I was perusing your United Kingdom website, specifically the motorcycles, and I can't quite explain how lame your United States line-up is in comparison. Where are the stunning naked sportbikes like the CB1300, CB1000, CB600F and the CBF1000?
How come you don't send us your adventure models like the Varadero and the Transalp? Don't say there's no market here because the Kawasaki dealer near me can't keep KLR650's in stock and I don't think BMW has any problems moving R1200GS's.
Which new, fascinating models do we Americans get? How about the CB1000R or the CBF600? No, we get the DN-01 scooter thing and a chopper that's six years too late. Thank you, Honda.
Signed,
Adam Ramunno.
Yes, it seems Honda has forgotten about the U.S. Lame is the only word to describe their line-up of 2010 models.
Similar to a few years ago when they decided that the Civic car line was bought mainly by twenty-something-year-old girls named "Jenny" and didn't need its Formula One-derived suspension, Honda has decided that all Americans want either a cruiser or a sportbike.
This American doesn't want a cruiser or a sportbike. This American wants an up-right riding position, low handlebars, a liquid-cooled four cylinder engine, that you can see, placed across the frame and a nice fairing painted white and red.
This American wants a CB1300S.
The CB1300S has a whole bunch of goodies that make my mouth water: 114 horsepower, fuel injection, four cylinders, 5-speed gearbox, twin cams, 16 valves, and a proper riding position. No bent-over-the gas-tank contortionist position guaranteed to wear you out in five minutes; just a nice comfortable riding position designed to keep you comfortable as you eat up the miles. It even has adjustable front and rear suspension and a seat height low enough for my short legs.
What I like best is the styling. It's no secret I'm a big fan of old bikes and one of my many favorites is the Honda CB1100R from the early eighties. It was a big, loud, heavy rocket built to pound the pavement and obliterate those pesky Suzuki Katana's and Kawasaki GPz's.
The CB1100R came complete with a big four cylinder engine (1,062cc), adjustable suspension, 120 horsepower and very skinny tires. It also came painted in the fabulous Honda colors of white and red. White and red bodywork, red frame, black engine and exhaust-just a sight to behold.
The CB1300S is just as much a sight to behold. It has those same great Honda colors, the same great, big four cylinder engine and the same wonderful four cylinder wail. The modern touches like the wide tires on black aluminum wheels, the pointy fairing design and the aggressive headlamp all mix with the classic styling cues to create one great-looking machine.
The closest thing to the CB1300S on American shores is the Suzuki Bandit 1250S. It has a lot of the same features as the CB1300S and is a big, four cylinder bike with a proper riding position. The problem, aside from being discontinued for 2010, is that it lacks that je ne sais quoi, that certain quality that makes it special. It's forgettable, really. Probably why it was discontinued.
The CB1300S has that certain quality in spades and it really is a shame that it is not for sale here in the U.S. I can't say for sure if it would be a success, I'm probably the only one that wants one, but I can say for sure that Honda should try. I mean, if Honda thinks there is a market for a scooter/sportbike thing like the DN-01, certainly they might think that the CB1300S could survive here.
Honda is a historic motorcycle company who has released tons of great motorcycles over the years. It's kind of sad to look at their line-up today. Honda has been such a large part of the American motorcycling scene that they are almost an American company. I'd like to see them show us some love again and send us some good bikes.
I think we deserve better than the Shadow wannabe Harley that they've been selling for 30 years. I can't be the only one.
What's there not to like about this machine? Classic paint scheme, classic four cylinder layout, and modern performance. You can even get ABS. Yes, please.
Back in the early eighties, this was a monster; big, heavy and fast. Those poor skinny tires had to try and control all of that power and torque. You can definitely see where Honda got their inspiration for the CB1300S. Good choice.
No cool bikes for you! Europe gets the CB1300S and we get the DN-01. Life just isn't fair at times. What is this thing anyway, besides ugly?
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