07-06-2013, 08:43 PM
(07-05-2013, 09:50 AM)oldyaler_imp Wrote:(07-05-2013, 08:57 AM)cb400four_imp Wrote: Excellent post, such a great looking bike. I've seen these NC36s in Japan when I was last there in 2011.The "bigger is better" attitude in the US is the reason we miss out on a lot of nice motorcycles. The only way for small bikes to sell well here would be to go to a tiered licensing system like the ones used in other countries.
I would get one for puttering around the neighborhood (maybe? my CB1100 does a good job around the neighborhood as well), but I'd imagine the US market for these would be tiny: if some Americans feel our 1100cc bike is too 'tame', one can imagine what they'd consider a mildly tuned retro bike with approximately 1/3 the displacement (the CB400Four and the CB1 were terrific bikes which did not sell well in the US).
Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. The reason a ton of motorcycles are not offered in the U.S. market is the extremely high cost of certifying a new model for sale here. It's the reason Honda initially decided to not offer the CB1100 here. They didn't think the potential sales volume would justify the expense. The United States has the most expensive vehicle certification process in the world today. And it's far worse for automobiles than motorcycles. As far as small bikes not selling here, the CBR250R and it's dual sport counterpart are flying out of Honda showrooms. But they aren't retro, just great small bikes.
Chip