I went to the International Bike show in Minneapolis hoping Honda might have brought one to show but sadly no such luck . Had a little chat with a rep and was basically told it was designed as a streetfighter for overseas and that us Yanks wouldn't appreciate it. Like I really want to be a owner of a cookie cutter V-twin.
It's funny.... I went to the Chicago show and talked to everyone one that showed up.
Many manufacturers were missing. I was disappointed. No KTM, Victory had 5 bikes!!, no Ural, no Aprilia, no Truimph, no MV!!
Royal Enfield and Hyosung were there though. Both of them in force. For the $$ they were the best alternatives.
Anyway....
XR1200R - CBR1000 or whatever it's called - Z1000 - B.King
Almost all of them were originally introduced in the European market. Take HD for example. The XR1200R is a direct descendant of the XR750. And what does the XR750 represent? Flat Track Racing. An almost exclusively American dominated sport. So why on earth introduce it for European markets only?!?!?!
Problem is.... we #$%* amd moan when a bike isn't for us. And when the company finally bends to our will, we don't buy.
I feel that if they want more market share, Honda should have made a CB750A instead of that hideous DN-01. Then people could ride a "motorcycle" without the hassle of shifting.