2009 Honda Motorcycles ...

Hello, All:

I was in a local Honda Dealership today (Mission Honda in Daly City, CA - immediately South of San Francisco).

I got to chatting with one of their sales guys. He told me that the 2009 Hondas will be presented to the dealers this year ON-LINE! That is to say, there will be no Dealer Convention as you might expect in, say, Las Vegas or some place like that. I failed to ask if this was a world-wide "virtual convention," but I'd have to imagine that this is the case.

Of course, I asked if he knew anything about the new VFR and he said that he did not. He asked, "So, I guess you've heard about all the speculation?" "Yes," I replied, "a 1000cc V4, a 1000cc V5, and all that." "Yes, that is what I meant, but we have absolutely no idea what is coming," he said.

He said that new model introduction would probably happen by the end of the 2nd week in September - so, that would mean September 15th, give-or-take a couple of days.

Also, he said that since gas prices have escalated, motorcycle sales have been brisk. Of all the times I've been in this dealership, they had the fewest bikes on the floor - lots of empty floor space. The sales guy explained that their biggest problem now is getting inventory; everything is back-ordered.

By the way, they have a really pretty '07 25th Anniversary Edition R/W/B VFR ABS on the floor. On sale! for $9,499 They have a metallic red (almost burgundy) '07 ABS for $8,999 too; pretty.

Gray Market

 

Yep, just what the dealer dudes told me too. and that we probably know more... Maybe.

 

My Dealer told me the same. He said the Honda rep droped by and told him that the CBR R 600 sportbike was going to be real nice, a total transformation along the lines with what they did to the 1000 this year but didnt say anything else about any other bikes.

 

what about the scooters??

 

Dark Candy Red was the '07 color. The '08 color was gray or silver (can't remember which). I'm pretty sure the dark red was only available in '07.

It's interesting that they won't even tell the dealers what to expect. I figured surely they would know so they could be considering their orders. Makes me wonder whether there aren't some possibly "Surprising" offerings that Honda doesn't want word to get out about.

 

You are right ...

Hello:

You are right. I was back there today (to pick up an order), took a closer look, and they both are '07 ABS models - a 25th Anniversary R/W/B and the dark, metallic red. (I edited my earlier post just now, because I got the prices too.)

Gray Market

 

Maybe after all the leaks prior to the dealer show on the CBR1000 they decided to do it differently. Probaly saves them a heap of cash doing it on-line too.
I figured an early dealer roll-out leak was the ONLY way we'd get accurate information on a new VFR.
It's getting so short to the truth now, I'll wait.

 

Not to add to the rumor mill, but FWIW...

Motorcycle News Blog - webBikeWorld

2009 and Beyond Motorcycle Rumors

August 21, 2008 - Lots of news on the motorcycle front, with Honda leaking a story of a very nice-looking and ultra-tech VFR 1000cc V5, using a modified MotoGP engine with Variable Cylinder Management, a paddle shifter and brake-by-wire ABS. Rumours say the VFR will be released at the Honda 60th Anniversary in September.

Honda has confirmed that all of its motorcycles will soon have ABS as standard, so every other motorbike manufacturer on the planet will probably follow soon after. Good news or not?

Meanwhile, more rumours say the retro Honda CB1100RR will be released for production in 2010, along with the standard CB1100 retro. And finally, busy Honda will also release a very nice-looking new 250; unfortunately, it looks identical to a Ducati Ducati Monster 696!

 

Well, if THAT is true ...

Hello, Shinigami:

Well, if the "Honda leaking" part of that article is correct, spot-on, then I guess we know, right? I suppose "if" is the operative word here.

I'm not sure that I am excited about any thought of "mandatory" ABS, however. I'd rather make my own braking decisions, thank you very much.

I must say, I like the V5 part, however.

Gray Market

 

Went to the local Honda dealer on Saturday and talked to a salesman there I know pretty well and everytime I asked him about the new VFR he just kept looking at the floor and shifting his weight from one foot to the other. The only thing he would say was that he should know by Friday afternoon and that I should call him then. This is a pretty big dealership and they have big flatscreens all over the place showing race footage etc. and he said that if I wasn't doing anything on Friday that he thought the bosses were going to pipe the "Honda Announcements" onto the screens if they could figure out how to do it.

I bet they got one sitting under a tarp in the back and just wouldn't tell me. :frown:

 

So maybe I should hold off on that new Vespa?:vtr2:

 

Hello:

I was back into Mission Honda last week and, of course, asked again about the '09 models. What I was told this time is that Honda would introduce the '09 dirt bikes in September (maybe the 5th) and that the rest of the bikes would be introduced in October, including the VFR.

I dunno. I'm getting the nagging feeling that the '09 VFR is going to disappoint us all.

Gray Market

 

My local dealer said they wouldn't know until Oct also.

 

OHhhhhhhhh! Well, that sucks. I was planning to ride the 20 miles or so over there on Friday but now I will just call. I hope your "feeling" is wrong cause I really want a liter bike and local 1 or 2 year old FZ1'z are pretty easy to find. It would be the first NON-HONDA I ever owned.

 

powersports.honda.com

powersports.honda.com has been down all day for me... perhaps for a redo?

 

PHOTO CREDIT Throttle Demon

EDIT-09/04/08- It's Friday!!

 

You were right!!!

I called the salesman and he said that only "dirt bike" changes were announced for today and additional updates would not be out until October sometime. THEN....

The salesman said "I talked to the boss and he says they are not even going to carry the VFR anymore and that you should should come and get one of these we have on the floor right now."

I think that might be...:bs:

Somebody might need to closeout their present inventory... Would Honda "miss" an entire market segment... I don't think so.

 

^ beat me to it, I have another connection that's more on the ball with this question, talked with him yesterday and he was pretty excited that they would know this morning what was what, LOL only to find out at this mornings announcement it was all dirt LOL even the dealers are getting the run around..