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10-25-2012, 08:52 AM
| #1 |
    | New small bikes for 2013! Smaller displacement bikes have been rare in the US for some reason, except for the Ninja 250. But with it's success and that of the new CBR250R, it seems more small and exciting bikes are due in America. You've probably already heard about the Ninja 300, based on a big bored, EFI version of the 250, but KTM and Honda have anounced new bikes too. The Honda CBR500 small twin has been seen in spy shots, but it has just been seen in production form. It will also be released in ADVish and partially naked form, at least in other countries. It isn't clear whether we will get them. http://hellforleathermagazine.com/20...cbr500-family/  And KTM has anounced it will be bringing a small version of the Duke to the US next year. With a potent 375cc single cylinder engine and impressively light weight, it looks to be a very fun machine! http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news...-ktm-390-duke/  |
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10-25-2012, 08:59 AM
| #2 |
| Moto2 Contender  Joined: Oct 2007 From: from Wa, living on Grenada (island) I Ride: 2007 BMW F800S, 1999 ATK 605 ESDS/SM | there's no official word that the new CBR500 CB500 and CB500X will come to the USA at all. I doubt it. CBR500 CB500X  CB500  |
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10-25-2012, 09:04 AM
| #4 |
 Joined: Jun 2007 From: Portland, Oregon I Ride: naked | That KTM looks awesome! It would be amazing if they brought it to the States. For a moment I read that as New Small Block for 2013...and thought, why yes, yes there is.   |
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10-25-2012, 09:40 AM
| #5 | |
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10-25-2012, 09:45 AM
| #6 | |
| Chicken Strips  Joined: Sep 2007 From: Oak Grove, Oregon I Ride: Wheelies ;-) |
It's simple. We as Americans are led to believe bigger is better! 250cc bikes are largely viewed as "starter" and "Girls bikes". The other factor is small displacement streetbikes don't sell well here(the Ninja 250 being the exception) because we don't have a tiered licensing system like they do in Europe which eliminates the need for smaller bikes. | |
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10-25-2012, 10:13 AM
| #7 |
| Retired  Joined: Jul 2007 From: Washington DC I Ride: Speed Triple | Small displacement motorcycles? Where are these? XR450L/R, WR450X/R, KLX450SF Who's the idiot that thought, "I'd like ergonomics and comfort of a sport bike, but with the power of a scooter and suspension of a cruiser."?  |
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10-25-2012, 12:35 PM
| #8 | |
| Moto2 Contender Joined: Oct 2007 From: from Wa, living on Grenada (island) I Ride: 2007 BMW F800S, 1999 ATK 605 ESDS/SM |
People go: 500? what a joke, i'll just get the 600. Or People go: 250?! what a joke when the 500 is sweet. so either the 500 doesn't sell at all worth a damn, or it does and all of the sudden the 250 doesn't sell worth a damn. | |
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10-25-2012, 12:56 PM
| #9 | |
| Training Wheels Joined: May 2011 From: Langley/Princeton BC CA |
From my understanding the WR450 has been street legal in a number of countries for a few years now. The only reason I can think of not making them street legal in N America is the added cost of having them certified by the gov'ts. Stick on an adjustable seat and throw in some lowering links with the purchase of one of the above bikes and you have imo, the best kind of learner bike available. It hits the ground and so what? You just pick it up and ride it away. I still don't understand why more newbies go out and buy a new bike instead of getting a small used dual sport. Oh yeah, it's cause there aren't any around! | |
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10-25-2012, 01:15 PM
| #11 |
| Permit  Joined: Aug 2011 From: Oregon I Ride: You Push | A twin 500 would sell very well here in the US is my gut feeling. I'd sure be interested in checking one out...that is if it's possible to peel off 100 #'s of it's weight. Last edited by Rock Steady; 10-25-2012 at 01:18 PM.. |
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10-25-2012, 01:41 PM
| #12 |
| Railer  | Kawi had the EX500 in there line up for a long time....so a 500 IMO would most likely sell ok here...and with fuel prices on the rise I am sure the smaller bikes will start selling a lot better....I still would like to see the ZX400R sold here myself.....but I am pretty sure thats a japan market only bike..... as for the old baby ninja(250) they are so easy to work on, it does not take much to make them ride and handle....I love my little 250 now that I have done a bit of mods to it....but for power they do lack....thats why I still have my 14!.... |
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10-25-2012, 02:12 PM
| #13 | |
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 First, Kawasaki already sold the Ninja 250 and EX500 for years and they both sold well! Second, there is a huge jump between the 250 and 500, double displacement and # of cylinders, and the 500 and 600, 100cc, double the # of cylinders, and the 500 is less sport oriented. And that's saying nothing about price, which will probably be quite different between the 500 and 600 CBRs. | |
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10-25-2012, 08:28 PM
| #16 |
| Superbiker   | Wow. That KTM would be the new RD. Same weight and the HP is about 2~3more HP than a piped RD (i dynoed 42 RWHP on an RD years ago w/ an aftermarket pipe). Small engine, not too small and not too big, probably good gas mileage (will be important!). And fun as all hell. Sounds like the right package. NIce power to weight ratio. KTM has got it going on. I can't wait to see one of these in person, maybe one of y'all will have one soon in my area. |
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10-25-2012, 09:05 PM
| #17 |
| Pit Crew  Joined: Mar 2006 From: Here.wa.us I Ride: a couple | The AV has a point, amercians generally prefer larger displacement. Th MFG's can't have too many models in todays economy. The riding community is ageing and there's not enough new riders with the cash to enter. Case in point, most of the interests in this thread appear to be seasoned riders. A return to displacement class licenses in the US would bring sales of small bikes. City's embracing 2 wheel commuting would help as well. (Seattle to name one) Kawi's sure been smart to recoup dev costs and keep prices low by selling their models for many years. EX, 250,500, connie, klr Dig the little bikes and hope they sell well and receive good development and aftermarket support. Last edited by Tdawg; 10-25-2012 at 09:10 PM.. |
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10-25-2012, 09:17 PM
| #18 |
| Streetfighter  Joined: Feb 2010 From: your moms basement I Ride: i ride bitchrider : a 2000 triumph sprint st and a xr 600r dual sport, and " das car" | i miss the 125's seen them every where in NZ with there tiny tires |
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10-26-2012, 07:21 AM
| #19 | |
| Peg Dragger  |
 Or this http://www.ktm.com/gb/125/125-duke-eu/highlights.html I would love one of the moto3 bikes.....but obviously that will never happen. | |
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