Don't worry, Honda didn't make this bike for you guys. The U.S. is not their primary market; this is an Asian bike for Asian customers. Honda brought it in because, I don't know, they're just Honda. Honda does it's own thing.
They build the Goldwing and cruisers for Americans. Europe and Asia are bigger markets than America for the rest of the stuff.
But... *what* is it?
200/50r17 rear tires... with only a 65 hp engine (??)
Large panniers... with only a 3 gallon fuel tank (??)
No sense in being bitter. Everybody knows that buying a new vehicle is never a smart financial move regardless of brand. Sure it sux for those of us who paid near full retail but I promise you, I WILL get my money's worth
This bike was at the Long Beach Motorcycle International Show and a lot of people were hovering around it. My dealer said there is a waiting list for this bike and not many are sent to the U.S.
This bike reminds me of a scooter that is capable of going on the freeway like the Bergman. It's lightweight, has low storage capacity, low to the ground, automatic transmission and your floorboards are in front of you.
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I guess I'm a little behind in my thinking on scooters. I just Googled the Bergman... 613lbs... 650cc motor...$12,990. WOW.
That's a full on motorcycle in scooter clothes
I wonder when Honda is going to introduce Reverse on F6B in US. They already have that in Australia and Europe. I know lot of short riders wud luv to have that comfort of reverse. I have a bad right knee and I'm only 5'5. I was embarrassed other day when I cudn't push the bike back while with my friends. There was a small dip in the parking lot where my front tire was and I cudn't push it back out of there. I had planned to put Heli bars but I'll wait for next yr or so. Hopefully Honda introduces reverse here in US.
I checked it out at Daytona---and I am sure Honda should hire me for their marketing dept. Everything I like has a very short life span---I bought a 99 Valkyrie and 1800 VTX--both discontinued. I love the CTX 1300 and new Valk--probably soon to be discontinued. Personally, I love the bike if it were about 25% larger on size and around 1300cc - 1800cc and a normal "motorcycle transmission". I loved the DNO1. I was told that it stood for Do Not Own 1.
I love bikes that don't seem to sell or stay around too long--I.E. Rune. You got to give it to Honda. They go where no other motorcycle company will dare tread and sink money into these designs that we mostly agree will have the life expectancy of a house fly. It don't fit me, but I think it is the cat's pajamas and I applaud Big Red for stepping out there---they are the Anti-Harley. I had a 1990 Heritage Softail and my wife could not tell the difference between it and the 2015 model other than the "round air cleaner". Not criticizing, but pointing out the difference in bike company directions. Honda is not slow to try something different and new. We are all grateful they produced the B.
"Life is hard. Harder when you are stupid"-- John Wayne[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
I guess I don't get all the hatred. I like it fine stylistically, but more than that, I like that Honda is willing to try new things. Let's remember the original Goldwing was an odd duck when it first came out. For that matter, it still is. I like riding with a company that tries new things. But with innovating comes the understanding there will be a fair amount of failures.
Ride to work, work to ride
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You guys are absolutely right that companies need to take some risks and try new things.
Another example is Intel; they used to only make simple memory components until the 1980's they decided to look into this new contraption called a computer and try making processors for it... that "risky" move turned them into a 30 billion dollar company.