The Osaka and Tokyo Motorcycle Shows were held in March and the Nagoya Motorcycle Show was held from April 8 to 10, attracting nearly 200,000 visitors in total, despite the limited admission due to the Corona measures. While the exhibition booths were also very successful, what was secretly talked about this time was the fact that the Honda CB was not exhibited.
With the Real Cycle Show taking place this year, one would have expected to see a continuation of the CB-F concept presented in 2020, but what an anomaly was it that the current model was not even displayed?
CB-F concept that was not followed up at the motorcycle show
The Honda CB is a royalty representing the manufacturer, like Toyota's Corolla. However, just as the Corolla has been replaced by the Yaris, the CB does not have the same vigor as it once did. The Rebel 250 is the most popular mid-size model, and the Kawasaki Z900RS is the most popular large-size model.
The CB1300 series and CB400 series were the best-selling brands until 2007 and 2016, respectively, but in recent years they have been pushed aside by rivals. And unfortunately, the CB400 series is no longer in production with the models currently on sale. The CB1300 series is also expected to release its final edition around winter.
The production version of the CB-F Concept, which was expected under such circumstances, was not presented at the 2022 Tokyo-Meihan Motorcycle Show. This means that it was frozen at the concept model stage, and it is safe to assume that the development of the production version was abandoned.
The modern version of the CB-F, unveiled at Honda's own online motorcycle show in 2020, is a neo-classic model inspired by the CB900F/CB750F of the 1980s. The technique of reviving classic vehicles of yesteryear is the law of hits, but why did it never make it to the market?
The CB-F Concept presented by Honda in 2020 is a concept model planned based on the CB1000R.
World premiere of a global model originating from Japan
There are two issues that need to be addressed in order to take Japan CB into the future
The CB-F concept was designed to be the successor to the CB1300 series, which is sold only in the Japanese market, under the slogan "Japan CB". Furthermore, in order to attract demand from overseas, the CB-F paid homage to the form of the CB900F/CB750F, which were also greatly popular in Europe and the United States.
In my interviews at the time, I heard that although there was a positive response from Asia, support from Europe and the United States was not great, and the future of the CB-F Concept was uncertain. Also, the CB1000R, the base model of the CB-F concept, cost approximately 1.67 million yen (approx. 12200 USD), and it must have been a challenge to find a way to compete with the Kawasaki Z900RS, which costs approximately 1.38 million yen (10200 USD), in terms of price.
On the other hand, the CB1300 series of the current Japan CB will be remodeled in 2021 and equipped with cruise control, etc., which has been requested, but the actual sales volume is only 904 units against the sales plan of 1,600 units as estimated by Motorcycle News. The 4853 Z900RS (same as above) was far behind.
The Japan CB faces two challenges. First, the current CB1300 series is struggling in terms of sales even if it is to be continued. Secondly, a base model with an appropriate price is needed to develop a new Japan CB. Incidentally, the base model of the Kawasaki Z900RS, the Z900, costs 1,140,000 yen (approx. 8400 USD) and is equipped for the RS.
The CB1300 series just cleared emission regulations in 2021.
The fact that sales did not increase even with the leverage provided by this model change may be a sign of changing user preferences.
CB fans hold meetings, eagerly awaiting Japan CB!
It is said that the CB1300 series is struggling because the target rider age group has increased and it can no longer support the big-1 concept that flaunts its size. The CB1300SF weighs 266 kg, 51 kg more than the Z900RS. An optimal base model, not only in price but also in size, will be a prerequisite for the development of a new Japan CB.
Against this backdrop, CB custom stores in Japan held an owners' meeting on Sunday, April 3. In fact, this event has been an official Honda event, but due to the Corona disaster, it was canceled for 2020-2021 and will not be held in 2022.
CB custom stores from all over Japan were concerned about this situation, and they worked together to hold the event. During the talk show by store representatives, some were eagerly awaiting the new Japan CB. Despite the rainy weather, more than 100 CBs gathered at the event, and CB owners who love their CBs deepened exchanges with each other.
At the 2022 Motorcycle Show, a Japan-specific "Hawk 11," not a Japan CB, was exhibited. Priced at approximately 1,390,000 yen (approx. 10225 USD), on par with the Z900RS, it could be said that the CB-F concept has become the Japan Hawk and is now on the market.
CB Meeting 2022 was held on April 3 at Sodegaura Forest Raceway in Chiba Prefecture.
Five store owners who specialize in CBs talked all about CBs on a talk show.
Original Source [ Best Car Web ]
