Re: Replacement for the Honda ST1300 in 2014?
A VFR800F? Hmmmm... That could be tasty.
They don't need to reinvent the wheel in the ST market, as they seem to be trying to do in the cruiser market, they have several good mills that could serve as solid platforms for great ST bikes. Similar variations using the two older V4's would make them relatively cost effective as the R&D is paid for, while addressing THE most common desires in the market to make them competitive. Few if any will scream foul if the more modern 1200 isn't used, as it's less proven and quite likely more expensive initially and down the road, and this is a fairly long term/mile owner driven market. There are many 'older' standing features that combined thoughtfully would yield a great ST bike:
- ABS & Traction control
- elec screen
- shaft drive on the 1300 variant, chain or BELT on the 800 to keep it light and efficient
- ADJUSTABLE ergos (bars, pegs, seat)
- two simple drive mode/map options: economy or performance
- a decent suspension that comes with front/rear preload and dampening, with a spring rate out of the crate that doesn't assume a ridiculously low range of load.
Who here wouldn't be in line to test ride one or both of those bikes?