Re: $3,000 brand-new motorcycle...

Posted by sgtslag on Mar 12, 2013; 2:34pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/3-000-brand-new-motorcycle-tp4037705p4037772.html

Back in the 60's and 70's, folks toured, cross-country, 1,000's of miles, on 250's to 400's...  We've just gotten spoiled with our 1000+ cc bark-a-loungers, with electronic cruise control, on-the-fly adjustable air suspension systems, complete with stereo systems playing satellite radios and MP3's!  My father rode a 1974 Suzuki Titan 500 (two-stroker) across five states, two-up, with full saddlebags, and cargo rack behind the passenger's backrest.  That bike was my college ride, and after 20 minutes, my hands were tingling from the constant vibrations ("HMMMMMM...") -- I swear my father is made of cast-iron!  It was also a gutless wonder, with drum brakes front and rear (remember, two-stroker's have zero engine braking power...), but she really put a dent into the mosquito population when I went fumigating -- ah, riding, that is (had oil injectors -- that was big-time, Baby, no mixing the gas and oil together!).

This 250 is not a bike for everyone, and as the CEO states, it is not competing with H-D, or any other large displacement bike makers.  They are targeting a niche, and I think they have a winning fit for that niche.  Hopefully there will be enough folks interested in that small part of the market, to keep them afloat.  I love the concept, and they are also targeting folks who want a 'bad boy' bike, without spending a fortune; on top of that, it has some nice modern features that make it safer (disc brakes).

In my neck of the woods, there are a lot of bikers who pretty much ride from bar to bar, and around town, only.  For them, this might be an acceptable bike, both in style, and performance -- and it will leave a lot of money in their pockets for more beer...  Cheers!