Why different bikes for different countries?

[tbone455_imp]

Can someone give me the reason why Honda doesn't sell all versions of the CB1100 in all markets? I could understand not selling a bike in a country where it just doesn't sell well but why only this color or that variant etc etc?

[Capo]

I can't figure it out. Especially in that it seems arbitrary. Black engines here, silver there, black wheels, silver wheels, spokes, colors. I'd like to think their market research is telling them what works, but I just don't see a pattern with this particular bike.

[Aussie_imp]

Not sure. In Australia we got unpainted engine and wheels, no tank stripe and no ABS option. Must have been to keep the price down to coincide with what they figure the market would pay? Even then they overpriced it initially. Of course we ended up with the three tank colours, so go figure.

[the Ferret]

It absolutely makes no sense to me.

[road dog_imp]

Good question, Mr. Tbone. I think we've all been wondering about that... I sure have. There are more questions than answers regarding that. Like why is the US getting a DLX model, while the rest of the world gets an EX model w/ spoked wheels? WTF? Are they not the same bike other than the wheels? At this point I'm getting a little reluctant to buy a 2014 because there's absolutely no telling what Honda will ship out next year.

[the Ferret]

Road dog..that is a thought. If I were wanting a spoked model, by that I mean spokes were important to me, I'd be inclined to wait another year to see if the EX makes it here. If I had any thoughts at all that Honda was going to bring out a dual piped model this year (with a host of other upgrades) I wouldn't have pre-bought my 2013 before they were officially announced. I would have waited. I had perfectly good motorcycles in the garage to ride, but I wanted a CB 1100 and I thought 2013 was going to be our one and only shot. These CB 1100s have cost me 3 good motorcycles.....a 2001 Yamaha FZ-1, a 2000 Honda 750 Nighthawk, and a 2006 Yamaha Majesty 400. Snookered I was lol.

Good thing it is a great motorcycle

[ride4now_imp]

I agree with Ferret... but since it was
an addition to the stable and not a
replacement, all it cost me was more $$$.
It's worth it because I have a feeling the 14 will be
in the collection for a long time.

[ingobohn_imp]

Maybe Honda is doing some research and market analysis, and for whatever reason the outcome is that in the US people like black painted engines while in Europe they like chrome colored engines... !?

[DAC]

Road dog..that is a thought. If I were wanting a spoked model, by that I mean spokes were important to me, I'd be inclined to wait another year to see if the EX makes it here. If I had any thoughts at all that Honda was going to bring out a dual piped model this year (with a host of other upgrades) I wouldn't have pre-bought my 2013 before they were officially announced. I would have waited. I had perfectly good motorcycles in the garage to ride, but I wanted a CB 1100 and I thought 2013 was going to be our one and only shot. These CB 1100s have cost me 3 good motorcycles.....a 2001 Yamaha FZ-1, a 2000 Honda 750 Nighthawk, and a 2006 Yamaha Majesty 400. Snookered I was lol.

Good thing it is a great motorcycle

Wow. Yeah, impatience is expensive and I've paid for it too. I'm probably going to pull the trigger on a '14 DLX but I am going to wait to see if I can sniff out a good deal after the first wave. Right now, brand new '13s are selling for $1,000 off sticker or more.

[The Spaceman_imp]

Can someone give me the reason why Honda doesn't sell all versions of the CB1100 in all markets? I could understand not selling a bike in a country where it just doesn't sell well but why only this color or that variant etc etc?

Its because we're Black.