12-09-2013, 11:54 PM
Don't forget the relative value of the dollar. When a new Kawi sold for $2k the median price of a house in the US was $45k. These days $45k will buy a nice car...
It is good to see Honda's focus on producing more affordable bikes that are attractive to new and re-entry riders. Like the CB250/300R, the new 500's, etc. The moto journalists have declared the supersport era dead. There just aren't enough 20-something buyers anymore who can afford a $13k 600/1000RRRRR, let alone the insurance for one. I don't mind in a way; those bikes have caused a lot of deaths and injuries in the hands of ill-trained or irresponsible riders. OTOH, the "tech wars" in that market space between the manufacturers did result in a lot of great tech that trickled down to other bikes. Like FI, T/C, radial brakes, modern suspensions, etc.
It is good to see Honda's focus on producing more affordable bikes that are attractive to new and re-entry riders. Like the CB250/300R, the new 500's, etc. The moto journalists have declared the supersport era dead. There just aren't enough 20-something buyers anymore who can afford a $13k 600/1000RRRRR, let alone the insurance for one. I don't mind in a way; those bikes have caused a lot of deaths and injuries in the hands of ill-trained or irresponsible riders. OTOH, the "tech wars" in that market space between the manufacturers did result in a lot of great tech that trickled down to other bikes. Like FI, T/C, radial brakes, modern suspensions, etc.