Honda Japan bikes that they should bring over here

[AndyHe_imp]

So someone posted on another thread the Japanese Honda list of current bikes...

バイクラインアップ一覧 | Honda公式サイト

There are tons of great bikes there only a few of which they bring to the U.S. The CB1300 Bold'ro looks awesome! Kind of a modern take on the CB1100 with the addition of a nice fairing.

And if I had a ten year old son (I did but that was 18 years ago), I'd probably want to buy him an Ape 50 which is very much like the Honda Trail 50 I started on.

Anyone else notice anything there that catches your fancy?

 

[Scoobynut_imp]

Love the mini-Monster VTR 250 v-twin, also like the CB400 Super Four. Too bad we don't get such cool small bikes over here.

 

[808_rider_imp]

Thanks for the link and the CB1300 Super Four looks fantastic. I like the looks of the CB1100 better but that CB1300 would be an option if I was looking for a sportier looking bike. I am also surprised by the number of bikes under 400cc.

What also amazes me is the prices. I do not read Japanese but the CB1100ex looks like it has a price of 1,026,000 yen which converts to $8,700. And the CB1300 super four is 1,261,440 yen which converts to $10,800. If I am correct, that seems like quite a bargain but you do not know what other fees and taxes apply in Japan.

 

[AndyHe_imp]

Whoa, I hadn't bothered doing the yen to dollar conversion. Maybe we need to have a conversation with Samurider to have him send over whole bikes rather than just parts. Wouldn't that be a kick?

Would the local DMV allow me to license it with a foreign market VIN? That is the interesting question. Probably not...

 

[Scoobynut_imp]

Whoa, I hadn't bothered doing the yen to dollar conversion. Maybe we need to have a conversation with Samurider to have him send over whole bikes rather than just parts. Wouldn't that be a kick?

Would the local DMV allow me to license it with a foreign market VIN? That is the interesting question. Probably not...

Nope. If it's not a model already sold in the U.S. it's nearly impossible to import. EPA and NHTSA must protect us from ourselves.

 

[rboe]

drool!

 

[OldF7Guy_imp]

Japan always seems to get the good stuff with a few exceptions. Really like that CB1300, CB400, CB650, and they get some really cool smaller stuff we dont get. Im not really a moped or scooter guy but it looks like they still make a version of the super cub over there which would be cool imo to have. Im a real sucker for the classic retro looks but love the modern engineering that goes into the newer stuff.

 

[redbirds_imp]

If we only had such selection here. Come on Honda, bring some of these beauties to the US.

 

[Capo]

In general, the entire array of big, burly naked UJM- esque bikes not available in the US. Honda CB1300, Suzuki GSX 1400, Kawasaki ZRX 1200 DAEG, Yamaha XJR 1300. They make so much sense for the US, where bigger is better, and might even get some people off cruisers.

 

[rboe]

If the CB1100 had sold better I think we would have them. We're such a fickle market.

 

[the Ferret]

One has to wonder, like Rocket mentioned in the Reminiscing thread, how would this bike have sold had Honda done a little bit of advertising for it. Maybe some ads like the original Honda 750 ads. ANY ads really.

And that goes for the entire industry. We just don't see advertising about motorcycles anymore, unless you subscribe to a few motorcycle magazines, how does one know when a new model is released or updated?

 

[redbirds_imp]

One has to wonder, like Rocket mentioned in the Reminiscing thread, how would this bike have sold had Honda done a little bit of advertising for it. Maybe some ads like the original Honda 750 ads. ANY ads really.

And that goes for the entire industry. We just don't see advertising about motorcycles anymore, unless you subscribe to a few motorcycle magazines, how does one know when a new model is released or updated?

Exactly! I'm always surprised by the response I get from other bike owners when asking about my CB. So many do not know of it.

 

[the Ferret]

While we are talking about bikes Honda should bring, lets look at some of the bikes Honda made an impact with, whether they made it to production or not

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/1858/Motorcycle-Photo-Gallery/Honda-Collection-Hall-Tour.aspx

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge. Some very cool stuff.

 

[flynrider]

As I think I've posted half a dozen times on this forum, the CB400 Super Four is the one I'd like to see Honda send over. It would make a great CB1100 stablemate. Since it's been in production for 20 yrs. and we still haven't seen it here, I don't hold out much hope.

It looks like a compressed version of the CB1300

 

[Cormanus]

Fun to ride too!

 

[Henrik_imp]

I really like some of the small singles. For commuting, and just short rides, I would love something like the CB223 or possibly the FTR:

What would be even better is if they made versions of these with a bigger single, like maybe a 400cc or something!

 

[AndyHe_imp]

As someone else on another thread pointed out, if you're looking for a retro 400cc single, Yamaha sells the SR400 in the US which is very close in design to the CB223 above.

 

[PowderToastMan_imp]

As someone else on another thread pointed out, if you're looking for a retro 400cc single, Yamaha sells the SR400 in the US which is very close in design to the CB223 above.

I like the SR400, but for the price I'd probably pay just a little more and go for a Bonneville.
If they brought it down a couple grand on the other hand it would be mighty tempting.

 

[Elipten_imp]

Just wait, I suspect it will come down with time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Henrik_imp]

Indeed, I had not thought about the SR400. Had a quick look on the web, and here in Switzerland the price is actually very reasonable. I might have to take a more serious look at it when the weather finally gets better as this could be the perfect commuter.

I do prefer the looks of the Honda CB223 above though.