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So, building up on that story of sales success the Chinese are having a go...mind you the Honda was a bit expensive. Not only you looked like a dickhead on a bike with the grace of a 2-ton Walrus, you paid lots of cash to do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by firefightermatt
Honda seems to not think things through to well before they design and build something...the Big Ruckus is one example of that and now they came out with the Honda DN-01 which is just a $16,000 scooter that the dealers have said they probably will be lucky to sell 1 a year.
http://powersports.honda.com/street/crossover.aspx
It may be ugly and hard to fit into any on clear category, but at least it is unique and shows a company is taking risks when others are pulling out of extra programs like racing.
Although I'm not a huge fan of the DN-1, it's clear that it does not use standard scooter technology in the engine or drive train. It's largely a concept bike that the company is taking a risk on and the high retail cost is largely inherited from the new design and low manufacturing quantity.
Who knows, maybe one day there will be tens of thousands of automatic motorcycles on the roads. All they'd need is an extra wheel and some legislative support to take off. :icon10:
CC
I hear ya!!! I like the DN-01 myself, its cool how the transmission has different driving modes and even a push button manual shift mode.
The sales of larger scooters have been high around here the past few years, the dealers cant even keep them on the showroom floors for more than a day so I guess they are trying to sell to the people that like the automatic scooter idea but dont want to be seen on a scooter.
I think its the price that is going to keep the sales down...for $16,000 I could buy the Ducati Hypermotard 1100 S I want. :thumbsup:
No questions about that, even though it is an interesting idea, 16k is too rich for most rider's pocketbooks. Maybe Jay Leno will pick one up to add to his eclectic collection... otherwise, I could imagine about 50 other bikes I'd rather spend 16 grand on. :deal:
Also, I think these companies may be gearing up and testing out technology for personal based transportation systems along the lines of the Can-am Spyder. I'm guessing they're waiting for a tide to turn and if/when it does, the first people in the door will have access to a huge market which I think are being fortuned by the increase in scooter sales.
I know riding is deeply personal and spiritual for folks like us, but a vast majority of the buyers in "modernized" nations will be thinking "Safe, Cheap and Reliable"... and almost forgot "Convenient".
CC
Hey guys - this Chinese Honda Big Ruckus Copy has 1 major problem - all 1st gerneration copies have problem with the e starter ( if you wanne drive it everybody knows that you needto replace it fast) The second generation of copies became better but still sometimes the samme sick.
Besides that you can get the copy in much better looks from several producers all over china
It becomes slowly popular but its still far away from a standart R5 here.
The price is around 4500 till 6500 rmb / yuan depending on quality and cc
You can get it as 125/150 and 250 cc version.:scooter:
The DN 01 -Dealers need to start selling here in China( we already have 2 here in Chengdu ) and that as Grey Import from Hong Kong into the mainland.