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Good, fast, cheap

TK4 said:
Ahem, some of y'all are missing the point - it (and the other variations - Meteor and Classic) is selling very well in other countries.
Not for you perhaps, but for consumers out there in the Canadian market looking at something like a Honda 300 or 500 (Rebel, etc.) at least there's another choice.
Especially bigger folks that don't fit a small displacement cruiser, are downsizing as we get older, or strictly for urban assault.
I say anything that gets bums in the saddle for a realistic price is a good thing.
RE's build quality is as good as anyone's in this price range - before you pass judgement take the time to check one out.
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Remember reading Gene/lightcycle blog of when he rented a couple of RE's in India, i don't think the build quality was as stellar as Honda's.
 
Jayv said:
Remember reading Gene/lightcycle blog of when he rented a couple of RE's in India, i don't think the build quality was as stellar as Honda's.
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The new REs are nothing like the old 350/500s. New factory, new everything.
 
IIRC she needed the second one for season 2 because the one she rode in season 1 wasn't technically in her name...she explains it on her blog, but from what I remember, she didn't put the first one in her name and she wasn't able to import it back into the Netherlands...

And as far as I know, she doesn't have sponsorship from either RE or Honda (and she's on her third Honda)...
 
crankcall said:
At a price point it will be a winner , even veteran riders are finding ins a bit punishing . And a lot of riders are aging up . I suspect in a couple yrs we will have more guys looking at bikes of this sort than the “ride of the century” take over the Qew nonsense.
It’s all good for the industry


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it really isnt though since manufacturers are after younger riders, not older. the money is in higher tier bikes, not cheap small ones.
 
Noraly not sponsored by Honda - buys her own and certainly can afford it. Same single as my CB300f and kinda cool to hear the motor. I'd love to be able to afford the CRF so I could explore more of the off pavement here as I did with the KLR650.

Much is moot as EVs will dominate soon and that's where much of the entry powered two wheel riders already are as well as the downsizers like me.
Price point will be critical and RE has a cache plus it is full sized unlike the CB300f I ride.
Weight is not that critical for a commuter - in fact smooths the ride out. Reliability is - think the jury is out that for RE.
China bikes will only be prevented from overwhelming the North American industry by legislation.

 
iblastoff said:
it really isnt though since manufacturers are after younger riders, not older. the money is in higher tier bikes, not cheap small ones.
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I’d counter with 10 guys on cheap bikes is better than 2 guys on expensive. Parts and service ( which is where the money is ) gets 80% more opportunity.


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TK4 said:
Ahem, some of y'all are missing the point - it (and the other variations - Meteor and Classic) is selling very well in other countries.
Not for you perhaps, but for consumers out there in the Canadian market looking at something like a Honda 300 or 500 (Rebel, etc.) at least there's another choice.
Especially bigger folks that don't fit a small displacement cruiser, are downsizing as we get older, or strictly for urban assault.
I say anything that gets bums in the saddle for a realistic price is a good thing.
RE's build quality is as good as anyone's in this price range - before you pass judgement take the time to check one out.
Click to expand...

I'm not surprised it's a big seller elsewhere, but I don't think there will ever be a big market for bikes that you can't safely take on the highway in North America. How many VanVans or TU250s do you see around?
 
caje said:
I'm not surprised it's a big seller elsewhere, but I don't think there will ever be a big market for bikes that you can't safely take on the highway in North America. How many VanVans or TU250s do you see around?
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VanVans were 200ccs with 12hp, TU250s had 15hp on a good day.
My CBR125 would bury either one of them in a drag race and Honda sold a whack of those in Canada.
Comparing apples to apples the new RE 350s are more like a 250/300 Honda. Time will tell won't it ?
 
TK4 said:
VanVans were 200ccs with 12hp, TU250s had 15hp on a good day.
My CBR125 would bury either one of them in a drag race and Honda sold a whack of those in Canada.
Comparing apples to apples the new RE 350s are more like a 250/300 Honda. Time will tell won't it ?
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The Hunter's 350 engine dynos at 17.8hp, while the TU250 is 14.8hp but weighs 80lbs less...they're pretty comparable.

The Rebel 300 is 25.1hp and is 30lbs lighter. The Hunter is only really comparable with the Honda H'Ness which is also an air-cooled single that we'll never get in Canada.

I see the dividing line in small CC road bikes in the North American market as "can it go on the highway safely?" The TU250, VanVan and Hunter 350 are all solidly in the "no" column, whereas I wouldn't hesitate riding the Rebel 300 on the 401.

But yeah, I think it'll sell just fine in markets that use motorcycles as tools. I just can't see it selling well here where we tend to view them as toys and spend a lot more time on highways.
 
TK4 said:
My CBR125 would bury either one of them in a drag race and Honda sold a whack of those in Canada.
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90% of those sales were to riding schools.
 
Get a Honda V4 Magna power cruiser ('82 thru '03) - came in 500cc V30, 700cc, 750cc V45, and 1100cc V65 with 3 generations of the 750cc V45. Basically, the same race engine as the Interceptors but in a cruiser bike. Every one of those will do 2-up highway speeds all day long coast-to-coast. I have owned them all - currently down to just one ... 1994 VF750C Magna. It isn't the fastest of them, but it will own up to about an 1800 Twin (so I have been told, as I would never engage in any form of street hooliganism, unless the day ended in "y").

For about $2,500 you can get a 4 cylinder power cruiser in sheep's clothing with Honda durability. Over 30 years since my first one and I'm still in love!
 
bigpoppa said:
90% of those sales were to riding schools.
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How did you arrive at that percentage number ?
I remember Honda Canada importing Made in Brazil CG125s and CG150s for school use only, but the CBR125s were street legal here, quite a few were sold over the counter and are still in use.
 
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