Yeah, I'd agree. The auto feature might make more sense on a touring type rig than on this thing, that looks like a crossover somewhere between cruiser and sporty.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: KNOWSALOT

Honda missed the boat yet again with this bike, and by 2 years. The Yamaha FJR fills the niche for that market and this new Honda prototype is obviously aimed at the FJR consumers. Sure, the FJR is semi auto and not full auto, but it's appealing to the same set of buyers.

Even worse is the fact that this new Honda will NOT be in the states as an 09. 2010 at best but more likely 2011.



So once again, all we have is Honda just now showing the public something they built to compete against something that Yamaha began mass production with 2 years ago. Seems the norm the past several years now.



Oh,..it will sell, no doubt, but tell that to the exclusive "Honda only" dealers who lose money every year that Yamaha has models on the floor that Honda doesnt even build competition for. Also, tell that to the true red riders who have to wait for their ride while their friend who rides blue already has the latest thing out.

Simply put,....Honda could have done this long ago and got the jump on the new niche,......but they didnt....In typical 21st century Honda fassion apparently.

My opinion? I feel that by the time this bike reaches the sales floor,...IF it reaches the sales floor,... it will be too late and the new niche will have died out tremendously.



In other Honda F.ed Up News......... Harley will have a 50cc dirtbike version of the new Buell 450 MXer for 2009. It will also have a "mini street" cruiser using that same 50cc engine.

It's now almost a given that Honda will lose it's already declining lead in shares of overall motorcycle sales for next year.</end quote></div>


wow...a lot of honda haters on the honda thread.

 

Im not a hater on the brand. I've owned dozens of Hondas, own several currently, and it's been my choice for racing the past 2 years and many times before that. It is my brand of choice and BY choice.
But where I stand as a consumer and where I stand in the business are two seperate issues when looking at which OEMs are changing the face and which ones arent. And because of such, I will sometimes have conflicting views that I post here.
By the way, I agree with the GoldWing would be a good candidate for this new tranny.

 

I like hondas but they are behind the times.

 

i agree!!