2014 Honda CTX700 First Look

[The Spaceman]

Originally Posted by Duken4evr

The plan for my own personal road to geezerville is something like the new CB1100F and then maybe something like one of these new Honda CTXs.

I resemble that remark.

[The Spaceman]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

Traditional, old-timey riders like us are known to have conservative tastes. But we're not the target market. I can appreciate the vision of people needing a bike like this. We'll have to see if the 20-something market agrees. They'll give their verdict on the sales floor. It'll be interesting to see how it does.

Is there a 20-something market? I know the median age of m/c buyers went down from 43 to 40 last year, indicating new, younger buyers. But I have to wonder: if bikes like the CTX don't offer a compelling performance benefit, would a young buyer choose a bike over a car? The price of a supersport vs. a new Scion is about the same. What's going to drive the buy decision? When I was 16, "On Any Sunday" was the best movie I'd ever seen. Everybody I knew had, was buying, or wanted a bike. I don't see anything like that today, which is unfortunate, because there's never been a better time to be engaged in motorcycling.

[jmdonald]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

Is there a 20-something market? I know the median age of m/c buyers went down from 43 to 40 last year, indicating new, younger buyers. But I have to wonder: if bikes like the CTX don't offer a compelling performance benefit, would a young buyer choose a bike over a car? The price of a supersport vs. a new Scion is about the same. What's going to drive the buy decision? When I was 16, "On Any Sunday" was the best movie I'd ever seen. Everybody I knew had, was buying, or wanted a bike. I don't see anything like that today, which is unfortunate, because there's never been a better time to be engaged in motorcycling.

When I started riding it was for the love of it. The financial investment was always above and beyond my normal course of expense, meaning it was a luxury. One would think it is the same for younger riders today. Living in the northeast winters were brutal so I was only able to ride a portion of the calendar year. I would love to see some real customer/market data especially from the manufacturers. Things like sales numbers by type, region along with any correlating demographic data, market share real numbers. I am curious but I doubt the decision is bike vs. car. Except maybe for the decidedly few extremists.

[schizuki]

There are plenty of bikes that aren't for me, but I get them. I may not appreciate them, but I get them.

I do not get this.

Two-wheel transport has to be "cool" in some way to a kid, doesn't it? It can be cheap and still be cool. What seems to be cool to kids today is anything that caters to their narcissism. Their bike has to reflect them in some way. A cheap cafe bike is retro-cool. A scooter is geek-cool. Even a budget adventure bike can be outdoor-cool.

You know what's not cool? Practicality and value. This looks like the Saturn of bikes.

With the saddlebags and fairing, I can see it selling to downsizing Goldwing riders. New riders? Not so much.

[Duken4evr]

These young guys are decidedly way cool. Cooler than I ever was or could ever hope to be. Perhaps there is hope after all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQob...layer_embedded

[The_AirHawk]

Originally Posted by jmdonald

Styling issues aside I also am glad to see this line offered by Honda. The pilots of the A-10 Thunderbolt saw the plane as Gorgeous. Functional air dams are not always a thing of beauty. I would have killed for a reasonable priced middle weight bike with the new technology and metallurgy available today in my 20's. If they remain profitable it will be even better.

Speaking of the A-10, they're closing the last Pilot Training Center for that aircraft this Spring near Ft. Smith, AR, as the slowest, toughest, biggest airborn-squirrelly-rifle is phased into oblivion.

Because the Commander has a Stellar record as operating the safest, most-efficient base the military has (across all four branches of the service), they've elected to keep it open - a Predator Drone flight-training base.

Beats the total-axe, which is what it was slated-for, I suppose.

[12er]

werent they decomed about 5 or 6 times now, the a-10's that is. Love that plane.

[Duken4evr]

Occurs to me, with it's laydown engine design, one could modify their Honda CTX 700 wth the optional decomissioned A-10 sourced surplus 30mm Avenger gatling cannon. That would clear traffic and toughen up the image. Might need some stiffer fork springs though

[SpeedwayRN]

Originally Posted by Duken4evr

These young guys are decidedly way cool. Cooler than I ever was or could ever hope to be. Perhaps there is hope after all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQob...layer_embedded

The operating of the earth moving equipment was almost as appealing to me....
everytime they landed my back was thanking me I was not actually doing that! I was there in spirit though...

[jmdonald]

When it comes to wine, women, motorcycles and airplanes all you need to know is what you like. One mans A10 is another mans Multistrada.