Oh look - a gay beauty contest

[Laava]

Yep. They have removed the stock bar holders, dropped the forks and added clip-ons. Then machined up the fairing holders to fit where the original bar clamps were. Quite clever really.

The copper one has tasty little bungs in the same place to hide the holes.

Some nice work there.

One has been converted to mono shock on the rear end with a presumably CBR swingarm (and fork).

I am guessing there was not a budget in the rules?

So what will happen when someone tries to actually turn the bars?

[AllanB]

So what will happen when someone tries to actually turn the bars?

It's the black bike with the bikini fairing - the fairing moves with the forks when turned.

[AllanB]

Taking a page out of HD's book and trying to get dealers involved in customizing, and getting customers into the swing of things. Bit of a fail numbers wise as to how many dealers had a go. But it's not a cheap exersize.

Yeah HD did start the trend. Yammay in the USA have a 'yard built' contest (though the yeard must be impressive as they are not backyard builds that get produced!).

Would have been nice if all dealers were onboard but some quality bikes produced.

Did they not drop the stock model to $15k? I may be wrong - better price and would move more - should be priced to match the bonnie.

[unstuck]

OR Ed

You sick fuck.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Did they not drop the stock model to $15k? I may be wrong - better price and would move more - should be priced to match the bonnie.

not sure. Tardme search seems to suggest a fair few Jap import ones at around that money and Spring Lynne in Methven have one for $10.5k.

At $15k it is a probably a better motorcycle in the same niche that the Bonneville occupies.

I remember being so excited when they announced it (started a thread on KB and everything) then Blue Wang fuck it up AGAIN by applying the New Zealand "Honda tax" and pricing the thing in the stratosphere.

I mean, ask anyone who knows me: I am stupid. But I'm not THAT stupid.

[AllanB]

Blue Wing tax it probably is - they would have figured it would suit a good number of NZ riders (look how well the GSX1400 sold) and loaded it up thinking the born again nostalgic rider would be cash rich. Bad move - start nudging the $20k mark and your choices get tasty.

Choosing that bike as a good one to modify is a great idea - it is a excellent blank canvas to start with (as seen in the images above) - but price the base high then tell people it is great to spend more money on modifying it? Where is the logic? If I drop $15 on a Bonnie I could easily justify the next 3K on personalizing it.

[bogan]

Was in at City Honda today, that scramble is pretty tasty.

I was a bit dissapointed none of the blokes there asked me for a root though, was bent over looking at the exhaust and everything

[AllanB]

I was a bit dissapointed none of the blokes there asked me for a root though, was bent over looking at the exhaust and everything

To be sure they where lined up behind you looking at your exhaust too .......

[Laava]

It's the black bike with the bikini fairing - the fairing moves with the forks when turned.

Right you are! I looked at the four pics of that bike and the fairing looks very similar to the solid mounted one on my Laverda. That is a bigarse bikini fairing!

[Katman]

The #5 Blue Wing bike is the clear stand out for me.

(Not surprising that Blue Wing would have been happy to commit more time and dollars than the others to the project though).

[HenryDorsetCase]

Was in at City Honda today, that scramble is pretty tasty.

I was a bit dissapointed none of the blokes there asked me for a root though, was bent over looking at the exhaust and everything

He must have really respected you if he asked first. Usually its straight up, dry, and not even a reach-around.

[Stylo]

So ..... Does it go any faster with the different shades of lipstick and party dresses ?

I guess you can't polish a turd but you can sprinkle it with glitter, I guess Honda are throwing all their money into the marketing bucket rather than making the big fatty actually belch some fire ?

Buying a bike that looks like it's 'supposed to be cool' when it's mutton dressed as lamb doesn't do it for me.

[mashman]

So ..... Does it go any faster with the different shades of lipstick and party dresses ?

You might find that lipstick and party dresses add a little drag

[Swoop]

So ..... Does it go any faster with the different shades of lipstick and party dresses ?

I guess you can't polish a turd but you can sprinkle it with glitter, I guess Honda are throwing all their money into the marketing bucket rather than making the big fatty actually belch some fire ?

You have suggested that Honda have adopted the Harley Fergusson approach to motorcycle profitability.
The marketing department and the accessories department over-ruling the engineers.

[AllanB]

You have suggested that Honda have adopted the Harley Fergusson approach to motorcycle profitability.
The marketing department and the accessories department over-ruling the engineers.

Incorrect. You can't get a phone-book thick accessory cataloge like HD produce (or Triumph for that matter).

Maybe they should start to rev it up in this manner with a HRC cataloge full of exotic goodness. They have had 'kits' in the past for select rides but not the mainstream bikes.