| Author | Message | ||
     Towjam |
This is kind of a shocker considering that the Goldwing and VTX were designed for the US market. On the other hand, they've been ignoring the US market for the past several years so maybe this isn't all that surprising. http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3 &article_id=626 I'm just saying... | ||
| Barker |
I still haven't got over them stopping production of the super chicken and RC-51. My favorite hondas.  | ||
| Towjam |
How ironic - Honda is able to offshore Goldwing/VTX production by bringing it back to Japan. I will give them credit though for moving the workers over to auto production and not just dropping them into the unemployment ranks. | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
The funny part is they are still having honda home coming this summer. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Honda is doing weird things with their motorcycle line. I don't believe the US market is anything but a cash cow/product dump. I don't think we can expect to get any of the really cool designs we see at bike shows from them. Repli-Racers, Goldwings, Dirt Bikes, and Cruisers. If it ain't one of those, we ain't gettin' it. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I guess I can now add this to the long list of reasons as why I don't own a Honda! | ||
| Naustin |
Makes sense to me. Why operate 2 facilites when one can accomodate both, and if you are only going to have one facility, who can blame them for investing at home? They have built and continue to build new car manufacturing facilities in the US. Its a global economy. I don't hold it against them. That said, I prefer to buy things made in the US, and if possible Made in Minnesota, and if possible, made in Albert Lea, Minnesota.  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I don't blame them for moving manufacturing facilities. I blame them for giving the US market the shaft and giving us a slim selection. | ||
| Towjam |
I don't blame them for moving manufacturing facilities. I blame them for giving the US market the shaft and giving us a slim selection. +1 | ||
| Jaimec |
On the other hand, remember the GoldWing is the motorcycle with the most American manufactured parts you could buy up until 2009... AND they sell TWO models that fall into the "Sport Touring" category... the ST1300 and the VFR800. Guess they feel sport touring bikes sell enough... | ||
| Bill0351 |
Good for Honda! I wish the US would follow suit and bring some of their own jobs back home instead of shipping them overseas. Viva la Buick Rendezvous! Viva la PT Cruiser! Viva la bottom line! Viva la cheap labor! http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-03-21-car -content-chart_N.htm | ||
| Azxb9r |
I will give them credit though for moving the workers over to auto production and not just dropping them into the unemployment ranks. Kudos to Honda for that, quite a stand-up thing to do. I blame them for giving the US market the shaft and giving us a slim selection. Have you been to a Honda dealership lately? They have a rather large selection of different models available. | ||
| Towjam |
Have you been to a Honda dealership lately? They have a rather large selection of different models available. Honda US may have a wide variety of models but with the exception of the CBR 600/1000, Honda has not had a significant refresh of their US streetbike line up in 5 years. (I don't consider an airbag and "exciting new colors" much of a product refresh.) On the other hand, check out Honda's UK lineup: http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/ and http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/2008/index.html Why is the DN-01 not scheduled for US availability? Where is our CBF600S? XL700V Transalp? CBF600? CBR1000R? Deauville? etc. For a Honda dealer (and those of us who grew up around Hondas), it's got to be frustrating to see Harley out-innovating Honda at each new model-year product launch. (This is not intended as a bash on Harley but as an example of how I perceive Honda to be letting their US market stagnate.) On the other hand, Honda has the coolest concept bikes - those are the only reason I'm still following the brand now. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Some of my favorite bikes were the hondas I owned. Of course they were all older 78 GoldWing 78 XR75 82 Trail 90 84 Nighthawk 750s 86 Rebel 450 (I got another one of those in process) And the bike I always wanted and never got the 89 GB500 Cafe. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Every Honda I have ever owned ('76 CB750F1, 82 CB900K, '85 Trail 110, '86 CR250, '86 CR500, '90 Nighthawk 750, '01 XR650L) has treated me very well, with 100% reliability under all conditions. I'll always have Hondas on my wish list. In fact my next bike will probably be a Honda. That's all I have to say. (Message edited by pwnzor on March 01, 2008) | ||
| Jandj_davis |
I was really bummed when I heard that. I have been trying to get into that facility as an employee for several years now. I guess I will just have to focus on Buell, HD, and Victory now. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I'd be happy if the VFR800 just got a bump in power and fuel mileage, and an USD fork. | ||
| Jaimec |
The VFR800 doesn't need an USD fork. For it's mission in life, that'd just be something brag about, and the typical owner wouldn't know the difference one way or the other. The power (for it's intended application) is also just fine. Last time I checked, my friend was getting almost 200 miles to a tank, so there's no complaint there either. The only thing I'd do is get rid of the maintenance intensive chain for a shaft drive. | ||
| Iamike |
I fired up the VFR & the S3 this afternoon since we finally hit 48degF. Couldn't ride though because of too much ice on the roads yet. The VFR lit right up and settled into its purr. The S3 barked to life and jumped around saying "ride me, ride me now!" The Honda doesn't have the soul of the S3 or the fuel mileage 42 vs. 50+ but the deal I got on it was too much to pass up. | ||
| Barker |
there are plenty of honda I admire. That are not available here. I really like the FMX650  |
