Has Honda completely lost touch?

I rock 200cc. No way is that highway safe. But I know this and I'm cool with it.

Capable or not, at 125ccs, I'm pretty sure that's not even Iegal to take on most highways.

change the tire type and u got an enduro would be fun on trails and to get u too them

Madass competitor, I dig the style, but 4 gears and 12 inch wheels. Madass is cheaper new, has 16 inch wheels, I thought it was a 4 speed as well, but a quick search said 5, either way the MA looks better.

I see they finally made a "motorcycle" for the ruckus crowd....

Spinout007 wrote: Madass competitor, I dig the style, but 4 gears and 12 inch wheels. Madass is cheaper new, has 16 inch wheels, I thought it was a 4 speed as well, but a quick search said 5, either way the MA looks better.

(poor) Madass competitor 7 years too late, at too high a price. Way to go Honda.

nocones wrote: Well if you haven't seen a ruckus they must sell none of them... I'd guess given that they grew their North American sales by 25% and that they sell nearly 60X that many bikes worldwide I think they haven't lost touch.

Scooters are more popular here than in the US and I have never seen a single Ruckus on the road, or in a dealership. I guess they didn't import any to North America in 2010 because they're so popular. As cool as they might be, they're still not a good option compared to their competition.

I guess a 25% increase does look good, but given that sales were down 41% previous to that, maybe not so much. Honda is still #1, but it's only a matter of time before they're overtaken by their competitors. IMO, Honda drags the whole industry down, with their antics in motocross, and constant release of truly mediocre machines.

Damn, down here in FL, you can't swing a dead cat without knocking someone off a Ruckus----- they are everywhere.

In reply to Joe Gearin:

Imagine that, more people ride two wheelers in Florida than Canada...

I figure it cost them essentially nothing to Federalize the Grom, so even if they sell 10,000 of them nationwide, it's pure profit.

As for people who think the $3k price is high... have you priced motorcycles at all lately? A Honda Rebel 250, the original starter bike for many folks, is $4200. A "cheap Chinese" Sym Wolf 150 is $3k.

Sure, us old-timers remember when you could get a brand-new motorcycle for $300. Those days are gone.

This would be an interesting little city bike, but talk about being rider-height/weight limited... it would be perfect for someone who's about 5'5"-5'8" and under about 150lbs, or who's used to/ok with the performance (ha!) of a Ruckus. it does look like a fun concept though... Maybe manufacturers will start federalizing their smaller 4 stroke dirtbikes and putting itty bitty streetbike tires on them, making little baby supermotos?

I actually see for this. In medium to medium-large size cities where someone lives in one part, but still has a 7-15 mile commute to work, this makes perfect sense especially if you're taking it through thruway, tunnels, or intra-city highways. A scooter does not fit this niche because it's not fast enough. A car is generally a pain and small(er) displacement motorcycles are just no fun in city traffic. Plus, there seems to be some hint that this is geared toward younger riders. But, though we can intellectualize the US market for this, the bottom line is that there must exist a market for this somewhere in the world and I doubt very much that it costs Honda very much to make this street legal in the US. So they figure, why not pick up an extra couple bucks?

Zomby Woof wrote: Scooters are more popular here than in the US and I have never seen a single Ruckus on the road, or in a dealership.

I've seen two so far. Oddly enough, both were in Harley dealerships.

EvanR wrote: I figure it cost them essentially nothing to Federalize the Grom, so even if they sell 10,000 of them nationwide, it's pure profit. As for people who think the $3k price is high... have you priced motorcycles at all lately? A Honda Rebel 250, the original starter bike for many folks, is $4200. A "cheap Chinese" Sym Wolf 150 is $3k. Sure, us old-timers remember when you could get a brand-new motorcycle for $300. Those days are gone.

Quite a true point....

Brand new 125cc scooter of brand name is just under $2000.

Is the Grom a bit pricey still for what it is? Possibly. A lower price point would help move the product though. Then again its a Honda with all the Honda quality we come to know.

Its a curious bike, i am interested to see what happens next

Carkid Honda's closest thing to a 125cc scooter is 108cc's for 2999 which is esentially the same price as the Grom. Not sure on other majors but I doubt their price for 125cc scoots is $1000 less than honda.

nocones wrote: Carkid Honda's closest thing to a 125cc scooter is 108cc's for 2999 which is esentially the same price as the Grom. Not sure on other majors but I doubt their price for 125cc scoots is $1000 less than honda.

I'll agree, depending on your definition of "brand name".

If that means Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki...

The Yamaha Vino 125 is $2,900

Kawasaki doesn't sell scooters, and the smallest Suzuki scooter is a 400.

Honda's PCX150 is their cheapest scooter >50cc, and it's $3500.

Mostly, the Japanese have abandoned the scooter market to the Chinese. You CAN buy Chinese 125cc scooters for $2k. The Kymco Agility 125 sells for $1900.

i was thinking kymco agility 125.

There are other players out there besides Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha.....

Aprilla, Vespa, Kymco, Piaggio, Genuine....etc...

While I realize that Kymco is Taiwanese and not mainland Chinese, I'm still not buying one. No sir.

Probably the best 50 cc scooter ever made is a Kymco.

I'd buy one over a Japanese any day. Same or better quality for way less money.

I guess I'll eat my words, now that I've learned that the Grom is made in Taiwan. I'll just as soon get a Kymco or a SYM.

In reply to EvanR:

Everything is eventually going to be made in China or Taiwan if cheap ass American's keep buying their crap.

EvanR wrote: I guess I'll eat my words, now that I've learned that the Grom is made in Taiwan. I'll just as soon get a Kymco or a SYM.

Why does the fact that its made in Taiwan make you change your mind? Still a honda right?

Am i missing somthing here?

This bike really reminds me of the Buell Blast. Id think Id rather have the Honda.

Leo

CarKid1989 wrote:

EvanR wrote: I guess I'll eat my words, now that I've learned that the Grom is made in Taiwan. I'll just as soon get a Kymco or a SYM.

Why does the fact that its made in Taiwan make you change your mind? Still a honda right? Am i missing somthing here?

I don't know. Is a FIAT made in Mexico still a FIAT? Point is, if I want a Taiwanese-made bike, why not get one that costs $1000 less?

Not a bad price for an entry level motorcycle. I'm kind of partial to the styling on Suzuki's TU250X, but that's another $1200:

MadScientistMatt wrote: Not a bad price for an entry level motorcycle. I'm kind of partial to the styling on Suzuki's TU250X, but that's another $1200:

$3k is a ridiculous price for what it is. Look at how much more bike you get for only $1200 more, and I wouldn't exactly call it a good deal, either. You can buy a CBR250 for $4k, and it's at least 1990's technology (okay, 80's technology).