125 Market in US

[flanman]

Will there ever be 125's in the market for the US... Europe has them why can't we. The Aprilia RS125 is comming in 2009 but limited numbers. Is it really that small of a niche market or are there other factors as well?

[Triple J]

Will there ever be 125's in the market for the US... Europe has them why can't we. The Aprilia RS125 is comming in 2009 but limited numbers. Is it really that small of a niche market or are there other factors as well?

2-stroke? If so then that's the issue.

edit: coming as a track bike since it's a 2-stroke.
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/09july08_aprilia_rs125.htm

If you knew all that (probably did  ), then I'd say the reason we don't see a lot of them is because Americans in general think biger is better...so the market is probably pretty small.

[kenthecarp]

In Canada we have the CBR 125 Honda, this last summer it was a featured entry level race bike and the action was extremely competitive.

[DucatiBastard]

Thats a sweet looking bike, i think a 125 would be great as a commuter w/ the crazy high gas mileage.  but them again, MPG probably wouldn't be too much worse on a 250 or even 500...[shrug]

[He Man]

how much is the CBR125? Maybe i could import it from canada, i really want that as a trakc bike. cheap !

[superjohn]

If you can't get most riders to accept that they can ride a 600cc bike and keep up on the highway, then a 125cc bike is going to be a hard sell for a street bike.

I would like to have one though.

[Monsterlover]

I would too!

That looks so small and light.

I bet I could really man handle that thing [moto]

[mxwinky]

Many countries have tiered licensing that forces young/entry riders to start on smaller bikes before graduating to larger displacement and higher performance machines.  This creates a large market for small-bore entry-level bikes like 125s that doesn't exist here in the US.  Even super trick bikes like the Aprilia and Honda simply don't sell here, for many reasons.  Mostly we're programmed into the bigger is better mindset and the belief that HP is everything.  My roommate races a Honda RS 125 and routinely blows people away at trackdays with crazy corner speed.  They're tons of fun, but US riders just don't buy 'em.  Too bad.

[kenthecarp]

http://www.honda.ca/go/en/index.html

Cost $3,500 CAD or in USD about  $2,950

Also a link on page with the tech. details concerning the "CBR125R Challange"

[GLantern]

http://www.honda.ca/go/en/index.html

Cost $3,500 CAD or in USD about  $2,950

Also a link on page with the tech. details concerning the "CBR125R Challange"

In all seriousness how hard would it be to import one to the US?  I am looking for a track bike and thats in my price range

[Duck-Stew]

If that bike held *nearly* the same pricing ('08 Kawi Ninja 250 is $3500 btw) and had a 250 engine...I'd be in line for one.  That's a nice looking bike.   [moto]

[GLantern]

If that bike held *nearly* the same pricing ('08 Kawi Ninja 250 is $3500 btw) and had a 250 engine...I'd be in line for one.  That's a nice looking bike.   [moto]

Yeah the 250 does make more sense and offer a lot less hassle......

[the_Journeyman]

I *wish* we got the Monster 400 here and Suzuki would bring the Bandit 400 back and bring over the Bandit 400.  Honda also has a CBR400RR and Yamaha has a nice little 400cc naked bike.  I would be happy with there bring a 400cc or less requirement for the 1st tier and then moving up to 750cc or less then open ~

JM

[Triple J]

In all seriousness how hard would it be to import one to the US?  I am looking for a track bike and thats in my price range

Just pick up a used one off of your local racing board (track bike, not 125). You can usually get pretty good deals on nice track only bikes this time of year.