As a 63 year old from Kentucky I went through phases starting on a RD350 then slowly and surely "progressed" to more cc's as my experience and income allowed. At 59 years old I realized the big cc bikes (Bandit 1200, bandit 1250 and Hayabusa) had amazing performance but were lacking in utility and dare I say they just weren't fun anymore. I sold them all and got a 2019 CB500x and it was the best decision ever for me, great urban commuter and great long distance back-road tourer...I hate the Interstate highways and had no need for the excess of big cc's. That being said most Americans that long distance tour either don't have the luxury of the time needed to travel all back-roads or haven't discovered that back-roads exclusively is a game changer for discovering America the fun way...I will say it again, Interstates on a motorcycle suck no matter what you're riding...BORING! Americans as a whole will NEVER switch back to smaller bikes and sadly the younger generations by and large have no interest in bikes...kids don't even ride bicycles anymore, strange.
i dont understand kids not being interested either to be fair, i was doing 20-30 mile runs regularly on a push bike as a kid. thats how i saw Ron Haslam and Mick Grant testing the new NR500 at Donnington as a kid :-) the motorbike meant the freedom to go further and ive been doing that ever since. cheers for watching, Ride Free 🙂
I've ridden them all in my life, at 65 I've just bought Yamaha's grand filano scooter. It's the most reliable & practical transport on the market today. If practical takes preference over looks or ego then choose wisely.
I just turned 64, I started riding on a 100cc Bultaco dirt bike at age 8, got my license on my 16th birthday, bought a Suzuki GT380, and never looked back. I've owned more than 50 bikes (no crotch rockets) and ridden over a million miles. I currently have 4 motorcycles and a Vespa scooter. All are carbureted, and none are black. There is not a single new motorcycle I have any interest in. I used to always be buying new bikes, but they don't make motorcycles anymore. They are all computercycles. And most of them are black. I hope I live long enough to see that ridiculous fad end.
@@nomad90125 indeed mate, lets face it if looks were part of my decision i wouldnt be riding a Vstrom lol, but i dont think a scooter would do me for 2 up off road 🙂 horses for courses as they say 🙂 cheers for watching mate 🙂 Ride Free
Perhaps with this turn and these new options, that'll start changing in the USA, even if slowly, since smaller more affordable bikes, may be more appealing to the younger generations that are not that interested in spending that many thousands of dollars on a motorcycle that takes quite good skills and experience to master and in many ways are more intimidating than aspirational, even more to the average women market that now a days has to be taken into account for any business plan. I say this in my experience of over 20 years as a riding instructor and the feedback I get all the time from students and people around me. Also, a factor that that is a big difference putting aside the economic, is the motorcycles not being allowed in most states to cut through lanes like in mostly any other country is allowed, taking away the advantage as a commuting practical and economic vehicle and turning them into only a recreational but more uncomfortable one. Let's not speak about "environment friendly" consciousness of the new generations :) Don't get me wrong, love a big powerful engine and all that one can give us riders. It's just that at this time and age of societies and circumstances around the world, mid size bikes sound much more logical at least to me :) Cheers!
If you look at Honda range since 2013. CB 500 built in Thailand in several flavours. X, Rebel, CBR, CBF and now Scrambler CL. Accounts for most of Honda sales globally.
Very good points. My first bike was a brand new Honda CB200 ,which will show you how ancient I am. Most of what I rode back then is considered classic now,though having them I'd say maybe old but mostly far from classic,only my opinion. One of my best bikes was also one of my worst,a 2001 Fazer 600. Fantastic machine but before it I'd had a CB500 that I loved,not least through the twisty Cornish B roads where I'd be up and down the gearbox to keep it buzzing. The Fazer did the same roads in 5th almost by remote control which wasn't the same buzz. I actually think bigger isn't better, I wouldn't have changed my Fazer for the 1000 version and in my over 10 years on my current 600 Bandit I've never felt the need for a larger model. I made that mistake with my 600 Hornet,changed if for a 900 version and in "real life" it was no quicker, it just cost more to run and was heavier and didn't handle as well while the 600 felt like 250 carving through city traffic and down country lanes. Unless you go touring there's no real need for a big bike these days, speed excessively and it's only a matter of time before you get nicked and if you're into bikes as opposed to trying to impress people smaller bikes are a real blast.
Now youve sparked the memory of a trip to Cornwall for me lol. A 500/4 with clip ons, Dunstall rearsets and 4 into 1 flying round the back roads 2 up :-) cheers for watching mate, enjoy the ride
For me , the polished aluminum and chrome on the older bikes gave those of us who weren’t mechanically inclined the ability to do something , making our ride look good . The black look on the newer models never appealed to me but then again there are those who didn’t like or have the time to polish ! Lol
I personally love 300cc/500cc segment. I own a MT07 & R3 we did a 400 kilometer ride yesterday of beautiful Twistie mountain roads. I took the R3 it's a brilliant little bike so much fun 😁
Having owned a cb500f and an mt-07 , I will not buy a parallel twin again. I thought the limitations on the Honda were due to low displacement and redline, but it’s just the twin design- way too buzzy. I want to put a few hundred miles on a sv650 or z900rs
@@stubbingtonmarigold3032 ive known people do literally 100s of thousands of miles on TDM850 and 900's with no trouble mate so might not be all parallel twins. but its all about taste at that point. 🙂cheers for watching, ride free
I've been working backwards from where I started. I'm 65 and learned on a KZ-900. Now I'm down to a Honda PCX-150 scooter and having loads of fun. However, something in the 400 range might be just the thing if I ever want to get on a highway again.
New subscriber here. I've watched a few of your videos and enjoyed them. You have a perspective that other content creators don't, and I like it! I think we are creatures of the time period of our youth and depending on age, we collect or buy the bikes of our youth. I didn't like Japanese bikes at first (Honda CB 750) because they weren't Brit, European, or American motorcycles (how dare they!). As time went on, I learned that Honda CB 750's were great bikes, grudgingly admiring the build quality and smooth engines, not to mention ride quality. Be that as it may, my heart, and collection, will always belong to the 40's through 80's motorcycles. I did buy a 1991 Honda Nighthawk with 11,802 miles on it a few weeks ago, in perfect condition, for the collection. It sure has more power than my BMW /5 or /6 series motorcycles that I love and enjoy and more power than I'm willing to use! Maybe some day these bikes that are made in China and India will be desirable collectors items but as a guy a few months from 70 years old, it won't be during my lifetime! Thanks for the interesting content that is always thought provoking. Cheers from Connecticut!
I've had many 1000cc + bikes over the years, but I now I just have a Honda CB500X and even a 125 Monkey Bike, and I'm riding more than I've ever done and having more fun than ever. I find myself jumping on the bike now for nipping to town or short trips rather than take the car.
Thank You for this great piece of information. You, along with Itchy Boots are changing the face of motorcycling in Britain. Only recently i went to see my first track day event. The fastest bike, by some distance was not a 600, of which there were many. It wasnt the 1000s, again well represented. It was a guy looking like he was having so much fun. He was riding a Kawasaki GPz500.
the CB500 crew always have a great laugh too :-) cheap n cheerful, n wow, even being mentioned in the same breath as itchy boots is an honour 🙂Cheers for watching mate, ride free
The aspirational motorcycles you speak of are the Chinese copy of the 1200 Triumph Bonneville as well as the 1200cc evolution Sportster copy called to Stormbreaker. They have progressed up the ladder from small copies of Japanese commuter bikes to ever-larger bikes that serve a used that is more than just simple transportation. My Evolution Sportster I have owned for almost 25 years and while I use it for daily Transportation as I do not drive a car it is more than just a commuter bike to go from here to there it is a part of my life. A small commuter bike is fine for going back and forth to work but when you buy a top-of-the-line motorcycle it is more than just transportation. You have crossed the line and now you are a motorcycle enthusiast. Your bike is special to you and it's not just a functional item like an appliance that you could not care less for. Your bike has a special place in your life. It is a part of your soul your life being. A forever bike becomes part of your life forever. It becomes more than just a machine. It becomes a part of you. Personally I am happy that the Chinese are making the Stormbreaker because justful introduced thousands of people to the pleasure of having an evolution Sportster and an evolution Sportster is an old-school design that is rebuildable forever.
there are plenty of other examples than the Brixton Cromwell. The new Benda LFC700 is one that springs to mind but yes, there are a lot of big capacity cruiser bikes. not all copies, that are now being launched in the Chinese market, just as Royal enfield did with the 650 twins in India. they know their own markets better than we do that is for sure, nice comment mate and i do agree the personal connection thing is something that knows no borders
@@truthhurtsalways2781 me neither. Even if the quality was there, and they had a dealer network, I'd avoid supporting the CCP. (every business in China is beholden to the govt)
I subbed this is a great channel......i have owned 37 some motorcycles all for competition....raced unlimited superbike F-USA Pikes Peak with a 5th in the 500 pro class in 99.....i like bikes
One of the situations that put it all in perspective for me was when a guy on a 1970s honda 125 was literally passing most of the litre bikes (including mine) that were on a trackday. he had learnt to squeeze out every last drop of performance from that bike, all around the circuit, rather than just relying on power to pass people on the straights, not that there are many straight bits at Cadwell :-) He was so much faster around Barn corner he was halfway down the stright while we were still exiting the corner, For me personally, i know im a bit faster around Cadwell than the Vstrom will take me, but all the other bikes I tried there regardless of power i did around the same lap time, they ranged from 90HP to about 150HP, So my ability lies somewhere in the region of 90HP with a decent chassis I would guess :-) I know thats not very scientific but it made sense to me :-) :-) Cheers for watching mate, ride free
I am 68, I ride a Honda NC750XD and intend to get a Sym NHT200 for my off road riding as I have not done this yet, once I get this down pat, I will put other tires on my Honda and see if it works out. Great work.
I've had the entire spectum of motorcycles of almost every cc. I've found that 650 cc is more than enough for the different riding I enjoy. I rode a Lambretta 150cc to high school and it was perfect for the job. I've got a 1200cc Yamaha Tenre in the garage as my biggest cc machine. My 900 Ducati Elefant doesn't get a lot of riding time, but it's there. The 125 cc Hondas are fun, but running into town is a challenge on them. I've been waiting for Honda to bring the 450 cc ADV Scooter to the USA. It will probably replace most of my collection. Traffic is so heavy and slow I hate riding with a clutch here. But, I'm a big 6' guy weighing in at 225 lbs of solid muscle. (Retired Construction Worker) So anything smaller is not going to work for me anymore. Sure do miss that Lambretta. Took a lot of flack for it from the Honda Super 90 guys in the mid 60's, until they tried to race me........ I was riding it when that Cary Grant and Sophia Loren black and white movie came out with the scooter in Italy, so the girls I dated actually emjoyed riding with me. And their parents were easier to deal with, as I was not their typical motorcycle trash to them... With the new engines 350 and 450cc's, they will be plenty of machine for most. Of Course there will allways be BIG Harleys in the way, but that's life. As long as I can get around them before the next curve!! LOL
I have ridden a Harley Electra Glide for over a decade. I grew up on mid sized Japanese bikes. I just added a Benelli 302s and a CFMoto CLX 700 to my collection (both 2022's) I love the smaller bikes in town but would never tour on them. That's my Harley's jurisdiction. I love the way the smaller bikes handle in traffic and also the retro looks many of them have as well as some of the "modern" concepts as well. I just like motorcycles. Shiny side up yawl. ;)
and rubber side down mate :-) How are you finding the CLX? how long have you had it? I quite fancy one with longer suspension :-) but without the extra weight of the MT :-)
@@barebonesmc I have had it about a year. Just broken in. She's awesome. I'm 6' tall and it's a great fit. Lots of power and it handles nice as well. I highly recommend it for the class it's in.
I had three of these CB 400 F motorcycles back in the day. Two red ones and a yellow one. It would rev to 10,000., but I was always always shifting. It didn’t have much grunt. I was much happier with my RDs and Kawasaki 350 tripples.. I roadraced rDs, Suzuki X6, CB 750, I won six championships racing RDs, two time national champion. I would see these Honda CB 400 F’s out they’re keeping pace, but never winning. RDs ruled the race tracks. but for street riding a four stroke with an electric start was nice. That’s why I tried the Honda CB 400 F. It was OK, I was always flipping motorcycles, that’s why I had three of them. I never kept them very long. I did like the styling. I want to quit making them because it took just as many parts to build one of these as it did to build a 750 -4cylinder. today, here in 2023, I have a Kawasaki Z 400 .. There is no comparison. The good old days or just the old days. These are the good old days.
Better to ride slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. Every time I watch a BAREBONESMC I learn new things, and some times I relearn what time has made me forget. Thank you and keep it up.
I've spent a lot of time in India and need to inform you that you can't trade in your old bike on a new one so that second hand market is very good and cheap. Also above 500cc is considered a big bike and virtually unseen on Indian roads, the petrol is usually cut with vegetable oil and is various shades of yellow also all domestic machines have a guard across the back wheel as the women all ride side saddle, I own a 350 Enfield over there that I leave at a friend's place who rents it out with permission, the bike looks like a traditional Enfield but has a modern twin plug engine that starts every day through the monsoon and on the rough fuel
the rear guards are easily retrofitten and believe me not all are set up like that, a mate there runs an M109R and it definitely doesnt have a sari guard. times are changing mate, the biggest barrier there are the import tariffs which is why companies are partnering with the likes of Bajaj. and as an example, of 3 biker friends there I know well, one runs the M109R, in a club where all the bikes are big cruisers, one runs a Benelli BN600 which was the best selling big bike in India for 2 years in a row and another runs a 650 vstrom. Most of their friends also run bigger bikes. In the 10 or so years since I first visited the country things have already changed a lot and will continue too im sure
@@barebonesmc I'll stick with the 350 custom for Indian traffic, you rarely need anything bigger, I know 500s are more desirable but the congestion is horrendous
@@peterhall8572 being honest mate the traffic in Delhi i would want as small as possible. but get out onto the roads in Rajasthan and you have more room to play with a lot of the time. The only reason to go to a bigger engine for me would be passenger comfort :-) cheers for watching mate, enjoy the ride
Back in 1982 I bought a Honda MB5 motorcycle. It was 50cc oil injected two stroke with a 5 speed. I took my test on it and rode it the 5 miles each way to work for five years. The bike would easily do 50mph from new. I loved that bike and now at 70 years old I would love to own it again today.
I have found 250 to 500 cc most practical. On reason i bought bikes for was traffic as where i stay, lane splitting is allowed. Over 500cc, it becomes too big to handle in trafffic.
I found your video very interesting. It made me wonder with all these Indian and Chinese riders what impact if any it would have on motorbike racing. I loved to see an Indian rider compete in MotoGP or a Chinese rider in World SBK
i know Kove have plans for Supersport class. and with India having such a long history of racing you would think the riders are there. a big part would be learning the tracks for any rookie. Perhaps we can pressure Siddhartha to put some money into an RE Racing program :-) You would think with Bajaj groups influence at KTM it should be possible that route too. I guess opportunity plays a big part. once one has done it im sure the floodgates will open :-) 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
I have bikes from 125 to 1800cc and completely agree that it's more fun to ride a small bike quickly than a large bike slowly. I rode from London to North Africa last year on a ... 250cc bike and never for a minute wished I'd taken something bigger. The video was a very insightful look at the global bike market and something I'd noticed pieces of myself. The money is now in China and India and the European (inc UK) market is going to reflect that more and more as time goes on. Only fly in the ointment is how the move to battery powered stuff is going to play out. I can't imagine the taking 50 chickens to market buyer in SE Asia is going to be moving to a battery bike any time soon. But then again look at how electric mini scooters are selling.
the electric situation is complex. more complex than i think people realise. and to be fair, unless an alternative battery chemistry is developed the manufacturers know they are on limited time. Which is probably why Kawasaki (and probably others) are already exploring Hydrogen power more. When you are producing your own electric instead of plugging into a grid it is easier to see the reality of electricity generation i think 🙂 cheers for the comment mate. have a good day
@@barebonesmc Yes, I'd read about the hydrogen power project and I'd have thought they could make hydrogen power work at a bike engineering level. Whether there will ever be sufficient hydrogen 'gas' stations around the world to make using them as transport a viable choice is another matter. Here in the UK there can't be more than a handful at present and most of those are either for research or for a limited number of things like busses. Maybe I'm missing a trick on this but if the car world is wary about having high pressure hydrogen tanks in quite well protected vehicles how are very vulnerable tanks on bikes going to look to buyers? Petrol is nasty enough but at least it's not bulk stored at 5000psi (or whatever the tanks would be pressurised to). I used to scuba dive and pressurised air cylinders were a constant worry. I've no axe to grind on this, simply looking at it from the perspective of what I'd spend my own money on.
@@stuartholding6067 tanks arent the solution, but there is no incentive for the oil companies and manufacturers to build a splitter or they cant monetise the fuel. so far the tech is too big but it will get smalller if someone puts some effort in, but they dont want water to be the fuel of the future
It will be a longgggggg time before either china or india reach the standards of the japanese if ever, hence the tried and tested motorcycles of japan will always hold top spot in all aspects, might cost more but you know your going to get long lasting quality.
Thats exactly what the British said and thought in the 70s :-) You might be surprised how good some of the Chinese and Indian engineering is. In some cases actually better. Consider why CF Moto ar ehappy to put an extended 4 (in the UK) or even 5 year (in Canada) guarantee on their version of the KTM's that only have a 1 year guarantee on?
@@barebonesmc I'm old enough to remember when anything from Japan had the same reputation as Chinese bikes have had until recently........and that didn't last long. I travel to Asia and there are seriously nice Chinese and Indian machines there that we don't get here.
Very interesting stats you bring up. I had no idea there was that much of a difference between US and European markets. China and the 10 years is amazing! No wonder they aren't afraid to make junk.
Really interesting insight. I think inflation on the premium bikes has taken the 1 litre bikes to unrealistic prices. You can have just as much fun on a smaller capacity bike. I'm waiting for the CRF450L unicorn, maybe a CB500X in a more dual sport form. PS - You didn't mention electric bikes, and how that's affecting the next gen bikes - a topic for another video.
I hadn't thought about it, but you set me straight @BAREBONESMC. The build quality of European built motorcycles seems alot better than the Chinesium brands (built in Chinesium Land). In my opinion (and I have an orifice too!), in my opinion Honda are the best build quality of the Japanese brands (YMMV). I'd not known that the Chinese were only allowed to have a bike for only 10 years - all makes sense now. Yeah, the mid-range motorcycles are getting more popular, but the newer 650/750 are not nearly as pokey as the older 500/600 series (at least in the Honda Hornet series - pre 2011 - but that's another issue - don't get me started! 😊) Great discussion. Thank you.
lol, the conversations i have in the comments can be as entertaining as the videos some times :-) and yes, progress seems to go backwards in the world of bikes. why is a 600 Laverda Atlas twin from the eighties so much lighter than a T7 or Aprilia Tuareg?(,its rhetorical i dont expect an answer lol) have a good day anyway mate, ride free
So in other word’s Chinese bikes only need to last 10 years are cheap and not built to last. The biggest issue with modern bikes will be issues with their wiring looms as they will cause issues after 10 plus years and the cost of replacing them means that it will not be financially viable to replace them
What you say applies to Chinese made bikes made for the Chinese market, but that is now true of many brands that arent Chinese too, and yep, electronics (not wiring as such) is the weak point on most modern bikes. how many tft screens do you think will still be working 10 years on never mind 40-50 years on, cheers for watching, Ride Free 🙂
Chinese bikes have come on a lot in last few years. Three years ago I bought a 125 because my idiot GP convinced me I had parkinsons, thankfully I haven`t, but I have ridden it nearly every day since as it is a wonderful petrol saver. The only bit I have upgraded has been the tyres, but as an old biker that is more a reflection on my riding style than the bike.
@@alandavies55 i agree mate, im jumping in because of the Parkinsons comment, we had the same with my partners mum, they dont understand the impact their guessing has sometimes, sorry you had the same thing. and glad you are ok, enjoy your day mate
Here in the US (my area anyway) ... I see a trend for better gas mileage and more urban/suburban bikes and scooters being sold. Still with a good solid med to large cruiser group.
here, i will go out on a limb and say by year end the various Enfield 350's will probably be the UK's best selling bikes. Cheap and cheerful as they say, cheers for watching , ride free
I was looking at the "RVF" @ 1:13 and thinking "thats a yamaha dash And wheres the air intake tubes?" 😆 One of the best bikes i have ever owned was a Honda RVF400, i found it a JDM car importers here in NZ, they used to fill the spare spaces in containers with 250/400 cc bikes. The car guys had no clue what it was other than a "Honda 400", as soon as i saw the TSR under & over exhausts I knew someone had spent some Yen on the bike, and someone definitely had, it was chock full of HRC F3 kit parts, including airbox, jetkit, and ECU as well as the full TSR system. It was in pristine condition as well. The car guys couldn't get it running because it had been sitting for a year or so and the carbs were gummed up, so i got it for an absolute steal. After setting up the suspension for my weight with a new nitron shock and heavier springs in the front, and getting the carbs serviced, the thing was an absolute weapon on twisting NZ roads and the odd track day. It make 69 hp on the dyno (And that was on a Factory Pro dyno, not a overly generous Dynojet dyno 😏) I sold it about 7 years ago to purchase another ex Japan import i just had to have, a 96 Yamaha TZR250 SPR 3XV, like the RVF its pristine and like the RVF the last owner in Japan spent some serious Yen on it. This ones a keeper.
well spotted mate lol, im not infallible :-) I still miss my old 1KT which had loads of Belgarda parts on it, i just wouldnt fold up small enough any more lol 🙂 cheers for watching 🙂 Ride Free
Hi I've just found your channel - great work, keep it up!!! This video in particular is fascinating. Back in the 80's when I started out the middleweight was king, looks like we're heading back that way because of emerging foreign markets - that's no bad thing but reduced longevity and build quality doesn't sit right with me, and I'm surprised if it would with green movement either....!
welcome aboard mate, i agree entirely, re the environmental issue, i also agree completely, if only people realised that (including the activists) but they seem obsessed with following the electric route that manufacturers have led them down, if i say 15 years average mileage to outweigh the carbon footprint of manufacture alone, and the batteries will be useless after 5 maximum, do the sums, electric vehicles are not about the environment its just another money printer for the manufacturers and politicians. re use of products causes less damage than making new ones but they dont seem to grasp that one, youve got me started now lol 🙂cheers for watching mate, Ride Free
Coincidentally I just got home from a ride to Triumph factory at Hinckly. Looking at the museum there reminds me of the two distinct eras of Triumphs success. In the 70's and early 80's they seemed to rest on their previos reputation of making iconic motorbikes but it just wasn't working. Now they have a lovely range of bikes, some of the best in the world but I really hope they don't take thier eye off the ball and make the same mistakes again. Following the demands of the market is the only way.
@@barebonesmc The only thing I could add is that when I look around me at bikers is that almost everyone is around my age. I do know some younger riders but not many. I can only see this as worrying. Is the demographic in the U K always going to be 50+? or even worse die out with our generation. Perhapse, if the global market demands small capacity, cheep bikes then that is the way forward. After all that's the way I started out on two wheels along with my mates.
@@captainoates7236 yep, it is a big problem, and i do think the industry is part of the problem, instead of selling someone a small bike, letting them learn then hopefully buying another bike from that brand as they move up in capacity and stick with the brand they gel with, they are just greedy and push the sale of restricted bikes that are big and heavy which puts a lot of people off before theyve really learned how to ride. all to get that bigger profit on the first sale, sod what happens later. thats a bit of a ramble but hope you get the idea, 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
lol, i buggered that up twice then lol, i do get most of the footage right to be fair :-) you can imagine what its like with different footage and clips of 10 different bikes and endless video editing it can get muddled sometimes :-) 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
In the old days motorcycles were not built to planned obsolescence. My British motorcycles as well as my BMW Airhead motorcycles from the 70s are classic antiques that are still usable in the modern day. Because they are usable and rebuildable the aftermarket supplies parts for them that are better than the factory Parts you used to get in the 1960s. No one is going to make aftermarket parts for a bike that is going to be off in 10 years. For people who buy a cheap commuter bike in 10 years it will probably be worn out. Top-of-the-line motorcycles biking Stormbreaker you are not going to buy a new one every ten years you were going to keep the old one because they become part of your life. And many countries many people ride vintage motorcycles because they are exempt from mot every year and they enjoy insurance and registration discount. That is why you see many WWII era Army B still in use. Most of my motorcycles run a vintage plate. My so-called vintage primitive motorcycles have all outlasted my high-tech Japanese motorcycles. I enjoyed my modern Japanese motorcycles but I love my vintage motorcycles.
all very true, most of my bikes are over 25-30 years old now and the Laverda is 50 this year :-) as to aftermarket parts, I see your point but they do. as long as initial sales are high enough they will make aftermarket parts, they just dont make them for as long. it is often much easier to get aftermarket parts for a 2 year old model than it is for a 10 year old model now in the UK and Europe. Times are changing, not always in the way i would like for sure
interesting thoughts. I'm an early forties dude, who hasn't ridden a road bike in over 15 years, but in the last couple of years, it's an itch that I've been wanting to scratch again. Where I live, we have a learners restrictions setup that generally limits bikes to 660cc, with a few high performance smaller bikes off limits too, like the Kr1 for example. I've been eyeing off the 2023 Royal Enfield range, the Meteor Fireball and Super Meteor are both attractive bikes (i'm a cruiser type guy for road bikes), it's hilly where I live, so I'd prefer a twin cylinder bike, but somewhere around 400 to 500cc I reckon would be the sweet spot, the bike wouldn't be too big, but it would be powerful enough. I'd be riding a long hill climb regularly (15 minutes uphill) at freeway speeds 110Kph/68Mph, and wouldn't mind a little extra power to climb them. I'm really wondering if the 350 single would be powerful enough, but the Super Meteor twin cylinder is a bigger heavier bike, and the idea of a smaller lighter bike like the Fireball 350 is appealing.... Such a shame they don't have a 500cc Meteor Fireball, I reckon it would be perfect. I wonder if Royal Enfield would build something like that soon? In the meantime, I should brush up on my skills and go get my bike learners... It's going to be interesting to see the changes in the industry.
indeed mate, i think this ua-cam.com/video/HcBAkv9mkm4/v-deo.html and bikes like it will fill a big gap. and CF moto are offering the sort of guarantees that made Kia and Hyundai storm through the gates of the car world, so who knows 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
@@MrToranaGuy they dont do a cruiser as such, but have you looked at the CLX 700 Heritage? its a new bigger version of the versys engine in a sort of roadster chassis, plenty of grunt for most things. but wont give you the sat back riding position of the cruisers. have a good one mate
I think what's happening in America is that we have less young people riding motorcycles, I'm not sure what that's like in the UK. China has an aging population so their market share is only going to decrease over time. For India, for a lot of people I believe it's a primary mode of transportation, I would expect you to see the lower spec models sold in high numbers there. I'm sure that for the UK and American markets the answer would be just to lower production numbers and maybe to refresh the bikes less frequently to keep production costs down. I don't see a future where Indian or Chinese manufacturers really make an impact here in the American market.
yes the young uns arent riding here either, the question here and in the US is why, As I said there is a growing middle class in China and India too, they arent buying cheap low spec bikes for personal transport either, Lowering production numbers will mean prices will just keep increasing and will inevitably make motorcycling even more of a niche pursuit for the rich, all very sad, it sounds like you are just accepting the industry as we know it will die, id rather look for solutions, try and get young kids riding again
@BAREBONESMC one solution is the Grom, I see a lot of younger riders having fun on them here. But the days of newer riders buying 600cc sport bikes (which was happening here is behind us). China is on the decline demographically, and India still has many many people who's primary mode of transport is on 2 wheels. I'm not accepting it, just stating my thoughts and observations.
@@Tony__Tone the grom, and the baby Benelli TNT are the equivalent of the monkey bikes we had i guess in many ways, great fun little bikes, I guess to me it was all about personal mobility back then, i wanted a way to travel and motorbikes let me do that, but i had fallen in love with them via racing from a young age. hence my other video re WSBK and the future of Superbikes. have a good day anyway mate
@@barebonesmc I'm new to riding in my mid 40s, with a CT125 trail, Not too much financial committment but still fun. No one with an aviation habit can much afford many other hobbies!
@@SVSky from experience mate small bikes can be just as much fun as big ones, just different. as long as its got 2 wheels and an engine thats fine by me 🙂cheers for watching , ride free
I doubt the longevity of modern 1000+ cc bikes. Too many complex electronics waiting to go pop. My bike is 19 years old, how many modern bikes will last that long?
A massive factor is govt legislation in creating market sectors that otherwise wouldnt exist. In the 80s and 90s a vacuum opened up between 125 and 600, leading to a paucity of bikes coming onto the 2nd hand market for the old fashioned working class biker who traditionally would ride 250RSs, Superdreams and CXs. When the A2 class was created i never thought it'd be relevant to someone who passed their test pre 2000, but i was wrong as it means a glut of "no nonsense" bikes from Inazumas to CB500Xs are trickling down to us old school working class bikers. As youve noticed thru my lengthy comments, I'm positively gobbiing up your excellent content. So thank you!
In the UK, small bike sales used to be defined by what you could ride as a learner (so 250cc). When they dropped this to 125cc, all the lower mid range bikes were canned. Domination over the last 2-3 years has been on 400-700 cycles (for the reasons you explain). Dont see a massive market for these in the UK yet they market them to death at the moment. They are also physically small so again not a great fit for the UK where riders are now tall on average. Big bike development is stalling due to emissions controls and in general IMHO, the offerings are getting "stale" and retro's are selling well (says a lot). I am very frustrated with the market at the moment and can see my time riding closing fast due to the anti biking pressure lobbies and 20mph limits. It will soon be faster to walk.
In the US the dealerships have been guilty of additional markup above MSRP long before COVID. There is a major decline in motorcycle riders in the younger population as well. Lack of advertising in the US also is reducing riders. I can't remember the last TV commercial for any motorcycle. I will continue to ride my GSX S1000
you know thats a really interesting point mate, there are very few TV ads for bikes. but i guess TV advertising is overshadowed by online ads now. it is a really good point i had missed though cheers
@@davidblair3371 same here mate, average rider age goes up every year, think its about 57 yrs old now. i do finf the fact i hadnt even registered the TV ads were gone interesting in itself, i dont watch much tv now but i have done, and thinking about it there havent been adverts for years that i remember
I ride an old DR650 Suzie for the 6th season. A good commuter, a reasonable tourer, great on unpaved road i love to roam, just enough power etc. What bothers me is that the new 600-900cc enduros/dual sports are way too heavy for me. How come ABS or water cooling adds 100lbs to the weight?
The flip side is that in India and China they are selling to people who have a fraction of the wage rates in the western world. So those markets have to sell what their people can afford. In both markets, the profit is in only double digits and other asian markets motorcycles over 250cc are banned. It's the western markets where the profit is. Western markets are aspirational. The buyers don't use 125cc bikes as the families only transport. Bikes are at the top end of the discretionary spend of well off people, so manufacturers charge as much as the market will stand.
times change mate, India has more billionaires than you might think and an ever expanding middle class, as does China, they are buying aspitional bikes too, cheers for watching, and yes, profit margins are higher here, but sales numbers make up more than the difference
I wish here in the USA we could get some of the European bikes but EPA and other restrictions limit the amount of motorcycles that are imported to America, I'm sure that there would be a huge surge in 400cc to 600cc motorcycles in all of the Japanese brands.
being honest i wish we got more of them in the UK, you see many brands in Europe than you never see at all in the UK. One example that baffles me is Brixton Motorcycles. The whole range is British named as is the company, as though they have set themselves up for the UK market, but you can't buy them here, yet they are available all over Europe
@@mrsilbo6499 I think it would be a great trade for some of the 2 stroke bikes if they are still available, seems like the American market is still interested in that kind of motorcycle, but just about every guy likes to get 900cc or something thinking that's the best. I personally am about the ride not just the speed of the motorcycle plus there are tons of distracted drivers on the American highways and if I was to get out of trouble I would rather have a lighter bike to ride with.
Revenue is important yet margin is arguably more important. Make 5k on a 10k bike in the US and make $500 on a 3k bike in India and the market gets much closer
that is true. but as you know, margins here and in the US have been getting squeezed more at the same time they have been steadily increasing in China and India because they are buying more bigger bikes
The legacy manufacturers will come a cropper as they make their products more expensive. It leaves a huge gap in the lower end for China and India to exploit... and they will - not next week, not next year, but within 10 years they'll start leading the way whilst the current big bike producers will gradually fade away. Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki have other automotive and heavy industry concerns... not sure what Yamaha will do. US and European manufacturers will also find things hard unless they start to diversify or join up with Chinese or Indian companies...
400cc is more than enough for the road, my old nc35 with only 55Bhp on the backwheel was like an 2000hp volvo v40t, but on track even in Sweden it felt like I rather would have an 600cc supersport. 100hp is what I consider what I think is just perfect for me, but I am very curious how the ne zx4 inline 4 will feel like, after all it seems to have just a bit less hp as my old bandit mk1 had, too bad the chassis so so budget like and heavy. Would love a proper light weight 400cc inline 4 with twinspar alu frame or just a top notch trellis frame instead of that budget frame it has now.
The CF Moto SR 450 looks interesting but a little down on power maybe, and i am looking forward to seeing the final production version of the Kove 400RR. if you dont know there are videos on the channel :-) Cheers for watching mate, and enjoy the ride :-)
I had the NC24, NC30, and NC35 and on all of them I totally completely absolutely did NOT break the law...😉😉😉 But - if I ride my current Fireblade with the same amount of fun, only jail sentences would be the reward. For this reason I am waiting to see what the new ZX4RR is going to be priced at in the UK. Fireblade is boring on the road at legal speeds.
@@TheOriginalCoda lol, i had the same with the FZR's to be honest, with the trick one you don't really get out of first until youre doing 70mph, it does sound great under a bridge though pmsl 🙂
@@barebonesmc Yep. My heart is still with 90's bikes, modern stuff I don't really care for. I would love a 92-95 Blade, or same era 1000 EXUP, or 750R, jeez even the Thunderace is looking quite attractive now 😂
@@TheOriginalCoda The Thunderace is an underrated bike. Felt a bit more bulky than the EXUP to me but i am biased lol, The OW01 is a dream bike, but my naked EXUP has got a lot of the YZF750 parts on it 🙂 so ive probably got nearly half of one 🙂
Is that correct that Europe pays twice as much for a bike as the US, it certainly used to be the case when I was young, everything in America was much cheaper? I recent watched a UA-cam video of someone doing their grocery shopping in the US and was astonished how expensive it was.
they were the latest figures i could find. Its not that we pay twice as much for the same bike as such. and all the various import tariffs obviously affect prices in each country, but in general, Americans buy simpler, higher capacity bikes and get them cheaper, the European market buys higher spec more expensive bikes. Food prices everywhere are a whole different story 🙂 (wormhole warning ) 🙂
Buyers should really remember that when they choose to invest in a Chinese made motorcycle (or anything else from China) they are also investing in the Chinese military machine which has been put on a war footing over the past few years. If you do, then don't worry about taking a trip to view your investment as the chances are your investment will be visiting you sometime soon.
600 cc then 900 cc then 1400cc and up in the USA any thing under 500 cc is a child’s bike or beginners bike just the normal in the USA even the college students ride 600 to 900 cc bikes it’s like the norm I don’t think there will ever be a market in the 500 cc and below 😢as far a price every thing is expensive unless it’s 10 years old Harley Davidson are the same price 10 years old if they are nice but Honda will be a fraction of the price it’s not supply it’s just demand just my two cents keep up the good work
The new "hipster" generation does not care about the "spirit" of riding, they only care about looking good on 2 wheels and getting from place A to place B at a cheap as possible price. Royal Entfield's Meteor 350 sales figures prove that. For us that want the "spirit" it will be a hefty price to pay if we want new or we will have to sit on 15 year old bikes (nothing wrong with that). However, we need to realize that we are a minority. I think we could benefit from the new market and how it develops as the big houses will have to enrich smaller displacement segment like you said. And, we have to thank the previously mentioned "hipster" generation for it.
To be fair most of the people i have seen riding Meteor and Hunters (and Himalayans) are well over 50 years old, not young hipster types :-) A big part of the problem is in the UK and US (not so much in Europe) young people arent turning to motorcycles as transport like most of us did. the average age of riders is just going up and up. take a look how many people under 50 you can count at any of your local biker cafes. youll be lucky to count more than 1 or 2 out of 20 or 30 people in the UK and the figures look pretty similar in the US
@@barebonesmc personally I believe that the problem of getting younger people on bikes is because of the huge cost of passing the motorcycle test and it's unnecessary complexity of licence tiers, it puts young people off even trying, that and parents tend to help them buy cars, but without new blood British motorcycling will die, but perhaps that's exactly what the government wants 😳
I'll never buy a Chinese bike I actually still prefer the older Japanese bikes to anything modern. You cannot beat the Japanese top four for performance v cost.
Id agree on one level, but i try to remember that is what the British kept saying when Japanese bikes arrived and I know China has some fantastic engineers. Who knows what the future holds. CF Moto are rocking the boat by putting a full 4 year guarantee on bikes using the same tech that KTM only put a years limited guarantee with clauses on. Has to say something. 🙂 Ride free mate and cheers for watching
I originally had the same perspective, but last year I bought a new Skygo Earl 150 in the Philippines, which, size-wise, is perfect for local conditions. It's actually a locally-assembled (in Cebu) Chinese-made Lifan Classic. As a group, Lifan also make cars and trucks. Styling is trad Brit, carby motor is Kawasaki OHV copy with disc/drum brakes, electric/kick-starter. Unusually, it has a rotary 'box, with a N-1-2-3-4-5-N continuous pattern, which took a bit of getting used to. Cash Price? 40K PHP = 570 GBP ride-away-no-more-to-pay. Bargain! - and the quality is fine.
Ducati is made in Brazil with Chinese parts, owned by Germans with a small Italian flag on it 😂😂😂 same goes with benelli and mv agusta Market bullshitters
@@TorqueKit heard no complaints on that front about CF Moto to be fair, or Benelli come to think about it, and lets be fair the Japanese and Europwan manufacturers are often not very quick at accepting known faults either 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free 🙂
Ive had harleys, big hondas, & bmw's. Gotten rid of them all @ the age of 66. The last was this pig of a bmw. Theyre just to big anymore. Im going one cyl. all the way. Im retired now, so slow & easy wins the race Back roads for me from here on out!
All of the old motorcycles where they are Japanese British American Italian where real motorcycles today's motorcycles are a collection of government regulations on two wheels no more no less and no soul.
Ive just bought a 2006 cbf 1000 18k miles fully loaded inc sat nav in outstanding condition for £3000 it will be my last bike. It ticks every box i need and will last year's if well maintained. I look at bike prices now and think "how much" absolutely rinsing uk bikers to the max but bikers just can't see it....
@@barebonesmc not only are bike prices ridiculous the quality is dropping as well. My vfr 800 VTEC 2001 had some beautiful welds on the frame (work of art) I looked at a yams mt07 frame about 2 years ago and it looked like a 5 year old had welded it.... The article is correct about UK bikes costing more than most others pay... If mugs stop buying them the prices will soon drop
@@mrthomas394 the last statement is the truest yet. manufacturers will charge whatever they think they can get away with, price rarely reflects cost as much as it reflects the customers willingness to pay inflated prices. while we pay it they will keep squeezing the profit margins
A VERY informative vid mate ( you didn’t mention Australia 🇦🇺 New Zealand 🇳🇿 and South Africa 🇿🇦😂😂😂😂. I agree ☝️ in part waat you are saying with the Chinese and Indian markets and growing production and very much improvement in build quality. BUT I will not buy a bike ( made in china) main reason I will not support a growing superpower that wants to take over the world 🌎. India 🇮🇳 no problems. We prefer our large Capacity bikes here a 650 is class as small . It’s more to do with our vast distances we travel .
struggled with the figures for Australia and NZ mate, and yep, i can imagine the long distances play a big part in choice cheers for watching , ride free
I live in california I have 2 bike but I ride mostly on highway because time when you leaving to work at 7 or 8pm using back road and go home in 2 hours instead than 50 minutes its not convinuos
Sadly, here in Pennsylvania, we are seeing a generation coming up with no interest at all in bikes. Growing up in the late 60s and early70s, I couldn't think of a family in the neighborhood without at least one bike. Now, when I hear I bike passing my home, it's almost always an old fart on a Harley with a queue of traffic bottled up behind him.
Sure the Indian and Chinese markets are a lot larger but what are the profit margins? If you were a motorcycle manufacturer would you rather sell a million 250cc bikes with razor thin profits to the third world or 50,000 large bikes to the global middle and upper class to a consumer base who buy with their heart not their head and will tick a lot of things on the accessories list. I think the market for Japanese litre bikes is dying but Ducati, Triumph, BMW and KTM all are setting sales records
i think there are a lot of changes happening that we dont always see. and short term success does not always equal long term survival. it is easier to set sales records when your initial sales figures are lower. the big 4 are all much bigger companies 🙂 cheers for watching mate, ride free
Can’t stand the seats on modern bikes, you can’t move on them like the old bikes of the 70s. In the Philippines they still mostly use bikes of the old school type usu 150cc. Family’s of up to 4 can ride on these long comfy flat style seats.
It always makes me smile when you see the whole family sat chugging along the side of a highway weaving in and out of traffic 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
plus, American riders are on average much bigger/heavier than your average Asian rider, and perhaps the average Euro rider as well. Big butts need big bikes.
Uk government wants all cars and bikes off the road. Infact motorcycles are not debated what so ever in the UK on the news or parliament, also the cost is outrageous today, i mean £18,000 - £23,000 for two wheels is a joke, plus the unwanted tech that is forced on us. Motorcycle companies make other better things, Kawasaki makes ships and aeroplanes, Yamaha makes pianos and instruments, honda makes everything else including garden mowers etc and could stop making bikes anyway. Uk has the strictest licence and restriction laws and 3 licence tests with in BHP restrictions and Age limits. Young people in Britain are just not interested in bikes, the 3 tests and costs. My bike is a 1998 Honda blackbird that i paid £9,000 over 20yrs ago and i would never swap it for anything modern and its only a matter of time before non euro bikes are banned or bikes under euro 5. Bikes repesent the true meaning of freedom but the government in the UK want 20mph speed limits and ultra low emission zones, 15min cities and hidden speed cameras. England isnt a nice place to own a vehicle right now. I belive bike companies will stop making bikes, i mean make maybe 1 or 2 city bikes, electric only and rely on other interests like ship building etc. Also i do believe such countries like france its legal to own a bike over 100bhp
re "countries like france its legal to own a bike over 100bhp" do you mean illegal? if so, no its nt mate, France has a solid biker community, plenty of bigger bikes, Spain, Germany and Italy too. I know what you mean re tests, but have you ever known anyone fail a CBT? ,,,,,,,, and re " England isnt a nice place to own a vehicle right now" its a pretty grim place in many ways right now id say. 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free, i do love the Blackbird :-)
I think it's time to start building our own bikes and put UK 🇬🇧 Europe and theUSA 🇺🇸 back on the World Motorcycle Map. I don't like these new cheap, plastic, tail tidy, insect types bikes we see today. I don't believe small motorcycles are safe on modern highways, we've moved on from the 70s . Riding a motorcycle in India or other countries in Asia is totally different to riding in Europe and US . If truth be told , Cheap Labour and Huge profits are dictating world motorcycle sales. I could weigh up The World Motorcycle Market in one word, Greed...
💯 agree with you about smaller cc bikes.❤ them.there seems to be people with the attitude that even 600cc bike are small😂.I do own a 1000cc bike but thinking of a 400cc.i wish bmw would bring 1 out.👍👍
Well said, I think 5-600cc is the sweet spot for me but thats with carrying passenger. and yes i still have bigger bikes but last time i put the EXUP on the road i hardly rode it other than road bike trackdays, riding round at 60 and 70mph on it just felt silly :-) cheers for watching
@@barebonesmc although the 600 + the 750 have the EXACT SAME FRAME, the motor mounts are set in a different place on the 750 to allow for the bigger engine/trans. the shifting points are also diff on the 750 compared to the 600. ->going from 125hp to 150hp IS a great difference imo & for that much gain the 750 must be the option...
@@dopeytripod im not denying the 750 is a great bike at all, i do think for the track 750 is the best, but for roads i think most people would actually be faster on the 600 still. but as i say if we were all the same it would be a boring world
I like to know what's happening the motorcycle world, with new bike's, and old Bike's, I more or less started my Bike career with the worst bike ever made the KH250 had two of them and they both run like a pig, didn't know then the different between a 2 stroke and a four stroke, then got a 250LC great bike, but got stole, then a RD200 never let me down, then a CB400, then a CB500, then a Fazer600 great bike but a bit heavy for me, to push up the curb, nearly dropped it twice, and seat a little bit high for my short legs, now I'v got a ZX10r lighter than the Fazer and a lot easier to push around but still getting used to it. Will take it slow, but the bike really wants to go.
@@barebonesmc Thank's for taking the time to reply, I'm learning quite a lot watching your video's, knowledge is power, I'm 64 now so this may be my last bike (Zx10r) I just fell in love with it when I seen it, 2009 with 15,000 miles, for £6000 all white, with white wheels, my 20 year old Fazer only had 5000 miles on it am not really a true biker, as I have a car as well, and don't do a lot of miles on the bike or in the car, as I like to walk everywhere to keep fit, also do a bit of running. Keep up the good work, by for now Paul.
@@paulagnew-z6f bikers come in many forms and are all equal in my book mate, "real" is relative 🙂 to me, if its got an engine and 2 wheels and you ride it you are a biker, end of story 🙂glad you appreciate my particular perspective. cheers for watching mate 🙂 Ride Free
I really can’t remember when anything made in America was “King of the road”? Be sure that if the chinese should decide to make a “world beater” of a motorcycle, they will. Just look at the electric powered vehicles that are being introduced to Europe at the moment, MG and B.Y.D. Totally on level with the best from Tesla and other car manufactors.
I don't like all the new developments in the industry. The REs, retro-looking chamomile bikes - kind of hate them. Good bikes are made to beat a competitor on some objective and measurable criterion, whether the competitor is a 1989 EXUP or a 1970s CB350. Not by pandering to fashion trends.
i think 400's with no limits is the best idea :-) and it fits the Japanese market as well as the Indian and Chinese markets :-) maybe we might get a revamped VFR/RVF 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
@@barebonesmc The exotic and beautiful 90’s 400’s were nice but would be too expensive for junior class teams. Larger capacity 2 cylinder bikes will be the way. The little 300’s are ok as a junior bike.
@@Officialnrb hmmmm like a Supertwin series? might be interesting, but in the road racing it just ended up being a Kawasaki wipe out, nothing else could compete so you ended up with a one brand series which just got coring
@@barebonesmc Yea, something similar to those. I don’t see Kawasaki’s prevalence as the fault of the class in itself. The NW 200 was hardly a one make results page either. An almost 1 make moto2 class has proved a success too.
@@Officialnrb being honest, i think Moto 2 is everything wrong with racing in one package, its all about branding. not one of the bikes actually represents anything that hits the road and we can buy, sad really. and the SV hardly ever got any podium places in the Supertwins, i guess you could put Paton in there but its the ER6 that dominates the racing unless ive missed something. racing was, and IMO should be, a way of drawing new riders into the various brands. you cant do that with a series where they all use the same engine and chassis are custom built for racing and nothing else. having said that, i like to hear different opinions 🙂 cheers, have a good day mate
This is a very complex discussion about bikes. My main focus was on your comment that bikes in China are scrap after 10 years. This isn't an idea that is good for the environment and the build down temptation by manufacturers is very clear. I have no problem buying a bike from China, I just need to see one that's in any way tempting. Nothing so far. Just slightly weird and jaded copies of European bikes. I really don't like this, what seems to me, quite racist idea of bikes as toys in the west and functional necessities in eastern markets. I use my bike throughout the year for work and pleasure. Good vid, thanks.
As you can see from some of my videos i ride all year mate, my brain wont allow me not to lol. I am interested to see how the Kove plan pans out over time, I will be going to see the new 450 Rally at some point. as to the "Functional vs Toys" bit, there are always exceptions, but the market is driven by market norms, to be honest, i remember years ago being shocked, when a mate who ran a Yamaha dealership told me the average mileage of customers was less than 3k a year, and its still dropping. Now, i sort of see why thats distorted, as I run multiple bikes there are some that do very few miles each year, but many in the UK are bought as either toys, or status symbols, not as a practical transport system. sad but true. Cheers for watching and the comment mate, Ride Free
India and China don’t have the road system we do in the UK and the USA. Most of the bikes sold in India won’t hold up long term in the USA unless they are relegated to local chore duty. Doing business in China is pretty chancy business. Ask McDonalds or KFC. A company I used to work for, Libbey Glass, ran into institutional pressure against an American company trying to break into the glassware business. After building a plant to manufacture glassware and train a workforce the sales never materialized. China is very insular and the National government will change on a whim, removing both legs of your business leaving you on crutches.
you obviously havent ridden on English roads for a while, theres more pot holes than tarmac across most of the country lol. as to business in China, when the USA labels China as the enemy so often do you not think it will have a result on the US companies that try and get a foothold, and to be fair there are too many mcdognuts n kfc's there already . I wish we had a few less here too lol
We will see mate, personally i dont think so, I think there will be other options, otherwise we will run out of Cobalt and Lithium very quickly :-) cheers for watching , ride free
India & China are like the UK in the 70's in biking terms, & as they grow wealthier I suspect they'll do what we have done & shun bikes for cars eventually - & without young people having an interest in bikes those industries will die, just like ours. Maybe there will be a burst of activity with "born agains" in those countries in 25 years time, but much will depend on legislation killing off the ice & replacing these with heavy & range limited whirring e-bikes.
I agree but i dont think chinese bikes will do to well in the us. China has sloppy builds and make thing dangerously cheap and you dont want a cheap in quality bike especially if a used bike will be cheaper. Royal enfields are a totally different story cuz they are very well make and understressed. I think they are one of the best companies not just for beginners either with the possibility of the s&s 900cc drop on big bore kit. Personally i will never buy a chinese bike. Ill stick w my triumph t160 trident and 2000 legend gy. And if not them ide junt get another cb750 which will run decades after im gone
I think Chinese bikes have been built solely for the Chinese market until recently so yes what you say applies. but things are changing, and having worked there i know they can built quality kit which is actually better than i could get made anywhere ese at the time 🙂 cheers for watching mate 🙂 Ride Free
i hate the new bi-cilindrical engines brands are making know...they cheaper to make than 4 -in line engines and they are selling them as if they where 4-in lines Ex: the new R7 yamaha...how much does it cost? know pick any older R6 for a cheaper price and you can pulverize any R7 ....i refuse to give any of my sweated earned money to any brand with this kind of mentality.
i try not to generalise but i know what you mean, i hate the fact they are so heavy, a parrallel twin shouldnt be heavier than a V twin in the case of the Vstrom's. cheers for watching mate, ride free
@@barebonesmc cheers mate , ahhh i have a passion for the 4-in line engines and i feel that they are vanishing from motorbikes and the ones that are still made , have to much power or cost to much .
As a 63 year old from Kentucky I went through phases starting on a RD350 then slowly and surely "progressed" to more cc's as my experience and income allowed. At 59 years old I realized the big cc bikes (Bandit 1200, bandit 1250 and Hayabusa) had amazing performance but were lacking in utility and dare I say they just weren't fun anymore. I sold them all and got a 2019 CB500x and it was the best decision ever for me, great urban commuter and great long distance back-road tourer...I hate the Interstate highways and had no need for the excess of big cc's. That being said most Americans that long distance tour either don't have the luxury of the time needed to travel all back-roads or haven't discovered that back-roads exclusively is a game changer for discovering America the fun way...I will say it again, Interstates on a motorcycle suck no matter what you're riding...BORING! Americans as a whole will NEVER switch back to smaller bikes and sadly the younger generations by and large have no interest in bikes...kids don't even ride bicycles anymore, strange.
i dont understand kids not being interested either to be fair, i was doing 20-30 mile runs regularly on a push bike as a kid. thats how i saw Ron Haslam and Mick Grant testing the new NR500 at Donnington as a kid :-) the motorbike meant the freedom to go further and ive been doing that ever since. cheers for watching, Ride Free 🙂
I've ridden them all in my life, at 65 I've just bought Yamaha's grand filano scooter.
It's the most reliable & practical transport on the market today.
If practical takes preference over looks or ego then choose wisely.
I just turned 64, I started riding on a 100cc Bultaco dirt bike at age 8, got my license on my 16th birthday, bought a Suzuki GT380, and never looked back. I've owned more than 50 bikes (no crotch rockets) and ridden over a million miles. I currently have 4 motorcycles and a Vespa scooter. All are carbureted, and none are black. There is not a single new motorcycle I have any interest in. I used to always be buying new bikes, but they don't make motorcycles anymore. They are all computercycles. And most of them are black. I hope I live long enough to see that ridiculous fad end.
@@nomad90125 indeed mate, lets face it if looks were part of my decision i wouldnt be riding a Vstrom lol, but i dont think a scooter would do me for 2 up off road 🙂 horses for courses as they say 🙂 cheers for watching mate 🙂 Ride Free
@@geraldscott4302 ill second that
Yes but in Asia every family has a motorcycle, but in the USA 1of every 12 family's might have a motorcycle 🏍
Perhaps with this turn and these new options, that'll start changing in the USA, even if slowly, since smaller more affordable bikes, may be more appealing to the younger generations that are not that interested in spending that many thousands of dollars on a motorcycle that takes quite good skills and experience to master and in many ways are more intimidating than aspirational, even more to the average women market that now a days has to be taken into account for any business plan.
I say this in my experience of over 20 years as a riding instructor and the feedback I get all the time from students and people around me.
Also, a factor that that is a big difference putting aside the economic, is the motorcycles not being allowed in most states to cut through lanes like in mostly any other country is allowed, taking away the advantage as a commuting practical and economic vehicle and turning them into only a recreational but more uncomfortable one.
Let's not speak about "environment friendly" consciousness of the new generations :)
Don't get me wrong, love a big powerful engine and all that one can give us riders. It's just that at this time and age of societies and circumstances around the world, mid size bikes sound much more logical at least to me :)
Cheers!
If you look at Honda range since 2013. CB 500 built in Thailand in several flavours. X, Rebel, CBR, CBF and now Scrambler CL. Accounts for most of Honda sales globally.
Multiple licences in UK discourages a lot of potential buyers
and the cost of insurance for sure 🙂 cheers for watching mate 🙂 ride free
Very good points. My first bike was a brand new Honda CB200 ,which will show you how ancient I am. Most of what I rode back then is considered classic now,though having them I'd say maybe old but mostly far from classic,only my opinion. One of my best bikes was also one of my worst,a 2001 Fazer 600. Fantastic machine but before it I'd had a CB500 that I loved,not least through the twisty Cornish B roads where I'd be up and down the gearbox to keep it buzzing. The Fazer did the same roads in 5th almost by remote control which wasn't the same buzz. I actually think bigger isn't better, I wouldn't have changed my Fazer for the 1000 version and in my over 10 years on my current 600 Bandit I've never felt the need for a larger model. I made that mistake with my 600 Hornet,changed if for a 900 version and in "real life" it was no quicker, it just cost more to run and was heavier and didn't handle as well while the 600 felt like 250 carving through city traffic and down country lanes.
Unless you go touring there's no real need for a big bike these days, speed excessively and it's only a matter of time before you get nicked and if you're into bikes as opposed to trying to impress people smaller bikes are a real blast.
Now youve sparked the memory of a trip to Cornwall for me lol. A 500/4 with clip ons, Dunstall rearsets and 4 into 1 flying round the back roads 2 up :-) cheers for watching mate, enjoy the ride
Totally agree 👍
@@brendan1522 🙂Cheers for watching mate, ride free
For me , the polished aluminum and chrome on the older bikes gave those of us who weren’t mechanically inclined the ability to do something , making our ride look good . The black look on the newer models never appealed to me but then again there are those who didn’t like or have the time to polish ! Lol
i hate cleaning and polishing to be fair lol 🙂 cheers for watching mate, ride free
I personally love 300cc/500cc segment. I own a MT07 & R3 we did a 400 kilometer ride yesterday of beautiful Twistie mountain roads. I took the R3 it's a brilliant little bike so much fun 😁
Thanks for sharing! :-) and Thanks for watching mate , Ride free
Having owned a cb500f and an mt-07 , I will not buy a parallel twin again. I thought the limitations on the Honda were due to low displacement and redline, but it’s just the twin design- way too buzzy. I want to put a few hundred miles on a sv650 or z900rs
@@stubbingtonmarigold3032 ive known people do literally 100s of thousands of miles on TDM850 and 900's with no trouble mate so might not be all parallel twins. but its all about taste at that point. 🙂cheers for watching, ride free
@@stubbingtonmarigold3032 well I'm a happy owner the MT07 is a brilliant engine.
Yes true i leave my big bike at home and ride the Ninja 400 so much more fun and relaxing
Motorcycles in the USA are look at as a luxury. Motorcycles around the world are a need.
in many ways the same in the UK, but the world is ever changing 🙂 cheers for watching mate have a good evening
I've been working backwards from where I started. I'm 65 and learned on a KZ-900. Now I'm down to a Honda PCX-150 scooter and having loads of fun. However, something in the 400 range might be just the thing if I ever want to get on a highway again.
400-600 is the sweet spot for me, and only 600 because i carry a pillion a lot 🙂Cheers for watching mate, ride free
New subscriber here. I've watched a few of your videos and enjoyed them. You have a perspective that other content creators don't, and I like it! I think we are creatures of the time period of our youth and depending on age, we collect or buy the bikes of our youth. I didn't like Japanese bikes at first (Honda CB 750) because they weren't Brit, European, or American motorcycles (how dare they!). As time went on, I learned that Honda CB 750's were great bikes, grudgingly admiring the build quality and smooth engines, not to mention ride quality. Be that as it may, my heart, and collection, will always belong to the 40's through 80's motorcycles. I did buy a 1991 Honda Nighthawk with 11,802 miles on it a few weeks ago, in perfect condition, for the collection. It sure has more power than my BMW /5 or /6 series motorcycles that I love and enjoy and more power than I'm willing to use! Maybe some day these bikes that are made in China and India will be desirable collectors items but as a guy a few months from 70 years old, it won't be during my lifetime! Thanks for the interesting content that is always thought provoking. Cheers from Connecticut!
Thanks for the comment mate, and glad youve jumped aboard, theres plenty more to come 🙂
I've had many 1000cc + bikes over the years, but I now I just have a Honda CB500X and even a 125 Monkey Bike, and I'm riding more than I've ever done and having more fun than ever. I find myself jumping on the bike now for nipping to town or short trips rather than take the car.
mine are getting smaller these days too :-) it make life easier :-) :-) Cheers for watching, ride free
Love my Road King and my Busa, but my Z400 will always be my favorite scooter.
a great little bike 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
That 400/4 is beautiful. At the time I had a cb500t what I love is the chrome glinting in the sun. Your vlog is excellent and pognant
cheers mate, I had the 500/4 :-) awesome bike 🙂cheers for watching , ride free
Thank You for this great piece of information. You, along with Itchy Boots are changing the face of motorcycling in Britain.
Only recently i went to see my first track day event. The fastest bike, by some distance was not a 600, of which there were many. It wasnt the 1000s, again well represented. It was a guy looking like he was having so much fun. He was riding a Kawasaki GPz500.
the CB500 crew always have a great laugh too :-) cheap n cheerful, n wow, even being mentioned in the same breath as itchy boots is an honour 🙂Cheers for watching mate, ride free
Hands down this has been the most well presented and interesting vid on the topic. 👏🏻👏🏻.
🙂cheers for your comment mate, ride free
The aspirational motorcycles you speak of are the Chinese copy of the 1200 Triumph Bonneville as well as the 1200cc evolution Sportster copy called to Stormbreaker. They have progressed up the ladder from small copies of Japanese commuter bikes to ever-larger bikes that serve a used that is more than just simple transportation. My Evolution Sportster I have owned for almost 25 years and while I use it for daily Transportation as I do not drive a car it is more than just a commuter bike to go from here to there it is a part of my life. A small commuter bike is fine for going back and forth to work but when you buy a top-of-the-line motorcycle it is more than just transportation. You have crossed the line and now you are a motorcycle enthusiast. Your bike is special to you and it's not just a functional item like an appliance that you could not care less for. Your bike has a special place in your life. It is a part of your soul your life being. A forever bike becomes part of your life forever. It becomes more than just a machine. It becomes a part of you. Personally I am happy that the Chinese are making the Stormbreaker because justful introduced thousands of people to the pleasure of having an evolution Sportster and an evolution Sportster is an old-school design that is rebuildable forever.
there are plenty of other examples than the Brixton Cromwell. The new Benda LFC700 is one that springs to mind but yes, there are a lot of big capacity cruiser bikes. not all copies, that are now being launched in the Chinese market, just as Royal enfield did with the 650 twins in India. they know their own markets better than we do that is for sure, nice comment mate and i do agree the personal connection thing is something that knows no borders
All bikes are special to me! If it has two wheels & a motor, count me in! Brakes optional.
@@savage22bolt32 my thoughts exactly mate :-) WELCOME ABOARD
Myself I wouldn't buy a China made bike.
@@truthhurtsalways2781 me neither. Even if the quality was there, and they had a dealer network, I'd avoid supporting the CCP. (every business in China is beholden to the govt)
I subbed this is a great channel......i have owned 37 some motorcycles all for competition....raced unlimited superbike F-USA Pikes Peak with a 5th in the 500 pro class in 99.....i like bikes
Welcome aboard mate Cheers for watching :-) enjoy the ride. anyone who has ridden Pikes Peak gets my respect
How did you get Winston Churchill to narrate this?
pmsl nah, ive got hair lol and a beard 🙂 cheers for watching 🙂 ride free
Always liked smaller capacity motorcycles. For mere mortals like me, I had some chance of riding them up to their limits rather than mine.
One of the situations that put it all in perspective for me was when a guy on a 1970s honda 125 was literally passing most of the litre bikes (including mine) that were on a trackday. he had learnt to squeeze out every last drop of performance from that bike, all around the circuit, rather than just relying on power to pass people on the straights, not that there are many straight bits at Cadwell :-)
He was so much faster around Barn corner he was halfway down the stright while we were still exiting the corner, For me personally, i know im a bit faster around Cadwell than the Vstrom will take me, but all the other bikes I tried there regardless of power i did around the same lap time, they ranged from 90HP to about 150HP, So my ability lies somewhere in the region of 90HP with a decent chassis I would guess :-) I know thats not very scientific but it made sense to me :-) :-) Cheers for watching mate, ride free
Sticking to my 57 tigercub!
probably a good idea in many ways mate :-)
I am 68, I ride a Honda NC750XD and intend to get a Sym NHT200 for my off road riding as I have not done this yet, once I get this down pat, I will put other tires on my Honda and see if it works out. Great work.
enjoy it mate, and thanks 🙂cheers for watching , ride free
I've had the entire spectum of motorcycles of almost every cc. I've found that 650 cc is more than enough for the different riding I enjoy. I rode a Lambretta 150cc to high school and it was perfect for the job. I've got a 1200cc Yamaha Tenre in the garage as my biggest cc machine. My 900 Ducati Elefant doesn't get a lot of riding time, but it's there. The 125 cc Hondas are fun, but running into town is a challenge on them. I've been waiting for Honda to bring the 450 cc ADV Scooter to the USA. It will probably replace most of my collection. Traffic is so heavy and slow I hate riding with a clutch here. But, I'm a big 6' guy weighing in at 225 lbs of solid muscle. (Retired Construction Worker) So anything smaller is not going to work for me anymore. Sure do miss that Lambretta. Took a lot of flack for it from the Honda Super 90 guys in the mid 60's, until they tried to race me........ I was riding it when that Cary Grant and Sophia Loren black and white movie came out with the scooter in Italy, so the girls I dated actually emjoyed riding with me. And their parents were easier to deal with, as I was not their typical motorcycle trash to them...
With the new engines 350 and 450cc's, they will be plenty of machine for most. Of Course there will allways be BIG Harleys in the way, but that's life. As long as I can get around them before the next curve!! LOL
enjoy it mate, and i agree that 400-600cc band is the sweet spot 🙂cheers for watching, Ride Free
I have ridden a Harley Electra Glide for over a decade. I grew up on mid sized Japanese bikes. I just added a Benelli 302s and a CFMoto CLX 700 to my collection (both 2022's) I love the smaller bikes in town but would never tour on them. That's my Harley's jurisdiction. I love the way the smaller bikes handle in traffic and also the retro looks many of them have as well as some of the "modern" concepts as well. I just like motorcycles. Shiny side up yawl. ;)
and rubber side down mate :-) How are you finding the CLX? how long have you had it? I quite fancy one with longer suspension :-) but without the extra weight of the MT :-)
@@barebonesmc I have had it about a year. Just broken in. She's awesome. I'm 6' tall and it's a great fit. Lots of power and it handles nice as well. I highly recommend it for the class it's in.
@@NWTMasterWolf i will have to look at how i could increase suspension travel 🙂
@@barebonesmc Try the ADV version maybe? It's the same bike setup for ADV with spoke wheels and longer travel.
@@NWTMasterWolf i have, thats the MT, fairly good, but heavier than my vstrom
I had three of these CB 400 F motorcycles back in the day. Two red ones and a yellow one. It would rev to 10,000., but I was always always shifting. It didn’t have much grunt. I was much happier with my RDs and Kawasaki 350 tripples..
I roadraced rDs, Suzuki X6, CB 750, I won six championships racing RDs, two time national champion. I would see these Honda CB 400 F’s out they’re keeping pace, but never winning. RDs ruled the race tracks. but for street riding a four stroke with an electric start was nice. That’s why I tried the Honda CB 400 F. It was OK, I was always flipping motorcycles, that’s why I had three of them. I never kept them very long. I did like the styling. I want to quit making them because it took just as many parts to build one of these as it did to build a 750 -4cylinder.
today, here in 2023, I have a Kawasaki Z 400 .. There is no comparison. The good old days or just the old days. These are the good old days.
if we all thought the same it would be a boring world 🙂cheers for adding your bit mate, ride free
Better to ride slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. Every time I watch a BAREBONESMC I learn new things, and some times I relearn what time has made me forget. Thank you and keep it up.
thanks for your support 🙂Cheers for adding your bit too mate. I always appreciate your words 🙂
Nice informative video and some great clasic bikes!
glad you enjoyed it 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
I've spent a lot of time in India and need to inform you that you can't trade in your old bike on a new one so that second hand market is very good and cheap. Also above 500cc is considered a big bike and virtually unseen on Indian roads, the petrol is usually cut with vegetable oil and is various shades of yellow also all domestic machines have a guard across the back wheel as the women all ride side saddle, I own a 350 Enfield over there that I leave at a friend's place who rents it out with permission, the bike looks like a traditional Enfield but has a modern twin plug engine that starts every day through the monsoon and on the rough fuel
the rear guards are easily retrofitten and believe me not all are set up like that, a mate there runs an M109R and it definitely doesnt have a sari guard. times are changing mate, the biggest barrier there are the import tariffs which is why companies are partnering with the likes of Bajaj. and as an example, of 3 biker friends there I know well, one runs the M109R, in a club where all the bikes are big cruisers, one runs a Benelli BN600 which was the best selling big bike in India for 2 years in a row and another runs a 650 vstrom. Most of their friends also run bigger bikes. In the 10 or so years since I first visited the country things have already changed a lot and will continue too im sure
@@barebonesmc I'll stick with the 350 custom for Indian traffic, you rarely need anything bigger, I know 500s are more desirable but the congestion is horrendous
@@peterhall8572 being honest mate the traffic in Delhi i would want as small as possible. but get out onto the roads in Rajasthan and you have more room to play with a lot of the time. The only reason to go to a bigger engine for me would be passenger comfort :-) cheers for watching mate, enjoy the ride
@@barebonesmc I'm with you there but I tend to stick to either north Goa or Jaipur depending on who I'm visiting. Did Mumbai and it's not for me
@@peterhall8572 I did enjoy Jaipur 🙂 ehave fun mat
"The Motorcycle Industry is Changing" You got that right. It seems to be impossible to find a new motorcycle anymore that isn't 100% FLAT BLACK.
KTM and Kawasaki have left the chat.....
True, people must like blending in with the road.
you can have horrible gaudy stripes in random places too lol 🙂cheers for watching , ride free
...my opinion was just about right, now I am more educated... thanks you, an old dog can still learn new tricks...
while we are learning or riding we aint dead mate :-) cheers for watching
I own a 2003 5pw R1 , wouldn't even consider swapping it as it does everything I want.
eive got 2 of its ancestors lol, i love my EXUPs 🙂Cheers for watching mate, ride free
very interesting and insightful
🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free 🙂
Back in 1982 I bought a Honda MB5 motorcycle. It was 50cc oil injected two stroke with a 5 speed. I took my test on it and rode it the 5 miles each way to work for five years. The bike would easily do 50mph from new. I loved that bike and now at 70 years old I would love to own it again today.
followed my mate for many miles with him lying pinned to the tank of his lol 🙂cheers for watching mate, Ride Free
I have found 250 to 500 cc most practical. On reason i bought bikes for was traffic as where i stay, lane splitting is allowed. Over 500cc, it becomes too big to handle in trafffic.
I know what you mean mate. my Pegaso is much easier in traffic than the Vstrom 🙂cheers for watching , ride free
Lots of great engines right now to retune and put in more practical, less expensive platforms.
I found your video very interesting. It made me wonder with all these Indian and Chinese riders what impact if any it would have on motorbike racing.
I loved to see an Indian rider compete in MotoGP or a Chinese rider in World SBK
i know Kove have plans for Supersport class. and with India having such a long history of racing you would think the riders are there. a big part would be learning the tracks for any rookie. Perhaps we can pressure Siddhartha to put some money into an RE Racing program :-) You would think with Bajaj groups influence at KTM it should be possible that route too. I guess opportunity plays a big part. once one has done it im sure the floodgates will open :-) 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
I have bikes from 125 to 1800cc and completely agree that it's more fun to ride a small bike quickly than a large bike slowly. I rode from London to North Africa last year on a ... 250cc bike and never for a minute wished I'd taken something bigger. The video was a very insightful look at the global bike market and something I'd noticed pieces of myself. The money is now in China and India and the European (inc UK) market is going to reflect that more and more as time goes on. Only fly in the ointment is how the move to battery powered stuff is going to play out. I can't imagine the taking 50 chickens to market buyer in SE Asia is going to be moving to a battery bike any time soon. But then again look at how electric mini scooters are selling.
the electric situation is complex. more complex than i think people realise. and to be fair, unless an alternative battery chemistry is developed the manufacturers know they are on limited time. Which is probably why Kawasaki (and probably others) are already exploring Hydrogen power more. When you are producing your own electric instead of plugging into a grid it is easier to see the reality of electricity generation i think 🙂 cheers for the comment mate. have a good day
@@barebonesmc Yes, I'd read about the hydrogen power project and I'd have thought they could make hydrogen power work at a bike engineering level. Whether there will ever be sufficient hydrogen 'gas' stations around the world to make using them as transport a viable choice is another matter. Here in the UK there can't be more than a handful at present and most of those are either for research or for a limited number of things like busses. Maybe I'm missing a trick on this but if the car world is wary about having high pressure hydrogen tanks in quite well protected vehicles how are very vulnerable tanks on bikes going to look to buyers? Petrol is nasty enough but at least it's not bulk stored at 5000psi (or whatever the tanks would be pressurised to). I used to scuba dive and pressurised air cylinders were a constant worry. I've no axe to grind on this, simply looking at it from the perspective of what I'd spend my own money on.
@@stuartholding6067 tanks arent the solution, but there is no incentive for the oil companies and manufacturers to build a splitter or they cant monetise the fuel. so far the tech is too big but it will get smalller if someone puts some effort in, but they dont want water to be the fuel of the future
It will be a longgggggg time before either china or india reach the standards of the japanese if ever, hence the tried and tested motorcycles of japan will always hold top spot in all aspects, might cost more but you know your going to get long lasting quality.
Thats exactly what the British said and thought in the 70s :-) You might be surprised how good some of the Chinese and Indian engineering is. In some cases actually better. Consider why CF Moto ar ehappy to put an extended 4 (in the UK) or even 5 year (in Canada) guarantee on their version of the KTM's that only have a 1 year guarantee on?
@@barebonesmc I'm old enough to remember when anything from Japan had the same reputation as Chinese bikes have had until recently........and that didn't last long. I travel to Asia and there are seriously nice Chinese and Indian machines there that we don't get here.
@@dave8204 true words mate 🙂
well said. Nice video.
🙂cheers for watching, Ride Free
Very interesting stats you bring up. I had no idea there was that much of a difference between US and European markets. China and the 10 years is amazing! No wonder they aren't afraid to make junk.
🙂Cheers for watching and for the comment mate. Ride Free 🙂
Really interesting insight. I think inflation on the premium bikes has taken the 1 litre bikes to unrealistic prices. You can have just as much fun on a smaller capacity bike. I'm waiting for the CRF450L unicorn, maybe a CB500X in a more dual sport form. PS - You didn't mention electric bikes, and how that's affecting the next gen bikes - a topic for another video.
the electric question is a long, controvertial and complex one :-) who knows, ill maybe look at it in future 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
By the way, all great bikes in your vid, love them all.
:-) cheers mate, i do my best :-) , ride free
I hadn't thought about it, but you set me straight @BAREBONESMC. The build quality of European built motorcycles seems alot better than the Chinesium brands (built in Chinesium Land). In my opinion (and I have an orifice too!), in my opinion Honda are the best build quality of the Japanese brands (YMMV). I'd not known that the Chinese were only allowed to have a bike for only 10 years - all makes sense now.
Yeah, the mid-range motorcycles are getting more popular, but the newer 650/750 are not nearly as pokey as the older 500/600 series (at least in the Honda Hornet series - pre 2011 - but that's another issue - don't get me started! 😊)
Great discussion. Thank you.
lol, the conversations i have in the comments can be as entertaining as the videos some times :-) and yes, progress seems to go backwards in the world of bikes. why is a 600 Laverda Atlas twin from the eighties so much lighter than a T7 or Aprilia Tuareg?(,its rhetorical i dont expect an answer lol) have a good day anyway mate, ride free
@@barebonesmc ha!☺️, On my way over The Mountain shortly... on my way from Douglas to Ramsey. (Yeah, I know, the wrong way!!) 👍
@@N269 hope you had fun mate 🙂
I have a KTM duke 200, love it
life can be just as much fun on a small bike 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
So in other word’s Chinese bikes only need to last 10 years are cheap and not built to last. The biggest issue with modern bikes will be issues with their wiring looms as they will cause issues after 10 plus years and the cost of replacing them means that it will not be financially viable to replace them
What you say applies to Chinese made bikes made for the Chinese market, but that is now true of many brands that arent Chinese too, and yep, electronics (not wiring as such) is the weak point on most modern bikes. how many tft screens do you think will still be working 10 years on never mind 40-50 years on, cheers for watching, Ride Free 🙂
Chinese bikes have come on a lot in last few years. Three years ago I bought a 125 because my idiot GP convinced me I had parkinsons, thankfully I haven`t, but I have ridden it nearly every day since as it is a wonderful petrol saver. The only bit I have upgraded has been the tyres, but as an old biker that is more a reflection on my riding style than the bike.
@@alandavies55 i agree mate, im jumping in because of the Parkinsons comment, we had the same with my partners mum, they dont understand the impact their guessing has sometimes, sorry you had the same thing. and glad you are ok, enjoy your day mate
Here in the US (my area anyway) ... I see a trend for better gas mileage and more urban/suburban bikes and scooters being sold. Still with a good solid med to large cruiser group.
here, i will go out on a limb and say by year end the various Enfield 350's will probably be the UK's best selling bikes. Cheap and cheerful as they say, cheers for watching , ride free
I was looking at the "RVF" @ 1:13 and thinking "thats a yamaha dash And wheres the air intake tubes?" 😆 One of the best bikes i have ever owned was a Honda RVF400, i found it a JDM car importers here in NZ, they used to fill the spare spaces in containers with 250/400 cc bikes. The car guys had no clue what it was other than a "Honda 400", as soon as i saw the TSR under & over exhausts I knew someone had spent some Yen on the bike, and someone definitely had, it was chock full of HRC F3 kit parts, including airbox, jetkit, and ECU as well as the full TSR system. It was in pristine condition as well. The car guys couldn't get it running because it had been sitting for a year or so and the carbs were gummed up, so i got it for an absolute steal. After setting up the suspension for my weight with a new nitron shock and heavier springs in the front, and getting the carbs serviced, the thing was an absolute weapon on twisting NZ roads and the odd track day. It make 69 hp on the dyno (And that was on a Factory Pro dyno, not a overly generous Dynojet dyno 😏) I sold it about 7 years ago to purchase another ex Japan import i just had to have, a 96 Yamaha TZR250 SPR 3XV, like the RVF its pristine and like the RVF the last owner in Japan spent some serious Yen on it. This ones a keeper.
well spotted mate lol, im not infallible :-) I still miss my old 1KT which had loads of Belgarda parts on it, i just wouldnt fold up small enough any more lol 🙂 cheers for watching 🙂 Ride Free
Hi I've just found your channel - great work, keep it up!!! This video in particular is fascinating. Back in the 80's when I started out the middleweight was king, looks like we're heading back that way because of emerging foreign markets - that's no bad thing but reduced longevity and build quality doesn't sit right with me, and I'm surprised if it would with green movement either....!
welcome aboard mate, i agree entirely, re the environmental issue, i also agree completely, if only people realised that (including the activists) but they seem obsessed with following the electric route that manufacturers have led them down, if i say 15 years average mileage to outweigh the carbon footprint of manufacture alone, and the batteries will be useless after 5 maximum, do the sums, electric vehicles are not about the environment its just another money printer for the manufacturers and politicians. re use of products causes less damage than making new ones but they dont seem to grasp that one, youve got me started now lol 🙂cheers for watching mate, Ride Free
@@barebonesmc Absolutely yes, correct, just lies, same as everything it seems.
@@bikerpeople548 all smoke and mirrors as they say 🙂
Coincidentally I just got home from a ride to Triumph factory at Hinckly.
Looking at the museum there reminds me of the two distinct eras of Triumphs success.
In the 70's and early 80's they seemed to rest on their previos reputation of making iconic motorbikes but it just wasn't working.
Now they have a lovely range of bikes, some of the best in the world but I really hope they don't take thier eye off the ball and make the same mistakes again.
Following the demands of the market is the only way.
the whole British industry just got complacent in the 70s and 80s i think. cheers for watching, Ride Free 🙂
@@barebonesmc The only thing I could add is that when I look around me at bikers is that almost everyone is around my age. I do know some younger riders but not many. I can only see this as worrying. Is the demographic in the U K always going to be 50+? or even worse die out with our generation.
Perhapse, if the global market demands small capacity, cheep bikes then that is the way forward. After all that's the way I started out on two wheels along with my mates.
@@captainoates7236 yep, it is a big problem, and i do think the industry is part of the problem, instead of selling someone a small bike, letting them learn then hopefully buying another bike from that brand as they move up in capacity and stick with the brand they gel with, they are just greedy and push the sale of restricted bikes that are big and heavy which puts a lot of people off before theyve really learned how to ride. all to get that bigger profit on the first sale, sod what happens later. thats a bit of a ramble but hope you get the idea, 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
Motorcycle from 01:10 to 03:11 is a Honda VFR400R-NC24 of 1988.
lol, i buggered that up twice then lol, i do get most of the footage right to be fair :-) you can imagine what its like with different footage and clips of 10 different bikes and endless video editing it can get muddled sometimes :-) 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
@@barebonesmc thanks man, ride free
I just bought a vfr 400
great bikes a classic for sure 🙂 Cheers for watching mate. Ride Free 🙂
Best content
Welcome aboard mate, enjoy the ride and cheers for the support
In the old days motorcycles were not built to planned obsolescence. My British motorcycles as well as my BMW Airhead motorcycles from the 70s are classic antiques that are still usable in the modern day. Because they are usable and rebuildable the aftermarket supplies parts for them that are better than the factory Parts you used to get in the 1960s. No one is going to make aftermarket parts for a bike that is going to be off in 10 years. For people who buy a cheap commuter bike in 10 years it will probably be worn out. Top-of-the-line motorcycles biking Stormbreaker you are not going to buy a new one every ten years you were going to keep the old one because they become part of your life. And many countries many people ride vintage motorcycles because they are exempt from mot every year and they enjoy insurance and registration discount. That is why you see many WWII era Army B still in use. Most of my motorcycles run a vintage plate. My so-called vintage primitive motorcycles have all outlasted my high-tech Japanese motorcycles. I enjoyed my modern Japanese motorcycles but I love my vintage motorcycles.
all very true, most of my bikes are over 25-30 years old now and the Laverda is 50 this year :-) as to aftermarket parts, I see your point but they do. as long as initial sales are high enough they will make aftermarket parts, they just dont make them for as long. it is often much easier to get aftermarket parts for a 2 year old model than it is for a 10 year old model now in the UK and Europe. Times are changing, not always in the way i would like for sure
interesting thoughts. I'm an early forties dude, who hasn't ridden a road bike in over 15 years, but in the last couple of years, it's an itch that I've been wanting to scratch again. Where I live, we have a learners restrictions setup that generally limits bikes to 660cc, with a few high performance smaller bikes off limits too, like the Kr1 for example. I've been eyeing off the 2023 Royal Enfield range, the Meteor Fireball and Super Meteor are both attractive bikes (i'm a cruiser type guy for road bikes), it's hilly where I live, so I'd prefer a twin cylinder bike, but somewhere around 400 to 500cc I reckon would be the sweet spot, the bike wouldn't be too big, but it would be powerful enough. I'd be riding a long hill climb regularly (15 minutes uphill) at freeway speeds 110Kph/68Mph, and wouldn't mind a little extra power to climb them. I'm really wondering if the 350 single would be powerful enough, but the Super Meteor twin cylinder is a bigger heavier bike, and the idea of a smaller lighter bike like the Fireball 350 is appealing.... Such a shame they don't have a 500cc Meteor Fireball, I reckon it would be perfect. I wonder if Royal Enfield would build something like that soon? In the meantime, I should brush up on my skills and go get my bike learners...
It's going to be interesting to see the changes in the industry.
indeed mate, i think this ua-cam.com/video/HcBAkv9mkm4/v-deo.html and bikes like it will fill a big gap. and CF moto are offering the sort of guarantees that made Kia and Hyundai storm through the gates of the car world, so who knows 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
@@barebonesmc Too much of a sports bike for me, I'm looking for a cruiser bike,
@@MrToranaGuy they dont do a cruiser as such, but have you looked at the CLX 700 Heritage? its a new bigger version of the versys engine in a sort of roadster chassis, plenty of grunt for most things. but wont give you the sat back riding position of the cruisers. have a good one mate
I think what's happening in America is that we have less young people riding motorcycles, I'm not sure what that's like in the UK. China has an aging population so their market share is only going to decrease over time. For India, for a lot of people I believe it's a primary mode of transportation, I would expect you to see the lower spec models sold in high numbers there. I'm sure that for the UK and American markets the answer would be just to lower production numbers and maybe to refresh the bikes less frequently to keep production costs down. I don't see a future where Indian or Chinese manufacturers really make an impact here in the American market.
yes the young uns arent riding here either, the question here and in the US is why, As I said there is a growing middle class in China and India too, they arent buying cheap low spec bikes for personal transport either, Lowering production numbers will mean prices will just keep increasing and will inevitably make motorcycling even more of a niche pursuit for the rich, all very sad, it sounds like you are just accepting the industry as we know it will die, id rather look for solutions, try and get young kids riding again
@BAREBONESMC one solution is the Grom, I see a lot of younger riders having fun on them here. But the days of newer riders buying 600cc sport bikes (which was happening here is behind us). China is on the decline demographically, and India still has many many people who's primary mode of transport is on 2 wheels. I'm not accepting it, just stating my thoughts and observations.
@@Tony__Tone the grom, and the baby Benelli TNT are the equivalent of the monkey bikes we had i guess in many ways, great fun little bikes, I guess to me it was all about personal mobility back then, i wanted a way to travel and motorbikes let me do that, but i had fallen in love with them via racing from a young age. hence my other video re WSBK and the future of Superbikes. have a good day anyway mate
@@barebonesmc I'm new to riding in my mid 40s, with a CT125 trail, Not too much financial committment but still fun. No one with an aviation habit can much afford many other hobbies!
@@SVSky from experience mate small bikes can be just as much fun as big ones, just different. as long as its got 2 wheels and an engine thats fine by me 🙂cheers for watching , ride free
I doubt the longevity of modern 1000+ cc bikes. Too many complex electronics waiting to go pop. My bike is 19 years old, how many modern bikes will last that long?
id agree, i dont think many tft screens will last that long 🙂 cheers for watching mate, Ride Free
A massive factor is govt legislation in creating market sectors that otherwise wouldnt exist. In the 80s and 90s a vacuum opened up between 125 and 600, leading to a paucity of bikes coming onto the 2nd hand market for the old fashioned working class biker who traditionally would ride 250RSs, Superdreams and CXs.
When the A2 class was created i never thought it'd be relevant to someone who passed their test pre 2000, but i was wrong as it means a glut of "no nonsense" bikes from Inazumas to CB500Xs are trickling down to us old school working class bikers.
As youve noticed thru my lengthy comments, I'm positively gobbiing up your excellent content. So thank you!
welcome aboard mate 🙂 cheers for watching 🙂 Ride Free
In the UK, small bike sales used to be defined by what you could ride as a learner (so 250cc). When they dropped this to 125cc, all the lower mid range bikes were canned. Domination over the last 2-3 years has been on 400-700 cycles (for the reasons you explain). Dont see a massive market for these in the UK yet they market them to death at the moment. They are also physically small so again not a great fit for the UK where riders are now tall on average. Big bike development is stalling due to emissions controls and in general IMHO, the offerings are getting "stale" and retro's are selling well (says a lot). I am very frustrated with the market at the moment and can see my time riding closing fast due to the anti biking pressure lobbies and 20mph limits. It will soon be faster to walk.
good point well put mate 🙂Cheers for the comment. Ride Free 🙂
In the US the dealerships have been guilty of additional markup above MSRP long before COVID. There is a major decline in motorcycle riders in the younger population as well. Lack of advertising in the US also is reducing riders. I can't remember the last TV commercial for any motorcycle. I will continue to ride my GSX S1000
you know thats a really interesting point mate, there are very few TV ads for bikes. but i guess TV advertising is overshadowed by online ads now. it is a really good point i had missed though cheers
@@barebonesmc when I was a kid they advertised. That's what made me want one.
There is a major decline in USA of motorcycle riders.
@@davidblair3371 same here mate, average rider age goes up every year, think its about 57 yrs old now. i do finf the fact i hadnt even registered the TV ads were gone interesting in itself, i dont watch much tv now but i have done, and thinking about it there havent been adverts for years that i remember
I want a new 600 dualsport but that size is ignored by manufacturers. I think it's the sweet spot.
I ride an old DR650 Suzie for the 6th season. A good commuter, a reasonable tourer, great on unpaved road i love to roam, just enough power etc. What bothers me is that the new 600-900cc enduros/dual sports are way too heavy for me. How come ABS or water cooling adds 100lbs to the weight?
@@markkumanninen6524 for sure, I'm still riding 87 xl600r but would like a modern bike not 30 plus yrs. old design.( Not my only bike)
me too Richard 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
All Hail the Dirt Pig Markku 🙂cheers for watching , ride free
The flip side is that in India and China they are selling to people who have a fraction of the wage rates in the western world. So those markets have to sell what their people can afford. In both markets, the profit is in only double digits and other asian markets motorcycles over 250cc are banned. It's the western markets where the profit is.
Western markets are aspirational. The buyers don't use 125cc bikes as the families only transport. Bikes are at the top end of the discretionary spend of well off people, so manufacturers charge as much as the market will stand.
times change mate, India has more billionaires than you might think and an ever expanding middle class, as does China, they are buying aspitional bikes too, cheers for watching, and yes, profit margins are higher here, but sales numbers make up more than the difference
I wish here in the USA we could get some of the European bikes but EPA and other restrictions limit the amount of motorcycles that are imported to America, I'm sure that there would be a huge surge in 400cc to 600cc motorcycles in all of the Japanese brands.
being honest i wish we got more of them in the UK, you see many brands in Europe than you never see at all in the UK. One example that baffles me is Brixton Motorcycles. The whole range is British named as is the company, as though they have set themselves up for the UK market, but you can't buy them here, yet they are available all over Europe
I wish us Brits could get some of the bikes you get in the US! Kawasaki KLX300, Honda XR650 to name but two!
@@mrsilbo6499 I think it would be a great trade for some of the 2 stroke bikes if they are still available, seems like the American market is still interested in that kind of motorcycle, but just about every guy likes to get 900cc or something thinking that's the best. I personally am about the ride not just the speed of the motorcycle plus there are tons of distracted drivers on the American highways and if I was to get out of trouble I would rather have a lighter bike to ride with.
@@barebonesmc very odd.
@@pc2150 it is a strange one, a brand named after a london borough, bikes called cromwell and storr to name just 2, all very odd
Revenue is important yet margin is arguably more important. Make 5k on a 10k bike in the US and make $500 on a 3k bike in India and the market gets much closer
that is true. but as you know, margins here and in the US have been getting squeezed more at the same time they have been steadily increasing in China and India because they are buying more bigger bikes
The legacy manufacturers will come a cropper as they make their products more expensive. It leaves a huge gap in the lower end for China and India to exploit... and they will - not next week, not next year, but within 10 years they'll start leading the way whilst the current big bike producers will gradually fade away. Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki have other automotive and heavy industry concerns... not sure what Yamaha will do. US and European manufacturers will also find things hard unless they start to diversify or join up with Chinese or Indian companies...
i think you may be right mate. the changing of the guard 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free 🙂
400cc is more than enough for the road, my old nc35 with only 55Bhp on the backwheel was like an 2000hp volvo v40t, but on track even in Sweden it felt like I rather would have an 600cc supersport. 100hp is what I consider what I think is just perfect for me, but I am very curious how the ne zx4 inline 4 will feel like, after all it seems to have just a bit less hp as my old bandit mk1 had, too bad the chassis so so budget like and heavy. Would love a proper light weight 400cc inline 4 with twinspar alu frame or just a top notch trellis frame instead of that budget frame it has now.
The CF Moto SR 450 looks interesting but a little down on power maybe, and i am looking forward to seeing the final production version of the Kove 400RR. if you dont know there are videos on the channel :-) Cheers for watching mate, and enjoy the ride :-)
I had the NC24, NC30, and NC35 and on all of them I totally completely absolutely did NOT break the law...😉😉😉
But - if I ride my current Fireblade with the same amount of fun, only jail sentences would be the reward.
For this reason I am waiting to see what the new ZX4RR is going to be priced at in the UK. Fireblade is boring on the road at legal speeds.
@@TheOriginalCoda lol, i had the same with the FZR's to be honest, with the trick one you don't really get out of first until youre doing 70mph, it does sound great under a bridge though pmsl 🙂
@@barebonesmc Yep. My heart is still with 90's bikes, modern stuff I don't really care for. I would love a 92-95 Blade, or same era 1000 EXUP, or 750R, jeez even the Thunderace is looking quite attractive now 😂
@@TheOriginalCoda The Thunderace is an underrated bike. Felt a bit more bulky than the EXUP to me but i am biased lol, The OW01 is a dream bike, but my naked EXUP has got a lot of the YZF750 parts on it 🙂 so ive probably got nearly half of one 🙂
Honda cb400 vtec is the best bike for small to mid sized people and cb1300 for the larger person.
great bikes, the 400 is getting to be a rare beast here now though 🙂 Cheers for watching mate. Ride Free 🙂
Is that correct that Europe pays twice as much for a bike as the US, it certainly used to be the case when I was young, everything in America was much cheaper? I recent watched a UA-cam video of someone doing their grocery shopping in the US and was astonished how expensive it was.
they were the latest figures i could find. Its not that we pay twice as much for the same bike as such. and all the various import tariffs obviously affect prices in each country, but in general, Americans buy simpler, higher capacity bikes and get them cheaper, the European market buys higher spec more expensive bikes. Food prices everywhere are a whole different story 🙂 (wormhole warning ) 🙂
The quality of motorcycles is going down slowly since the 90's.
i think its the design philosophy as much as anything. the right blend of the 2 would be nice 🙂 cheers for watching, ride free
Buyers should really remember that when they choose to invest in a Chinese made motorcycle (or anything else from China) they are also investing in the Chinese military machine which has been put on a war footing over the past few years. If you do, then don't worry about taking a trip to view your investment as the chances are your investment will be visiting you sometime soon.
read the about page, this is a politics free zone.
600 cc then 900 cc then 1400cc and up in the USA any thing under 500 cc is a child’s bike or beginners bike just the normal in the USA even the college students ride 600 to 900 cc bikes it’s like the norm I don’t think there will ever be a market in the 500 cc and below 😢as far a price every thing is expensive unless it’s 10 years old Harley Davidson are the same price 10 years old if they are nice but Honda will be a fraction of the price it’s not supply it’s just demand just my two cents keep up the good work
we shall see, the RD350 gen 1 did pretty well out there :-) the world is ever changing :-) cheers for watching mate, ride free
I love motorcycles finally got a Harley ..
enjoy it mate, cheers for watching, Ride Free 🙂
The new "hipster" generation does not care about the "spirit" of riding, they only care about looking good on 2 wheels and getting from place A to place B at a cheap as possible price. Royal Entfield's Meteor 350 sales figures prove that. For us that want the "spirit" it will be a hefty price to pay if we want new or we will have to sit on 15 year old bikes (nothing wrong with that). However, we need to realize that we are a minority. I think we could benefit from the new market and how it develops as the big houses will have to enrich smaller displacement segment like you said. And, we have to thank the previously mentioned "hipster" generation for it.
To be fair most of the people i have seen riding Meteor and Hunters (and Himalayans) are well over 50 years old, not young hipster types :-) A big part of the problem is in the UK and US (not so much in Europe) young people arent turning to motorcycles as transport like most of us did. the average age of riders is just going up and up. take a look how many people under 50 you can count at any of your local biker cafes. youll be lucky to count more than 1 or 2 out of 20 or 30 people in the UK and the figures look pretty similar in the US
In Croatia the young still turn to motorcycles. However here due to laws they tend to be around 125 and 250 cc range.
@@barebonesmc personally I believe that the problem of getting younger people on bikes is because of the huge cost of passing the motorcycle test and it's unnecessary complexity of licence tiers, it puts young people off even trying, that and parents tend to help them buy cars, but without new blood British motorcycling will die, but perhaps that's exactly what the government wants 😳
@@kevindarkstar shhh that ones coming lol
Agree with all these points. Add to this, that the bigger bikes are ridiculously expensive. Going out twice a year on £10k plus bike?
I'll never buy a Chinese bike I actually still prefer the older Japanese bikes to anything modern. You cannot beat the Japanese top four for performance v cost.
Id agree on one level, but i try to remember that is what the British kept saying when Japanese bikes arrived and I know China has some fantastic engineers. Who knows what the future holds. CF Moto are rocking the boat by putting a full 4 year guarantee on bikes using the same tech that KTM only put a years limited guarantee with clauses on. Has to say something. 🙂 Ride free mate and cheers for watching
I originally had the same perspective, but last year I bought a new Skygo Earl 150 in the Philippines, which, size-wise, is perfect for local conditions. It's actually a locally-assembled (in Cebu) Chinese-made Lifan Classic. As a group, Lifan also make cars and trucks.
Styling is trad Brit, carby motor is Kawasaki OHV copy with disc/drum brakes, electric/kick-starter. Unusually, it has a rotary 'box, with a N-1-2-3-4-5-N continuous pattern, which took a bit of getting used to. Cash Price? 40K PHP = 570 GBP ride-away-no-more-to-pay. Bargain! - and the quality is fine.
Ducati is made in Brazil with Chinese parts, owned by Germans with a small Italian flag on it 😂😂😂 same goes with benelli and mv agusta
Market bullshitters
@@barebonesmc Try making a claim on Chinese warranty . From experience , no hope in Australia.
@@TorqueKit heard no complaints on that front about CF Moto to be fair, or Benelli come to think about it, and lets be fair the Japanese and Europwan manufacturers are often not very quick at accepting known faults either 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free 🙂
Ive had harleys, big hondas, & bmw's. Gotten rid of them all @ the age of 66. The last was this pig of a bmw.
Theyre just to big anymore.
Im going one cyl. all the way.
Im retired now, so slow & easy wins the race
Back roads for me from here on out!
enjoy them mate 🙂Cheers for watching mate, ride free
All of the old motorcycles where they are Japanese British American Italian where real motorcycles today's motorcycles are a collection of government regulations on two wheels no more no less and no soul.
the one that bugs me is TFT screens lol, how many TFT screens will last as long as a Smiths Chronometric speedo :-) progress eh :-)
I'll buy American, Japanese, or Italian but I will not buy a Chinese bike.
thats a choice we all make mate, and if we all thought the same the world would be boring, cheers for watching , ride free
Ive just bought a 2006 cbf 1000 18k miles fully loaded inc sat nav in outstanding condition for £3000 it will be my last bike. It ticks every box i need and will last year's if well maintained. I look at bike prices now and think "how much" absolutely rinsing uk bikers to the max but bikers just can't see it....
"how much" 🙂 the Yorkshire war cry 🙂 and yep, i see it mate so you arent alone
@@barebonesmc not only are bike prices ridiculous the quality is dropping as well. My vfr 800 VTEC 2001 had some beautiful welds on the frame (work of art) I looked at a yams mt07 frame about 2 years ago and it looked like a 5 year old had welded it.... The article is correct about UK bikes costing more than most others pay... If mugs stop buying them the prices will soon drop
@@mrthomas394 the last statement is the truest yet. manufacturers will charge whatever they think they can get away with, price rarely reflects cost as much as it reflects the customers willingness to pay inflated prices. while we pay it they will keep squeezing the profit margins
So my 1981 Kz 550 LTD is well pass it's sell by date in China? Oddly enough, my best fun bike was my RD 125 LC.
not one of my bikes would be allowed lol. even the Vstrom is 15 years on now 🙂 and yep, doesnt have to be big to be fun 🙂 ride free mate
A VERY informative vid mate ( you didn’t mention Australia 🇦🇺 New Zealand 🇳🇿 and South Africa 🇿🇦😂😂😂😂. I agree ☝️ in part waat you are saying with the Chinese and Indian markets and growing production and very much improvement in build quality. BUT I will not buy a bike ( made in china) main reason I will not support a growing superpower that wants to take over the world 🌎. India 🇮🇳 no problems. We prefer our large Capacity bikes here a 650 is class as small . It’s more to do with our vast distances we travel .
struggled with the figures for Australia and NZ mate, and yep, i can imagine the long distances play a big part in choice cheers for watching , ride free
I live in california I have 2 bike but I ride mostly on highway because time when you leaving to work at 7 or 8pm using back road and go home in 2 hours instead than 50 minutes its not convinuos
sounds reasonable mate, if we all thought the same it would be a boring world 🙂 choose the bike for the job 🙂cheers for watching , ride free
Sadly, here in Pennsylvania, we are seeing a generation coming up with no interest at all in bikes. Growing up in the late 60s and early70s, I couldn't think of a family in the neighborhood without at least one bike. Now, when I hear I bike passing my home, it's almost always an old fart on a Harley with a queue of traffic bottled up behind him.
we do need new blood, . cheers for watching mate, ride free
Sure the Indian and Chinese markets are a lot larger but what are the profit margins? If you were a motorcycle manufacturer would you rather sell a million 250cc bikes with razor thin profits to the third world or 50,000 large bikes to the global middle and upper class to a consumer base who buy with their heart not their head and will tick a lot of things on the accessories list. I think the market for Japanese litre bikes is dying but Ducati, Triumph, BMW and KTM all are setting sales records
i think there are a lot of changes happening that we dont always see. and short term success does not always equal long term survival. it is easier to set sales records when your initial sales figures are lower. the big 4 are all much bigger companies 🙂 cheers for watching mate, ride free
Can’t stand the seats on modern bikes, you can’t move on them like the old bikes of the 70s. In the Philippines they still mostly use bikes of the old school type usu 150cc. Family’s of up to 4 can ride on these long comfy flat style seats.
It always makes me smile when you see the whole family sat chugging along the side of a highway weaving in and out of traffic 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
Everythings changing,isn't it?
every day mate :-) cheers for watching , ride free
plus, American riders are on average much bigger/heavier than your average Asian rider, and perhaps the average Euro rider as well. Big butts need big bikes.
lol
Uk government wants all cars and bikes off the road. Infact motorcycles are not debated what so ever in the UK on the news or parliament, also the cost is outrageous today, i mean £18,000 - £23,000 for two wheels is a joke, plus the unwanted tech that is forced on us. Motorcycle companies make other better things, Kawasaki makes ships and aeroplanes, Yamaha makes pianos and instruments, honda makes everything else including garden mowers etc and could stop making bikes anyway. Uk has the strictest licence and restriction laws and 3 licence tests with in BHP restrictions and Age limits. Young people in Britain are just not interested in bikes, the 3 tests and costs. My bike is a 1998 Honda blackbird that i paid £9,000 over 20yrs ago and i would never swap it for anything modern and its only a matter of time before non euro bikes are banned or bikes under euro 5.
Bikes repesent the true meaning of freedom but the government in the UK want 20mph speed limits and ultra low emission zones, 15min cities and hidden speed cameras. England isnt a nice place to own a vehicle right now. I belive bike companies will stop making bikes, i mean make maybe 1 or 2 city bikes, electric only and rely on other interests like ship building etc. Also i do believe such countries like france its legal to own a bike over 100bhp
re "countries like france its legal to own a bike over 100bhp" do you mean illegal? if so, no its nt mate, France has a solid biker community, plenty of bigger bikes, Spain, Germany and Italy too. I know what you mean re tests, but have you ever known anyone fail a CBT? ,,,,,,,, and re " England isnt a nice place to own a vehicle right now" its a pretty grim place in many ways right now id say. 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free, i do love the Blackbird :-)
I think it's time to start building our own bikes and put UK 🇬🇧 Europe and theUSA 🇺🇸 back on the World Motorcycle Map.
I don't like these new cheap, plastic, tail tidy, insect types bikes we see today.
I don't believe small motorcycles are safe on modern highways, we've moved on from the 70s .
Riding a motorcycle in India or other countries in Asia is totally different to riding in Europe and US .
If truth be told , Cheap Labour and Huge profits are dictating world motorcycle sales.
I could weigh up The World Motorcycle Market in one word, Greed...
good point :-) remember, much of that greed comes from Austria and Germany now though
The first blue bike in this video was a Honda? What model? 👍👌
400 four Supersport 🙂 cheers for watching mate 🙂 Ride Free
@BAREBONESMC thank you!!
@@bassfawks1673 no worries mate
💯 agree with you about smaller cc bikes.❤ them.there seems to be people with the attitude that even 600cc bike are small😂.I do own a 1000cc bike but thinking of a 400cc.i wish bmw would bring 1 out.👍👍
Well said, I think 5-600cc is the sweet spot for me but thats with carrying passenger. and yes i still have bigger bikes but last time i put the EXUP on the road i hardly rode it other than road bike trackdays, riding round at 60 and 70mph on it just felt silly :-) cheers for watching
@@barebonesmc the gsx-r750 is only 7 more pounds than the gsx-r600 PLUS the gsx-r750 has 25 more hp than the gsx-r600....
@@dopeytripod but how many people can actually ride it faster on the roads? 🙂 cheers for watching mate 🙂 Ride Free
@@barebonesmc although the 600 + the 750 have the EXACT SAME FRAME, the motor mounts are set in a different place on the 750 to allow for the bigger engine/trans. the shifting points are also diff on the 750 compared to the 600. ->going from 125hp to 150hp IS a great difference imo & for that much gain the 750 must be the option...
@@dopeytripod im not denying the 750 is a great bike at all, i do think for the track 750 is the best, but for roads i think most people would actually be faster on the 600 still. but as i say if we were all the same it would be a boring world
I like to know what's happening the motorcycle world, with new bike's, and old Bike's, I more or less started my Bike career with the worst bike ever made the KH250 had two of them and they both run like a pig, didn't know then the different between a 2 stroke and a four stroke, then got a 250LC great bike, but got stole, then a RD200 never let me down, then a CB400, then a CB500, then a Fazer600 great bike but a bit heavy for me, to push up the curb, nearly dropped it twice, and seat a little bit high for my short legs, now I'v got a ZX10r lighter than the Fazer and a lot easier to push around but still getting used to it. Will take it slow, but the bike really wants to go.
yep, they dont like slow n steady lol 🙂 cheers for watching mate 🙂 Ride Free
@@barebonesmc Thank's for taking the time to reply, I'm learning quite a lot watching your video's, knowledge is power, I'm 64 now so this may be my last bike (Zx10r) I just fell in love with it when I seen it, 2009 with 15,000 miles, for £6000 all white, with white wheels, my 20 year old Fazer only had 5000 miles on it am not really a true biker, as I have a car as well, and don't do a lot of miles on the bike or in the car, as I like to walk everywhere to keep fit, also do a bit of running.
Keep up the good work, by for now Paul.
@@paulagnew-z6f bikers come in many forms and are all equal in my book mate, "real" is relative 🙂 to me, if its got an engine and 2 wheels and you ride it you are a biker, end of story 🙂glad you appreciate my particular perspective. cheers for watching mate 🙂 Ride Free
I really can’t remember when anything made in America was “King of the road”?
Be sure that if the chinese should decide to make a “world beater” of a motorcycle, they will.
Just look at the electric powered vehicles that are being introduced to Europe at the moment, MG and B.Y.D. Totally on level with the best from Tesla and other car manufactors.
indeed, lets hopethey shake the bike industry up soon 🙂Cheers for watching mate, ride free
I don't like all the new developments in the industry. The REs, retro-looking chamomile bikes - kind of hate them. Good bikes are made to beat a competitor on some objective and measurable criterion, whether the competitor is a 1989 EXUP or a 1970s CB350. Not by pandering to fashion trends.
true words :-) Cheers for watching, ride free
The world ss300 class is being reviewed to use more powerful bikes to improve safety.
i think 400's with no limits is the best idea :-) and it fits the Japanese market as well as the Indian and Chinese markets :-) maybe we might get a revamped VFR/RVF 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
@@barebonesmc
The exotic and beautiful 90’s 400’s were nice but would be too expensive for junior class teams. Larger capacity 2 cylinder bikes will be the way.
The little 300’s are ok as a junior bike.
@@Officialnrb hmmmm like a Supertwin series? might be interesting, but in the road racing it just ended up being a Kawasaki wipe out, nothing else could compete so you ended up with a one brand series which just got coring
@@barebonesmc
Yea, something similar to those. I don’t see Kawasaki’s prevalence as the fault of the class in itself. The NW 200 was hardly a one make results page either.
An almost 1 make moto2 class has proved a success too.
@@Officialnrb being honest, i think Moto 2 is everything wrong with racing in one package, its all about branding. not one of the bikes actually represents anything that hits the road and we can buy, sad really. and the SV hardly ever got any podium places in the Supertwins, i guess you could put Paton in there but its the ER6 that dominates the racing unless ive missed something. racing was, and IMO should be, a way of drawing new riders into the various brands. you cant do that with a series where they all use the same engine and chassis are custom built for racing and nothing else. having said that, i like to hear different opinions 🙂 cheers, have a good day mate
This is a very complex discussion about bikes. My main focus was on your comment that bikes in China are scrap after 10 years. This isn't an idea that is good for the environment and the build down temptation by manufacturers is very clear. I have no problem buying a bike from China, I just need to see one that's in any way tempting. Nothing so far. Just slightly weird and jaded copies of European bikes. I really don't like this, what seems to me, quite racist idea of bikes as toys in the west and functional necessities in eastern markets. I use my bike throughout the year for work and pleasure. Good vid, thanks.
As you can see from some of my videos i ride all year mate, my brain wont allow me not to lol. I am interested to see how the Kove plan pans out over time, I will be going to see the new 450 Rally at some point. as to the "Functional vs Toys" bit, there are always exceptions, but the market is driven by market norms, to be honest, i remember years ago being shocked, when a mate who ran a Yamaha dealership told me the average mileage of customers was less than 3k a year, and its still dropping. Now, i sort of see why thats distorted, as I run multiple bikes there are some that do very few miles each year, but many in the UK are bought as either toys, or status symbols, not as a practical transport system. sad but true. Cheers for watching and the comment mate, Ride Free
India and China don’t have the road system we do in the UK and the USA. Most of the bikes sold in India won’t hold up long term in the USA unless they are relegated to local chore duty.
Doing business in China is pretty chancy business. Ask McDonalds or KFC. A company I used to work for, Libbey Glass, ran into institutional pressure against an American company trying to break into the glassware business. After building a plant to manufacture glassware and train a workforce the sales never materialized.
China is very insular and the National government will change on a whim, removing both legs of your business leaving you on crutches.
you obviously havent ridden on English roads for a while, theres more pot holes than tarmac across most of the country lol. as to business in China, when the USA labels China as the enemy so often do you not think it will have a result on the US companies that try and get a foothold, and to be fair there are too many mcdognuts n kfc's there already . I wish we had a few less here too lol
IN 20 YEARS ALL NEW BIKES WILL BE ELECTRIC !!!
We will see mate, personally i dont think so, I think there will be other options, otherwise we will run out of Cobalt and Lithium very quickly :-) cheers for watching , ride free
Not in my backyard.
India & China are like the UK in the 70's in biking terms, & as they grow wealthier I suspect they'll do what we have done & shun bikes for cars eventually - & without young people having an interest in bikes those industries will die, just like ours. Maybe there will be a burst of activity with "born agains" in those countries in 25 years time, but much will depend on legislation killing off the ice & replacing these with heavy & range limited whirring e-bikes.
India would have to reclaim half the Indian ocean for everyone to park if they all had cars lol 🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free
@@barebonesmc They'll have plenty of space - as most of them seem to be coming to live in the UK nowadays!
@@SteeeveO those days are long gone mate 🙂 all the doctors and nurses are going to Canada and Australia where they get paid better 🙂
Slow bike fast fast bike slow. Education thank you.
🙂cheers for watching mate, ride free 🙂
You too mate. Great vids
Why are they designing such ugly bikes these days? Gone the way of the car industry, ugly rules. Yes, a few exceptions, I agree.
dunno mate, most look like theyve been kicked in the face to me lol :-) cheers for watching , ride free
117 honda rvf 400 ? i think NOT !
your rIght, sorry i mis labled the FZR 259 footage
I agree but i dont think chinese bikes will do to well in the us. China has sloppy builds and make thing dangerously cheap and you dont want a cheap in quality bike especially if a used bike will be cheaper. Royal enfields are a totally different story cuz they are very well make and understressed. I think they are one of the best companies not just for beginners either with the possibility of the s&s 900cc drop on big bore kit.
Personally i will never buy a chinese bike. Ill stick w my triumph t160 trident and 2000 legend gy. And if not them ide junt get another cb750 which will run decades after im gone
I think Chinese bikes have been built solely for the Chinese market until recently so yes what you say applies. but things are changing, and having worked there i know they can built quality kit which is actually better than i could get made anywhere ese at the time 🙂 cheers for watching mate 🙂 Ride Free
i hate the new bi-cilindrical engines brands are making know...they cheaper to make than 4 -in line engines and they are selling them as if they where 4-in lines Ex: the new R7 yamaha...how much does it cost? know pick any older R6 for a cheaper price and you can pulverize any R7 ....i refuse to give any of my sweated earned money to any brand with this kind of mentality.
i try not to generalise but i know what you mean, i hate the fact they are so heavy, a parrallel twin shouldnt be heavier than a V twin in the case of the Vstrom's. cheers for watching mate, ride free
@@barebonesmc cheers mate , ahhh i have a passion for the 4-in line engines and i feel that they are vanishing from motorbikes and the ones that are still made , have to much power or cost to much .
@@KAarnagemAmolgada as they try and squeeze ever bigger profit margins out of a gradually dwindling western market
@@barebonesmc indeed...