Comments on: Honda Production Dakar Rally Racer Introduced (Bike Reports) (News)

By: mr dirtrider

mr dirtrider — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 14:10:14 +0000

Everyone seems to forget that Harley Davison needed a tariff on competition to survive. They may not be here if not for government proctection. Apple never needed such protection.

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By: Dunedevil

Dunedevil — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:07:44 +0000

But why didn’t they use the TRX700XX power plant?! It’s the air-apparent to the XR650R engine…

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By: Harry

Harry — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 08:45:35 +0000

The UK gets the CB1100 january 2013.

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By: John Tuttle

John Tuttle — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 20:53:45 +0000

Huh? Were you trying to prove Richard’s point?

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By: Chase

Chase — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:03:32 +0000

As cool as Rally bikes are, they have virtually no real world purpose. I cannot imagine riding a 450 single anything on roads for extended time and do not know very many people willing to trash a $20K+ motorcycle by riding anything resembling real offroad trails with one.
This will provide KTM with some much needed competition this year in Dakar which is a good thing, bravo to Honda. This is very unHonda of them BTW.

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By: John

John — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 10:58:19 +0000

I’m confused, which comments below did you find snobbish? They all seem pretty positive to me. And who said anything about Harley?!?

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By: MGNorge

MGNorge — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 10:34:03 +0000

Can you name any other popular consumer items that draw people in just because that’s what so many people want? One comes to mind right off the top of my head..Apple. I’m not particularly a fan myself but just look at the people who zero in on their products. It’s an enviable position for any manufacturer to be in and this customer behavior is stroked by both Harley and Apple, you better believe it.

No matter what you think of Harleys or the company itself they enjoy a loyal customer base that’s willing to plunk down big bucks every year on what amounts to in many cases cosmetic changes. People are willing to get in line to be like everyone else because they want to be part of something larger than themselves. Rationalize human behavior any way you like but these things are real and will continue to be so. Other motorcycle manufacturers don’t have it so easy, they must fight what seems to be an every growing fickle customer base.

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By: mickey

mickey — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 21:37:17 +0000

Hat would be a bike I would take a serious look at, but I doubt it would be a big seller for Honda

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By: George Catt

George Catt — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 23:51:26 +0000

ADVRider.com has a thread _begging_ one of the companies to build a bike like this for us. Many folks around the world have tried to do it themselves using various bits ‘n pieces, but only KTM and maybe Husaberg do it for real.

The current 450X is just too fragile for regular street riding. It can be detuned using motor parts from one of Honda’s 400 quads, but that doesn’t address the small oil capacity and/or cooling capacity, etc.

If this bike (minus the most expensive nav. gear) would actually reach production,I’d be in line. Is $20,000 too much to such? I don’t think so.

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By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 18:04:24 +0000

Never seen any group more deserving of the term “moto snobs” than the Harley folks. No other group is so narrowly minded regarding a brand than they.

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