Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014? A short article with responses.
I don't think there's any market for a true replacement for the ST. What I think Honda will do is make a T version of the VFR with a larger fairing, full bags, higher bars, adjustable tall windscreen, softer seat, etc., etc.
I'm not interested. Anyone else interested?
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Corker, I have to respectfully disagree with you. Why improve or refine any product then? IMO, there
absolutely is a market for a replacement ST. If companies never did product updates, improvements, refinements, continue to give consumers reasons to buy...the market economy would not exist as we know it today. If the Ford Motor Company took that approach in the early 1900's, they wouldn't have moved beyond the Model A.
Secondly, by virtue of your "improvements list", it is clear the VFR was never intended to be an ST replacement and never will be. It stands on its own and
competes more with the K1300S. It's worth noting, the K1300S is not considered or is serving as a replacement for the R1200RT or the K1600GT/GTL.
Like the VFR1200, the ST1300 stands on it's own too. The sport touring segment, fitting of the ST1300, is currently occupied by a Honda product that has not been updated, improved, refined, or seen a face-lift in ten years. I believe the market would be more accepting of a next generation Honda ST than not. As great as the current gen ST is, the best that Honda has to offer is still yet ahead of them and that's a wonderful thing, it's all good.