Quote Originally Posted by Tunafish View Post
Yes, they will be available through Honda China in 2015, but it seems in limited numbers. So still no really interesting made in China long term offering from Honda... Will the day ever come when we can find a reasonably priced, Japanese brand, made in China, 600cc or so, touring or travel motorcycle here in China? As far as I know so far only Benelli (now owned by a Chinese company) and KTM offer made in China motorcycles in that power range. I have no idea about the reliability of the Chinese Benelli, and a KTM Duke 390 is not particularly suitable for long distance travel.
I've spent years wondering why they can't just bolt together a CB500F or something in China. I've come to the conclusion that there are many reasons....If they were reasonably priced, say 45,000 RMB they'd sell like hot-cakes as Honda is a massive kudos brand with face conscious Chinese guys. But the negatives are...

  • Designs will be ripped off by the competition
  • Will upset the China 'mafia' and there is a danger if Honda are too successful it would prevent the China losers having market share and the plug may be pulled on entire market
  • They'd end up grey exported if they were significantly cheaper in China
  • Market size in China is small so better off in Thailand
  • Engineers and managers will be happier living in Thailand than China
  • China red tape etc

So they'd probably have to set a high price even if they were made here, most likely it would be 50-55,000 RMB anyhow.