Is this kind of pointless technology though? I mean how many people have you seen fall off at the traffic lights?!
Its for the Play Station generation. Some as TC, cornering ABS etc etc. Would appeal to people who want to ride a bike but cant be arsed to learn the skills.
Motorcycle companies know that youth coming through into motorcycling is dying out. They prefer mum and dad running them around, possibly a scooter at 16 then onto cars and then living close to all amenities so no need for their own transport. In some ways I don't blame them, have you seen the insurance costs on a 17-20 year old's? This is why they are throwing "tech & gadgets" at them to attract those who struggle with simplicity. Next they will have the clocks being a tv screen that riders can skype as they ride, can't see any dangers there
Interesting points. What this also points to is the probability that the automakers need to change the economics of the industry, including reducing accident costs (reliance on technology, rather than motivating the right customer behaviour/reducing accident rates) and adapting to the new reality of income inequality and the lifestyles of younger generation. Long way off though... Interesting debate this morning on Radio 4 about the "New World" and its economics, especially the future of globalisation - ie Neo-liberalism economics too extreme, and need for redistribution of wealth to the lower middle classes that have been dessimated in many western economies. Also changing demographics in developing countries as their populations get older. End of the world as we know it? Carpe diem and all that...
Honda have done very little lately that's innovative apart from the odd gimmick like this. I feel that, as the former cutting edge of change that they used to be, they have seriously lost their way. One of the reasons I 'jumped ship' last year. Nothing in their line-up excited me.
Interesting Bumpkin... Honda used to pride themselves on their engineering excellence, and particularly their prowess with engines. NSX was way ahead of its time. The first Fireblade. Also a substantial marine business... I used to love those adverts they did, with hot air balloons and celebrating their legacy... and it's all gone quiet! Still doing well in MotoGP though, so not all is bad!! My professional background is in leadership, organisation development and business change. One of the things that research shows is that engagement in companies is largely down to being part of a success story. That's why I joined Vodafone in 2000 (and left in 2007...) - the story we tell ourselves about why we do what we do matters way more than the money we earn, deep down... What are you doing now may I ask?
Yes, the early four cylinder bikes, the C90, Goldwing, CX500, VFR, Fireblade and many more besides. All pretty ground-breaking in their time, moved motorcycle development onwards and made Honda the success it was/is. Have owned a few Hondas; RS250s for dispatch work and a succession of VFRs. True, although, as I understand, HRC are pretty independent from the 'mothership' in terms of development. There is a bit of trickle down benefit I suppose unless you count the Honda RC213V-S, a special at over £100k. Not quite sure of what to make of that last paragraph, maybe you know me? In terms of bike ownership I've done the opposite of what you suggest and gone with a marque that at the time was on the brink of collapse, with a totally new model, even one in a sector of the motorcycle market that the company had never previously designed and built for (so hardly a success story in the making). My local dealer has now gone out of business to boot. Am I concerned?... not overly TBH. I'm still very pleased with my decision but only managed 6000 miles since late April last year. Hoping to improve on that in 2017. Was considering a Multistrada, test rode one and then, out of curiosity, tried the MV Turismo Veloce and that was that. MV's prospects have improved with a new investor but they are far from out of the woods.
I guess I just recognised the feeling! The MVs have a mystique about them: I'm a sucker for heritage... even if only the revived-by-marketing sort ;-) I test rode an F4 and actually really liked it: it had this mentally beautiful exhaust note, it had the sports exhaust which was just crazy loud and sounded like an F1 Ferrari...
Thought you might be the same Bumpkin from Shropshire shenanigans. I was riding the battered yellow vfr. You had a good go at remodelling the luggage on the MV as I recall.....!
Ello. Don't remind me :Facepalm: :Shamefullyembarrased: Tall bike, steep camber mixed with a bit of inattention on my part. Damage was minimal considering and most of it was done trying to get the bike upright before everyone else arrived. Gave up when I realised all I was doing was skating it around on the tarmac. Previous VFR had 30 something thou. miles on it without incident... Local bike repair specialist reckons he can sort it, will give it a go in the next week or two.
