Sorry Japan, my checkbook is going into the drawer again.
What another disappointment this model-year has been. I thought 2007 was such a drag, after 2006 was weak for new models / old model up-dates.
What have we got? If you're a street maniac who likes to hunch over all day, sure, there's plenty of fine race-replicas. I'm in my Forties, (been riding sportbikes constantly for 30 years), and NOTHING has caught my eye.
I own two first-generation Bandit 1200's; one modified. Fantastic bike that Bandit, once you upgrade a few things and throw-away the heavy, restricitve exhaust. Flat bars, Corbin seat, polished rims, Wave rotors, Ohlins, stainless lines, Yoshimura, etc.. THAT's my idea of a SPORT- tourer. Simple, strong, uncluttered.. and MODIFIABLE! (and ps.. it even has a MAINSTAND, thank you).
Anyway, what a WHIMPER there has been this year. Okay, the BKing looks interesting for me.. but it's FAT (cry like a baby when that porker falls off it's sidestand onto that huge tank).. and it looks like the Hamamatsu boys had a bad acid-party one night to create that styling. (Is that a FAIRING, Ryoke, or are you just Jpanaese glad to see me?. Besides, I just don't really need 180 horsepower, thanks. I've HAD it with high-speed chases and New York State Trooper hassles.
Sprint 1050 is close,.. REAL close.. but needs a tweak or two before I'll write a check. Drop a little WEIGHT please, and maybe boost 'er up to 1100 or 1200.
I really liked the SV 1000, but Suzuki got it wrong with the droopy-dog fairing haging over the front, and the seating position was just a TAD too race-crouchy. That's another bike that came really close.. but looks like it's GONE now. Too Bad.
Also gone Honda 919, which should have gotten a style improvement and more cc's.
The FZ1 continues to look like an inside-out Electrolux. Plug-ugly. Give me an FZ6 with 1200cc's please.
And the VFR is ... well, a VFR. I already HAVE a refrigerator, thank you.
So I don't know... traction control? Fly-by-wire? Gimmicks.. Gee-Gaws.
BUT- one tiny spark came through out of the Tokyo show: A Honda CB1100R concept bike, based on their endurance racer. Half-fairing, red tubular frame, AIR COOLED four; minimalist, light, sporty-yet-versatile, and up-gradeable (I want to choose my OWN handlebars, thanks).
A stripped-down GT.
Yes, please.
What another disappointment this model-year has been. I thought 2007 was such a drag, after 2006 was weak for new models / old model up-dates.
What have we got? If you're a street maniac who likes to hunch over all day, sure, there's plenty of fine race-replicas. I'm in my Forties, (been riding sportbikes constantly for 30 years), and NOTHING has caught my eye.
I own two first-generation Bandit 1200's; one modified. Fantastic bike that Bandit, once you upgrade a few things and throw-away the heavy, restricitve exhaust. Flat bars, Corbin seat, polished rims, Wave rotors, Ohlins, stainless lines, Yoshimura, etc.. THAT's my idea of a SPORT- tourer. Simple, strong, uncluttered.. and MODIFIABLE! (and ps.. it even has a MAINSTAND, thank you).
Anyway, what a WHIMPER there has been this year. Okay, the BKing looks interesting for me.. but it's FAT (cry like a baby when that porker falls off it's sidestand onto that huge tank).. and it looks like the Hamamatsu boys had a bad acid-party one night to create that styling. (Is that a FAIRING, Ryoke, or are you just Jpanaese glad to see me?. Besides, I just don't really need 180 horsepower, thanks. I've HAD it with high-speed chases and New York State Trooper hassles.
Sprint 1050 is close,.. REAL close.. but needs a tweak or two before I'll write a check. Drop a little WEIGHT please, and maybe boost 'er up to 1100 or 1200.
I really liked the SV 1000, but Suzuki got it wrong with the droopy-dog fairing haging over the front, and the seating position was just a TAD too race-crouchy. That's another bike that came really close.. but looks like it's GONE now. Too Bad.
Also gone Honda 919, which should have gotten a style improvement and more cc's.
The FZ1 continues to look like an inside-out Electrolux. Plug-ugly. Give me an FZ6 with 1200cc's please.
And the VFR is ... well, a VFR. I already HAVE a refrigerator, thank you.
So I don't know... traction control? Fly-by-wire? Gimmicks.. Gee-Gaws.
BUT- one tiny spark came through out of the Tokyo show: A Honda CB1100R concept bike, based on their endurance racer. Half-fairing, red tubular frame, AIR COOLED four; minimalist, light, sporty-yet-versatile, and up-gradeable (I want to choose my OWN handlebars, thanks).
A stripped-down GT.
Yes, please.