no more big bikes

[doubleminded]

Yamaha dropped its strat, royal star, and roadstar.Concentrating on the 1300 and sportbikes.But honda came back out with the valkyrie.Yet they did drop the 1800 years ago.I wonder if the new valkyrie is going to keep itself alive with sales.

[F6Dave]

That seems to be the trend in autos and trucks.  V8s are being replaced with turbo V6 motors, and V6s are giving way to turbo I4s.  It wouldn't surprise me if the current GL1800 is the biggest motor we'll see in a Wing.  BMW gets more power from their smaller 24 valve K1600.  Honda could move in that direction.

[VALKYRIE1800]

That seems to be the trend in autos and trucks.  V8s are being replaced with turbo V6 motors, and V6s are giving way to turbo I4s.  It wouldn't surprise me if the current GL1800 is the biggest motor we'll see in a Wing.  BMW gets more power from their smaller 24 valve K1600.  Honda could move in that direction.

i agree with everything posted here. also the manufactures produce,sell and make more profit in the smaller platforms. honda is doing this with the 300,500,700, and 1300 products. i would also say that is there intent with the wing chassis. although i think either the f6 or valk. will disappear, and judging by the less than stellar sales numbers of the valk., i would be surprised if it makes it much past its third year.warehouses are still very well stocked with 14's in any color you want. i love my wing and new valk., but lets face it, the number of folks that want to ride a bike this big everyday, are few and far between. anytime i am going for a short trip or quick cruise, i would much rather jump on my nc700.

[mrtappan]

I guess because I'm a big guy I like big bikes.  Not only for the power but comfort.  I owned a VTx1800, a Roadliner, and a Hard Ball over the years as my main bike.  All very comfortable.  I also owned a VMAX, KLR, and BMW R1200c.  While all fun bikes, they were uncomfortable due to their size for me.

So hopefully no matter what, some decent manufacturer will produce a larger sized bike.  I've sat on the 1300 Yamaha and Honda platforms and they were just a little too small for my taste.  I guess I didn't look awkward on them but I didn't feel "at home."

So if I'm lucky the Valkyrie will keep my interest long enough that the trend will change back to bigger bikes by the time I'm bored with it.  Or I guess I might just have to buy a Rebel.......

[VALKYRIE1800]

i wish Honda would do something new and fresh with the 1300 lineup, because what they have sure does not sell. would not mind seeing a new version of the VTX1800 either. but that was the same issue as yamaha is experiencing, not selling. you could still get new VTX1800's out of the warehouse when they were 3 yrs. old. I doubt we will see much in the way of new big-inch cruisers, other than the Valk. not sure why they did not do so well for Honda, other than they did not update them much?

[salty1]

The new Valk isn't the answer to get Honda sales up in my opinion. They (Honda) definitely need to rethink their cruiser lineup. With all the new Victory, Indians, etc., a buyer has a lot to choose from.

[iliveforcurves]

Yamaha still makes the 113 cubic inch (1854 cc) Raider and the 1679 cc (102 cu in) VMAX.  I consider both of those to be big bikes. 
Maybe people are starting to realize they don't really need a big bike to do what they want to do.  A 500 cc bike was once thought to be a normal size bike and a 750 was big. I'm surprised that the Raider never comes up in discussions about what V-twin to consider buying.  It has acceleration times and top speed very similar to the original Valkyrie.

[mrtappan]

I agree the Valkyrie isn't a big displacement bike that's going to sell well for Honda.  I would like to see another larger size Vtwin from Honda.  While I enjoy the Valkyrie and it's performance, it doesn't have the "feel" of a Vtwin or the riding position due to the engine.  I like floorboards, stretched out a bit, and leaning back in the wind a bit.  The Valkyrie has the "standard" riding position where I feel like I'm sitting at all right angles in an office chair riding a motorcycle.......

Nothing lasts forever though.  Big displacement may not be popular right now but may be again in the future.  I wouldn't mind turbo/supercharged smaller displacement bikes myself.  I have a poster of a guy riding a supercharged 1200cc VMAX.  I bet almost 200hp on that little thing was a blast because it would almost kill you with 120hp...........

[CajunRider]

I'm thinking it has a lot to do with liability also.  With modern technology, these 1.8 to 2 liter bikes should easily put out 160-200 horses, but most are de-tuned to stay around 100.  

Even the Triumph Rocket... 2.3 liters, about 120 horses from the factory.  EASY to upgrade to 150+... but Triumph doesn't sell it this way.  In fact, you don't even get the full 120 in gears 1 through 3 (they call it traction control).  The fuel map limits the power in lower gears for safety reasons.

So what's the use of the extra bulk if manufacturers are going to de-tune it anyway??  

My answer would be low-end torque... but unfortunately, that doesn't sell well.  Most people rather top-end power.  

So... manufacturers sell a 1.2 liter with 100 horses ranged closer to top end.  
= Lighter
= Cheaper
= Better Fuel Mileage
= More Safe

My 2 cents anyway... I could be completely wrong.    

Edit...  The following has been pointed out to me:

The Triumph Rocket Roaster has about 146 horses stock.
The Triumph Rocket Tourer has about 105 horses stock.

[VALKYRIE1800]

hopefully honda will rethink there cruiser lineup. but knowing there ultra-conservative nature,and previous less-than stellar sales, i dont look for any big-inch v-twins any time soon, if ever. yamaha's raider is a beautiful,good performing machine, but is another bike with a look all its own. and the v-max is an awesome bike, but again its unique look and high price will limit its sales. i think a good looking 1300cc v-twin in the 10-12k price range would sell very well. it is unfortunate that a 500cc or 750cc bike is considered small or a "beginner" bike. my first new bike i ever bought was a 750cc nighthawk, it is and was an absolute delight to ride. it has over 100k trouble free miles on it, and still enjoy taking it out for an occassional ride. not sure why bikes in this country have gotten so big!  but i guess my wing and valk's have me as guilty as the next guy!!

[jimmytee]

I'm thinking it has a lot to do with liability also.  With modern technology, these 1.8 to 2 liter bikes should easily put out 160-200 horses, but most are de-tuned to stay around 100.  

Even the Triumph Rocket... 2.3 liters, about 120 horses from the factory.  EASY to upgrade to 150+... but Triumph doesn't sell it this way.  In fact, you don't even get the full 120 in gears 1 through 3 (they call it traction control).  The fuel map limits the power in lower gears for safety reasons.

So what's the use of the extra bulk if manufacturers are going to de-tune it anyway??  

My answer would be low-end torque... but unfortunately, that doesn't sell well.  Most people rather top-end power.  

So... manufacturers sell a 1.2 liter with 100 horses ranged closer to top end.  
= Lighter
= Cheaper
= Better Fuel Mileage
= More Safe

My 2 cents anyway... I could be completely wrong.    

I believe your horsepower ratings for the Rocket are a little askew. The Rocket III Roadster is rated at 146 horsepower and 163 ft. lbs of torque
The Touring model is rated at only 105 horse power and 150 ft. lbs of torque
There is a company that sells the needed upgrades to increase power to well over 200 horsepower if one has the cash and desire.

http://www.ridermagazine.com/road-tests/2014-triumph-rocket-iii-touring-road-test.htm/

[CajunRider]

I believe your horsepower ratings for the Rocket are a little askew. The Rocket III Roadster is rated at 146 horsepower and 163 ft. lbs of torque
The Touring model is rated at only 105 horse power and 150 ft. lbs of torque

Thanks for the correction.    

My previous post has an "Edit" added to it for future readers.

[WNGD]

Yami is rumored to be bringing out a new bagger for 2016 but it's likely to be a new more powerful vs of their V4 1300

[CajunRider]

Yami is rumored to be bringing out a new bagger for 2016 but it's likely to be a new more powerful vs of their V4 1300

I hoped a long time that they'd re-do the Royal Venture, but it took 'em too long.  Ended up with a Wing instead. 

It's all good though... still love the flat 6.    

[salty1]

Yamaha dropped its strat, royal star, and roadstar.Concentrating on the 1300 and sportbikes.But honda came back out with the valkyrie.Yet they did drop the 1800 years ago.I wonder if the new valkyrie is going to keep itself alive with sales.

Have you noticed any significant sales of the Valk. It would appear they can't give me away.

[mrtappan]

Our in town dealer got two.  I bought one and the other is still sitting there. I haven't seen another on the road either within the southern Mississippi/Alabama area or western panhandle.

Although even the older Valkyries weren't very popular here. I saw one every once in a while.  So neither model was very popular here it seems for whatever reasons.  Tons of Goldwings though and a few F6Bs here though. 

[Stanc770]

Tried going to a smaller bike last year (Yamaha Bolt 950), absolutely hated it! Thought it would be a lot more fun to own a lighter, more responsive handling bike but still have 950CCs of power. I realized when riding it away from the dealership that I had probably made a mistake. After about a year I was stupidly looking at new bike adds and saw the Valkyrie at a huge discount, traded the Bolt in less than 24 hrs.

No slam on the Bolt... I just think after owning a big bike most of my life I am just too old to adapt.(67)
Anyway, got my Black Valkyrie and not looking back. 3rd Valkyrie and feel it is perfect for me.
Making the standard changes, Seat of course and addition of running lights and Gustafson windshield.

[SteveC]

I love the fact that I own the only F6C on the island.  I hate when I pull into a parking lot with a lot of bikes and they all seem to look the same.  The uniqueness of the a all is just part of the appeal.
Steve