Toykyo Motorcycle Show

[Lorien]

Tokyo Motorcycle Show

Honda and their little surprises.

http://world.honda.com/news/2013/2130312Osaka-Tokyo-Motorcycle-Show/index.html

Wonder what else they have hiding away?

 

[mikesim]

But nuffin' about NT700V successor, if there is to be one.

Mike

 

[DirtFlier]

They have tiered licensing in Japan so the great number of 250s and 400 is no surprise. The tiers are 50, 125, 250, 400, and over 400. In recent years, there has been some relaxation of the difficulty in obtaining the "over 400" license due to pressure from non-Japanese makers but I'm not sure if that's also influenced the lower tiers.

 

[SeattleJim]

Hard to tell but the CB400's are probably just sleeved down versions of the CB500's we are getting soon. The CB500X felt really nice at the IMS.

 

[Warren]

I agree with Sam. Big Red knows a thing our two about selling motorcycles and I am sure they have a plan. Only time will tell if it is the correct plan.

 

[Bear]

Honda does know what they are doing. Success is their proof.
I am not concerned about the fact that they may discontinue the NT700V. If I crash mine and survive, I can always find a used one somewhere should I HAVE to have one. On the other hand, there are lots of bikes out there to choose from--so I am not really worried. If the NT becomes a classic--then I am ahead of the game.

 

[RedNigel]

Sign me up for a CBR400R!

And if my NT craps out or is destroyed or stolen, I will view it simply as an opportunity to try one of those other fish Gandalf hinted at!

 

[RedNigel]

When I had my 2011 CBR250R I used to tell people if this same bike with the same engine configuration was a 350 or a 400, it would be a nuclear bomb
That 250 was about the funnest bike I ever had except for the '84 RZ350 I had for a while

 

[RedNigel]

O my goodness, that reminds me my best friend in High school got one of the very first RD400s and his dad had an RD350... I was so envious

 

[RedNigel]

Did a little reading and unless I misread, the CB400 is the exact same chassis and engine of the CB500 with a shortened stroke bringing dispacement down from 470 to 400

 

[RedNigel]

That little 250 engine is tough
I loaded mine up with all my gear on more than one occasion. I rode it from Dallas to San Antonio and back at 8000-9000 rpms all day long and it just kept on digging and still got mileage in the 50s
Worst I ever got was 49 and that was holding it wide open into a headwind for a long time
It got 67 on one tank where I was just commuting
I heard the XR250 should sneak up on 100mpg

 

[BigBill]

I don't think those little bikes would work too well for me at 280lbs, lol.

 

[mikesim]

Get over it Mike, there are lots of fish in the sea! Variety is the spice of life or so they say. The NT has had a long run by world standards and sold here since 2009, with poor sales results, not so much because of the bike but due to a depressed economy and so far, things aren't getting any better.

The offering of smaller and affordable bikes is an attempt to address the poor market conditions and to lure new, inexperienced riders into the fold. I think they are doing a great job myself.

Sam

Yabbut, I still think there is a market for a mid-displacement sport touring machine ala the NT. Something between 500 - 1,000 cc's. The NC 700 is approaching what I have in mid, but needs to more tailored to sport touring than adventure touring. If'n I wuz younger, I look at an ST1300 or FJR but, I'm not, so I won't.

Mike

 

[JohnC]

But how many of those "fish" are ready (well, nearly ready) to roll, medium weight touring bikes. My second choice will be probably be an FJR1300.

 

[skiper]

I've been reading an old school tech manual explaining everything motorcycle. Quite enlightening - understanding the rotary valve on the 2-stroke twins. Reminded me of the variable shutter on a 16 mm film movie camera. With the sickle engine you could easily switch and try different tune for hi rev or low and mid performance by replacing a thin steel plate with different port shapes. The innovation within MC engines has been stunning. The more you learn, the more amazing the arc of design has been to get us here. If we are on or approaching a plateau is hard to tell but for sure things will get more electrically complex. zzzzm zzzzzm MC World is so Cool..

 

[Bear]

The 200cc Bultaco Metralla was a real rocket in its day. It used to make the Yamaha 250 Twin guys crazy. That bike spun some serious RPMs.

 

[JohnC]

One year, a Bultaco won at the Bol D'Or, a 24 hour endurance race. The thing just kept running.