Grom?

Thoughts?

http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/05/14/2014-honda-grom-125-first-look-review-photos-video-specs/

I think that it looks like a commuter scooter for people who don't want to look like a tool on a scooter.

Looks like fun, I don't understand making a bike that small and low powered and not getting the seat height any lower though, 29.7" really?

225# wet is lighter than most 125 scooters, right?

It says it's a 4-speed, I guess that means manual? I hate to say it but very few millenials can drive a stick and the manual shift nature of budget bikes is going to keep a lot of them away from all these new models Honda is releasing.

Honda needs to figure out how to build a reliable auto for all these new beginner rides ASAP.

This is for a very specific type of rider. Personally, I love doing stop-motion tricks in front of mannequins, so I think it is perfect!

ShadowSix wrote: People need to figure out how to operate a clutch and shifter.

FTFY. Seriously, it's not that hard.

Oh, and I think the other market that Honda is targeting with these bikes are boomers, older returning riders. A lot of older riders are going to have slight physical problems that make it hard to ride a manual (arthritis in ankles and hands, stuff like that.) An auto shift lets you get rid of two controls (shift lever and clutch) and really work around some minor physical problems.

I can see turning this into an around-town naked sportbike-lookalike troll vehicle when they get stoopid cheap in about 5 years. 4 speed, disc brakes, electric start, 225 lbs wet weight. Noice.

I'm all of 6'4" and 200lbs, and I'd rock it. Hard.

Actually, I could see picking one up for the wife too, as she's a wee lassy and needs something short and light.

Love it

ShadowSix wrote: Oh, and I think the other market that Honda is targeting with these bikes are boomers, older returning riders. A lot of older riders are going to have slight physical problems that make it hard to ride a manual (arthritis in ankles and hands, stuff like that.) An auto shift lets you get rid of two controls (shift lever and clutch) and really work around some minor physical problems.

You just described me. I wouldn't be caught dead on a bike with an automatic trans. And the light weight of this bike would be a big plus for people like me. If your arthitis is that bad, then you shouldn't be riding, because the brakes and throttle aren't any easier than the shifting.

bravenrace wrote:

ShadowSix wrote: People need to figure out how to operate a clutch and shifter.

FTFY. Seriously, it's not that hard.

Hey, I get it. Out of 15 or 20 cars I've owned ONE automatic. BUT, I spend a lot of time around people in their 20's and they just aren't interested. I don't want that to be a barrier to growing motorcycling.

ShadowSix wrote:

bravenrace wrote:

ShadowSix wrote: People need to figure out how to operate a clutch and shifter.

FTFY. Seriously, it's not that hard.

Hey, I get it. Out of 15 or 20 cars I've owned ONE automatic. BUT, I spend a lot of time around people in their 20's and they just aren't interested. I don't want that to be a barrier to growing motorcycling.

I guess I do. If they can't even figure out how to shift, then I don't really want them riding around me either.

JohnInKansas wrote: I'm all of 6'4" and 200lbs, and I'd rock it. Hard.

Nothing looks cooler than a lanky guy on a tiny bike.
(about your size, iffy about fitting on most smaller bikes)

Not sure what else it is for though. Butch looking scooter replacement for people embarrassed to ride one as singleslammer said is my best guess too.

bravenrace wrote:

ShadowSix wrote: Oh, and I think the other market that Honda is targeting with these bikes are boomers, older returning riders. A lot of older riders are going to have slight physical problems that make it hard to ride a manual (arthritis in ankles and hands, stuff like that.) An auto shift lets you get rid of two controls (shift lever and clutch) and really work around some minor physical problems.

You just described me. I wouldn't be caught dead on a bike with an automatic trans. And the light weight of this bike would be a big plus for people like me. If your arthitis is that bad, then you shouldn't be riding, because the brakes and throttle aren't any easier than the shifting.

My clutch hand is sore after a couple hours riding my bike in town. Two hours on a friend's 125 scooter (CVT, both brakes are controlled through levers on the handlebars like a bicycle) and both hands are fine.

I'm sure there are people out there who would find shifting or clutching uncomfortable but could still muster the effort to stop a modern bike with hydraulic disc brakes on both ends. Or people who have problems with one or both feet that would make shifting or using the back brake difficult, but who are otherwise competent to ride.

I want the new CB1100.

Woah.

$3k new. Woah.

Looks really cool. I'll have one in 10 or 15 years, I'd be willing to bet ;)

Bobzilla wrote: I want the new CB1100.

I saw one at a local dealer. They look REALLY good in person. It doesn't really look like a '70's bike as much as it looks like a nicely done resto-mod of a '70's bike. At $10k I'm going to have to wait for depreciation to do it's magic.

I think I want one. that's more Madass than the Madass

ShadowSix wrote:

bravenrace wrote:

ShadowSix wrote: Oh, and I think the other market that Honda is targeting with these bikes are boomers, older returning riders. A lot of older riders are going to have slight physical problems that make it hard to ride a manual (arthritis in ankles and hands, stuff like that.) An auto shift lets you get rid of two controls (shift lever and clutch) and really work around some minor physical problems.

You just described me. I wouldn't be caught dead on a bike with an automatic trans. And the light weight of this bike would be a big plus for people like me. If your arthitis is that bad, then you shouldn't be riding, because the brakes and throttle aren't any easier than the shifting.

My clutch hand is sore after a couple hours riding my bike in town. Two hours on a friend's 125 scooter (CVT, both brakes are controlled through levers on the handlebars like a bicycle) and both hands are fine. I'm sure there are people out there who would find shifting or clutching uncomfortable but could still muster the effort to stop a modern bike with hydraulic disc brakes on both ends. Or people who have problems with one or both feet that would make shifting or using the back brake difficult, but who are otherwise competent to ride.

Hey, I know, let's argue about it!!! Here's how - I'll give you some personal examples that don't necessarily represent the majority of people that would buy this bike, and then you can give me opposite examples that don't necessarily represent the majority of the people that would buy this bike, then we can argue about who is right, which or course is me!
Seriously, I don't really care, but if bike mfr's were concerned about people that can't shift restricting their market, they'd make more bikes with automatics. I have to figure they know the demographic better than me, and likely better than you as well. You don't have to agree, but debating it isn't going to solve anything.

ShadowSix wrote:

Bobzilla wrote: I want the new CB1100.

I saw one at a local dealer. They look REALLY good in person. It doesn't really look like a '70's bike as much as it looks like a nicely done resto-mod of a '70's bike. At $10k I'm going to have to wait for depreciation to do it's magic.

Yeah, I'm waiting as well.... unless I can con....er... "talk" the wife into a new car payment.

In reply to bravenrace:

True, I just worry that motorcycling will become a very niche activity sometime soon.

In reply to ShadowSix:

Why do you worry about that? Really, I'm asking. Is motorcycling in some kind of big decline?

It looks like one of those dogs which is more or less a German Shepherd on Basset Hound legs...

bravenrace wrote: In reply to ShadowSix: Why do you worry about that? Really, I'm asking. Is motorcycling in some kind of big decline?

I am totally not waving to either of you guys.

ShadowSix wrote: In reply to bravenrace: True, I just worry that motorcycling will become a very niche activity sometime soon.

It already is. I'm the only guy I know that rides all year around here and one of the few that actually commutes at all. Most riders here are weekend warriors and/or bar hoppers.