HONDA sales

[Stig / Major Tom]

It is their "reputation for quality, reliability, and efficiency that makes Honda the most successful motorcycle brand in existence, and it accounts for around one-third of global bike sales*. "

*I didn't know this.

If I remember correctly, Honda also makes the best selling scooter in Italy - which I found surprising!

My impression of Honda bikes is that - while their bikes are not the fastest, nor have they tried to wring every last bit of HP out of a box of CC's, they have, in stead, produced a well-built and reliable source of transportation.

Stig

[rjs987]

Most of their sales are smaller all terrain bikes and scooters in 3rd world countries. But that's true of all of the big 3 in Japan though Honda makes more than those other companies.

I would possibly own a Honda Super Scooter if they made one in that class. Most of my bikes have been Honda. When I read that Kymco used to be a part of Honda my estimation of Kymco went way up just for that. I know that was a long time ago but it still tracks based on my experience with both brands so far.

[Iahawk]

As someone who owns 2 ‘vintage’ Hondas..28 and 40 yrs old..I will certainly agree they are well built machines.

[leomagnus]

Stig,

I had a Honda SH-150 in Rome and the bike was bulletproof. Even the Italian scooter mechs told me that Honda along with Kymco, were the only 2 bikes he recommended. I only wish they would bring more of their models here. I would love to drive a NC750D integra.

Dean

[JJJoseph]

Where I live, Honda has an edge over all other dealers by also selling cars, tractors, generators, snow-mobiles, outboard motors, and on and on.  As a result, they have very durable dealerships even though their scooters aren't that exciting.

My original Kymco dealer only had scooters, and simply couldn't survive with such a tiny product line. 

[Neil955i]

Not exciting JJ? Not even the ADV models?

[Stig / Major Tom]

My original Kymco dealer only had scooters, and simply couldn't survive with such a tiny product line.

I wonder,  do you mean that your Kymco dealer sold only Kymcos, and nothing else?
I'd be surprised to learn that anyone had attempted a stand-alone KYMCO dealer in any English speaking country!
Stig

[JJJoseph]

I wonder,  do you mean that your Kymco dealer sold only Kymcos, and nothing else?

I was always surprised he could survive with just those few scooter sales.   I was right - he didn't, and closed up about 5 years ago.  The Kymco sign is still on the building, but it's now a Benz repair shop. There are no Kymco dealers, no parts, no service in Canada now.

[wymple]

I started with Yamaha 2 strokes, a 305, an R5350, and RD350, some enduros. I was a big XS650 twin guy for years. I still think those were the best in class that you could get. Later I had a Honda Twinstar, an early Goldwing,  even a 750 Automatic.  They were OK. I moved on to Suzuki,  2 KZ's,  a pair of Viragos, then got a Moto Guzzi bug that never left. People are always amazed that I still think a properly maintained Virago was as good & pleasurable for 300 miles as anything I ever owned.  My big Suzuki 4's were absolute monsters & unbreakable.  With the Asian bikes, wiring was an issue I dealt with a lot. Yamaha had the best I encountered, Suzuki & Kawasaki the worst. Seems in everything Honda was always in the middle, but always there.  When I got my 1st Guzzi it was all over.  Only old age got me off those (I still have 1) & onto a scooter.  If I were to buy another scooter it would be a Honda unless a miracle deal came along like my Kymco did.

[randyo]

I wonder,  do you mean that your Kymco dealer sold only Kymcos, and nothing else?
I'd be surprised to learn that anyone had attempted a stand-alone KYMCO dealer in any English speaking country!
Stig

I know of a Kymco dealer in Maine that sells nothing but Kymcos not a single scooter on the lot/showroom, all ATVs & SxSs

[Stig / Major Tom]

I know of a Kymco dealer in Maine that sells nothing but Kymcos not a single scooter on the lot/showroom, all ATVs & SxSs

After living in Mass twice..and enjoying New England in my VW bus and on my Honda motorcycle, I continued to subscribe to  Yankee Magazine for years.
So, I say this with affection  - you New Englander's are a "different" bunch🙃
Stig

[randyo]

After living in Mass twice..and enjoying New England in my VW bus and on my Honda motorcycle, I continued to subscribe to  Yankee Magazine for years.
So, I say this with affection  - you New Englander's are a "different" bunch🙃
Stig

northern New England, VT/NH/ME is not in the same country as southern NE, MA/RI/CT

[Stig / Major Tom]

northern New England, VT/NH/ME is not in the same country as southern NE, MA/RI/CT

I was being kind.
Folks up there are from a different planet 🙂

Stih

[rjs987]

I was being kind.
Folks up there are from a different planet 🙂

Stih

And you thought UFOs landed in New Mexico!

I lived in ME for 3+ years while in the Navy. I was stationed at Brunswick but lived in Lisbon Falls. We still have contact with friends we met while there. Took a while to earn their trust but once past that we were in for life.

[randyo]

And you thought UFOs landed in New Mexico!

I lived in ME for 3+ years while in the Navy. I was stationed at Brunswick but lived in Lisbon Falls. We still have contact with friends we met while there. Took a while to earn their trust but once past that we were in for life.

did Lisbon Falls have bad flooding in the storm 2 weeks ago if your friends still live there, My grandson lives upriver in Mexico, record flooding, flood waters were about 100ft away from my grandson's home, he slept in his car in Rumford, next morning walked 12 miles of atv trails to get home, 3 days before roads were passable and could get his car.  4 people swept away in car, 2 got out to safety, the other 2 perished