New models - rumors included

[Red01]

Looks like Kawasaki will be bringing the ER6N (naked version of the Ninja 650 twin) to the US for '09.  They've also drummed up a KLX250SF, a Supermoto version of the KLX250S, to compete with Yamaha.  The more sedate 250 Super Sherpa dual sport also returns after being missing from the lineup for a while (at least in the US).  The ZX6R is all-new for '09 and comes in black, blue, traditional Kawi Green and a Monster Energy graphics version, too.  The ZX14 also gets a Monster Energy version.

Honda has announced it will be bringing the DN-01 concept to life for '09.  Kind of a cross between sportbike, cruiser and scooter.



The CRF230L will be available in a CRF230M Supermoto version. 
The CBR1000RR & 600RR will have ABS versions. 
The 781cc Interceptor returns - with no liter-class V5 stablemate once again. 

[mademiriam]

ok so the crossplane crankshaft ends up being a cross between a 'big bang' engine firing order and a 'screamer' as in two of the cylinders fire at the same time (big bang) then the others are spaced out (screamer)? Odd but interesting, unless of course my sleep deprived mind has it all wrong.
Crossplane conversion in a GSF anyone? 

[skibum]

Honda has announced it will be bringing the DN-01 concept to life for '09.  Kind of a cross between sportbike, cruiser and scooter.

I don't know about anybody else...............but I'd rather walk. 

[Red01]

Honda has announced it will be bringing the DN-01 concept to life for '09.  Kind of a cross between sportbike, cruiser and scooter.

I don't know about anybody else...............but I'd rather walk. 

Well, if I had to choose between a Harley, a scooter and this, I'd ride it...
but then I had a scooter at one time and I've riden a HD before... and both beat walking. 

[Red01]

ok so the crossplane crankshaft ends up being a cross between a 'big bang' engine firing order and a 'screamer' as in two of the cylinders fire at the same time (big bang) then the others are spaced out (screamer)? Odd but interesting, unless of course my sleep deprived mind has it all wrong.
Crossplane conversion in a GSF anyone? 

I think this is the technology Yamaha settled with after experimenting around with "Big Bang" and other revised firing orders.

To convert a traditional motor to something like this would also require new cams to go with that new crank.  Shouldn't be a problem - if you've got the coin.  I've heard of it being done with vertical twins (270* cranks, vs 360's or 180's), like the old Yamaha XS650 and the traditional Brit twins.

[mademiriam]

To convert a traditional motor to something like this would also require new cams to go with that new crank.  Shouldn't be a problem - if you've got the coin.  I've heard of it being done with vertical twins (270* cranks, vs 360's or 180's), like the old Yamaha XS650 and the traditional Brit twins.

Oh i know it can be done, not having the coin it's the kind of project i want somebody else to tackle. 

[skibum]

Honda has announced it will be bringing the DN-01 concept to life for '09.  Kind of a cross between sportbike, cruiser and scooter.

I don't know about anybody else...............but I'd rather walk. 

Well, if I had to choose between a Harley, a scooter and this, I'd ride it...
but then I had a scooter at one time and I've riden a HD before... and both beat walking. 

Both Harleys and scooters don't try to be something that they aren't.  I'm not sure what this "thing" is trying to be.  In fact, I'm pretty sure that it suffers from multiple personality disorder.  I don't remember who first said this, but it pretty well sums it up............"I see from your outfit that you are a spaceman." 

[Ray Mooney]

The only things I don't like about it are that it's an automatic tranny, it's 680cc, and it runs $14K. Otherwise, I really like the styling. Comfy seat, low maintenance shaft drive, good protection from the elements, low seat height, upright riding position. If they put in a gear shift, bumped it up to 1000cc to deliver some serious stonk, and dropped the price to under $10K, I'd give it a serious look.

Of course, ultimately the answer would be no because there's no way my wife is gonna to approve two motorcycles in the garage, and I'm not giving up the B1250. Ah, well. Maybe I'll finally hit the lottery.

[mademiriam]

so this R1 thing really intrigued me...here's a vid that explains the crossplane-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvTXMtTTKQw

[CWO4GUNNER]

The thing that comes to mind when I see all these new concept bikes with new production technologies and their expensive music video advertisements and looks, is how these "new concept bike" that hit the market last year are such a reliability nightmare. That coupled with what we already know will be a ridiculous price tag in a downward spiraling economy make me wonder who the heck is going to buy these things? Perhaps the guys with the golden parachutes! Just when the bike market is screaming for tried and true bikes with only high performance, MPG, and cost value, manufactures and their marketing machines are all shifting into Captain America gear when main street buyers can barely afford Captain Crunch.

[dhcolesj]

Gunner, I love that last line, "Manufacturers and their marketing machines are all shifting into Captain America gear when main street buyers can barely afford Captain Crunch"

However, I understand the need for the fancy videos, and advertising.  Without it no one buys your stuff, or knows what great next thing you've put on the bike to make them want to buy it.  But it would be nice, if they'd build great value based bikes (like the Bandit) and advertised them with this kind of gusto.  I guess the mentality is that the guys buying the most bikes aren't looking for "value" they're looking for "cool" and "fast".

Anyway, that Honda DN-01 could be painted dark grey on the top and white on the bottom with some red around that headlight and you'd swear you were seeing a great white shark rolling down the road.  :-D

[CWO4GUNNER]

I know - I know, but someone needs to point it out. But I suppose even in this case the market will correct itself even if its over a cliff LOL.

[Red01]

The thing that comes to mind when I see all these new concept bikes with new production technologies and their expensive music video advertisements and looks, is how these "new concept bike" that hit the market last year are such a reliability nightmare.

I take it that comment is aimed at the Concours?  I wouldn't exactly call it this year's concept bike.  For starters, it was introduced to the press in 2006, scheduled for a late '07 intro as an early '08.  Secondly, when introduced, it was widely known it was going to be a production bike, so IMHO, that's not a "concept bike," since it has styling similar to it's competitors and it was drawing heavily from the ZX-14.  Sure, it has some gee-whiz tech to it - probably added to help lure buyers from the competition... even if that may have backfired on them.

The Honda Rune & Suzuki B-King were concept bikes that made it to production, though I haven't heard of any reliability nightmares with either of them - but then neither has any groundbreaking technology in their production versions, just groundbreaking styling.

That coupled with what we already know will be a ridiculous price tag in a downward spiraling economy make me wonder who the heck is going to buy these things? Perhaps the guys with the golden parachutes! Just when the bike market is screaming for tried and true bikes with only high performance, MPG, and cost value, manufactures and their marketing machines are all shifting into Captain America gear when main street buyers can barely afford Captain Crunch.

I agree that $14,599 is a little high for what the DN-01 is, but it doesn't seem outlandish.  The only thing that's really groundbreaking about it is its styling - just like the Rune & B-King.  The HFT transmission Honda brags about as being "an automatic unlike anything you've ever seen" sounds like it's just like the one Suzuki has been offering in the Burgman 650 scooter for several years now.

And if one is concerned about MPG and cost/value, you can always go out and buy the new CRF230M and get ~90 MPG for $4749 (or the dual-sport CRF230L version for an even cheaper $4549).

Or like you, they can still opt for the 1250 Bandit if they want to add performance to the equation. 

[mademiriam]

With the economy in the US the way it is, I can understand some of it seeming questionable. Really a liter class sport bike in my opinion SHOULD be expensive and groundbreaking and aweinspring. Kind of like a ferrari, zonda, or lamborgini. I may not ever drive any of those cars and yet I can't help but appreciate them for what they are. However I DO think that if I made enough sacrifices owned an older car etc. I WOULD be able such a bike (most bikes in fact), the fact that I don't isn't so much the pricetag as a sense of being reasonable. I think anyone with a brand new car (which is lots of people) could afford even an expensive 14k + bike IF they chose to own an older cheaper car.
Bikes like the bandit offer even greater value and usability but overall in my mind most bikes are still a great value. 

[China Greg]

Whew... I dunno Folks.. from my humble perspective it looks like '09 is going to be another stinker for me... only a few oddly-interesting baubles out there.

[sigh]

Seems like I have found myself way out on the bell-curve edge again. Even the SV1000S, which I felt was SO CLOSE to Pretty and Gritty seems to have vanished without so much as a re-design.

What happened to Honda's CB1100 projects? I really loved that CB1100F endurance-racer concept.

Any chance there'll be any more '09's still popping up.. or is that about it for the year?

Looks like I'll be re-invigorating up the old Midnight Bandit again. Nuthin' else looks good enough to replace it.