX. I was ASSURED the new XX was coming out soon... (sigh)

Honda needs a new XX. Either a 1000cc or 1200cc v-4...
SOMETHING...

Their cruisers are ok.. not my thing.
Dirt rocks still.. still not my thing yet.

Honda whats your answer to these?

 

We all need to get Ruckusses, or Ruckii...


The modding possibilities are ENDLESS!

And for the speed demons...