CB1100 Swiss Limited Edition 2015

[JustPassinThru_imp]

I think that the CB1100's lack of popularity in the U.S. is a myth. The anecdotal evidence we use to perpetuate the myth is that a) we see advertisements for new 2013s at reduced prices, b) we see what we feel are a heavy influx of advertisements for used 2013s and 2014s, also at we feel are bargain prices and c) Honda did not introduce a 2015 model here.

The fact is that we could present the same evidence, except for the last one, about some of Honda's most popular models. We can find new 2013 and 2014 Goldwings and Shadows in most dealerships, even some 2012s and we can find used versions of these models at substantially reduced prices (although not as reduced as used CB1100 because there's simply larger markets for these bikes). As to the model year skip, we can only speculate on Honda's rationale. Maybe the bike is not selling as well as expected here or, maybe they expected to have a two year run to begin with.

The trouble is that we don't know, but in some cases, we think we know and we state it as fact here. I would not present the fact that my dealership has sold every 2013 and 2014 that they could get their hands on as evidence that the CB1100 is a very popular bike in the U.S. At best, it's only evidence, and weak evidence at that, that the bikes are popular in the Chicagoland area. I would, however, suggest that my anecdotal evidence of the success of this bike is every bit as valid (or invalid) as others' evidence to the contrary.

It's fun to speculate on things like this, but let us remember that we are just speculating.

I hope you're right; but the evidence I see says otherwise. Of course, I can only see a little sliver-slice of the market; but in my town of 75,000 people...mostly wealthier than average...weather more temperate than average and a lot of riders...my Honda dealer moved exactly ONE of these. To me.

In niche markets, it may be selling well. If you get these where there is good weather and a lot of older folks who're still into riding...it's probably going to sell okay. Other places, not so much.

One thing that hits me...UNLIKE the 1960s and 1970s, when Honda and Yamaha took off...is that there's singular LACK of advertising for their wares. Honda pushed, not only their small cycles (they had no others) but the whole motorcycle-as-lifestyle. Yamaha followed ("SOMEDAY...you'll own a Yamaha") and some models were brought to the public's awareness. Even Harley-Davidson, in its AMF years, used to advertise on ABC's Wide World of Sports.

I would never have known about this CB1100 if I hadn't tripped over it on the showroom floor. It was close to exactly what I was looking for and I had NO IDEA it was out there. How am I, with money and desire, if not burning need, going to know what to buy? I could likely have found the used BMW K I was shopping for...and might have learned of this model years later.

We like to dislike advertising as shilling...but it does serve a useful purpose. And Honda, now that they've made it in cars and lawnmowers, might well try to once again recruit younger people to cycles.