A letter to Honda

[capttwb136_imp]

I think they have to keep things close to the vest for fear of enlightening the competition.

[DaSwami_imp]

Exactly the answer I expected....he really only answered the fourth question, or at least hinted at an answer. Everything else was a polite "nunya".

[TINK_imp]

"...there are associates here at American Honda that are as passionate about this model as your group is. "

...and some unnamed American Honda Retirees.

But don't ask me any questions; I'm so far out of the loop, the loop has vanished from my radar.

[emptysea]

I thought he might help more with the VINs, they don't release sales numbers to their stockholders so why would we for a minute think that they would release them on the internet. I have no real issue with his answer, but I still think we should invite him to the Rally and if he can't come, maybe he could send some Honda-stuff along in his stead.

[rboe]

He was nice and polite, while slightly encouraging and not saying anything. So expectations were met. But hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained! Invite him to the next gathering and maybe you can get something verbal off the record that he can deny.

[ClassicVW_imp]

Maybe if he gave VIN info then one could calculate total sales numbers from that info, which they obviously don't want to release.

I took his statement about there being people at Honda being passionate about the bike as "There are those that are pushing for the model to continue but no decision has been made as of now."

[Inhouse Bob]

Hi Mr. Ferret,
If you want to send me his name and contact info, I will invite him to the Awesome East Rally (sounds better than the Bland Rally, eh?) in June. Or you can carry on and invite him since he is already buds with you.

[ride4now_imp]

well I heard from Am Honda excerpts below:

Hello Mickey and Happy New Year. Unlike the auto industry, individual model sales are not given out in the motorcycle industry in general so I am not at liberty to give you sales numbers, either domestic or other countries. VINS are created for various pieces of the motorcycles identification; plant representation, model year, vehicle description code.
As you saw at the Tokyo Motor Show, new CB concepts were shown and there has been positive reactions to those prototypes.

The CB1100 is my personal favorite model that we produce and is so unique it today's market of ever increasing high tech, electronically controlled motorcycles. It has a pureness of Honda DNA that shines through with every ride. I cannot discuss future model plans but do know there are associates here at American Honda that are as passionate about this model as your group is. Please let me know if you have another owners group gathering as I would like to try to attend.

Mickey, is this the same rep I met in Orlando? Or a different one?

[Lou07_imp]

Has anybody seen Kelly's Heroes? Get the guy to the rally and invoke your inner Clint Eastwood when he got the German officer drunk and the guy told Clint everything he wanted to know.

[the_undecider_imp]

I would really stay on them for attending the 2016 Rally. Manufacturer reps are trained to say they can't comment on any future products, but you have to read between the lines. He was hinting at the CB1100 concept bikes which is to say they are probably evaluating whether they may bring this to market, in what form, and in what markets. Perhaps by later in the year, they will have a clearer direction to which they are headed and perhaps have already identify the Asian and Euro markets that invariably get bikes like this. The North American market is always the last nut to crack.

So, with a lot of speculation and supposition, I offer some advice for what to respond back to American Honda. We are a passionate group and no better folks for Honda consult with in terms of how they should market a new CB1100 should it come to fruition. Our insight as to how, frankly unsuccessfully, Honda marketed this bike. We are an invaluable resource for them to understand where they fell short. Furthermore, if Honda does have a new CB1100, what better place would there be to either introduce it to us or announce it to the US market. They could invite the big moto-journalists and make a big to-do out of it.

Maybe I am dreaming big, but such an event would be exciting. I would do my dangdest to make it out.