and then there is this rumor about Honda

[wfopete]

Ignore the picture from the late 1980's, or the whole article if you wish but...

http://indefinitelywild.gizmodo.com/has-honda-finally-aced-the-adventure-bike-1579089171

 

[RED CAT]

This has been circulating on Adventure Rider for a while. Don't kid yourself. It won't be light. It will not be lighter than a Standard GS or 25lbs lighter than an S10. It will not be naked. It has to sell. So a Super Endure or an HP2, it will not be. My best guess is an S10 with Honda badges.

 

[Jackal]

This has been circulating on Adventure Rider for a while. Don't kid yourself. It won't be light. It will not be lighter than a Standard GS or 25lbs lighter than an S10. It will not be naked. It has to sell. So a Super Endure or an HP2, it will not be. My best guess is an S10 with Honda badges.

Agree 100%

And if it is a Super Endure or an HP2 there will be a market but it will be a small market,

 

[GrahamD]

Well I can guarantee a few things.

It will suck, because apparently it doesn't matter these days what Honda does, they suck.

It will disappoint everyone because it weighed more than 350lbs and therefore see #1

If it does come out in a naked, light weight hardcore version it will be more expensive than the standard one and therefore See #1

The standard one won't have enough "Stuff" so therefore see #1.

Apart from that it may be a really good bike and I am looking forward seeing KAWASAKI respond with a revamped Versys with that Supercharged motor.

Good to see the market moving Down a bit rather than up to 1400cc or something.

 

[Rasher]

A modern day Africa twin could be good (Basically a smaller / lighter S10 is my thoughts)

1000cc Twin / @ 90 - 100 BHP

Lighter than GS / S10 etc (if using chain drive)

Some off-road ability

If priced well, think more 1000 Strom than GS-LC


Of course Honda will balls it right up ::010::

 

[greg the pole]

maybe i'll be a varadero with shaft drive... ::025::
that would sell..

Regardless if it comes here, it will be expensive. Honda has completely lost the plot.

I still love their bikes from the 90's, and early 2000, but that's where it stops.

 

[Rasher]

maybe i'll be a varadero with shaft drive... ::025::

Probably be fine for some folk.

I would just love to see a more modern version of the big Adv bikes of the late 80's, they were much narrower and lighter back then, for me the likes of the 660 Tenere are too small and vibey for my long runs, and until recently the large amount of two-up I did really made the 1200 a great choice.

But for mainly solo use I could happily drop 200cc, 20BHP and lose the shaft drive if I got a bike that was about 50kg lighter, a bit narrower and had a bit more off-road capability - especially if it looked like a pukka dirt bike.

 

[markjenn]

Regardless if it comes here, it will be expensive. Honda has completely lost the plot.

Honda has been a leader of late in the introduction of high-value/low-cost bikes. Nothing touches the CB500's on value and the CBR650F and CBR300R are some of the lowest-priced bikes in their respective categories.

I'm going to see what Honda produces before declaring they've lost the plot. Perhaps they're about to produce the holy grail - a reliable, reasonable cost, lightweight, long-suspension, mid-sized adventure twin with true dirt capability.

- Mark

 

[GrahamD]

::002::Agree. They have been doing good things in the "bikes people can afford": category as well as bikes for people that like/have to who ride bikes everyday. This is a bit lost on the kids have left home set in Oz, where it seems the expensive stuff is bought by people who like to show off the freshly polished bike in the shed, because ..."depreciation!" and so many people buy inappropriate machinery for their skill set, so they can look talented at the pub.

Anyway, right now it appears that whatever they do people will find a reason to say they suck. It's just fashionable at the moment.

 

[RED CAT]

Probably be fine for some folk.

I would just love to see a more modern version of the big Adv bikes of the late 80's, they were much narrower and lighter back then, for me the likes of the 660 Tenere are too small and vibey for my long runs, and until recently the large amount of two-up I did really made the 1200 a great choice.

But for mainly solo use I could happily drop 200cc, 20BHP and lose the shaft drive if I got a bike that was about 50kg lighter, a bit narrower and had a bit more off-road capability - especially if it looked like a pukka dirt bike.

That bike already exists. Its called a 990 KTM Adventure or a 950 Super Enduro.

 

[greg the pole]

Honda has been a leader of late in the introduction of high-value/low-cost bikes. Nothing touches the CB500's on value and the CBR650F and CBR300R are some of the lowest-priced bikes in their respective categories.

I'm going to see what Honda produces before declaring they've lost the plot. Perhaps they're about to produce the holy grail - a reliable, reasonable cost, lightweight, long-suspension, mid-sized adventure twin with true dirt capability.

- Mark

Honda has some hits. yes the smaller cc bikes are decent, but their best sellers have not been big hits (vfr1200, old and aging st1300, xl650l).
Instead of focusing on bikes that people would spend money on, they come up with idiotic bikes like the boulevard cruiser that has the st1300 motor in it. Who is that aimed at? what's the deal?
For the most part, they are done in my book, until things turn around in the 600-1200cc segments.

 

[markjenn]

That bike already exists. Its called a 990 KTM Adventure or a 950 Super Enduro.

Neither of which is currently in production. And of all the adventure bikes, I'd rate the KTM 950/990 as the highest maintenance and the least reliable. Great bikes, but suitable only for the most committed of owners.

- Mark

 

[Rasher]

Neither of which is currently in production. And of all the adventure bikes, I'd rate the KTM 950/990 as the highest maintenance and the least reliable. Great bikes, but suitable only for the most committed of owners.

::026::

The Mrs really liked the look of the old 990 but we could not face the risk of high maintenance costs and the hassle of constant problems, but in summary a Japanese KTM 990 is probably just the thing ::008::