Return of the UJM?

[Syke]

I suggest everyone take a look at the following from the Tokyo Auto Show:

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/22/tokyo-2009-honda-cb1100-brings-back-the-jdm/1#c22517711

Honda's brought back the CB1100 in true retro style - AND there's a cafe racer variant.

They're still mulling over bringing it into the States. Half our sales staff at the dealership is slobbing on these pictures. I'll keep the board posted if I find everything more.

 

[Drewski]

Pretty nice! ;D

If they bring 'em to N.A., I'll be surprised if they sell very well though. They'll probably cost too much!

 

[Syke]

Found this at work (slow day). The sales staff just finished slavering all over my computer screen when I showed them this one. Honda's got to bring it over, and there's enough evidence that it'll sell in reasonable but modest numbers. Just look at the Triumph Bonneville Thruxton, Ducati Paul Smart, etc. sales.

I just hope Honda North America is willing to be happy with modest but profitable sales.

The catch is going to be price. Most of the sales staff were hoping for $7500-8000.00. Acceptance is going to be VERY price critical, and unfortunately Honda has a past history of overpricing anything interesting or new (remember the GB500, 647 Hawk, Ascots?) which guaranteed poor sales when new and incredibly high collectible values twenty years later.

Let's hope. If this comes over, it'll put me on my first new Honda in a bit over 30 years.

 

[4eyes]

http://world.honda.com/news/2007/2070920Motorcycle-Exhibition-Tokyo-Motor-Show-2007/photo/pages/07.html
I just wish it was a 500-600cc what is it with the displacement wars?
The only mid-size bikes are dual-sports, and 600cc sportbikes.

 

[Kev Nemo]

I think if there's a resurgence of the UJM TT/cafe style bikes, it'll have to follow the marketing lines of the Japanese roadster (Miata, s2000, etc.). They're not big sellers, so the few the make will be in limited runs and become high-priced collector items. Besides, they're are so many unmolested UJM's from the 70's still out there, guys like us will just keep building our own.

 

[4eyes]

8) Of course we'll keep building our own, but it would be nice to have a new one that always runs. And we would have a good source to scavenge parts

 

[scattergun]

I don't think it will sell. There is nothing about it that really grabs you. The guys that buy these types of bikes now use them as projects, cafes, bobbers, choppers, whatever. Yes, I am shure there are some Japanese purists out there that restore them but I dont see too many adds about a "cb400 fully restored." Maybee thats due to where I live. Anyway, if it comes to the states I don't see every kid running out to the cycle shop to drop 7-10 thousand on a brand new UJM.