VFR800X part II

Well MCN have said it will be on display at the Milan show next week - see their update here MCN - MotorCycleNews and as I suspected it's a "parts bin special", in the mould of the Triumph Tiger 1050. Proven mechanical parts in a new "adventure style" chassis with revamped bodywork apeing the BMW GS series of look-a-likes. As is to be expected it features the dual-layer fairing of the VFR1200 which means that it too will be very expensive to repair if dropped or crashed. This isn't because the bike needs a dual-layer fairing but because, by producing another bike featuring it, Honda will eventually find justification for adopting and pioneering it on the VFR1200.

Call me a sceptic but unlike bikers 20 years younger than me and who probably wouldn't know an "oval pistoned" Honda NSR or a "twisted barrel" CX500/650 if they were hit by one, I am not persuaded that Honda design is always better (as in better than went before, better than the competition or better for motorcycling).

These are currently the most difficult trading times for many industries, and the motorcycle industry is one of them. The manufacturers that are turning the best results are also delivering the best bikes. Suzuki has always stacked them high and sold them cheap, and now they are having to close dealerships and re-focus their bikes to meet the expectations and aspirations of their potential clients. Neither the VFR1200 or the VFR800X does that, but, that won't stop Honda quietly dropping the "traditionally styled VFR to bolster sales of the VFR800X.

So right now it's a good job Honda produces the NT700 Deauville and expands it's sales in new markets like they did by taking it to the USA in 2010, because right now, if I was to change my bike and the NT700 wasn't being made then it wouldn't be a Honda that I'd buy, and I've owned more Hondas (4 to date) than any other make. Honda need to focus more on brand loyalty and less on technology and expense that we don't want or need.