Jerry, you sound like a true Adventurer. If NY is one of the states on your list feel free to look me up for ride ideas.
That appears to be a regional thing or dealers that don't have a clue about that segment. One dealer seems to be pushing them out the door faster than he can get them. It is hard to tell The US of A tool a huge sales hit after 2005 (1,100,000 units sold) and dropped to 420,000 in 2010. Since then it has been inching up to about 450,000 in 2012. It looks like the ADV side dropped less than the rest. I am sure that there are still a lot of dealers that don't know what the segment is a about and won't even try selling them. You know the ones that wear bandanas all the time. Someone over there needs to start a cable channel called "American Farkler" or "Pimp My ADV bike" or something. Get some outrages farkling going on.
Well, the 670 cc engine and DCT transmission is innovative. No one else is making anything like it. Honda is plowing a different field with this engine instead of the same old announcing the new old inline four has 3 more hp and is 2 ounces lighter compared to the same inline four from last year, last decade, last century. Wake up, the world has changed.
KTM sold right out of 350cc EXC dual sports at about $10,000 a piece so yeah, I'm sure they would move pretty well. Anyone who does track days would probably drop a deposit today. They still trying to move those Furies, or Furries, or Furys? What's plural for crapola?
I think city commuters are a bigger market than people who do trackdays of any type. I'm no market analyst, because they get paid real money.
I guess, maybe? I'm pretty full up with KTMs and Kawasaki has always had more in a bike for me than Honda. Even the old Ninja 250s are more entertaining than the new CBR250. Kawasaki was always the least favorite brand for me as a kid, now it's the #1 Japanese brand for me. Even their starter bike has some muscles. The 650 has it, the Z bikes all the way up. It has a trait, Honda is just what you said, commuters. Everywhere I look in the line. Their 250 DS, commuter. The starter sport bike, commuter at heart. The bikes in this thread, the new 500s. Commuters all. I'm glad the commuters have so many choices under one roof, but the old Honda took a few chances and hit some real homers. They look to be bunting all the time now. Swing the friggin bat!
VFR had a cult following. They took the VFR and made it into something no self respecting VFR owner would want. There was a rumor that they were going to make a bigger faired version of it to replace the ST but that never happened. They could have had a whopper of an ST if they got the wind protection right, knocked the horsepower down enough to get decent mpg, put a big enough tank on it, included cruise control and communications. They could have gotten this recipe easily by spending 4 hours on an ST forum. Hint: That place is loaded with people who buy ST's!!!
Ever ridden one? I'm continually amazed at the groupthink that has caused the VFR12 to get a bad rap. I understand if you can't get used to the styling...but the new VFR handles every bit as well as the 800... only it's much, much faster. Do self-respecting VFR-owners hate more power?
The Honda DN-01 didn't inspire a damn thing, it is more scooter than motorcycle. CVT tranny I think? Big twist and go? Sales flop I think? The Diavel might owe something to the V-Max, as they are both fast and cruiser-ish. But the Diavel is not feet forward as somebody else pointed out. And I think I read a test where it out accelerated Ducati's own 1198, maybe out braked as well.
That is one of the things honda got right with the VFR12. Unfortunately, they got too many things wrong.
I can think of no other bike in recent memory that garnered so many negative comments online based on failed expectations, rather than actual riding experiences. Honda did an amazingly poor job with the release of the VFR, because they failed to control expectations. But that doesn't make it a bike every current VFR owner should dismiss. Have you ridden one? Most haven't. The looks are polarizing, I get that. Until recently, I was guilty of judging the bike on magazine photos as well. I'm no Honda or VFR12 evangelist, but it's an amazing motorcycle to ride. BIKE magazine in the UK reckons it's the "consummate sports-tourer". I like what Honda's doing lately. Taking risks, while being accused of playing it too safe. Taking chances with styling, even though motorcyclists are notoriously stuck on styles now decades old. It takes controversy and risk and some failures to move anything forward. We may be witnessing that with Honda lately, but I admire them in their attempts.
You're right, of course. Can't argue with sales figures. But at the prices they're available for now, I consider them one of the best values in motorcycling. So I bought one.
It seems like alot of people on this site have unrealistic expectations. Those bikes are totaly possible, but no one will pay the $$$$$ they would cost to make.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/firstrides/122_1305_2014_honda_ctx700_and_ctx700n_first_look/ Opinion piece on the CTX's . Interesting read. Excerpt below... American Honda representatives present in Chicago told us their market research shows that new riders and especially non-riders increasingly prioritize function and economy above all else. Its not like the old days; not so many new riders are interested in CBR600RRs anymore, we were told. Accordingly, the CTX utilizes the same mildly tuned, 700cc parallel twin engine from the NC700X, which delivers class-leading fuel economy (expect north of 60 mpg), usable low- and midrange power, and very low emissions at the cost of some riding excitement. The low-slung, tubular-steel chassis is also identical to the NC700, which should mean the CTXes will offer neutral, low-effort maneuverability and excellent stability that makes it easy for even a newbie to master. Read more: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/f..._ctx700_and_ctx700n_first_look/#ixzz2KSwqXFr7
Go to any enduro and meet all the riders who pay more for orange street legal bikes. Honda can't build a cheaper, slightly heavier than a KTM EXC500 or equal to it, modern XR500r? Come on. Tiny Suzuki almost did that 13 years ago with the DRZ. Then they let it rot on the vine. Yamaha came close, but built a 250f with the weight of a 600cc dirt bike. Kawi put out a 39 HP 300cc budget bike that uses lead as wheel material and suspension from the 1970s. It still feels great on a tight, twisty road. Another $2000 in the base would have built a friggin rocket many couldn't touch on a good road. Honda is pushing auto transmissions? Bah!