Us Launch at IMS

Nessuno · Oct 15, 2015

Just reading that the US launch of the AT is expected to be at IMS Long Beach. It was supposed to be at AIMExpo right now but honda pulled it at the last minute.

FullThrottle · Oct 16, 2015

When is IMS taking place?

Dex · Oct 18, 2015

Wonder why they pulled out? Anything to be concerned about, or does this kind of thing happen all the time?

Adventurer · Oct 19, 2015

Maybe it wasn't ready for the event, that they couldn't get what they had to get done in time

JustPlainBill0 · Oct 20, 2015

Nessuno said:
Just reading that the US launch of the AT is expected to be at IMS Long Beach. It was supposed to be at AIMExpo right now but honda pulled it at the last minute.

Where did you read that Nessuno? I've been planning on seeing the CRF-AT in Sacramento Nov 6-8 ( http://www.motorcycleshows.com/ ). This is disappointing.

All these delays and backtracking makes me wonder if Honda hasn't crossed over the line between being seen as thorough and competent, into the inept and hapless category.

Nessuno · Oct 20, 2015

JustPlainBill0 said:
Where did you read that Nessuno? I've been planning on seeing the CRF-AT in Sacramento Nov 6-8 ( http://www.motorcycleshows.com/ ). This is disappointing.

All these delays and backtracking makes me wonder if Honda hasn't crossed over the line between being seen as thorough and competent, into the inept and hapless category.

I read it on ADV, one of the guys there was there on industry day (friday) and he badgered that out of one of the Honda reps...

can't vouch for the validity, but it definitely didn't show up in Orlando

Nessuno · Oct 20, 2015

FullThrottle said:
When is IMS taking place?

November 20-22

http://www.motorcycleshows.com/

Dex · Oct 20, 2015

It's a touring show though. So are you saying that the Africa Twin will join the show in Long Beach on the November 20-22?

Why not Portland at the end of October 31st? Or any other show?

Adventurer · Oct 21, 2015

Long Beach seems like the ideal market to launch it due to what they identified the demographic make up to be, which is probably highest in that region, among other things.

alba · Oct 24, 2015

I would debate that point. Adventure bikes are a hot item all over but the north west must be right up there in terms of the US market. This is the home of Touratech (USA), AltRider, Happy Trails, Giant Loop, Moto Mosko, Konflict Suspension, and I'm sure others that I'm forgetting.

MotoMike · Oct 25, 2015

Adventurer said:
Long Beach seems like the ideal market to launch it due to what they identified the demographic make up to be, which is probably highest in that region, among other things.

Huh?

Nessuno · Oct 26, 2015

MotoMike said:
Huh?

hes saying socal is an ideal market...so it sounds like

Adventurer · Oct 26, 2015

Nessuno said:
hes saying socal is an ideal market...so it sounds like

Yeah, or one of the markets with a higher take rate than others.

Paige · Oct 27, 2015

Adventurer said:
Yeah, or one of the markets with a higher take rate than others.

based on the original AT, the market with the most potential has to be Europe... Honda shows their thinking with bikes like the Transalp that were never offered on both sides...

MotoMike · Oct 27, 2015

Paige said:
based on the original AT, the market with the most potential has to be Europe... Honda shows their thinking with bikes like the Transalp that were never offered on both sides...

I think you're probably right, European motorcyclists have been savvy to the whole concept of large displacement ADV bikes a lot longer than most North American riders, save for those died in the wool BMW R/S riders.

Paige, did you guys in the UK get the Honda XR650L on that side of the pond?

Here in the U.S. there has been a core group of Dual Sport/Off Road enthusiasts for many years, primarily riding bikes (many of them on KTM's) in the range of 250cc to 650cc. And while I think the new Africa Twin will do well in the U.S. in terms of sales and popularity, at the end of the day it's somewhat of a specialized bike, much the way KTM's are... they are not intended to be an "everyman" bike. The fact that you won't see Africa Twin's all over the place makes it that much more attractive to me.

Paige · Oct 29, 2015

MotoMike said:
I think you're probably right, European motorcyclists have been savvy to the whole concept of large displacement ADV bikes a lot longer than most North American riders, save for those died in the wool BMW R/S riders.

Paige, did you guys in the UK get the Honda XR650L on that side of the pond?

Here in the U.S. there has been a core group of Dual Sport/Off Road enthusiasts for many years, primarily riding bikes (many of them on KTM's) in the range of 250cc to 650cc. And while I think the new Africa Twin will do well in the U.S. in terms of sales and popularity, at the end of the day it's somewhat of a specialized bike, much the way KTM's are... they are not intended to be an "everyman" bike. The fact that you won't see Africa Twin's all over the place makes it that much more attractive to me.

Not officially, they turn up as grey market imports now and then but they are a rare bird indeed.

Truthfully I would of liked to see the AT at 750cc, but the 1000 is better marketing vs BMW/KTM (in their eyes I assume)

Adventurer · Oct 30, 2015

They probably also see that the market will respond better to a 1000.

Us Launch at IMS

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