The Motorcycle Industry Sucks

I had two 90s Nighhawks, one had 30,000 something and the other had like 45,000. Unfortunately, the first I hit ice with and traded it for the second one. Full coverage insurance was nice. Second one met the fate of the left had turn driver bastard. Anyway, Too bad honda chose not to make a nice bike with some litre power, motor in the open and maybe a bikini fairing. Kinda like Suzuki did with the SV line up. Kawi had something good with their ZRX 1100 and 1200 respectively but those bikes had 5 gears. I new two people who swaped out the cams from a ZX 11 as well as the gears. Now their new Z naked bike looks strange. Too many young people are having at the CAD CAM these days, looks like a video game bike. It may look good in person tho. Anyway enough of my 2.2 cents.

 

The dudes I know that want bikes that don't come stateside just buy whatever they want from Canadian dealers. Since the faired vs unfaired SV's the Canadian dealers know how to do all the paperwork. KC could just fly up to Toronto and.. Oh Shit! I forgot, he's not in charge of that aircraft and likely gets reminded of that on a regular basis.

 

Stay away from the Euro bikes if you know what's good for your wallet and retirement. Buy my 05 Z1000, fully serviced and has a slick 6-speed tranny. Im not that far from you (Ct). The closest you'll get to the big 4 Honda

 

Anybody looking for a 1950 Francis Barnett? It has a three speed box but it shifts on the wrong side. You just can't trust those damn Limeys to do anything right. The damned brake pedal is on the wrong side too.

A fair warning to the Brits. Keep that shit up and we will throw all your Triumphs into Boston Harbor again.

 

FWIW, the SV1000 Standard was only made in 2003, I believe. Neat bike. The only time the darn things come up for sale is when I won't spend the money...

 

I've been watching this for a few years. Looks like the "R" model won't get built.
Maybe for 2011? Dunno 'bout getting here cos of the right hand change.
Faster and Faster: 2010 Honda CB1100 to be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, production plans confirmed

 

Here's the standard version that is scheduled for production sometime, maybe...

 

One of the moto mags just had an FZ1 vs. Z1000 comparison. The Z1000 won in all categories but one, and tied in that category. Comments were made about the FZ1's lack of any innovation from previous years, but praised the Z1000. I really like the 2010 Z1000 upright naked. Just can't afford one. I like a lot of things I can't afford.

 

Just so we're all on the same page, I object to lack of a 6 speed on pure principle. I've owned 4 bikes with 5 speeds on them. A 90 & 92 Nighthawk 750 & a 88 & 89 Hawk GT. On all 4 of them, I was constantly searching for the 6th gear that didn't exist. If the Hawk GT had a 6 speed & a bigger(about 4 gal) fuel tank, I would submit that it would be just about perfection on 2 wheels. I would never have sold the 2 I had if those two things were present. This is obviously my opinion & yours may & probably indeed will differ.


Anyway, I freaking LOVE the way this CB1100 looks. I like the styling better than the CB1300. The CB1300 seems to be more of the "Watered-Down Sport Bike" type standard while the CB1100 is a Standard standard. I doubt Honda will bring either to the US. Even if they do, just like Honda does all the time, they will charge too much, the bikes won't sell & they will be cancelled after a few year run. I will put this right here in writing, feel free to hold me to it. If Honda brings that CB1100 to the US looking like the photo below, keeps the price reasonable (not a dime over $8999, the price of the Suzuki Bandit 1250) & as long as I see 6 numbers stamped into the counter shaft cover, I WILL buy one.


I love the way this bike looks. Chrome fenders, black tube frame, twin shocks, bench seat, dual horns, 2 round gauges, single round headlight, this is all nicely done, just as a standard should look. There is only 1 change & 2 requests I would like to see. I would change the exhaust to a 4 into 2 for that truly vintage look. I would then request that bags & mounts be a factory color matched option. I would also like to see spoked wheels offered as an option. There's nothing wrong with the mags since they are a nice throw back to the 750's of the late 70's -- early 80's. If this bike is produced, I would think the aftermarket would fix the 4 into 2 exhaust problem. I would also say as long as GIVI offers bags & mounts for it, I wouldn't care if Honda didn't.



KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Suzuki still makes the Bandit 1200 which will get the job done and VStroms are a little more all purpose v twins.

 

That CB100 looks just about perfect and exactly what I would be looking for if looking for a standard. Everything classic but with modern technologies.

 

Appology accepted!

 

looking for a standard...

The 1990's model Interceptors are pretty darn close to what passes for a standard these days.

The motorcycle industry only sells what the public is buying. Let's face it, most riders fall into two camps: kids on crotch rockets or dentists on Harleys. The group who just wants a solid all-around bike that won't turn your back into an agonized pretzel but also has good performance and doesn't cost a gazillion dollars - is comparatively small.

If you're looking for a "recently built" standard, there are plenty:

ZRX12
ZR750S
Bandit 400, 600, 1200
...

##
If you're looking for a 90's model standard, what about:
Zephyr
Nighthawk
- of the two, I prefer the Zephyr, but each to his own. The Zephyr's engine is similar to the one in the modern ZR750S... Kawasaki has used that same basic design for decades.

The early-90's model ZX-9R's were pretty comfortable for that class of motorcycle, reliable and smooth on the highway. They're also becoming kind of a cult bike now, but nowadays it's hard to find one that hasn't been raced or wrecked. The ZX-6 (not the "R" model) wasn't terribly uncomfortable either; again. lots of these were ridden hard.

##
The KZ750 is one of the all-time classic standard 1980's bikes. The 1982 model had some big improvements over previous years.

The early-to-mid 1980's Suzuki GS450S and GS450E were pretty comfortable bikes. Cool cafe racer styling but very "standard-like" seating, single headlight, almost no plastic. They were quicker than slow 750's in their day, but are a little light for long-distance highway riding. The GS450L and GS450C do not perform nearly as well, and are much less comfortable with lower resale value. The GS450S is the most sought-after. Many of the 80's model Suzukis suffered from electrical problems due to poor design of mounting the battery near or between the (unshielded) exhausts - but the GS450 series isn't one of those bikes.

##
Lots of 70's model standards still around. The Honda 750's and later-model CB550's are pretty solid bikes. Take your time & find a good one. I personally would stay away from the CB500 - basically a 550 with a smaller motor & weaker brakes, power-to-weight ratio isn't as good as the 550 & the motor doesn't hop-up as easily. 70's model Suzukis were very much prone to electrical problems.

 

I'm in total agreement with you on this one. I love the way this bike looks too!!! It just needs the "houndstooth" upholstery option on the "bench seat", possibly a "bucket" seatwith houndstooth option as well as the "skunk stripe" optional paint scheme. You could change the exhaust yourself since that's a "popular" traditional as well modern day diy "mod". With that vintage look the optional "bags" would likely be a little heavy by now and the makeup a little dated. GIVY to the rescue. "Mags" actually refer to a type of "material" used to manufacture wheels rather then a "style". (That can be overlooked since you are still a "pup" and I won't offer an explaination since you'd have to pay attention. You are not the first to use that Colloquial misnomer). I hope if you drive into a "stealership" with your pickup truck and offer a, (how do you refer to them, "scuzzbag salesperson"?) a signed cheque for what you want to pay for what you want he will laugh in your face. Don't be offended. He's just not showing "conduct becomming" either!

 

Is there a point here? If there is, I sure don't see it. At least I come right out & say what I want. If you have something to say, say it & don't hide behind sarcasm & inuendo. So I like vintage hardware. What's the problem? I have my VFR to go fast & now I want another classic bike. I would have no problem buying an actual classic but they are becoming harder & harder to find & so are the parts that will definitely be necessary to keep it running.

If you don't like classic looks, that's your business. I do & want to buy a bike that has that classic style. There is a reason why the 1969 CB750 was the "Bike That Changed The World". It worked well & it provided the masses access to performance that was previously unavailable at any price. All I want is for my preferred company, Honda, to remember where it came from. I stand by what I said. If they build a bike like I've described, I will buy it. If they don't, I guess I will take my money elsewhere or buy a classic.

Lastly, I know full well that the term "Mag" originated in the racing world to refer to wheels made out of magnesium alloy. Referring to wheels that look like those on the CB1100 as "Mags" is a commonly accepted term in the industry which is why I used it.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

KC-10 FE's threads never fail to :kaboom: opcorn:

 

But seriously in my opinion KC-10 what you are looking for is an acquired taste. Generally you can either go two ways,
1) Restore an old standard - Expensive but then it will be one of a kind. ( Mostly happens in the 4wheel world).
2) Buy a brand new retro-styled bike.

Given that speed is all that is associated with motorcycles and consumer mentality. I think it is close to impossible for companies to make standards styled and built as a standard profitably. The market is just isn't large enough, and the US market is almost non-existent.