Posted on 06/27/2022 2:52:02 PM PDT by martin_fierro
TOKYO -- Honda Motor and three Japanese rivals plan to discontinue about 20 motorcycle models by the end of this year, Nikkei has learned, in response to tougher emissions standards to be implemented in Japan in the fall.
The retired motorbikes represent 10% of the roughly 190 models available from Honda, Yamaha Motor, Suzuki Motor and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
Going forward, the companies will shift to electrics. Honda will electrify its entire lineup of vehicles by the 2040s. Yamaha will make 90% of new vehicles plug-ins by 2050.
Honda, the world's largest motorcycle company, will retire approximately 10 out of 80 models. The affected bikes include popular models like the CB400 Super Four, a midsized motorcycle which has been a bestseller since the 1990s.
Also on Honda's chopping block are models from the full-sized Gold Wing series, as well as the Benly scooter made for delivery services.
Yahama will stop selling two models from its flagship FJR1300 series of tourers. Suzuki will pull at least five out of roughly 20 models from production lines by October, including the midsized GSX250R.
Kawasaki Motors, a subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, stopped delivering some full-sized motorcycles last year.
Japan adopted tougher emission standards at the end of 2020 that applied to new models. The standards will apply to all existing models in November.
The rules are modeled after the European Union's Euro 5 law, introduced in January 2020. It mandates that nitrogen oxide emission be cut by up to 33%.
To comply with Japan's incoming regulations, motorcycle manufacturers will need to install upgraded catalytic converters or to completely redesign engines. However, it is extremely expensive to develop new engines. The price of rare metals used in catalytic converters has jumped to new highs.
Redesigning existing motorcycle models "would raise the sale price three to four times," said a source from a major motorcycle manufacturer. There is no prospect for growth for the Japanese market, so the makers will significantly shrink lineups and cut back on new model rollouts.
Motorcycle manufactures anticipate electrified models will sway competitive advantage amid the shift toward carbon reduction. The companies are concentrating research and development funds into electrics. Because Japanese players control 40% of the global motorcycle market, that trend is expected to hasten the transition away from gasoline two-wheelers.
at that point in time what difference does it make...
we’re all gonna be long dead by then from climate change according to the grouchy gretas...
I have a project 81 CB750 that I thinking about selling.
My medical misadventure back in January beat me up a bit and it sits some and cranked up every now and then.
Ii needs a seat, tires, wheels, some front brake and electrical.
It mandates that nitrogen oxide emission be cut by up to 33%.
part of the nitrogen cycle.
Kawasaki Motors, a subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, stopped delivering some full-sized motorcycles last year.”
***
I only buy Yamaha’s R’s for sport, aside from the usual HD’s and Indian. and I’ve been to the Yamaha HQ in Japan.
I saw that Honda brought back the Super Cub so I went to the Honda dealer to check them out. They had none and this one time Honda only dealer had a showroom full of Chinese bikes. The only Hondas were two Gold Wings. Geeā¦
I made a *major* mistake in 1972 buying a BSA instead of a Honda 750 Four. Without the internet I believed the hooey the bike magazines put out.
Buying a BSA 650 for my first bike was like losing my virginity to a girl with the clap.
They were probably already looking at dumping some of these models due to the sales downturns. Maybe the Japanese should just build two basic bikes and just bolt different stuff on them and call them different models, like HD does.
Buying a BSA 650 for my first bike was like losing my virginity to a girl with the clap.
Hey, it could have been worse. You could have bought a 1972 Triumph.
I saw someone riding a mid-size motorbike today. I suddenly realized I couldn’t remember the last time I saw someone on a motorbike. I know they’re around; I just don’t see them much in my corner of rural Florida. Perhaps it’s because of the number of pickups (and the driver’s thereof having a penchant for drinking on the way to and from work.) It could be all the deer on the side of the road, having been chased out of their woods by the new sudations popping up in those former woods like mushrooms after a rain. Maybe they’ve just gone out of fashion.
Somewhere down my dirt road there’s a Harley. I know because this incredibly fat, old man cranks it up and lays back in the seat while he drinks a beer...or, two. Possibly more. But, and here’s the crucial bit, he doesn’t ride it. Yeah, I live in that kind of neighborhood. Cows on one side of me, then this gentrified rich guy buys the five acres of woods and he’s building a very nice house...within sight of my doublewide on the other side. He paid an eye watering price. Upon learning the cost, my neighbor across the way said, “dang” three times. Separated by long pauses.
That’s one problem but I guess I’ll have to buy a new deck of playing cards so I can make some spit-motor noise when I’m out and about.
Will they have to re-do that old John Wayne movie where the two stroker jumps the canyon while The Duke was rescueing his grandson? Maybe they’d dub in a sign that tells the audience to make lip-flapping noises when he jumps?
And how will dirt bikes work? Not seeing riding a battery up a hill?
No, you need to get it started tomorrow
One day you’re going to be lying in bed unable to ride and wondering why you didn’t spend more time on two wheels when you had the chance
HR2 came out seven years ago.
I no close to zero about motorcycles.
I just thought it looked cool. And fast.
You are forgiven, my Son. In 72 you had to start someplace. Hopefully you have been cured of Limeyness? And that you got cured before the vibration ate your fingers? One of my old buds still owes me 80 bucks for a Bonneville I helped him buy. Ungrateful essobee.
I had a 550 Four that looked like that, except green.
**....just build two basic bikes and just bolt different stuff on them and call them different models, like HD does.**
That’s pretty much it, lol
Itās the fastest in the world.
Thatās fast thenā¦
So not a good starter bike?ā¦
I wouldn’t mind having a road bike again, but all those years in IL were much safer when dodging deer. Most of the daytime riding was in high visibility areas. Night riding was rare.
In 5+ yrs here in TN we’ve hit two deer with our suv, and have taken evasive action that kept us from hitting several others. They say don’t do anything but brake. If we stuck to that we would have had probably a half dozen more strikes. They come charging out of the woods every day.
I think there was 2 rider fatalities from deer last year in Lewis county.
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