Honda answers the call for non literbike in america

[poseur]

All of these are nothing compared to this:

I love that bike, but it's not available in California.

[wantingaduc]

I'm sure any one of you that would buy it would have it for a few months only to realize that you can only hit 70mph on a downhill with the wind at your back.

There's the truth. Isn't this the same group of riders who are replying to the 100hp on the street thread that "that's not enough", because "more is always better" etc.
I can't count how many times I've heard the 620 Monster is a "chicks bike" reply since I got mine.

The IDEA of a 40hp 250 or single is nice. Sure they're light, flickable, nimble, etc. So is my 620 and so is my 250 Diana.
But I'd bet that not many people are willing to step up and buy one and the ones that do will eject it from the garage as soon as they get passed by a 848 or a Corvette on their favorite road.

The unfortunate truth is the market caters to the dollars spent and here in the US the dollars aren't spent on small displacement bikes.

jimi

[poseur]

The unfortunate truth is the market caters to the dollars spent and here in the US the dollars aren't spent on small displacement bikes.

That's because we don't have enough options to choose from for a small displacement bike. Once gasoline goes above $5 or $6 a gallon we'll start seeing more small bikes and way more scooters on the roads (and less SUVs!). Especially in urban centers where parking is expensive and traffic normally doesn't move very fast.

[ajw85]

is this a new engine design, old engine design, or did they source it from one of their dirtbikes?

would be neat for a single cylinder track bike if it is reliable

[ducatiz]

That's because we don't have enough options to choose from for a small displacement bike. Once gasoline goes above $5 or $6 a gallon we'll start seeing more small bikes and way more scooters on the roads (and less SUVs!). Especially in urban centers where parking is expensive and traffic normally doesn't move very fast.

people who think about buying 2 wheels due to gas prices go to scooters. 

i would >love< to ride my bike to work everyday, but guess what?  it doesn't work too well with a suit on.

With a scooter, I can ride wearing a suit.  People who are going to commute or ride 2 wheels due to gas prices want to go to work on their ride.   Which means not a motorcycle.

[derby]

is this a new engine design, old engine design, or did they source it from one of their dirtbikes?

would be neat for a single cylinder track bike if it is reliable

reading elsewhere, it appears to be a new design.

[JEFF_H]

KTM Duke 125 looks better to me

http://www.facebook.com/KTM125

(or the 690 with 65 hp and 327lbs dry)

[Raux]

I love the 250 option, and with some gearing changes and maybe some small mods, could be a GREAT commuter bike.

Mods I would do on this bike:
lighter less restrictive exhaust
less restrictive intake
fueling computer
light weight parts everywhere
gear ratio changes for more top end

I hope the price is good

[csorin]

Yup, the KTM is rad.  I would have DEFINITELY bought one of these for a first bike.  Heck, I'd get one for a cool commuter if I didn't plan on keeping my 620.
 



Here's the Honda us North Americans miss out on.  VTR-250.  It looks like a mini-monster:

KTM Duke 125 looks better to me

http://www.facebook.com/KTM125

(or the 690 with 65 hp and 327lbs dry)

[kopfjäger]

(or the 690 with 65 hp and 327lbs dry)

And even lighter as soon as I finish make the beast with two backsing with mine. 

[muskrat]

I'm waiting to hear back on the KTM 125.  Guy at the dealer says he wont know for another month but I told him I'm ready for a deposit.......crossing fingers.

[Drunken Monkey]

Too heavy, and too low on power.

For me the magic numbers that I'm looking for in a bike like this are 325 lbs (less than) and 40 HP (more than)

The 690 fits the bill, too bad it's a naked (I already gots two of those)

[matmcd78]

All of these are nothing compared to this:


http://suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/TU250/2011/TU250.aspx?category=standard

I think there are plenty of options, the problem being, nobody wants to pay what these are worth new. Does anyone actually buy anything under 600cc anymore?

Bought one of these for my wife while she was getting back into riding. She loves it. Enough to get her around town and to work and back.

[justinrhenry]

i never called honda asking for this little bike.   

[the_Journeyman]

What about this Honda 250:



JM