Just returned from the Progressive Motorcycle Show in Phoenix. First time that I?ve ever attended and it was very impressive. All the major manufacturers were represented and they had a lot of bikes to look at, sit on and ride. Unfortunately for me, I didn?t get a test ride, because upon arrival I went immediately to the ticket office and into the venue; rather than signing up first thing for a ride (lesson learned).
Regarding the 2014 ST: according to the Honda SW Regional Sales Director I spoke with, there will be a 14 ST1300 that is being brought into the US, solely for the LE market. None will be sold to the public. When asked to confirm, acknowledge, admit, or otherwise give a hint as to whether or not an updated, new, improved ST was headed our way he responded by saying ?look at the bikes on the stand here today?, ?these are the types of bikes that Honda will be selling now and in the future to the US market? ?I know they?re not the types of bikes you and your fellow ST riders like, but Honda estimates that it?ll sell 5 times more CTX 1300s vs. ST 1300s here in the US?.
Having now seen the CTX in the flesh I can definitely say that there will not be one parked in my garage, ever. Unless I join the Shriners. It would fit right in going down the street as part of one of their gigs.
There will be a 14 VFR1200, color black, so obviously they haven?t run out of the paint they?ve been using on the STs for the past couple of years. He was rather vague about whether the new VFR 800 would even be coming to the States.
All in all was not really impressed by what Honda had on the stand, except for the Fireblade. Oh to be 20 years younger, as it?s rather tasty, but alas those days are gone.
To be honest I didn?t really see anything that had me salivating and contemplating getting rid of the Old Black Magic, or the 08 VFR. Yes, the FJR comes standard with all the right kit, is 100 lb. lighter, etc. but it just doesn?t have those classy looks that the ST has (IMHO). Connie: chunky monkey, Triumph Trophy: extra-large, chunky monkey, 1600GT: too much money, Ninja 1000 w/ bags, gel seat, sliders, etc.: good day-tripper, but not a long ranger.
So at the end of the day it was a bit like going to a gentleman?s club with great expectations of being wowed by all the beauty, looking at the talent up on stage and coming to the conclusion that the ?trouble and strife? at home is better looking than the lot of them. Either I?m really, really satisfied and happy, or I?ve gotten a lot older than I thought I was.
Hang on, we are still talking about bikes aren?t we?
Regarding the 2014 ST: according to the Honda SW Regional Sales Director I spoke with, there will be a 14 ST1300 that is being brought into the US, solely for the LE market. None will be sold to the public. When asked to confirm, acknowledge, admit, or otherwise give a hint as to whether or not an updated, new, improved ST was headed our way he responded by saying ?look at the bikes on the stand here today?, ?these are the types of bikes that Honda will be selling now and in the future to the US market? ?I know they?re not the types of bikes you and your fellow ST riders like, but Honda estimates that it?ll sell 5 times more CTX 1300s vs. ST 1300s here in the US?.
Having now seen the CTX in the flesh I can definitely say that there will not be one parked in my garage, ever. Unless I join the Shriners. It would fit right in going down the street as part of one of their gigs.
There will be a 14 VFR1200, color black, so obviously they haven?t run out of the paint they?ve been using on the STs for the past couple of years. He was rather vague about whether the new VFR 800 would even be coming to the States.
All in all was not really impressed by what Honda had on the stand, except for the Fireblade. Oh to be 20 years younger, as it?s rather tasty, but alas those days are gone.
To be honest I didn?t really see anything that had me salivating and contemplating getting rid of the Old Black Magic, or the 08 VFR. Yes, the FJR comes standard with all the right kit, is 100 lb. lighter, etc. but it just doesn?t have those classy looks that the ST has (IMHO). Connie: chunky monkey, Triumph Trophy: extra-large, chunky monkey, 1600GT: too much money, Ninja 1000 w/ bags, gel seat, sliders, etc.: good day-tripper, but not a long ranger.
So at the end of the day it was a bit like going to a gentleman?s club with great expectations of being wowed by all the beauty, looking at the talent up on stage and coming to the conclusion that the ?trouble and strife? at home is better looking than the lot of them. Either I?m really, really satisfied and happy, or I?ve gotten a lot older than I thought I was.
Hang on, we are still talking about bikes aren?t we?
..........................ff
