Topic: Why do euros get all the cool bikes?

[chadbenson]

Kawasaki is releasing this bike to the euro market this year.
http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/W800
Do they just think that americans won't buy them? Because I would love to have one!

[Damfino]

Kawasaki is releasing this bike to the euro market this year.
http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/W800
Do they just think that americans won't buy them? Because I would love to have one!

They already tried selling an earlier version of that here...the w650. I don't think it caught on until they pulled it out of the states.

[chadbenson]

Yeah they stopped production on the w650 in 2006 i think (?) But yeah at the time these came out in the early 2000's the market was for choppers. Honestly I could see kawasaki bringing these to the states by next year considering the upcoming generation of motorcycle riders (like myself) want more of a classic looking bike. All the fellas in my moto club either ride vintage bikes or modern classics. I think the market is stepping away from big cruisers as well. I mean even harley came out with a more "standard" looking sportster. Which I personally think looks pretty good. I really wish that I could afford one of those new Moto Guzzi V7's, or if Honda would finally take a hint and come out with a modern classic CB 750 I would go get my loan tomorrow!

[Retro Rocket]

We get all the cool ones in Aus, your market dictates "chopper" style and "Squid" bikes.....{crotch rockets}   Actually, we get those as well.....

Mick

[rhos1355]

Did you guys notice that the music was set to such a level that it actually drowned out the disappointing sewing machine like sound the bike makes?? The Triumph Bonnie does the same but you can get them to go throbba-throbba-braaaaoowwr if you buy the after-market exhausts at £700!! Put me off buying one.

[Skunk Stripe]

My opinion is that in the US, the average male is too busy trying to look manly instead of smart. Thus the wide array of overweight cruisers with massive engines that dont perform on par with their size and the massive amounts of chrome. The other side is for those that want to look like they go fast and are racers but have no skills for a track.

[chadbenson]

Did you guys notice that the music was set to such a level that it actually drowned out the disappointing sewing machine like sound the bike makes?? The Triumph Bonnie does the same but you can get them to go throbba-throbba-braaaaoowwr if you buy the after-market exhausts at £700!! Put me off buying one.

It's true! My friend has a '07 Bonnie that sounds like a sewing machine. But aftermarket exhaust for those things is stupid expensive. But in it's defense it starts and runs like a champ every push of the starter button.

[rhos1355]

Anybody got a video (not youtube........we're not permitted to see those at work) of the Moto Guzzi V7 Classic Cafe'?? Would love to hear what that sounds like.

[Duanob]

Pretty kewl! After reading this article maybe the W800's timing is right for American sales.
 
http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/17/autos/harley_davidson_fall.fortune/index.htm

I guess my age group will be next up (went to high school in the mid to late 70's) and frankly I never liked the whole Harley, "hey look at me, I'm fat, loud, and act like an A-hole" attitude.

I found it funny reading the the marketing literature, like this bike is something new that Kawasaki invented. They pretty much copied a mid 70's SOHC 4 stroker right down to the tire size and suspension, headlight size the whole she-bang. I wonder what the MSRP will be on this.

[BobbyR]

When is the last time you saw a Kawasaki motorcycle ad on TV or non MC magazine. All these Companies expect you to find them and know their product line before you walk in. Honda should also know better their "Nicest People On a Honda" campaign built their brand. 

[grumpy]

... the disappointing sewing machine like sound the bike makes?? ...

It's true! My friend has a '07 Bonnie that sounds like a sewing machine. ...

Yes but SOHCs sound like Singers as well. 

[Trav-i]

... the disappointing sewing machine like sound the bike makes?? ...

It's true! My friend has a '07 Bonnie that sounds like a sewing machine. ...

Yes but SOHCs sound like Singers as well. 

Not mine...  Well at least not with its current exhaust that is.

[chadbenson]

Maybe if everybody on the forum sent letters to the heads of honda motorcycling we will finally get a Honda modern classic bike? I know of 6 people off the top of my head that would go out and buy one tomorrow if they made new CBs in standard, scrambler and cafe form. Because like that article said, Harleys demographic is aging and young guys don't want cruisers. 

[The_Crippler]

Yes but SOHCs sound like Singers as well. 

Yup - that's why I named mine "Wraith."

[tramp]

i was told by several sales people that selling a naked bike in the us is hard

[The_Crippler]

i was told by several sales people that selling a naked bike in the us is hard

Man...the childishness of Halloween must not have worn of yet, because that sentence made me chuckle.

[chadbenson]

What dealer said that?!

[Damfino]

i was told by several sales people that selling a naked bike in the us is hard

Man...the childishness of Halloween must not have worn of yet, because that sentence made me chuckle.

Yeah!, seeing naked bikes gets me hard!





















Maybe that doesn't sound so right...

[The_Crippler]

Sound right, or not - that's where my mind when.

[grumpy]

What dealer said that?!

A Harley dealer.

[nobody]

With as many compliments as I get for my 95% stock cb750, I can't see how there would be a shortage of people wanting to buy something with similar style and character. Though I would never expect to see any muscley armed tough guys or any of the waxy haired, popped collar crew riding around on a modern classic, they'll always ride whatever makes them look as cool as possible.

[The_Crippler]

Though I would never expect to see any muscley armed tough guys or any of the waxy haired, popped collar crew riding around on a modern classic, they'll always ride whatever makes them look as cool as possible.

And, unfortunately, that's where a lot of the money is.  Also, it's hard to bank on compliments. There are plenty of things that i can compliment someone on that I'd never chose for myself - it just works for them, and I appreciate that.

However, I would not mind seeing a return to naked bikes on the showroom floor.

[chadbenson]

What dealer said that?!

A Harley dealer.

  I'm not surprised at all. People who buy Harley's now don't buy them for the reason or purpose they did in the early years. They were competitive bikes that were performers on the street and track. Now granted the japs sorta dominated them once those first in-line 4's came out but....I don't know why Harley gave up on the true spirit of motorcycling. I can say I don't know many young riders who would ever consider buying a Harley.

[The_Crippler]

I can say I don't know many young riders who would ever consider buying a Harley.

Can't say I know many that could afford it; 'least not new.

[Frankenkit]

there are lots of young riders who want harleys... they just can't afford them.  If Harleys were priced a little more competitively, maybe it'd be a different story.

[chadbenson]

there are lots of young riders who want harleys... they just can't afford them.  If Harleys were priced a little more competitively, maybe it'd be a different story.

It's true they are expensive machines. Especially with their sometime dodgy craftsmanship. My dad who rides a Honda VTX1300 hasn't had any problems out of his bike and is right at about 24,000 miles. Most every one of his friends that ride harleys have had to have major repairs to their bikes at or around that same mileage.

[The_Crippler]

there are lots of young riders who want harleys... they just can't afford them.  If Harleys were priced a little more competitively, maybe it'd be a different story.

JINX!!!!!!

 

[tramp]

What dealer said that?!

talking to a honda dealer about the 919 no longer being made

[CB750faces.com (Lecram)]

I think that the dollar is too weak to make a good profit. The euro is much stronger.

[Duanob]

i was told by several sales people that selling a naked bike in the us is hard

I'm sure the asme thing was said about Mustang, Camero, Challenger, Charger, etc, etc. At least the automotive industry realized a couple years back that retro is what the people want. The guys that were kids and teeangers back then the loved those cars now have the money to buy those cars brand new. The same could easily be said for bikes in the late 60's and early 70's. Triumph is on to something that hopefully the Japanese and maybe even the Germans will follow. Classic is always 'in'.

[vames]

Was in Paris last week and must have seen 20 W650s riding around. There's a total of 2 that I've ever seen in New York City.

[chadbenson]

Was in Paris last week and must have seen 20 W650s riding around. There's a total of 2 that I've ever seen in New York City.

probably was the same bike both times too! 

[chadbenson]

What dealer said that?!

talking to a honda dealer about the 919 no longer being made

In the past 10 years I would definitely say it's hard to sell a naked bike. Hopefully in the NEXT 10 it will change! 

[FunJimmy]

We get all the cool ones in Aus, your market dictates "chopper" style and "Squid" bikes.....{crotch rockets}   Actually, we get those as well.....

Mick

+1

Mick said it well. You guys south of the border are so Harley centric that you don't notice all the great machines ripping past you.