Why are the Metrics trying so hard to

[northernman]

look like that brand from Wisconsin?

It seems that the metrics used to be distinct, and cool.

Now they all look so much alike, and trying to be like that WI brand.

I hope they go back to making the cool bikes they did in the 1970's to 1990'ish.

I ride my old school Honda Nighthawk, or Yami Midnight special, or Suzuki GS 550, and it is a sweet ride on any of them.

Then they all went and leaned too far IMHO towards looking like the other guy.
Not that anything is wrong with HD, I like them, I just wish at least one of the metrics would go back to building cool bikes that are not a HD wannabee.

[iron pony]

they are keeping up with customer demand I guess.
You have furys, blvds, stars, vtx , there is plenty to choose from.
There isn't much bodystyle to choose from in bikes , you have cruisers, choppers,baggers, bobbers, tourers,sportbikes, & standards.

[NCDave]

In a word....Money!

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by iron pony

choppers,baggers, bobbers, tourers,sportbikes, & standards.

But not much available in Standards anymore.
Suzuki finally brought back the old UJM design... but in a 250. Hopefully it will sell well and they'll expand it to the larger engines.

Other than that, there's nothing available in true standards that haven't been "cruiserized" to some degree, such as the Vulcan 500 (and still not listed for 2010 on the Kawi web site).

Only thing still available in true standards other than the Suzuki is coming from Europe.

[greg58]

I was amazed also at the few choices when I wanted to get back into bikes. I went to a Kawasaki dealership a couple of years ago, and all I saw were cruisers and crotch rockets.
I thought what happened to the bikes I used to ride?
I have never been attracted to the V-twin scene, that is why I looked a long time for my KZ1000P.
When I ride I don't see many inline 4 straight up bikes, but that's what I like. I also lust for a ZRX.
Greg58

[freezeradio]

Yamaha V-max 4 cyl, top heavy not a cruiser ,,,,to me anyway.It is old school the way I think you are talkin. I like them. very fast

[Nomadthesailor]

I came up riding UJMs; along with a Triumph Bonne, and was considering getting an earlly 80's in-line four UJM for a second bike, but I have to buy the wife another car, instead.

[Obsidian16825]

Same problem we ran into looking for a bike for dh to ride. We ended up with a couple of vintage Hondas. I like the standards, but most aren't short enough for me. I can fit the lower "custom" version of a few.
That American brand does make a more standard shaped bike, but it's not available here because the market won't support it. It's still a v-twin, so fans of inlines won't be satisfied.

[NCDave]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

But not much available in Standards anymore.
Suzuki finally brought back the old UJM design... but in a 250. Hopefully it will sell well and they'll expand it to the larger engines.

Other than that, there's nothing available in true standards that haven't been "cruiserized" to some degree, such as the Vulcan 500 (and still not listed for 2010 on the Kawi web site).

Only thing still available in true standards other than the Suzuki is coming from Europe.

But then HD came out with the XR1200 this year. it's more of a "standard" than an "XR", but still a nice change of pace from the limited categories.

Maybe you should pick up a Suzuki B-King!

[99bubf]

To each their own.
I personally like the trend. I've always wanted a big HD, but I couldn't justify the price. Newer HDs cost as much as a new car. To me, that's just crazy.
I'm glad the metrics are trying to compete with HD because it gives the consumer a choice. AND it's a cheaper, more for your money, choice at that!
Besides, certain metrics (Nomad, Vulcan Classic, Roadstar, VTX) actually look better than any HD.
I also love the sound of a Reinhart piped HD, but with very little effort, you can get a metric to sound damn close (maybe not the VTX).

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by NCDave

Maybe you should pick up a Suzuki B-King!

Where's my "throwup" smiley.....

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by 99bubf

To each their own.
I personally like the trend. I've always wanted a big HD, but I couldn't justify the price. Newer HDs cost as much as a new car.

Any bike with an engine bigger than 1300cc is going to cost as much as a new car.

Discounting the CVO series, the most expensive Harley is around $23k.
Kawasaki Voyager (a comparable bike) is around $19k.
The Road King is around $18k. The Nomad is comparable at around $14k.
I paid $10.5k for my 1600 Classic... I think I paid about $12k for my wife's 2000 Toyota Echo.

Be sure and compare apples to apples on pricing.... don't compare the Electra Glide Ultra to the VN900.

[skewterdewd]

Originally Posted by northernman

look like that brand from Wisconsin?
I hope they go back to making the cool bikes they did in the 1970's to 1990'ish.
I ride my old school Honda Nighthawk, or Yami Midnight special, or Suzuki GS 550, and it is a sweet ride on any of them.

Nakeds are the new standards, and they're not that popular in the US.
The generation of guys that can accurately reference the classic UJM model is way too old to be a consideration for any of the big 4. New crops of young whipper-snappers want gixxers and zbikes, and couldn't tell a Nighthawk or an Ascot from a tugboat.

Too bad. The Nighthawk was a fantastic design - evidenced by the relatively high prices that good specimens still bring.

If you're really jonesing on UJM style, there's always the Bonnie or the Ducati GT....

[Jake '53]

Classic styling with Japanese technology, best of both worlds. What's not to like about my poor guy's Fatboy at half the price.

[northernman]

Originally Posted by skewterdewd

Nakeds are the new standards, and they're not that popular in the US.
The generation of guys that can accurately reference the classic UJM model is way too old to be a consideration for any of the big 4. New crops of young whipper-snappers want gixxers and zbikes, and couldn't tell a Nighthawk or an Ascot from a tugboat.

Too bad. The Nighthawk was a fantastic design - evidenced by the relatively high prices that good specimens still bring.

If you're really jonesing on UJM style, there's always the Bonnie or the Ducati GT....

Maybe I am just getting old, or having a midlife crisis or who knows what.
Seems lately most of the new bikes leave me wanting more, or at least new.
I cannot even get too excited over the new honda vfr 1200, and I loved the old vfr.
And so many metrics look just like a HD to me from a distance, I have to get close and really look to see its not a harley.

Triumph, BMW, Ducati, and Aprilia seem to be taking a slightly altered line from the masses, but not too far off that line.

I have gone crazy lately buying old bikes, In the past month I have purchased 9 old bikes, from a CB750F to a yami xs1100 midnight special, an RZ 350 2 smoker, to an old GS 850, and still have many old nighthawks, and other CB's and such sitting in the shop.
I was looking to buy the wife a new bike as a gift.............I looked and looked.........gave up finding her anything cool to buy, and instead picked up an old Suzi GS550L and have rebuilding it for her instead.

I would like to be able to stand back 30 feet and tell a HD from a Kawi, from a Yami, from A honda is all.

Or maybe I am just old, and need to face the fact I am ???

[Tod]

Too bad the W650 didn't sell in large enough numbers for MaKaw to keep the model alive in the U.S.

[skewterdewd]

Originally Posted by northernman

..Or maybe I am just old, and need to face the fact I am ???

Well, maybe, but it won't help you find what you want, so why go there?

BTW, have you seen the new Trumpet T-bird? I didn't like the pix, but it's much nicer looking in person. Nice layout too.

[skewterdewd]

Too bad the W650 didn't sell in large enough numbers for MaKaw to keep the model alive in the U.S.

I've know a guy that has one lashed up with a sidecar. That bike draws a crowd every time you stop somewhere.

[Jake '53]

Originally Posted by northernman

.....I would like to be able to stand back 30 feet and tell a HD from a Kawi, from a Yami, from A honda is all.

Or maybe I am just old, and need to face the fact I am ???

Naw, you just need new glasses.

[Tod]

Originally Posted by skewterdewd

I've know a guy that has one lashed up with a sidecar. That bike draws a crowd every time you stop somewhere.

That would be awesome, I can see why a crowd would gather.

Of course, He would need an old fur-lined leather helmet and goggles to complete the look.