MCN

Honda has set the US price of the new VFR1200F at a level guarantee to raise UK buyers’ eyebrows. The new sports-tourer will sell for just £9,782 in the US – almost £2000 less than in Britain. The $15,999 US...

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motowebmaster

Surely that can't be right

Speedtrip

So that means you can buy two VFR800's for the price of the 1200? Or you could get a VFR800 and a CBR1000RR.

motowebmaster

For that much money I might as well start a travel budget and go Ducati.

Speedtrip

Now your talking!

The Prophet

I've noticed this "high price" trend lately with some of the bike manufacturers.

Could it be:

There are many, many folks out of work (10.2%) so no market there. Actually a few more now, with the down-sizing of the York, PA, Harley Davidson Factory.

The middle class has been nearly wiped out with the continual outsourcing of manufacturing to China, and other ports east. Not much of a market there.

Especially with the "Stimulus" programs and poorly administrated government bailpouts, the "wealthy" class (say $400,000 salary and up, plus much over average bonus packagesas well) is solid and thriving, and can easily afford "toys" and extraneous symbols of indulgence. This is shown in the 2009 overall Christmas Sales as well. Niemann/Marcus and Tiffanay's for example, are doing quite well, while Walmart, Target, Kohl's, Best Buy etc. sales are down once again from the previous low down point last year.

"If you've got it... flaunt it" would seem to be the theme, and note Harley Davidson has raised prices, and focussed not on lower priced offers for the masses, but has instead injected focus (and margin) into the Custom (CVO) market. It would appear that behind the scenes 'summit' meeting sessions have resulted in a strategy to go after those with cash to spare, who again are only in the top echelon in the salary imbalance game.

Sadly - although you'd have to give the benefit of the doubt to a few (being wealthy doesn't automatically make one a poser/squid) - you could easily guess that these folks for the most part are not 'real enthusiasts' but more likely trophy collectors, and these high end bikes will rarely, if ever, see pavement. More for propping up in your "man-cave" to show off to your 'friends' whilst carefully sipping foreign beer from daintily stemmed glassware, pinky finger jutting out. In reality, these expensive bikes are not intended for everyday practical use, more for glitz and glamour, two concepts not normally associated with motorcycling.

In the end, $15,999 of course is not overly out of practicality, but the point is perhaps the entire industry is headed this way. No more "bikes for the masses", but instead "Bikes for the self indulgent?" "Freedom of the open road... but only to those who can afford it!"

Strategy from my end... don't buy into it.

I'd go directly to the Ducati, and not pass "Go", nor collect the Monopoly "economic stimulus" offer of $200.00.

Ride Safe (and within economic reason!),

Bob

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• A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu
• Motorcyles are not my whole life, but they make my life whole. ` me

motowebmaster

I always keep an open mind, but there are other manufacturers doing a better job of marketing new models. Three hours to Little Rock for an oil change or any sort of repair doesn't seem that unrealistic compared to a $16k Honda.

This story is unfolding in a way similar to the Honda DN-01, which can now be picked up at a much lower price.

Has the market truly made a philosophical change so dramatic that what was previously revered as a concept bike would now be ridiculed as a production model?

Personally, I'm still keeping an open mind - but wish I were able to see the bike at the IMS. Who knows, maybe it will still be a potential new motorcycle, but my current VFR is still looking good.

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Shawn
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