Jamie

Not a week or a month without a comparo in European mags. And Japan Inc. is defeated in ALL of them:

* Superbikes: BMW and Aprilia prevail by a looong shot (Kawasaki is expected to... retaliate soon, though).
* Sportbikes: Triumph prevails, unanimously, 3 or 4 years in a row now, thanks to the 675 Daytona.
* Roadsters (aka "naked" bikes) : Triumph generally prevails with the Street/Speed Triples. The new Yamaha FZ 8 gets bad marks for its suspensions, its cornering clearance and its... finish. The new (semi-naked, granted) Honda VFR 1200cc , apart from the hype surrouding its --optional-- "manumatic" trannny, is hardly a success with the trade press. Some reporters go as far as suggesting that the VFR 800 is (was?) a better mount altogether. Other japanese contenders increasingly end up relegated to the "still-good-value-for-money" class.
* "Big" trail end enduro-type bikes: BMW keeps on prevailing, followed by KTM and Ducati. The new Yam 1200cc "Super Ténéré" is reportedly disappointing in both the "engine" and "finish" areas.

What's YOUR take on this debacle?

Jamie

Speedtrip

I believe that Japan Inc has gone into turtle mode. Maybe they felt the recession a little harder or it scared them more. Either way they have withdrawn from practices that made them the best i.e. racing and product development which are very intertwined.

Very few, and in some cases like Suzuki almost no new offerings have left the Japanese in the fetal position.

But in Triumphs and I guess many Euro brands estimation this was the perfect opportunity to invest in R&D and introduce new offerings. I think Triumph has hinted at as many as twelve new bikes with Ducati and BMW offering high end Jap killers. This has thrilled the press with exciting bikes to fill the vacuum left by the Japanese reissues. Hence all the love in the mags while Japan Inc languish, give them time they will be back.

I am loving all the Euro renaissance myself as a big fan of bikes from the Continent and it makes for some cheap Jap bikes if your in the market.

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-Shaun-

motowebmaster

As my VFR800 ages gracefully, the quest for cool-n-impressive has dominated the motorcycle scene.

I'm not writing off the Japanese just yet, but Kawasaki and Honda do appear to be the leaders right now. Honda still has the numbers, but it seems that many sport and touring suggestions these days involves a Kawasaki.

Yamaha makes great cruisers, but I would imagine that if a rider can still afford one some may be trading in for a Harley or something that attracts a enthusiast. I hope to see some stripped-down bikes this weekend at Bikes, Blues, and BBQ.

The scene is changing ...

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Shawn
My Photos

The Prophet

An interesting update / interview that sheds some light on the subject...

Former Ducati North America CEO Michael Lock talks bikes | Money & Company | Los Angeles Times

Ride Safe!

Bob

Jamie

Excellent. Thanks. Jamie

motowebmaster

This is an excellent article.

My Honda Dealer moved from a meager metal-building, that they occupied for decades, to a nice lot that cost $1mil for the land alone. Back in my teenage years, they were owned by an entrepreneurial family who owned some nice houses in the same town. I used to go over to the primary owner's house to swim in his pool as a pre-teen.

I'd agree that some degree of restructuring will take place, but I don't think riders will systematically associate motorcycles into a utilitarian mindset - regardless of the economy.