I've been looking around and it seems almost certain that an RC61 RVT1200 is coming. Rumours are rampant that it is in full-on test mode.

I've also heard rumours of a V4 VFR1000 Superbike. I have heard from a reliable source that it is also in testing, but haven't been able to substantiate it. I have seen a couple of 3D models of it that seem to have originated in the Honda studio. I was just looking but could not find it again.

It probably depends which one has the fastest lap times and how the superbike rules go, which one becomes the RC61.

Dan Kyle already owns the RC61.ORG URL.

 

"or are they just going to make 7000 versions of the Shadow?"

sadly, it worked for Harley....

If you want to have a good chuckle, go through the Harley (they have it mastered but other customs are mimicking the technique) Web site (or any print ad for that matter) and notice how they describe (or rather don't describe) the vehicle. Having gone through the exercise recently, I noticed how the bike is virtually only described in so far as how it will help to project an image of the owner (be envied, ......). Quite a contrast to a sportbike ad which stresses the technology and properties of the bike itself. Customs are made to be seen on, not ridden. Standards and sportbikes are made to be ridden.

Didn`t mean to hijack your thread btw...

 

though, to play devils advocate, you could make the same argument about sportsbikes primarily driven on the street whose potential most can't even scratch the surface of, or why the superhawk never sold as well as a ducati, or CBRRGSXRNinja etc. I think the same basic factors (ego, pose-factor, gottahaveit etc.) drive the purchases of cruisers and sportsbike in the majority of cases.

 

I think the new literbike looks great, particularly the way Honda solved the closed-loop-emissions exhaust packaging problem.

 

"though, to play devils advocate, you could make the same argument about sportsbikes primarily driven on the street whose potential most can't even scratch the surface of, or why the superhawk never sold as well as a ducati, or CBRRGSXRNinja etc. I think the same basic factors (ego, pose-factor, gottahaveit etc.) drive the purchases of cruisers and sportsbike in the majority of cases."

true. Actually, I got a chance to ride a 1098S for a couple hundred km (about 120 or so miles; I hate my job, he he) on the street and although a very impressive bike, the ergos make it a torture rack and the bike's abilities are overkill for the street. Suffice to say it was a real eye opener for me. In the end, if practicality were the sole criteria for buying/owning bikes, we,d all be riding Bandit 1250's and Sprint ST's,.... In the end, sportbikes at least have capabilities that are meant to be exploited (albeit on a racetrack to be honest) whereas many cruisers are meant to look good. Need proof? Test ride a Victory Ness Jackpot (or any chopper for thta matter) and report back to me. It looks great until you try to ride it at which point it quickly loses its appeal.

 

I did do the Victory test ride and was actually impressed. Not that the bike is going to outhandle a crotch rocket, but it did have a very nice feel. I currently have one of the 7000 models of the shadow, and enjoy getting the sled out and cruising. Every once in a while you get one of those "old fogie" feelings and just want a relaxing ride in the country. It definately is a different style of riding than my shawk, but I'm probably not going to ever do a 750 mile ride on the hawk.

 

Umm. Didn't you just contradicted yourself?! LOL

 

I understand. I had a road king for a few years. for a bike to ride around town, solo or two up, or take week trips two up, enjoy the scenery, be comfortable, relaxed pace and generally not feel rushed, it was a great bike for that. In about 3 minutes I could take the bags and windshield off go from tourer to having an old-fashioned looking hog. I sold it because I got more into track days and shorter rides and stopped riding two-up. but for that purpose it was one of the nicest bikes going.

back to the original question of course, I saw the honda in person at the cycleworld show and really liked its looks actually. It is so tiny, it must be a rush to ride.

 

"Umm. Didn't you just contradicted yourself?! LOL "

yeah, kinda

My underlying thought was essentially that non-cruisers are designed with the main goal being something other than form while the opposite is true for cruisers. Market research conducted by a certain Japanese company clearly indicates that looks are by far the most important factor in determining a cruiser purchase. While I am sure we all want our bikes to look decent, I doubt it is the single most important thing to consider when making a purchase decision (it isn`t for me anyhow).

Having had a chance to spend considerable saddle time aboard the Bandit 1250, BMW R1200R and Kawasaki Versys I can honestly say that so-called "standards" really are the best all-around bikes. To be consistent (and contradict myself again, lol), I acknowledge too that bikes buying is more than just a exercise in logic, it is very much one based on emotions.

In so far as the Victory line is concerned, the Kingpin, Vision and Hammer were really nice. The Ness models, though, are definitely made to be looked at (steering that thing around a low speed corner is anything but fun).

Finally, my co-worker just got back from the CBR launch in Qatar and he gives the bike two thumbs up.

cheers

 

a co-worker? from the launch in qatar? nice job!

 

We (wife and I) work for Honda (actually HRCA) at major events and rallies. We'll be working at the Honda area at Daytona this year. If we hear any good rumors, we'll pass them along. However, Honda is notoriously stingy in guarding their future plans and releases. Very reliable insider information says once upon a time (in the not to distant past) a senior Honda staffer was fired for accidently letting out a next year's color choice on a particular model...we've been to the Honda HQ in Torrance and hung out in the AMA race garage (got to watch Duhamel's bike being dyno'd, etc...pretty cool), HRCA areas, etc, and have seen their security...I believe the story.