No 2015

[Ghis_imp]

Might be jumping to conclusions. But I also said "sold" - not "made."

Yesterday we sold our last CB, a 2013 Std, for about $1,200 less than we paid for it almost two years ago. Even IF honda released a 2016 CB, do you really think we would order any? We sold five of them in two years...two to the same person. I am not a salesperson, but as a very enthusiastic owner of a CB I was never able to interest a customer in one.

I am content to be the happy owner of a very rare bike. In fact, I like it that way. I do believe our bikes will hold their value quite well because of their build quality, reliability, user friendliness, factory support and fun factor.

As a dealership, we've moved on. Now we're excited about the upcoming CRF1000L.

Yesterday we sold our last CB, a 2013 Std, for about $1,200 less than we paid for it almost two years ago. Even IF honda released a 2016 CB, do you really think we would order any? We sold five of them in two years...two to the same person. I am not a salesperson, but as a very enthusiastic owner of a CB I was never able to interest a customer in one.

I am content to be the happy owner of a very rare bike. In fact, I like it that way. I do believe our bikes will hold their value quite well because of their build quality, reliability, user friendliness, factory support and fun factor.

As a dealership, we've moved on. Now we're excited about the upcoming CRF1000L.
Is the CRF1000L the new Africa Twin? If so I want one!

[Ghis_imp]

I agree the market for these bikes must be small these days. It makes me feel like I am out of touch as the standard motorcycle has always appealed to me. I have test ridden Polaris cruisers and found them to be very comfortable but they are just not the type of bikes I grew up with. Trying to fight off old age I guess.

Since bikes began to become more specialized around the mid 80s, I lost interest. A standard bike can be a commuter, a highway cruiser, a canyon carver or whatever you want. And it seats two comfortably. I much prefer an all-purpose motorcycle to one designed for a particular kind of riding. Standards are the only type of bike I've ever owned since I bought my first KZ in 1980. In the rest of the world, where bikes are used as regular transportation, the standard bike is alive and well.

I think it's not you or me that is out of touch, but the North American motorcycle consumer.

Since bikes began to become more specialized around the mid 80s, I lost interest. A standard bike can be a commuter, a highway cruiser, a canyon carver or whatever you want. And it seats two comfortably. I much prefer an all-purpose motorcycle to one designed for a particular kind of riding. Standards are the only type of bike I've ever owned since I bought my first KZ in 1980. In the rest of the world, where bikes are used as regular transportation, the standard bike is alive and well.

I think it's not you or me that is out of touch, but the North American motorcycle consumer.
I think you're right. Anyone looking to look good on a bike is not looking at the standard bike, because it might be to blend, multi purpose, every day chore commuting like bike, versus flashy, muscle, adventurous, edgy, pirate, hipster, rich, big custom type bikes. Those of us who ride standards understand that once you're done impressing yourself and others, a standard bike makes total sense on all level, that it be price point, versatility, reliability, or else. We ride to ride, not just to look good, or put on a persona. We're not just weekend warriors. Look at the riders out there. Ducatists wear full leather racing suits, Adventure riders wear rugged adventure gears, even for their 15 minute commute, and Harley riders (I've been one of them, and will again), look like either a pirate, or part of a biker gang. We're not old geezers, we are common sense, down to earth, everyday riders, often on a budget, who wear comfortable, reasonable clothes such as a leather jacket & jeans, and more often than not wear a helmet. We ride because we love to ride, way beyond the image, or the life style. Though being a biker is a life style.

[Novice_imp]

I agree the market for these bikes must be small these days. It makes me feel like I am out of touch as the standard motorcycle has always appealed to me. I have test ridden Polaris cruisers and found them to be very comfortable but they are just not the type of bikes I grew up with. Trying to fight off old age I guess.

Since bikes began to become more specialized around the mid 80s, I lost interest. A standard bike can be a commuter, a highway cruiser, a canyon carver or whatever you want. And it seats two comfortably. I much prefer an all-purpose motorcycle to one designed for a particular kind of riding. Standards are the only type of bike I've ever owned since I bought my first KZ in 1980. In the rest of the world, where bikes are used as regular transportation, the standard bike is alive and well.

I think it's not you or me that is out of touch, but the North American motorcycle consumer.

Since bikes began to become more specialized around the mid 80s, I lost interest. A standard bike can be a commuter, a highway cruiser, a canyon carver or whatever you want. And it seats two comfortably. I much prefer an all-purpose motorcycle to one designed for a particular kind of riding. Standards are the only type of bike I've ever owned since I bought my first KZ in 1980. In the rest of the world, where bikes are used as regular transportation, the standard bike is alive and well.

I think it's not you or me that is out of touch, but the North American motorcycle consumer.
I think you're right. Anyone looking to look good on a bike is not looking at the standard bike, because it might be to blend, multi purpose, every day chore commuting like bike, versus flashy, muscle, adventurous, edgy, pirate, hipster, rich, big custom type bikes. Those of us who ride standards understand that once you're done impressing yourself and others, a standard bike makes total sense on all level, that it be price point, versatility, reliability, or else. We ride to ride, not just to look good, or put on a persona. We're not just weekend warriors. Look at the riders out there. Ducatists wear full leather racing suits, Adventure riders wear rugged adventure gears, even for their 15 minute commute, and Harley riders (I've been one of them, and will again), look like either a pirate, or part of a biker gang. We're not old geezers, we are common sense, down to earth, everyday riders, often on a budget, who wear comfortable, reasonable clothes such as a leather jacket & jeans, and more often than not wear a helmet. We ride because we love to ride, way beyond the image, or the life style. Though being a biker is a life style.

Since bikes began to become more specialized around the mid 80s, I lost interest. A standard bike can be a commuter, a highway cruiser, a canyon carver or whatever you want. And it seats two comfortably. I much prefer an all-purpose motorcycle to one designed for a particular kind of riding. Standards are the only type of bike I've ever owned since I bought my first KZ in 1980. In the rest of the world, where bikes are used as regular transportation, the standard bike is alive and well.

I think it's not you or me that is out of touch, but the North American motorcycle consumer.
I think you're right. Anyone looking to look good on a bike is not looking at the standard bike, because it might be to blend, multi purpose, every day chore commuting like bike, versus flashy, muscle, adventurous, edgy, pirate, hipster, rich, big custom type bikes. Those of us who ride standards understand that once you're done impressing yourself and others, a standard bike makes total sense on all level, that it be price point, versatility, reliability, or else. We ride to ride, not just to look good, or put on a persona. We're not just weekend warriors. Look at the riders out there. Ducatists wear full leather racing suits, Adventure riders wear rugged adventure gears, even for their 15 minute commute, and Harley riders (I've been one of them, and will again), look like either a pirate, or part of a biker gang. We're not old geezers, we are common sense, down to earth, everyday riders, often on a budget, who wear comfortable, reasonable clothes such as a leather jacket & jeans, and more often than not wear a helmet. We ride because we love to ride, way beyond the image, or the life style. Though being a biker is a life style.
It would seem the value of a solid, do everything motorcycle would be a common sense no brainer. When you have to argue the common sense value of standard motorcycle, then, in a practical sense, you've already lost the argument. Can't fix stupid.

[Cormanus]

I agree the market for these bikes must be small these days. It makes me feel like I am out of touch as the standard motorcycle has always appealed to me. I have test ridden Polaris cruisers and found them to be very comfortable but they are just not the type of bikes I grew up with. Trying to fight off old age I guess.

Since bikes began to become more specialized around the mid 80s, I lost interest. A standard bike can be a commuter, a highway cruiser, a canyon carver or whatever you want. And it seats two comfortably. I much prefer an all-purpose motorcycle to one designed for a particular kind of riding. Standards are the only type of bike I've ever owned since I bought my first KZ in 1980. In the rest of the world, where bikes are used as regular transportation, the standard bike is alive and well.

I think it's not you or me that is out of touch, but the North American motorcycle consumer.

Since bikes began to become more specialized around the mid 80s, I lost interest. A standard bike can be a commuter, a highway cruiser, a canyon carver or whatever you want. And it seats two comfortably. I much prefer an all-purpose motorcycle to one designed for a particular kind of riding. Standards are the only type of bike I've ever owned since I bought my first KZ in 1980. In the rest of the world, where bikes are used as regular transportation, the standard bike is alive and well.

I think it's not you or me that is out of touch, but the North American motorcycle consumer.
I think you're right. Anyone looking to look good on a bike is not looking at the standard bike, because it might be to blend, multi purpose, every day chore commuting like bike, versus flashy, muscle, adventurous, edgy, pirate, hipster, rich, big custom type bikes. Those of us who ride standards understand that once you're done impressing yourself and others, a standard bike makes total sense on all level, that it be price point, versatility, reliability, or else. We ride to ride, not just to look good, or put on a persona. We're not just weekend warriors. Look at the riders out there. Ducatists wear full leather racing suits, Adventure riders wear rugged adventure gears, even for their 15 minute commute, and Harley riders (I've been one of them, and will again), look like either a pirate, or part of a biker gang. We're not old geezers, we are common sense, down to earth, everyday riders, often on a budget, who wear comfortable, reasonable clothes such as a leather jacket & jeans, and more often than not wear a helmet. We ride because we love to ride, way beyond the image, or the life style. Though being a biker is a life style.

Since bikes began to become more specialized around the mid 80s, I lost interest. A standard bike can be a commuter, a highway cruiser, a canyon carver or whatever you want. And it seats two comfortably. I much prefer an all-purpose motorcycle to one designed for a particular kind of riding. Standards are the only type of bike I've ever owned since I bought my first KZ in 1980. In the rest of the world, where bikes are used as regular transportation, the standard bike is alive and well.

I think it's not you or me that is out of touch, but the North American motorcycle consumer.
I think you're right. Anyone looking to look good on a bike is not looking at the standard bike, because it might be to blend, multi purpose, every day chore commuting like bike, versus flashy, muscle, adventurous, edgy, pirate, hipster, rich, big custom type bikes. Those of us who ride standards understand that once you're done impressing yourself and others, a standard bike makes total sense on all level, that it be price point, versatility, reliability, or else. We ride to ride, not just to look good, or put on a persona. We're not just weekend warriors. Look at the riders out there. Ducatists wear full leather racing suits, Adventure riders wear rugged adventure gears, even for their 15 minute commute, and Harley riders (I've been one of them, and will again), look like either a pirate, or part of a biker gang. We're not old geezers, we are common sense, down to earth, everyday riders, often on a budget, who wear comfortable, reasonable clothes such as a leather jacket & jeans, and more often than not wear a helmet. We ride because we love to ride, way beyond the image, or the life style. Though being a biker is a life style.
It would seem the value of a solid, do everything motorcycle would be a common sense no brainer. When you have to argue the common sense value of standard motorcycle, then, in a practical sense, you've already lost the argument. Can't fix stupid.

Two things: first one of life's more curious paradoxes is that 'common sense' sadly is seldom common.

Secondly, I've a suspicion the market for the solid, do everything motorcycle is smaller than we think:[ul] [li]some people can afford to have a number of bikes[/li] [li]some have bikes as hobbies only for recreation and so can afford to have just one that meets their recreational needs[/li] [li]others plain don't like UJMs and can manage general duties on other types of bikes[/li] [li]the number of options in the market means there will be less of any one kind of bike than wold be the case in a narrower market.
[/li][/ul]
After all that heavy thought I need a beer.

[Capo]

I would point out that many of the CB1100's competitors (retro-ish standards) are doing well in the market, and that the segment the CB sits in is a strong one. Bonnie still sells well, Ducati Scrambler, BMW R-9T both over performed sales estimates. Even Guzzi keeps rolling out new iterations of the V7. The CB's modest US market success, or lack thereof, IMHO, can be attributed to two things. 1) The CB didn't quite meet the expectations of the intended market, and 2) Honda didn't do jack squat to market it properly.

It's a great bike that we all love. But I went into the new Honda dealer that opened adjacent to the Triumph shop here in NJ, and there wasn't a single bit of evidence that the CB ever existed. Next door, a full set of Bonnies merchandise, posters, and people straddling the bikes on the showroom floor.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Capo, interesting observations. I suspect that your ")2" has something to do with it. However, maybe the CB appeals to very few people and we are part of that select group. I've had plenty admire my bike but a very few of those would buy one. Dunno why.

Cheers
And I think Ghis has a fairly real view of these things. Thank you Ghis.

[redbirds_imp]

Perhaps because the CB is an 1100 4cyl, some buyers are turned away because it's not a high performance motor. Some fellows that see my bike are enthusiastic when informed that is a new model and 1100cc. "I'll wager it is a real hot rod, how fast is it?" they ask. When I tell them it is tuned for low end torque and has a speed limiter a look of disappointment comes. I would tend to agree with Capo that Honda has made no effort whatever to market this bike like Triumph has with their Bonnie and few accessories either. If you could get more riders to road test this bike in real world conditions it would sell better.

I'm happy to have mine and I will never sell it.

[SanPete_imp]

My local dealer has a "no test ride policy" in effect. If you want to test ride it you must buy it first.

[DAC]

Not a dealer I'd ever use. Heck, my local dealer tossed me the keys to a brand new BMW K1600GT with just passing interest from me.

[furious_blue_imp]

On the other hand, Honda spent a bit promoting the Fury, especially in its first year 2009. Despite that, in the nearly 6 years since it was first available, I think I've only seen the Fury twice on the road..