Why different bikes for different countries?

[the Ferret]

Flynrider..wouldnt the serial numbers tend to batch then. If Germany got say 600 CB's ( built in a batch) wouldn't the serial numbers tend to show up close to one another..at least in a 600 area range?

[flynrider]

Flynrider..wouldnt the serial numbers tend to batch then. If Germany got say 600 CB's ( built in a batch) wouldn't the serial numbers tend to show up close to one another..at least in a 600 area range?

Hard to say in that example. Germany is just one country that receives bikes built to Euro market (EC) specs. I don't know if there is a unique VIN region code for Germany itself. The regulations give the impression that the same bike is sold throughout Europe. The way to tell for sure would be to get samples of VINs for different countries in Europe and see if VIN digits 8-11 are the same throughout Europe or if Germany has a unique region. If Honda builds all the Euro bikes to the same region spec., then the serial numbers for that batch could be all over the EU.

The VIN on all CB11's will start with the same 7 digits, JH2SC65 (SC65 is Honda's model designation for the CB11). I'm pretty sure that the next digit specifies region, followed by a check digit, year digit and manufacturing plant. The last six digits are usually sequential for a given model/region/year combination.

When you see duplicates in our registry, it's likely because there are two bikes from different regions/countries or year (different 8-11 VIN) with the same sequential number.

Every one of our bikes has a unique VIN, but not a unique serial # (last six digits of the VIN).

Does that make any sense?

[Elipten_imp]

I am not buying it. A side cover or gas tank appears the same. Freedom is not letting others make decisions for us. How much difference in the emissions equipment is there on this bike between countries? Probably just the fuel map. And wheels? Give me the option to pay more for the spoked wheels, and wait for them.


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[road dog_imp]

I am not buying it. A side cover or gas tank appears the same. Freedom is not letting others make decisions for us. How much difference in the emissions equipment is there on this bike between countries? Probably just the fuel map. And wheels? Give me the option to pay more for the spoked wheels, and wait for them.


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Hear, hear!

If I could order a 2014, I'd be one of the first in line. I'd be willing to sell both of my Triumphs for one CB1100 the way I want it. As it stands, I can't decide if I will give up even one for Honda's idea of what we want. All I'd really need to get me off the fence is a simple choice of color.

[Cormanus]

On the content of VINs, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_ide...ion_number (I've also put this in another thread).

There's some seriously illogical stuff here. If you manufacture batches for a country, why would you give a small market like Australia 4 colours and the US, a much larger market, only one. I don't get it.

[flynrider]

Back in the 90s I worked with Honda on manufacturing automation systems. For production line efficiencies, you set up a production line to produce a batch of bikes (or cars, or widgets) with the same characteristics, run the batch, then modify the line for the next version. As stated above, this doesn't necessarily mean a different run for each individual country. It depends on what the requirements will be for each region.

As an example imagine you're producing U.S. CB11s today. You have to stage all of the U.S. specific parts on the line. Black engines, big turn signals, U.S. DOT spec ECU and EFI, etc...

Conversely, if a specific set of characteristics is common to several regions, say Japan and Australia, you can build all of those on the same run.

As far as option choice goes, manufacturing is only one factor that goes into it (as I also noted above), the marketing dept. plays a big part in determining what you'll get.

Bottom line is, mass production for a global market isn't going result in everyone being able to get exactly the bike they want. Particularly, a niche product that does not sell in large numbers.

[SanPete_imp]

I am going to side with Flyrider on the marketing approach. If Honda released the bike we want, it would probably cost $14000US dollars. But a $9999 motorcycle is more approachable, even if we end up spending $5000 in upgrades. Call this the $0.99 marketing strategy. One I don't agree with. Why can't retailers give us the amount with tax included? That is for another topic.
Now! here is my theory. NO validity whatsover. But what if? Honda is sticking it to the Americans for what Ronald Regan did to them back in 1983? Lets play that tape...
"WASHINGTON, April 1, 1983— In an unusually strong protectionist action, President Reagan today ordered a tenfold increase in tariffs for imported heavyweight motorycles."
http://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/02/busine...ycles.html
Unfortunately this theory is hard to prove since Japan and America now share a strong bond. But as Arsenio Hall would say, "things that make you go hmmm..."