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I Must Be Getting Old

Discussion in 'Main Forum' started by T.C, Apr 26, 2018.

  1. T.C

    T.C Custom cruiser +

    Messages:
    233
    I was in Doble Honda in Coulsdon who we work closely with earlier today having a natter with Rob and Phil when Rob asked if I had seen the new Gold Wing yet?

    I said that I had read some of the press release/launch road tests but not seen one yet in the flesh.

    So, having just taken delivery Rob led me over to the first one they had just had delivered.

    I got on board, and I have to say, I was impressed. It felt comfortable, the riding position was spot on, it did not feel as physically bulky as the previous wing, certainly not as wide, what did feel strange though was not having a clutch lever, just a paddle in the switch cluster.

    Anyway, long story short, I got off it thinking I really would not mind one if I could afford the near £30K (They have sold a few already) and then it hit me, of course I wouldn't mind one, I am now considered Old. Not as old as some old folk, at the moment just the young end of old :(

    Anyway, their demonstrator arrives in a few weeks time and I have been promised the keys for the day :) I will let you know how it goes.

    Its not a Bird I know, but then I don't think my decrepid bones would allow me back on a Bird now...
     
    Pilbs likes this.
  2. Blade rr6

    Blade rr6 World Superbike +

    Messages:
    759
    I'd have one. Honda have left a massive gap in their range and need a Pan European replacement though.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2018
  3. T.C

    T.C Custom cruiser +

    Messages:
    233
    The new wing size wise not far off the Pan 1300. Speaking to Rob, it seems that Hondas idea is to have the wing as the filling the space between the Pan 1300, VFR 1200 and the original wing and then look at producing a natural relplacement for the Blackbird which is long overdue and which thr VFR 1200 never really achieved.
     
  4. Blade rr6

    Blade rr6 World Superbike +

    Messages:
    759

    I agree they need a hypersport Blackbird replacement to combat the ZZR1400. The thing with the Wing is it's 28grand and they will lose so many sales not having a Pan replacement to the GTR, FJR etc.
     
  5. T.C

    T.C Custom cruiser +

    Messages:
    233
    I agree but Honda don't seem to worry about that tye of thing. The VFR was supposed to be the replacement for the Bird but whils it is a fabulous bike it is not a Bird. I agree that it should have been developed like the ZZR but apparently the prototype of the replacement bird was not considered significantly better than the bike it was intended to replace

    In terms of the Wing, apparantly despite the price tag orders are rolling in. Doble already have orders for 6 of them apparently, so price does not seem to be putting people off
     
    Blade rr6 likes this.
  6. Blade rr6

    Blade rr6 World Superbike +

    Messages:
    759
    I think the thing with Honda is they make a bike that is always so damn good, so they stay in the range without change. When the blackbird came in 1996 it was up against the ZZR1100 and totally blew it out of water. Yes the Busa came out in 1999 but it took Kawasaki 10 years to out do it with the ZZR1400 in 2006. The ST1100 lasted without many changes for 12 years and the ST1300 for 10 years. When the Blade came out in 1992 nothing touched it until the R1 came out in 1998 the GSXR1000K1 in 2001 and Kawasaki with the ZX10 in 2004.

    The problem now is the 600 sporbikes are coming to an end. All the litre sports bikes, adventure and naked's are all much of a muchness with the Japanese manufcturers. I think KTM, Ducati, BMW and Aprilia are cashing in because people wan't something a little different.

    Anyway excuse the waffle. If any other manufaturer want's to have a go at going up against the Wing, they won't stand a chance with the motor and how technical that thing is.

    Just to chuck a few more examples in how many years ahead of everything was the RC30, NR750 and RC45 when they were made, years and years.
     
  7. Carl Berg

    Carl Berg Sport Tourer +

    Messages:
    259
    I'm just wondering....how old is old??
     

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