Japanese bikes being discontinued

[davidc83]

Interesting article. Looks like Honda is going to discontinue the Goldwing in the near future. Doubt if they would continue the current model for the US market only.

Japanese Bike Manufacturers Are Cutting Models To Comply With Emissions Regulations | Carscoops

Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki are dropping roughly 20 models this year

www.carscoops.com

 

[670cc]

See this recent thread referencing the same article: https://nc700-forum.com/threads/hon...kawasaki-to-cut-37-motorcycles-by-2023.21402/

I read the article, perhaps not thoroughly enough, and I also considered it’s source. I didn’t see mention of
the specific world market segments in which identified models would be dropped. US readers might assume the article references the US market, but that may not be the case. One of the Honda scooter models mentioned isn’t even offered in the USA.

As for the Goldwing, my opinion is that Honda was short sighted in developing the current model. I had hoped to see the latest GL1800 downsized in displacement, yet Honda made it even bigger (1cc). Even though I own own an ‘02 GL and like it, the first generation GL1800 is a bloat cycle, and the second generation GL1800 is still a bloat cycle. The latest Goldwing is old school, and is too much, too late. It would be a shame to retire such a new model, but perhaps it’s already behind the times.

 

[bigbird]

That press release makes no sense.
It says that the new Japanese emissions mirror the Euro 5 emissions.
The Goldwing already meets Euro 5.
No reason to scrap it if it already meets Euro 5.

 

[potter0o]

I'm interpreting it as some models from the series. My opinion is that they would not have notated models from the series if the bike was gone. It looks like there are five models of Gold Wing in Canada.

Also on Honda's chopping block are models from the full-sized Gold Wing series... https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/E...-20-motorcycles-off-into-the-sunset-this-year

 

[bigbird]

I could see Honda dropping all manual trans models of the Goldwing.
That's what Chevy did with the C8 Corvette and you don't hear too many crying about that decision.

 

[dduelin]

The hubbub refers to the Japanese domestic market not the entire world. Reluctance to invest in updating or redesigning existing production models in order to meet Euro 5 retired numerous motorcycles from the EU in 2021 and now that Japan is instituting an emissions standard modeled after Euro 5, it's affecting JDM bikes.

 

[Possummanj]

Aren't all Goldwings built in Ohio anyway---many years ago I visited the Anna Ohio Honda engine plant---pretty cool they would test run engines and ship them to the Marysville assembly plant--they were still warm when they got there we were told

 

[dduelin]

Honda moved US market Goldwing and VTX production back to Japan in 2010. At the time the reason was given as need to better utilize North American production capabilities. IIRC that Marysville plant shifted to automobile engines and transmissions.

 

[Possummanj]

It was better than 20 years ago when we went there--it is near my wife's hometown of Coldwater Ohio---also not too far from the Airstream factory---there is a lot of fabrication and machine shops in area--real Middle American jobs

 

[brb]

They should retire the Goldwing with its 1800cc flat 6. As much as it is loved by many nothing says overkill like the currant model even with the weight reduction. The Neowing 3 wheeler show bike HONDA showed a few years ago would make the most sense. That was a flat 4 and a believe a hybrid. The last Goldwing 4 was the GL1200 that was just about perfect. And in its standard form, no faring or bags it could hold its ground with many a superior bike. Just my 2cts .

 

[ElReal]

My first street bike was an 84 Wing. Nice quiet linear ride. Didn't corner worth a hoot. Then I became enlightened and went to full dress Harley. Then after tiring of big overweight bikes I ended up with my 2015 NC 700X. Final enlightenment, now I enjoy scooting again. Let the good times roll!

 

[Hondo53]

Unless you are going to ride double and pull a trailer, anything over 1000 is overkill. IMHO

 

[Rabbit]

Unless you are going to ride double and pull a trailer, anything over 1000 is overkill. IMHO

Overkill is underrated.

 

[watertowerman]

I owned every Gold wing touring model 1000CC - 1800cc. Loved my 1983 1100A best. The later wings kept getting bigger but wife liked them. I also bought and really liked my 2002 Honda ST1100 for riding alone.. I sold that and now enjoy my 1st gen NCX set up for single touring. Wife started touring with me on my Full Vetter CB750.

 

[showkey]

Any changes or discontinuations present and future will based on sales. Lack of sales means the model will be dropped. Some times prematurely as history shows some models take ( took) years to catch on or develop a true following. Many companies today don’t have the time, patience or money to wait out poor sales in hopes things will change.

When Goldwing sales drop to certain level manufacturing was pulled from OHIO. Plain and simple it has to make economic sense.

 

[dduelin]

Any changes or discontinuations present and future will based on sales. Lack of sales means the model will be dropped. Some times prematurely as history shows some models take ( took) years to catch on or develop a true following. Many companies today don’t have the time, patience or money to wait out poor sales in hopes things will change.

When Goldwing sales drop to certain level manufacturing was pulled from OHIO. Plain and simple it has to make economic sense.

At the time Honda reported other factors besides sales cinched the 2009 decision to move Goldwing and VTX production back to Japan. Sales of Honda motorcycles overall were down something like 40% due to lack of demand and tight credit during the 2008-2010 recession and Honda needed the production capability for north American market automobiles which had no such decline in sales. At the same time the dollar was bottoming out against the yen after steadily falling for 15 years.

 

[Oldbear]

I owned every Gold wing touring model 1000CC - 1800cc. Loved my 1983 1100A best. The later wings kept getting bigger but wife liked them. I also bought and really liked my 2002 Honda ST1100 for riding alone.. I sold that and now enjoy my 1st gen NCX set up for single touring. Wife started touring with me on my Full Vetter CB750.

Remember when a CB750 and a Vetter was “The” touring bike? 68 ponies pushing a big bulky glass fairing and the best tourer out there. Today lots of folks seem to think 100 horses is the minimum to even have a real motorcycle and that you can’t tour on anything less

 

[Deleted member 1183]

The CB750 was the start indeed of the gradual increase in mass produced engine size and power. Like most folks I got sucked in with bigger and bigger multi cylinder engines up to the Z1300. While I eventually owned a GL1800 for the sole purpose of getting the Wife back on a motorcycle after a long lapse due to back issues, that 1300 was the pinnacle of my solo bike power/weight feast. Gradually after that, a degree of common sense started to kick in although big engines still occasionally featured such as the 1200 Explorer.

Nowadays the limitations of age and strength dictate smaller lighter bikes with more modest power. I still have my Strom and will keep it for two up duties for as long as I can manage it. These limitations certainly haven't diminished my enjoyment of motorcycles. Quite the opposite. In fact I wish I had cottoned on to the advantages of lighter more agile bikes years ago. Just yesterday I had a hoot briskly hustling my 33 year old Dominator (NX) around local backroads for about 150miles. What a fun bike with a modest 45bhp and plenty of torque.

Indeed I encountered a bit of history in the course of my outing at a favourite bikers watering hole.......

 

[Gixus]

Great user friendly bikes for everyday use that still look great. I just wish they‘d import the Honda Cb1300 into Canada. I’ve lusted after that bike for many years.

 

[ST13Fred]

The orange 1969 CB750 in Griffs' picture was my first sighting of the inline 4 when stationed at Hunter AAB, Savannah, GA, 1970. Talk about envy!
I've lusted ALL Honda products from then on. Have many small engined products powered by Honda; tillers, lawn movers, power washers, sickle mowers, trimmers, etc.
The single overhead cam 750 went to duel cams in 1979.