I've been to almost every bike dealership in South Florida lately, which is second only to CA in motorcycle market size. I know what's wrong with Honda, their products look like they were designed and built with the passion of Cheeze Whiz on a saltine and the complete concession of quality to maximization of shareholder return. Bright little cupcakes, all frosted up, with all the substance to match.
However, there is a bright spot. I made it over to the Triumph dealer yesterday; Pure Triumph in Fort Lauderdale. The shop was way cool, when I walked in it was the total opposite of the Honda dump I saw a week ago. After just soaking up the atmosphere a few minutes, I started looking at the bikes. I don't want to own one, but anybody who rides or even just looks at a Rocket III and doesn't say "Holy Shirt!" needs to have their medication reduced. Sprint ST: way cool sport tourer, Tiger: way cool sport touring something or other that you can put bags on, Daytona: who wouldn't want one of those if you're the racer type? Speed Triple...I'll take one in neon green please. Then the retro bikes, Bonnies, Speedmasters, Scrambler, damn they look GREAT!
The owner of the place, Jeff, took time to get to know me, talk about the bikes, find out what I rode now and what I wanted to do with a bike in the future. Fat chance of that happening at HD, Hot Dog, or even the "Power Sports" Motorcycle Food Court and Mini Mall.
I'm going to wait and have a look at the Concours 14, but if it weren't for that, I'd be down ordering that Sprint ST. Or the Tiger. Or maybe one of those Speed Triples... If you haven't been to one of the Triumph dealerships you should go. Oh yeah, their prices are right in line with the other guys...and you aren't going to see your bike three times walking into the bar at Bike Night.