Why different bikes for different countries?

[the Ferret]

Dac..thought you were hot for a black one.

[DAC]

I was, Ferret, I was! But the matching side covers, silver engine & wheels make the '14 DLX close enough. It's such a beauty!

The black standard has too much black - they blacked out EVERYTHING. I will also confess that the black bike, silver engine combo was a nostalgia play taking me back to the '78 Suzuki GS I learned to ride on.

So, maybe I'll just move on and do red this time and keep my memories.

But the dealer has to help me seal the deal!

[the Ferret]

Let me know when you seal the deal so I can add you to the list of those waiting..we are up to 9 on the deluxes now


[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2117&page=8]http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....117&page=8

[redbirds_imp]

You could wait to see what happens with the 2015 model and then learn that Honda decided to drop US models. I don't understand the marketing ideas of the Japanese companies.

[tbone455_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... !?

yeah, but it is arbitrary. I personally prefer a chromed engine-with ANY color tank etc. And the color choices for different countries, it just don't figure...

Let me know when you seal the deal so I can add you to the list of those waiting..we are up to 9 on the deluxes now


[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2117&page=8]http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....117&page=8

Hi Ferret and Y'All: Out of sheer boredom today, I stopped in at the local Honda dealership today. I tried to act like I was "in the neighborhood" but the guy called me out: "Your bike should be here soon, dude."
Anyway, they have taken my deposit two weeks ago almost, but have not actually written me up with a Buyer's Order yet. They just gave me a receipt that says "2014 Honda CB1100 on order"
He told me they can't write up a Buyer's Order yet because when they do that, they have to get a VIN number from the factory. And they can't get a VIN number yet because Honda has not yet provided them with the 2014 Dealer Manuals etc for such transactions. I asked if this is typical and he said yes, they drag their feet on this kind of thing.
But isn't that a bit weird that they don't provide their own authorized dealers with the tools they need to lock down a sale? I mean, they don't actually know for sure what options are being offered with these bikes nor the retail prices etc.

[DAC]

You could wait to see what happens with the 2015 model and then learn that Honda decided to drop US models. I don't understand the marketing ideas of the Japanese companies.

Nah. I've waited long enough. I was upset last year about this and I still think big H is a bit out of touch but I am convinced that they got the general concept nailed just about perfectly with this bike. Plus, I am very impressed with the new product they are putting out there in large doses. A lot of it doesn't connect with me but at least they're out there giving it a shot!

[Capo]

Same thing happened to me when I bought the Triumph Tiger 800. It had just been released, and no VIN's were available. They kept me up to speed on VIN, build and ship until it arrived, about 3 months time. Pretty common with new bikes, and I guess they figure that if someone is hot for a new model and willing to get an early jump, for the most part they've got the sale already.

[the Ferret]

Ha..I have the owners business card that says "paid in full" on it with his signature..and they already have my 2 trades with the titles signed. I could get really screwed .....

[Elipten_imp]

IMHO since Honda makes various colors, engine colors, and wheel options; why the heck can't I order it the way I want? You can for cars but the wait is long. Most people don't wait, but I will to get what I want. So I have my 2013, and I can wait to see what comes in 2015. If the stop bring the bike to USA, well I'll run and get one from a dealer. There is always some unsold somewhere. And I will just add it to the collection, I am not selling the current one. Still have more mods to do.


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[flynrider]

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?

There's a lot that goes into it. Part of it is what the marketing department thinks will sell best (i.e. colors, style), part is pricing and part is manufacturing efficiencies.

Price-wise, the U.S. market has traditionally been more price sensitive than the Euro/Asia market. The last series of CB750 in the U.S. was a downgraded version of the Euro/Asia version specifically because of price concerns. I suspect that's also why they deleted the spoked wheels on the '14 DLX.

In manufacturing, bikes built to a specific country's standard are usually built in one batch. Depending on what differences there are, that could limit the number of options they're willing to introduce into the production line. An example would be both the U.S. and Canada each having one color choice in '13, while Europe which also shares emission and other standards with Japan had more.