honda chopper

[usmc1142]

I checked out a new honda chopper today at a dealer,(I had to replace a lightbulb for the speedo) anyway, it seems like a nice bike.  Sitting on it is ALOT different than sitting on a valk.  The fuel tank is narrow and slender, almost sexy.  The dealer was telling me that it's agreat bike, but hasn't sold one yet.  i think it isn't priced too bad, $12,000.  I haven't seen any on the road yet, but I hope to soon.  It's still no valkyrie, but with the thought put into that back maybe honda is starting to come around again.

[Joe Hummer]

I guess that was at Donelson's?  The Fury is a decent looking bike but it is a twin...   

Joe

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Local dealer has had one for several months and no buyer.

[usmc1142]

It was at Ted's in Alton. ( I snuck out of work at 12:00 to go riding for a few hours)  Great day to ride today.

[fordmano]

From pictures they look nice but one draw back is they will always sound like they are only running on 2 cylinders.

Ain't no VALK!

[JimL]

The fact that no one is buying them confirms my first impression of them!

[Highlander]

The Dealer in West Frankfort, Il has sold three.  Can't keep them on the floor.  Lots of Harley folks that have never known 6 down here.

[Normandog]

I saw one last week @ a dealer in Asheville, NC. Engine area is very clean (they did a good job hiding wires) and the bike looks good. But I have no desire to own one.

[Sharkey]

I was at Teds a few days ago. I looked at the three wings they had. The Fury just doesnt do it for me. It is a 1300VTX motor, I think its in the 60 hp range. For $12,000 I would buy a Yamaha Raider first, if i was in the market for a cookie cutter Vtwin.

[hubcapsc]

I was at Teds a few days ago. I looked at the three wings they had.

A yellow goldwing? There's a place nearby where I could rent a Goldwing for a day,
I'm tempted...

-Mike "even rockets look good when they're yellow..."

[Duffy]

I have only seen one so far here, in a parking deck about six weeks ago.

[ArmyValker]

hmm... definitely not a "commuter" bike is it?

[Hoser]

Sure would look nice with a shiney Valk motor in there. hoser Can anyone photoshop a six banger in there?

[Black Pearl's Captain]

hmm... definitely not a "commuter" bike is it?

Really? I was thinking bar hopping and around town commuting was about all it would be good for. I'd hate to do 500 mile days on it. I guess I'm odd, I like it but not enough to pay for one. It seems like a little play toy thing to have fun on.

Raymond

[Cruzen]

The motorcycle market is slow for everything with some local dealers reporting sales off by 40%.  The Harley dealers are down 15-30% depending on which one you want to believe.  My local leather shop is closing due to sales slump and increase in rent.  (It's difficult to sell leathers in AZ when it's over 100 for three to four months out of the year and we are in our third record breaking summer in a row.)

The Fury was slow in coming but it has been selling here in Arizona where bar hopping is considered a weekend sport.  I saw one parked next to a 35K custom chopper last month at the Hideaway in Cave Creek AZ.  This is one of the popular biker hang outs in AZ.  The Fury looked very much the same as the chopper.  Those “Custom” choppers were all starting to look the same to me anyway.  The owner of the “custom” chopper was a bit upset that the Fury was getting more attention than his chopper. 

It has and will continue to appeal to the bar hopper crowd however I think Honda was about five years too late in getting it on the road.  The chopper craze has slowed.  At the last few bike rally’s the latest thing among the custom bike builders is the custom baggers.  You can only ride a chopper for a few miles and then you need medication to reduce the pain. Hence the bar stops.  As people mature and get tired of this sort of riding and life style, they are moving more toward the bagger type bikes.  My Interstate has drawn more attention lately.

We have had five custom bike shops in and around the Scottsdale area close in the past 18 months while one of my local Honda dealers is actually moving into a larger facility which was vacated by a car dealership.  The local Ducati and BMW dealerships are moving into the large showroom vacated by one of the custom bike dealers.  Maybe people are finally getting more sensible in their selection of two wheeled vehicles.

[Scott in Ok]

On my last visit to Shawnee Honda, they told me they've sold every Fury they've had in stock...with the exception of the one on the showroom floor.  I saw at least 3 different people talk to a salesperson about it when I was there.

Like alot of things, sales can be up or down based on the area you live in. 

I think its a very cool bike, but really have no use for one.

-Scott

[Blueknight]

It has plastic front and rear fenders.  Most of the engine covers are plastic.  Looked like a poor excuse for a "custom" chopper.  For 12K better bikes out there.  Bottom line..it's your money and if plastic looks good to you go for it!

[Black Pearl's Captain]

It has plastic front and rear fenders.  Most of the engine covers are plastic.  Looked like a poor excuse for a "custom" chopper.  For 12K better bikes out there.  Bottom line..it's your money and if plastic looks good to you go for it!

But but but, KuryAkyn/ShowChrome/Cobra/TruckRacer?? will have some "metal" parts shortly i'm sure. Customize man, that has to be done yet.

Raymond

[sandy]

The motorcycle market is slow for everything with some local dealers reporting sales off by 40%.  The Harley dealers are down 15-30% depending on which one you want to believe.  My local leather shop is closing due to sales slump and increase in rent.  (It's difficult to sell leathers in AZ when it's over 100 for three to four months out of the year and we are in our third record breaking summer in a row.)

The Fury was slow in coming but it has been selling here in Arizona where bar hopping is considered a weekend sport.  I saw one parked next to a 35K custom chopper last month at the Hideaway in Cave Creek AZ.  This is one of the popular biker hang outs in AZ.  The Fury looked very much the same as the chopper.  Those “Custom” choppers were all starting to look the same to me anyway.  The owner of the “custom” chopper was a bit upset that the Fury was getting more attention than his chopper. 

It has and will continue to appeal to the bar hopper crowd however I think Honda was about five years too late in getting it on the road.  The chopper craze has slowed.  At the last few bike rally’s the latest thing among the custom bike builders is the custom baggers.  You can only ride a chopper for a few miles and then you need medication to reduce the pain. Hence the bar stops.  As people mature and get tired of this sort of riding and life style, they are moving more toward the bagger type bikes.  My Interstate has drawn more attention lately.

We have had five custom bike shops in and around the Scottsdale area close in the past 18 months while one of my local Honda dealers is actually moving into a larger facility which was vacated by a car dealership.  The local Ducati and BMW dealerships are moving into the large showroom vacated by one of the custom bike dealers.  Maybe people are finally getting more sensible in their selection of two wheeled vehicles.

  Those dealers were recently purchased by the "Go Daddy" guy. He's got big full pockets to move into better digs and wait for the recession to end.

[G-Man]

My  opinion:

Engine is too small....should have used the 1800, maybe even an 1800 that's bored and breaths better.

Rear wheel is too narrow for a chopper.

Gas tank should hold more fuel.

Should not have used the same tired turn signal setup that Honda has been using for 20 years now on the shadows, the Valkyrie, and the VTXs.  Honda's turn signals are the plainest and most boring of all turn signals.

Yes, i'm sure there will be plenty of aftermarket thingies, but most people can only see what's in front of them and not what something could be.

As it is, it's a good chick chopper.

[fiddle mike]

It's still no valkyrie, but with the thought put into that back maybe honda is starting to come around again.

Autoblog dot com:
Current speculation is that this new bike will be known as the VFR1200 and be equipped a new V4 engine that will put out close to 200 horsepower. That powerplant will supposedly feature Variable Cylinder Management, which will be capable of running on two of the four cylinders in order to save fuel when maximum power isn't necessary. It seems likely that Honda will officially debut the bike later this year with sales planned for early 2010.

I like the Fury. Since I live nearly on the Gulf, non-rusting parts are a plus.  The 1300cc engine is proven, maybe not for pulling stumps or plowing, but it will get a motorcycle down the highway at, or near, the posted speed suggestion.

[usmc1142]

hey fiddle, thanks for the info.  200 hp seems way too high for me.  I couldn't imagine the thrust that bike would put on my old, lazy, weak butt.  I hope it would come with a seat belt to hold me on the bike!
   As far as the chopper goes, it does seem a bit late, but I like the looks.  I've just never seen one on the road.   

[fiddle mike]

  I couldn't imagine the thrust that bike would put on my old, lazy, weak butt.  I hope it would come with a seat belt to hold me on the bike!
     

  Yeah, the seat looks too flat for that kind of power, you'd think Honda would use a seat with a butt-stop, like the old cafe' racers.



Missus rides a Magna, a great machine, so I was interested in what Honda was cooking up with this V4.
The idea of turning off two cylinders seems like the reverse of V Max V-Boost, though Cadillac had a similar system, yrs back.  What's old is new, I guess.  

[Duffy]

Yep, I agree.

With the possible exception of the fenders, using cheap parts that will be replaced anyway for custom parts, they kept the price reasonable and it's ready to be personalized/customized.
 

[ChromeDome]

I know my dealer, Fox Valley Cycles, has at least one. Doesn't really do anything for me, just looks like any other V-Twin you would see on the street. I wish them success but will stay with my Valk.