[056]

Have You Ridden One?

I haven't met anyone who's ridden one who didn't fall in love. Like me, it's expensive but worth it and they'll sell every one they have.

 

[056]

I Agree with You...

My Triumph is heavier and no more powerful than the 599 but it has plenty of performance for me, except at track days.

Old-fashioned technology. Overpriced. Huh. That sounds a lot like how people characterize Harley Davidson, yet they sell most of the street motorcycles sold every year in the US! And they are a LOT more expensive than a lowly 599! But that's OK?

I don't get it.

 

[056]

Wel, I used to have a Civic...

And it had vinyl seats and no a/c, so in the summer, I actualy would get pretty sweaty, um, you now...

 

[056]

Very good points.

thanks. However, this was a new model intro, not a full test. I only had a few hours to ride it. We're expecting a test unit within a month, and we can spend more time with these practical details.

The F3 motor does use DOHCs and shims (under buckets, though) , so a valve adjustment is an all-day job, although it rarely needs adjustments. A competent shade-tree mechanic can certainly check clearances. The oil filter is right underneath the engine and is easy to get off. You don't have to remove the headers.

I think there's fold-out bungee hooks (actually a pair of cloth loops) but I'm not sure. And the muffler has a heat shield that should keep bungees from burning.

I'll try to pay more attention to practical details in the future!

 

[056]

Your Opinion, Stated as Fact

A Buell with that kind of handling, braking and horsepower would (and does) sell for a lot more money than $7400. And Honda will sell every 599 they bring in, so just applying some simple economic principals, we see that it is indeed worth what they are asking.

I think what I find so irksome is this old-school notion that if something is made by a Japanese factory it is somehow only a commodity and should be judged solely on objective factors; price, performance, economy. But if it's a Harley or Ducati, than it can be overpriced; "it's a Harley thing, you wouldn't understand."

I said in my article that it was about 20% overpriced, but that doesn't take away from the benefits the bike offers a lucky owner. The Honda Hawk was similarly overpriced, but now, 15 years later, a clean, low-mileage Hawk will be worth 90% of its retail value. Is it "overpriced"?

Nowhere do I try to justify the price of the bike, other than to say that labor is more in Italy than Japan, and that the Euro produces an unfavorable exchange rate. Those are facts, not "attempted justifications". You make it sound like I'm shilling for Honda, and I just don't see it.

Thanks for reading MO and taking time to give us your input!

 

[056]

I'm Forwarding this to Honda

Because I think they should read it. Honda lacks a decent standard bike at a fair price, and I think they should sell one here. Something to replace the Nighthawk 750, especially.

Everything you say is true, but think about this: if you're 100 pounds heavier than an average rider, even with adjustable suspension you'll need new springs and a revalve, as adjusters only work well over a fairly narrow range of weights.

My Triumph was OK, but I took my suspension to a tuner, and for $400 my suspesnion now feel great! I ride faster than I have for years. Good deal!

 

[056]

Until you ride them both...

And then that 600 bucks would seem cheap. The 599 is much more pleasant and fun to ride, although the FZ-6 does have the fairing, FI, and centerstand. It is also buzzy and heavy, although it is pretty fast.

I like the 599 better. Three or four years down the road, you might still have the bike, but that $600 will be a long faded memory.