Hey Knowsalot, I remember you from years past about your insider information. Are you saying that Honda is going to fill in the holes for 2005 or within a few years? What do you see coming out at the September show? rooster

 

Just a guess. Honda will fill in the current gaps with some kind of (small or big) changes or the removal of certain models. (Gaps- Lack of Recon, Foreman's, and 400ex on 2005 list.) Anything like a 650ex would come after 2005. Just a guess.

I would like to see a small, light, agile, 4x4, 250 with enough power to keep it going on the hills. The Recon is a great tight trail quad. A 4x4 Recon would go and fit just about anywhere. It would really help it in the snow.

It would kind of be funny if Honda listened on that one. Just because it seems like there were only a few of us asking for a 4x4 250. There might be more people asking than I realize.

 

I don't make to much out of the fact that some bikes are not listed for 05. The reason? The 400EX isn't listed for 05, yet Honda just anounced that it meets the 06 emissions standards, a year early. So, there definitely will be an 05 400EX, in some form. I think the other bikes are getting some changes (emissions also?), and they just don't have the specs available, to publish right now. Notice also, that some of the dirt bikes don't have 05 listings either.

I think there would be a massive market for a 250 class, manual clutch, full on medium size sport bike, based on the CRF250 engine. Honda has never really had a machine in this class.....the Blaster class! The 2-stroke Blaster will be history soon, so what would be more natural than for Yamaha to fill the slot with a 250 4-stroke??? But, hard to imagine they could keep the price down where the Blaster is now. Anyway, Honda can't build 250 dirt bikes fast enough, so there is obviously a big potential market out there.

For better or for worse, Honda R&D works pretty slowly. I don't recall ever seeing a large number of changes in any one year, and in some years we saw nothing substantial at all. You can grow old, waiting for Honda!

I just want to see a 650EX desert racer, and I will be happy!

 

One thing is for sure, September always brings cold weather and less riding time.

 

aw man a 650EX would be insiane. but is this just a rumor or is it something they are doing for sure just not sure when it's coming out? and sorry if i'm getting ahead of myself but anyone think since their coming out with it after yamaha and bombardier, that it might be faster?

 

well the rancher came at the same time as the rubi and the rincon came about a year after the rubi and the rancher at came about a year after the rincon so Honda might have something up their sleave.

 

Yeah, for a lot of years, all we got was one ute after another!