tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post764742938101096238..comments2024-02-23T11:23:45.971-05:00Comments on Lost Motorcyclist: Cycle Canada Slams CruisersLost Motorcyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08873504561959138792noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-34634424160679365882013-02-23T07:15:19.274-05:002013-02-23T07:15:19.274-05:00Although fuel economy does not weigh as much on Ea...Although fuel economy does not weigh as much on Eastern Canadian riders' minds - because the climate limits use of a motorcycle as a commuter to about six months - the insurance costs certainly do.<br /><br />But <i>Black Inazuma</i>'s comment that buyers may be prejudiced by the Inazuma's 'humble 250 class' is spot on. My circle of relatives and close friends now include owners of the Ninja 250, the CBR250R, the Suzuki TU250 and the Hyosung GT250R. Although they may not quite be prepared to launch their bikes (as the Lost Motorcyclist did) on a cross-Canada tour, none of them complain about their bikes being boring!<br /><br />And, certainly, back in the 1970s (when the Japanese were eating the British motorcycle industry's lunch) the phrase was, '<i>Oh, no, it's made in Japan!</i>' ;-)Madeyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593933575568389288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-35103656192967346462013-02-22T22:34:35.735-05:002013-02-22T22:34:35.735-05:00I have not seen the GW250 in Canada yet, I hope it...I have not seen the GW250 in Canada yet, I hope its still coming, even though I don't need another bike right now. It would be nice to see more people out on the smaller engined bikes, like my 1969 Honda CD175. (Of course the GW250 would be much better for people who don't have an attachment to the old bikes.)Lost Motorcyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873504561959138792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-49662784838502242812013-02-22T16:36:07.836-05:002013-02-22T16:36:07.836-05:00Talking about the Suzuki Inazuma 250 (GW250), the ...Talking about the Suzuki Inazuma 250 (GW250), the first few began to be sold in the UK from November last year. With the steadily rising fuel prices over here, it's beginning to make sense to get a bike that can achieve 85 mpg without difficulty. The Inazuma handles very well and has had gained some good reviews in European bike magazines. Some bikers have commented that at 183kg (403 lbs) it's far too heavy for a 250 but then most of these riders haven't actually been on it (the weight actually disappears above about 15 mph). Then there's the usual 'Oh no, it's Made In China!' comments seen on several forums but without much evidence to back up criticisms. The Suzuki Inazuma 250 might sell very well in the US but prejudice over the fact that the Inazuma is in the rather humble 250 class may perhaps have to be overcome first. The bike certainly doesn't feel like a 250 when out riding; much more like a 500. Female riders as well as quite tall male riders (6'2"+) have commented that the bike fits and handles well, both in the city and out on country road switchbacks. Because it has a sit-up stance and lends itself to more relaxed cruising, the Inazuma might well go down better in the US than the more sportier lean-over offerings from Kawasaki (Ninja 250R/300R) and Honda (CBR250R). More info about the Inazuma is on my site for anybody interested - just google 'Black Inazuma Adventures'.Black Inazumahttp://blackinazuma.bravesites.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-8917743962457918742013-02-16T19:39:09.686-05:002013-02-16T19:39:09.686-05:00as long as there is a reasonable buck to be made, ...as long as there is a reasonable buck to be made, the makers will continue to make the bikes..simple capitalism<br /><br />can you imagine the profit margin for the Jpn makers of a 1400 Cruiser sold in North America vs a 125 standard sold in Indonesia?beansbikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07184690230800119302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-26641848806677735942013-02-15T07:02:54.204-05:002013-02-15T07:02:54.204-05:00Yes ... I'm hoping recent introductions such a...Yes ... I'm hoping recent introductions such as Honda's CBR250R and Suzuki's GW250 (which are primarily targeted at markets like India and Indonesia) are the start of a small-displacement 'sports' bike trend here in North America.<br /><br />Perhaps we'll even see Yamaha introduce its R15 into this market to compete with Honda's CBR125R (don't hold your breath on that one ... LOL!)<br /><br />Madeyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593933575568389288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-14387785179965740042013-02-14T18:35:02.122-05:002013-02-14T18:35:02.122-05:00Cruisers still dominate in North America, but Mich...Cruisers still dominate in North America, but Michael Uhlarik mentioned in his January column that Indonesia is the world's third largest motorcycle market, and riders there prefer sport bikes to cruisers. With the growth of foreign markets, the North American market has a shrinking share of the world's bikes, it's possible that future motorcycle designs will reflect a more worldly point of view. i.e. more sport bikes.Lost Motorcyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873504561959138792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-45222883906170801042013-02-14T13:44:10.962-05:002013-02-14T13:44:10.962-05:00Unless some imperceptible trend has started to tak...Unless some imperceptible trend has started to take place in the last year or so, sales of cruisers are not much threatened, and the Harley dealers need not sweat yet.<br /><br />I've been unable to locate a more up-to-date analysis of motorcycle purchasing trends than this 2009 study by the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. As of 2007, cruiser sales accounted for 33% of all (including dirt bike) sales, compared to 19% for 'sport' bikes.<br /><br />That study also found a significant increase in displacement over the 1998-2003 period - likely largely a consequence of all those large-displacement cruisers.<br /><br />http://1bts.rita.dot.gov/publications/special_reports_and_issue_briefs/special_report/2009_05_14/pdf/entire.pdf<br />Madeyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593933575568389288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-32188212942715724342013-02-13T21:43:02.292-05:002013-02-13T21:43:02.292-05:00I will confess, my favourite ride is "all the...I will confess, my favourite ride is "all the way to the bank"Lost Motorcyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873504561959138792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-47459877303058144592013-02-13T21:22:37.249-05:002013-02-13T21:22:37.249-05:00interesting read Robert...can't say I ever kne...interesting read Robert...can't say I ever knew that the COMPANIES felt that way--sure I knew the "purists" are like that...<br /><br />but lets face it, us cruiser riders know we are not riding them for top performance (although lets be honest--they still are motorcycles and can accelerate very fast, handle, brake and everything else a heck of lot better than their four wheel cousins)...we ride them partly for their comfort, partly for their style and yes to be honest partly for the "image"...<br /><br />quite frankly--why do the companies care---they should make the best bike, with the most appeal--so they can make the most money---I'm sure the makers of of UGG boots think they are stupid as well--but laugh all the way to the bank...beansbikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07184690230800119302noreply@blogger.com