07-22-2015, 10:32 PM
Honda botched the launch and marketing of this great bike in the U.S. In so many ways, that it's hard to say what led to the current state. Say what you will about the Bonneville, but it it wildly successful after 14 years of production. It has a rabid fan base and an entire industry of aftermarket and customs built around it. And it holds its resale value far better than the CB1100.
Chalk that up more to the execution and marketing by Triumph, and the 'cool' factor of the Triumph brand versus the mess that is Honda's current lineup, rather than product superiority. I doubt a lot of people passed up the '13 because of silver side panels or a 5-speed. They just didn't know about the bike, or didn't really care.
Chalk that up more to the execution and marketing by Triumph, and the 'cool' factor of the Triumph brand versus the mess that is Honda's current lineup, rather than product superiority. I doubt a lot of people passed up the '13 because of silver side panels or a 5-speed. They just didn't know about the bike, or didn't really care.