Comments on: More from Intermot 2010: New Models from Ducati, Triumph, and KTM-and A Retro Kawasaki We Won’t See in the States (Bike Reports) (News) http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/10/more-from-intermot-2011-new-models-from-ducati-triumph-and-ktm-and-a-retro-kawasaki-we-won%e2%80%99t-see-in-the-states/ Motorcycle News, Editorials, Product Reviews and Bike Reviews Mon, 20 May 2013 11:07:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: George http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/10/more-from-intermot-2011-new-models-from-ducati-triumph-and-ktm-and-a-retro-kawasaki-we-won%e2%80%99t-see-in-the-states/comment-page-1/#comment-5746 George Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:58:41 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=11533#comment-5746 Almost every 'cycle magazine you read these days has one or more editorials bemoaning the fact that most current bikes lack features such as comfortable handlebars, natural seating positions, center stands, and easily accessible mechanical components. For lots of folks useful features like these count for much more than tire-melting acceleration, anti-social "bad-boy" looks, and unrealistic top-end capabilities. The old "Brit-bikes" of the fifties and sixties, though deficient in many important respects, still displayed elements of real-world practicality and "user friendliness" that are hard to find in most current motorcycle offerings. The new Kawasaki W800, like the previous W650 and the new Triumph Bonneville, brings back many of those earlier practical features which enhance the enjoyment of motorcycling, while still managing to both look fantastic and sound great! Hopefully Kawasaki will be persuaded to bring this one over to the States for us folks with a more mature concept of what real 'cycling is all about. Almost every ‘cycle magazine you read these days has one or more editorials bemoaning the fact that most current bikes lack features such as comfortable handlebars, natural seating positions, center stands, and easily accessible mechanical components. For lots of folks useful features like these count for much more than tire-melting acceleration, anti-social “bad-boy” looks, and unrealistic top-end capabilities. The old “Brit-bikes” of the fifties and sixties, though deficient in many important respects, still displayed elements of real-world practicality and “user friendliness” that are hard to find in most current motorcycle offerings. The new Kawasaki W800, like the previous W650 and the new Triumph Bonneville, brings back many of those earlier practical features which enhance the enjoyment of motorcycling, while still managing to both look fantastic and sound great! Hopefully Kawasaki will be persuaded to bring this one over to the States for us folks with a more mature concept of what real ‘cycling is all about.

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]]> By: todd http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/10/more-from-intermot-2011-new-models-from-ducati-triumph-and-ktm-and-a-retro-kawasaki-we-won%e2%80%99t-see-in-the-states/comment-page-1/#comment-5258 todd Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:22:50 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=11533#comment-5258 too bad the TU250 is illegal in California. too bad the TU250 is illegal in California.

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]]> By: strogateta http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/10/more-from-intermot-2011-new-models-from-ducati-triumph-and-ktm-and-a-retro-kawasaki-we-won%e2%80%99t-see-in-the-states/comment-page-1/#comment-5220 strogateta Wed, 13 Oct 2010 07:02:58 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=11533#comment-5220 On the picture above of the white 2011 Triumph Speed Triple, everybody please use your right-hand thumb to cover the headlights and take a GOOD LONG LOOK at the bike without them. It is simply the wildest naked 1000 at the moment IMO, looking rougher and meaner even then the DUC Streetfighter (the headlights, though, are the ugliest thing ever happened in motorcycle styling. EVER. Period). And no, I am not a Triumph dealer. Just a motorcycle design "enthusiast". On the picture above of the white 2011 Triumph Speed Triple, everybody please use your right-hand thumb to cover the headlights and take a GOOD LONG LOOK at the bike without them. It is simply the wildest naked 1000 at the moment IMO, looking rougher and meaner even then the DUC Streetfighter (the headlights, though, are the ugliest thing ever happened in motorcycle styling. EVER. Period).

And no, I am not a Triumph dealer. Just a motorcycle design “enthusiast”.

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]]> By: joe http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/10/more-from-intermot-2011-new-models-from-ducati-triumph-and-ktm-and-a-retro-kawasaki-we-won%e2%80%99t-see-in-the-states/comment-page-1/#comment-5211 joe Tue, 12 Oct 2010 23:12:23 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=11533#comment-5211 and the fun TU250 Suzuki in my garage. and the fun TU250 Suzuki in my garage.

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]]> By: Ed http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/10/more-from-intermot-2011-new-models-from-ducati-triumph-and-ktm-and-a-retro-kawasaki-we-won%e2%80%99t-see-in-the-states/comment-page-1/#comment-5164 Ed Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:11:22 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=11533#comment-5164 I like round headlights and I'm really kinda bummed everybody seems to be going toward pointy plasticky robotech looking things.Triumph has finally succeeded in ruining the Speed Triple.And would it have killed Suzuki to put a simple round headlight on that 750? I like round headlights and I’m really kinda bummed everybody seems to be going toward pointy plasticky robotech looking things.Triumph has finally succeeded in ruining the Speed Triple.And would it have killed Suzuki to put a simple round headlight on that 750?

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]]> By: Tommy See http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/10/more-from-intermot-2011-new-models-from-ducati-triumph-and-ktm-and-a-retro-kawasaki-we-won%e2%80%99t-see-in-the-states/comment-page-1/#comment-5147 Tommy See Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:48:12 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=11533#comment-5147 I Love all the retro Bikes coming back. Please Norton a 2012 500 single Manx ! I Love all the retro Bikes coming back.

Please Norton a 2012 500 single Manx !

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]]> By: Mike http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/10/more-from-intermot-2011-new-models-from-ducati-triumph-and-ktm-and-a-retro-kawasaki-we-won%e2%80%99t-see-in-the-states/comment-page-1/#comment-5144 Mike Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:37:28 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=11533#comment-5144 Kawasaki. Please bring on the W800. Would look great sitting next to my BSA 500 Royal Star. Kawasaki. Please bring on the W800. Would look great sitting next to my BSA 500 Royal Star.

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]]> By: Mike http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/10/more-from-intermot-2011-new-models-from-ducati-triumph-and-ktm-and-a-retro-kawasaki-we-won%e2%80%99t-see-in-the-states/comment-page-1/#comment-5143 Mike Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:35:02 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=11533#comment-5143 Triumph is usually great with their designs but this new Speed Triple is NOT ! Triumph is usually great with their designs but this new Speed Triple is NOT !

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]]> By: Bob in Monterey http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/10/more-from-intermot-2011-new-models-from-ducati-triumph-and-ktm-and-a-retro-kawasaki-we-won%e2%80%99t-see-in-the-states/comment-page-1/#comment-5141 Bob in Monterey Sun, 10 Oct 2010 13:49:51 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=11533#comment-5141 I'm with Todd on several of his points. With no other information it's hard to know how KTM does their market analyses. In fact, it's hard to know whether they did any analysis. They certainly didn't ask us. There's another factor involved in selling in other markets. There are generally regulations limiting the size of bikes that new riders are permitted to ride, something we need here. This makes for a ready population that requires no market analysis whatsoever. Dirt bikes are marketed here. Dirt bikes sell well here. Street bikes are not marketed here. Street bikes don't sell well. If available, I'd buy the mini-Duke in a heartbeat. I already own a Duke III and it's real kick. The mini would be a great addition for my wife, who is very small. Ulthimately, I sure wish they'd give this little one a try. I’m with Todd on several of his points. With no other information it’s hard to know how KTM does their market analyses. In fact, it’s hard to know whether they did any analysis. They certainly didn’t ask us. There’s another factor involved in selling in other markets. There are generally regulations limiting the size of bikes that new riders are permitted to ride, something we need here. This makes for a ready population that requires no market analysis whatsoever.
Dirt bikes are marketed here. Dirt bikes sell well here. Street bikes are not marketed here. Street bikes don’t sell well. If available, I’d buy the mini-Duke in a heartbeat. I already own a Duke III and it’s real kick. The mini would be a great addition for my wife, who is very small. Ulthimately, I sure wish they’d give this little one a try.

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]]> By: Trpldog http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/10/more-from-intermot-2011-new-models-from-ducati-triumph-and-ktm-and-a-retro-kawasaki-we-won%e2%80%99t-see-in-the-states/comment-page-1/#comment-5137 Trpldog Sun, 10 Oct 2010 01:36:32 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=11533#comment-5137 I'm glad I have the "Bug-Eyed" Speedy. Did Triumph get a great deal on extra robot parts for the lights? YUCK. I'll shop somewhere else next time around for something I won't have to talk myself into liking. I’m glad I have the “Bug-Eyed” Speedy. Did Triumph get a great deal on extra robot parts for the lights?
YUCK. I’ll shop somewhere else next time around for something I won’t have to talk myself into liking.

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