A little too Transformerish for me but I still kinda like it. Would love to ride one but would probably never buy it.
The size of the market is small in Honda's myopic eyes because, 1. They never promoted either the ST1100 or the ST1300, 2. They never updated the 1300 from day one (colors don't count). 3. Then don't seem to listen to or incorporate any customer feedback.I'm with you WJ.
It kind of reminds me of GM in the 80's. Look what happened to them.
Honda seems to be going down the same road, building products for markets that don't exist under the guise of "creating new markets".
"Just build as a fricken new ST". Now that's an existing market, although small.
A corporation can easily own 100% of a market for a product no one wants, other than bragging rights what's the point?In corporate circles it's known as expanding market share. That doesn't happen by catering to the same old customers.
I agree completely, DN101, CTXs, (Re)Voltus.....they own that non-market lock stock and barrel....ffA corporation can easily own 100% of a market for a product no one wants, other than bragging rights what's the point?
the aging existing market, us, will be gone soon. Time marches onKind of makes me think Honda would rather explore a new market area than try and keep loyal riders happy by replacing/upgrading an aging existing market.
On the other hand, we mature riders are in the prime of our earning years and actually have the money to buy a new $18k+ motorcycle.the aging existing market, us, will be gone soon. Time marches on
What's the point of fighting to owning a fraction of a niche market? If that niche was making big money for Honda we'd have that upgraded ST pronto. Like years ago pronto. It's not. So it's on the back burner or off the stove entirely.A corporation can easily own 100% of a market for a product no one wants, other than bragging rights what's the point?
+1 Honda isn't content with catering to a bunch of old guys. They want to be relevant to riders:the aging existing market, us, will be gone soon. Time marches on
Your comment doesn't address Honda's failures like the DN-01, NM-4 or CTX. They weren't for us and no one else liked them either.the aging existing market, us, will be gone soon. Time marches on
That would be a huge disappointment IMHO. I would continue to buy used bikes before buying a hybrid.... if hybrids show up in the motorcycle division.
Lithium ion battery technology is moving much quicker than that of fossil fuel powered vehicles; the 70 MPG Accord attests to that.That would be a huge disappointment IMHO. I would continue to buy used bikes before buying a hybrid.
I've got no argument at all with what you've said. There are some hybrid cars which get better MPG than I often get around town with my ST1300. But I am not concerned about miles per gallon when riding an iron horse ... I'm more interested in SMILES per gallon.Lithium ion battery technology is moving much quicker than that of fossil fuel powered vehicles; the 70 MPG Accord attests to that.
The days of the muscle car simplicity are long gone. The electronic/electric systems of even fossil powered bikes are very complex.
I'm afraid hybrids are going to be the majority eventually.....but not in my lifetime?
The Motus V-4 has a firing order with 2 cylinders, #1 #4 and #3 #2, 90 firing degrees apart and a 195 degree separation between sets; all this going into a set of Akrapovic cans.........talk about smiles.I am not concerned about miles per gallon when riding an iron horse ... I'm more interested in SMILES per gallon.