You really shouldn't drink so much on a weekday....
ST bikes are more targeted at TOURing on a Sport-like bike
There ya go. Maybe you too will be assimilated. As the Borg say, 'resistance is futile'.If it can handle nice fire roads that would be perfect.
The ST is a dying model in a dying riding segment is what I say
Interesting. Can you name any other motorcycle worldwide that has a robust, well mannered, stable, and well attended forum like ST-Owners.com?
Interesting to note that the combined model count shows virtually no growth in sales since 2008 for the 1300, while there is ~600 unit growth YOY with the VFR. Couple that with the current 800 unit YOY growth of the NC700X, Honda might be seeing the writing on the wall for their expensive and heavy 1300 (at least in Europe.) I know, they could do the minor tweaks but they are probably putting their contained resources into bikes they know they will sell reasonably well.
BTW, this in no way makes me a Honda apologist. My analysis is my opinion on why I doubt you will ever see another 650 lb sport touring bike from Honda.
BMWsporttouring.comADVRider.com is huge. The FJR and Vstrom are well represented by equally viable sites as well. I'd bet Beemer have some pretty big forums too.
Popular models get updated because they are popular. Manufacturers don't wait until sales fall off. Remember that the development cycle is years ahead of the actual release of a new model into showrooms. But in this case, I would guess that sales in the entire sport touring segment dropped off enough after 2008 to cause them to change their minds about releasing a VFR1200T.So because sales dropped for the HONDA ST segment, they shouldn't attempt a replacement ST? The sales dropped because IT IS A 10+ YEAR OLD DESIGN! Of course it isn't selling well! Apparently the brands who are spending millions updating their Sport Tourers, and the ones who have brought out brand new models, think there is profit to be made.
But in this case, I would guess that sales in the entire sport touring segment dropped off enough after 2008 to cause them to change their minds about releasing a VFR1200T.
So because sales dropped for the HONDA ST segment, they shouldn't attempt a replacement ST? The sales dropped because IT IS A 10+ YEAR OLD DESIGN! Of course it isn't selling well! Apparently the brands who are spending millions updating their Sport Tourers, and the ones who have brought out brand new models, think there is profit to be made.
Any chance it's because they figured out touring riders don't want tiny tanks and racer riding positions?
Interesting. Can you name any other motorcycle worldwide that has a robust, well mannered, stable, and well attended forum like ST-Owners.com?
I agree that there are flashier motorcycles that are updated more regularly. Those machines are purchased mostly by motorcycle owners, not motorcycle riders. A good indicator/tell are the emotionally driven comments on other forums.
Motorcycle riders will own a ST1100 or ST1300 eventually.