Hey Yamaha!

[MikeWa]

Well don't think HONDA (Goldwings) are trying to stay out there on the leading edge more than any of the others (HD - Indian- Kaw-etc)...

 

Honda just came out with their 2014 GW and you have a choice of three colors..no other changes were made.

 

http://powersports.honda.com/2014/gold-wing/colors.aspx

 

Yes GPS, fuel injection, air bags and abs. Four models with different options and four colors. Ipod, heated grips, xm radio. How does that compare to no options and one color carbureted? What is Honda thinking?

[BigLenny]

Yes GPS, fuel injection, air bags and abs. Four models with different options and four colors. Ipod, heated grips, xm radio. How does that compare to no options and one color carbureted? What is Honda thinking?

 

Mike,

 

When you put it that way, it certainly appears Honda is on the leading edge, doesn't it?

[MikeWa]

OK, I am back in my corner now so you guys can have it from here.

 

but before I leave I have to say their GPS has many issues with it!!!!!!!

 

Eck

There is no corner for you. Where ever you are becomes the center.

 

Mike

[Guest HdHtr]

Had wheels on mine too but kept forgetting to put the kickstand down and falling over:backinmyday:

 

You fall over with or without wheels ...

[Trader]

I noticed the BMW article in the previous post doesn't show a picture from the rear of the bike.

 

I'm sure that is because the BMW, like so many bikes today, have saddlebags that look like they were just an afterthought stuck on the side of the bike.

 

I much prefer the the bikes that look like the bags are part of the overall design.

 

just moho

[Brake Pad]

was tired of waiting for Yamaha to do anything. expected a newer model to come out. Yamaha is going after younger riders, with their 920cc and the stratoliners. I got a leftover 12 gold wing for 20K stage 2. for $22,200 out the door. and 1.99 %

[BigLenny]

Eck,

 

That BMW is a sweet bike! Very high tech. My cousin and his wife have one and I have ridden it a few times. It is very comfortable and everything about it feels high end and precise when you're riding it. Super natural feeling on the interstate, but you can tell the bike really wants to attack curves too. It is very cool that when you get to your hotel/campsite you just unlatch the saddlebags and rear trunk and carry them in.

 

I am very tempted with buyng the K1600GTL. The main thing that makes me hesitate is neutral sitting bikes aren't friendly to my knees which have had 6 surgeries on them. I really like feet forward bikes with nice highway pegs so i can stretch my legs if needed after a while on the road.

 

BMW knows how to make motorbikes. They are on the leading edge for sure.

[tazmocycle]

4838.1 http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/624/17251/Motorcycle-Article/Possible-Honda-CTX1300-Spied-Testing.aspx

have you seen this from Honda, looks a lot like the bike motus is building here in Birmingham, Al.

[Ventureless]

I have been having issue after issue with my 99. Runs great and it is all little stuff for the most part. But it is still annoying me to wonder what and when will the next thing go wrong. I was close to picking up a new leftover 2012 a month or so ago. They wanted $16K and probably could have gotten them down another $1000 or so. I think it was a good deal, but then I started thinking that I could spend the same or just a tad more and get a new Victory (side by side in the dealership). And the Victory would have all the features I would want in the Venture except the nice V4. But just to have FI and ABS, I think I would give up the V4. I am waiting until March/April to do anything as there is another bike coming out that I want to look into. 2014 Suzuki Vstrom. Not sure of the price yet, but I love the bike. And it has FI, ABS, traction control, adjustable suspension, etc. And if it is down close to $10K, I would keep my 99 RSV and buy it also.

 

http://www.cyclenews.com/423/22469/Racing-Article/First-Look--2014-Suzuki-V-Strom-1000-ABS.aspx

[syscrusher]

Tru dat!!!

 

 

As for the Big Lenny post, he may be on to something. kawasaki Vulcan/voyager COULD have been an excellent bike if they didn't half ass things like no rear speaker, no LED lights, CD player and the fry your thigh exhaust coming off the exhaust. They cheaply tried to fix that with a plastic port designed to extract the hot as heck air away, but did THAT half way. If yamaha did see that, then they should have been licking their chops at the idea of adding a few basic modern features with keeping the infamous V4, and they would soar in sales!!!!

BTW, in of itself...the Vulcan, not the voyager edition, the actual Vulcan no,ad and classic are extremely reliable, trouble free bikes that are under appreciated...

 

Kawasaki should have used the VN2000 engine in the Voyager and made it a larger (read legroom) bike. There is a huge market out there for powerful touring machines that accommodate larger riders and provide a little room to stretch out.

[GeorgeS]

I missed this discussion back when it started.

 

I guess the basis here is why did Yamaha not sell more of the Ventures. Haveing owned the 1st gen for 18 years, I loved rideing it, but frankly it was a mechanical nightmare, and the average person simple could not deal with the issues.

 

2nd gen, almost all the issues, are fixed. ( except clutch and Bridgestone tires )

I think the main reason, is the Average guy, shopping a show room floor, see's the Engine size "" 1300 CC's "" !! ------

Now he has been looking at 1500 CC bikes, 1600 CC bikes, 1800 CC bikes, Hmmmm ( All V- twins of course )

 

What is the average Joe, thinking ??? at this point . 1300cc ??? well that one must not have very much HP !!! I want an 1800 CC engine, More Power ??? Right ????

 

They just don't understand, Overhead Cam Shafts, and 4 valves per cylinder, and more Carbs, with Larger Intakes !!!

 

So--- the average buyer, goes for Bigger displacement --- and live's with 70HP or less

 

I have had many Harley riders, ask me, " well how much HP does your engine make " ???

When I say, 97 HP, I usually get a blank stare, and thats the end of the conversation . ( I really don't think they believe it )

 

Then I tell them about my " Other " 1300 CC engine, in my " Other Bike " that makes 174 HP, and thats usually, the end of a good friendship !! :whistling:

Edited November 25, 2013 by GeorgeS

[Brake Pad]

Well don't think HONDA (Goldwings) are trying to stay out there on the leading edge more than any of the others (HD - Indian- Kaw-etc)...

Honda just came out with their 2014 GW and you have a choice of three colors..no other changes were made.

 

Another example of Japanese conservative thinking.

 

As I stated in the above post, Harley has 60% of the U.S. full dresser touring market (Rider Magazine data). I would venture to bet that the Honda GW has 25-30% of the remaining 40% that HD doesn't have. So, if you are Honda, do you spend a boat load of money and resource time to redesign a machine that is already the gold standard of the non feet forward full dresser touring world, only to gain maybe 2-5% in market share? Probably not. These are the kind of discussions that are going on at Japanese bike HQ's. Now, if they started seeing sales slide, and market share drop, those conversations would get more serious.

 

Something for us all to remember is, Harley and the other motorcycle only companies have to really be in tune with what their customers want because they live and die by the motorcycle sword. Honda and Yamaha have plenty of other product channels to bring revenue into the mother ship. ATV's, Side by Side's, Water crafts, Generators, Lawn equipment, etc. As long as a product is performing strong for them, they aren't going to jump in with all fours and redesign it. They will look at their total offering of products to see where serious upgrades need to be done to stay competitive.

 

Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth.

 

 

Got to remember Honda, is a lot of things, Bikes, Car, Robots, and now Leer Jets, they have a little of everything.

[Brake Pad]

I too was tiered of wanting for yamaha to come out with a new bike. If something comes out latter, I just may have two horses in the stall