12-19-2016, 07:32 AM
Want my take? Of course you do. LOL
In another thread, someone mentioned "cooler" or some derivative of the word "cool" and I think that person had a point that may be relevant here.
The Triumphs and Honda motorcycles which we are comparing are both retro-modern bikes. Both retain the model name (more or less) from their respective inspiration bike (Bonneville and CB). Both are trying to reach potential customers who remember or at least appreciate the original bikes. I contend, that the Bonneville was always the "cooler" bike at least in the US because a) they were here long before the CBs and b) they ultimately were the rarer of the two bikes (in the 70s and 80s at least). I would contend that Honda CBs became so popular because they were the affordable and reliable alternative to the Bonneville so, in a way, the original CB750 may have been a "retro-modern" version of the aging 1960's Bonnevilles. My point is that the Triumph may have been considered the "cooler" of the two bikes back then and so they just might be considered the cooler of the two bikes by those same folks 50 years later. Maybe/Maybe not. Just my opinion.
There may be another reason that the Bonneville gets more notoriety than the CB now, and that's the marketing of it as Capo has so often and so intelligently mentioned in the past. One thing that Capo has alluded to that might be worthy of a deeper look is the strong emphasis that Triumph as put on their retro bike(s) as opposed to Honda's. Here's a test for you: What's Honda's "Flagship" motorcycle? What's Triumph's "Flagship" motorcycle? Let me guess... Goldwing and Bonneville, right? Not sure if the manufacturers would agree, but I bet that most everyone reading this would answer that way. When I Google Triumph Motorcycle USA and click on 'images', the first picture I see is a Bonneville. When I do the same with Honda Motorcycle USA, I get an F6B first. It is clear to me that Triumph is trying to carve out a niche in the 'standard bike' market and Honda is just trying to have at least one bike in that arena. Again....just my opinion on the matter. I love my 2013 CB and I like owning Hondas. I think they're cool.
In another thread, someone mentioned "cooler" or some derivative of the word "cool" and I think that person had a point that may be relevant here.
The Triumphs and Honda motorcycles which we are comparing are both retro-modern bikes. Both retain the model name (more or less) from their respective inspiration bike (Bonneville and CB). Both are trying to reach potential customers who remember or at least appreciate the original bikes. I contend, that the Bonneville was always the "cooler" bike at least in the US because a) they were here long before the CBs and b) they ultimately were the rarer of the two bikes (in the 70s and 80s at least). I would contend that Honda CBs became so popular because they were the affordable and reliable alternative to the Bonneville so, in a way, the original CB750 may have been a "retro-modern" version of the aging 1960's Bonnevilles. My point is that the Triumph may have been considered the "cooler" of the two bikes back then and so they just might be considered the cooler of the two bikes by those same folks 50 years later. Maybe/Maybe not. Just my opinion.
There may be another reason that the Bonneville gets more notoriety than the CB now, and that's the marketing of it as Capo has so often and so intelligently mentioned in the past. One thing that Capo has alluded to that might be worthy of a deeper look is the strong emphasis that Triumph as put on their retro bike(s) as opposed to Honda's. Here's a test for you: What's Honda's "Flagship" motorcycle? What's Triumph's "Flagship" motorcycle? Let me guess... Goldwing and Bonneville, right? Not sure if the manufacturers would agree, but I bet that most everyone reading this would answer that way. When I Google Triumph Motorcycle USA and click on 'images', the first picture I see is a Bonneville. When I do the same with Honda Motorcycle USA, I get an F6B first. It is clear to me that Triumph is trying to carve out a niche in the 'standard bike' market and Honda is just trying to have at least one bike in that arena. Again....just my opinion on the matter. I love my 2013 CB and I like owning Hondas. I think they're cool.