Is Honda trying to get out of the cruiser market?

[flcjr]

I was looking at the web site recently and noticed a dismal line up of bikes in this area. 

[fon1961]

if and when i buy another (additional or replacement) bike i will not limit the search to hondas for that reason (and a few others).  i wish that honda would develop and re-introduce a valk based on a GW engine and final drive.  maybe the interest would be limited to folks on this website (and others like it) and just not worth it to them from a business stand point?  i just know that i would be very interested.

[Fritz The Cat]

Honda has lost it as far as I'm concerned. Nothing in the current line I would be interested in. Even the Goldwing has lost much of it's appeal. Who designed that butt ugly rear end anyway.

[scoot]

Honda has lost it as far as I'm concerned. Nothing in the current line I would be interested in. Even the Goldwing has lost much of it's appeal. Who designed that butt ugly rear end anyway.

A couple BMW and Victory former employees 

[RonW]

Same here, just what were they tinkin with that bmw tail end on the new Gold Wing. As far as bringing the Valk back, it would be a $20,000 bike today in the range of Gold Wings. So unlikely. Didn't the '97 valks sell for $14K in their day. Another way of putting it is what you're riding today is a 20K bike, nothing less. It's been a few years already that Honda 'seems' to getting outta the cruiser market. Honda does sell the Ruckus which has attained a cult like following worldwide.

[fon1961]

As far as bringing the Valk back, it would be a $20,000 bike today in the range of Gold Wings.

i haven't shopped for one but i thought the new GW's went for more like 25 to 30K (2012 pricing, http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2012/honda/gold_wing/prices/05/index.html).

if so, a 20K (or hopefully less) option might go over well depending on the styling and any other special valk enhancements.  that would take some creativity and thought though lol.

[flcjr]

I am not really in the market I love what i got but but the new BMWs  and the new kawasaki vaquero sure do have my interest. The vaquero is about 17k msrp but have seen them on showrooms for 15k. Lots of bang for your buck if you ask me.

[fudgie]

Yup, no new hondas for me. I'd get another Valk or a HD. To young for a wing yet. 

[sheets]

I've been eye-ball'n the Kawi Voyager. All the bells and whistles, plus considerable number of optioinal OEM add-on stuff available.

[RainMaker]

No, they are not TRYING to get out of the cruiser market - they ARE out of the cruiser market.

Not sure, but think their strategy is to market to the young people of the world and not with bikes targeted at the US specifically. Smaller engines, better MPG for the future world of rising fuel prices.

IMHO.

[RonW]

i haven't shopped for one but i thought the new GW's went for more like 25 to 30K (2012 pricing, http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2012/honda/gold_wing/prices/05/index.html).

if so, a 20K (or hopefully less) option might go over well depending on the styling and any other special valk enhancements.  that would take some creativity and thought though lol.

true, but rumor has it that prospective buyers won't put up with anything less than an 1800 engine in a new dragon which should push the price tag up a bit, not solely for the engine, but beefing up the frame and brakes so forth. Personally, I would like the GW's single swingarm on a new Valk which at least to me accounts for the GW's flickability. In the video below, I don't think the same level of agility is possible on a Valk, but it would be nice.

2009 Wing Ding Amazing Challenge - clean run	powered by Aeva

[B]

If I bought something other than a Valk, it would probably be the Victory Cross Country Tour (even tho it's a V-twin).   

[YoungPUP]

IfI were old enough I'd go with the wing, and do it up like the one pic posted here a while back without the trunk. Possibly with the cobra slip-ons.  Very sharp looking Imho.

[BigAl]

I was looking at the web site recently and noticed a dismal line up of bikes in this area. 

Honda could care less, they would rather build CBR250 crotchem roquets.

Cruiser,,,See Harley they will build you one any way you want.

[flcjr]

I was looking at the web site recently and noticed a dismal line up of bikes in this area. 

Honda could care less, they would rather build CBR250 crotchem roquets.

Cruiser,,,See Harley they will build you one any way you want.

I would maybe consider one if they would use the v-rod engine in a street glide

[BigAl]

I was looking at the web site recently and noticed a dismal line up of bikes in this area. 

Honda could care less, they would rather build CBR250 crotchem roquets.

Cruiser,,,See Harley they will build you one any way you want.

I would maybe consider one if they would use the v-rod engine in a street glide

Yes Street Glide is the top seller.

[fon1961]

IfI were old enough I'd go with the wing, and do it up like the one pic posted here a while back without the trunk. Possibly with the cobra slip-ons.  Very sharp looking Imho.

i'd like to see that

[YoungPUP]

Hubcapsc posted a pic here about half way down, not sure how to move a pic between posts. http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,33298.msg308361/topicseen.html#msg308361

[fon1961]

not bad 

[sugerbear]

anybody seen the latest progress of the member rebuild of the gold wing?
don't remember his name. saw him at the cbr a few years ago.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

not bad 

I'd like to see a rear and over-head shot of that bike....I do like what I see 

[fon1961]

joe, you better check the peg ground clearance lol

[Serk]

Cruiser,,,See Harley they will build you one any way you want.

I'd like one with a 6 cylinder or larger liquid cooled engine... Where do I put in the order to have Harley build me one of those?

I say that tongue in cheek, but with some seriousness to it. I'd consider a Harley if they'd ever get away from the church of the holy single pin crank v-twin engine...

[fudgie]

anybody seen the latest progress of the member rebuild of the gold wing?
don't remember his name. saw him at the cbr a few years ago.

It was jodrog. Havent seen it in a few yrs.

[fudgie]

TJ had a cool looking goldwing.

[fudgie]

I was looking at the web site recently and noticed a dismal line up of bikes in this area. 

Honda could care less, they would rather build CBR250 crotchem roquets.

Cruiser,,,See Harley they will build you one any way you want.

I would maybe consider one if they would use the v-rod engine in a street glide

They might already do. They make one with a Road Glide fairing already.

[olddog1946]

I am not really in the market I love what i got but but the new BMWs  and the new kawasaki vaquero sure do have my interest. The vaquero is about 17k msrp but have seen them on showrooms for 15k. Lots of bang for your buck if you ask me.

I saw a brand new one last fall at a local show and the guy told me he only paid 13K out the door for it. Sharp bike, but I don't like the bags (the way they open). Victory's are decently priced as well..of course a new Ferrari is cheaper than a Harley..

[The Anvil]

The wing's handling is not a function of the SSA but of the steeper steering geometry. I'd rather have belt drive than an SSA.

[flcjr]

I was looking at the web site recently and noticed a dismal line up of bikes in this area. 

Honda could care less, they would rather build CBR250 crotchem roquets.

Cruiser,,,See Harley they will build you one any way you want.

I would maybe consider one if they would use the v-rod engine in a street glide

They might already do. They make one with a Road Glide fairing already.

So you peaked my interest and I had to go look for it. I couldn't find anything on their web site. Maybe you could post a pic or point me in the right direction. I just curios is all.

[RonW]

The wing's handling is not a function of the SSA but of the steeper steering geometry. I'd rather have belt drive than an SSA.

I believe we had this discussion once before. Tell you what, you put a steeper geometry on your bike, and I (me) put a single swingarm on my bike and we see who's right on this. Winner gets the other's bike.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Cruiser,,,See Harley they will build you one any way you want.

I'd like one with a 6 cylinder or larger liquid cooled engine... Where do I put in the order to have Harley build me one of those?

I say that tongue in cheek, but with some seriousness to it. I'd consider a Harley if they'd ever get away from the church of the holy single pin crank v-twin engine...

I agree....Apparently alot of folks thinks everybody wants a Harley I have no need whatsoever in owning a two-lunger. I've got ( 3 ) of the best cruiser ever made I should be set for years to come....I would like a Wing if I could get one like I'd like it ( some nice exhaust so you could hear it , blinged out and hot rodded ) .

[fudgie]

So you peaked my interest and I had to go look for it. I couldn't find anything on their web site. Maybe you could post a pic or point me in the right direction. I just curios is all.

Sure  They call them Road Rods. Havent seen one for sale in the dealership in a couple years.

[Jess Tolbirt]

FLCJR, money will get you ANYTHING you would like!!

RonW, i would love to see a SSA put on your bike...

[flcjr]

So you peaked my interest and I had to go look for it. I couldn't find anything on their web site. Maybe you could post a pic or point me in the right direction. I just curios is all.

Sure  They call them Road Rods. Havent seen one for sale in the dealership in a couple years.


I see I thought it was a road glide with a vrod engine. I see its a vrod with a fairing. Still its the only hd engine I think I could spend my money on, and thats only if I had two. I agree with others I would like a new version of the valk fuel injected and maybe a 2200cc 6cylinder.

[The Anvil]

The wing's handling is not a function of the SSA but of the steeper steering geometry. I'd rather have belt drive than an SSA.

I believe we had this discussion once before. Tell you what, you put a steeper geometry on your bike, and I (me) put a single swingarm on my bike and we see who's right on this. Winner gets the other's bike.

We did not. YOu may have had it with someone else. But I'm still right.

[G-Man]

I kind of like the new 1300's with their kicked out front ends and tear drop gas tanks.  I think their moving in the "new wave" direction of crusers.  No, they don't have a real nice fully dressed cruiser, the new interstate barely scratches that surface. 

I think they have some really nice lines:

[registbass]

seen the new r1600 BMW inline 6cyl yet ? 160 bhp ! not my style but Lord ! thats a bad boy ! its loaded too !

[RonW]

RonW, i would love to see a SSA put on your bike...

I'm glad somebody maintains a sense of humor. For the record, it's already been done by somebody else as mentioned in an earlier post. Dunno if you saw it but pics below. Obviously, the person had superior skill with these mods if you note the different fuel tank and seat assembly.

[Jess Tolbirt]

let me on that thing!!!,, all i need is 5 minutes,,,

[YoungPUP]

Hard to tell from the pics, but I don't believe that thats a SSA on a valk, but a valk motor on a SSA bike.