​Honda's 300 millionth motorcycle ain't the one I want

[Taro Toporific]

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​Honda's 300 Millionth Bike Couldn't Be More Different From Its First
jalopnik.com | 2014 Nov. 24
See that mechanical beauty above? That's the Dream Type-D, the first mass-produced motorcycle from Honda. It came with a 98cc two-stroke single putting out 3 hp and weighed as much as a malnourished hummingbird.
Sixty-five years later, Honda has sold its 300 millionth motorcycle: a 900-pound, 1,832cc behemoth (gets only 34 MPG | 15.24km/l) with iPod connectivity...more...

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She-e-e-it on the Goldwing.
Just give me the first Honda--the “Dream Type-D“--with a modern, robust-but-detuned, 125-to-250cc engine at a super low 1950s price, damn it!

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All anyone should want is a Dream Type-D: retro-styled, pinstriped with a slightly more powerful engine, a high-grade but stamped, power-coated steel frame, state-of-art shocks, modern tires, disk brakes and have it last forever (like the Honda Cubs of old).

[Coligny]

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All come with free membership.

[Grumpy Gramps]

Guess, most of the millions of Hondas were Cubs. Always wanted a Cub. Still like them, when I see them. No idea, why I never had one.

But if I had to choose between the two in the first post, I'd go for the old one without hesitation. That Goldwing has turned into a monster over the years; surely comfy and all, but for the money, size and weight, IMHO a truck would be a better option.

But then, I haven't had or driven a motorbike for decades, so my veiws might be slightly outdated

[legion]

I think you are right, I ride a Honda XR 250, bit hard on the bum over distance but a very easy bike to take up into the mountains, which is where I like riding. Those big bikes are fine for the expressway and service area, but hard work once you get up on the twisty mountain roads. I'd rather have a sore bum after a long day in the saddle than try and pick up one of those beasts after I dropped it on one of those steep downward curves that just keep bending. And yeah, I've heard the riding technicians assert they can take them anywhere , just never seem to see them at the top of some narrow winding mountain road, which is where I really get to know this country.

[kagemusha]

Sure, the Goldwing has evolved into an ultra impractical monster catering mostly for a 50kg Japanese oyajis with some inferiority complex but the other side of the arch is nice to take you the combini and back - no more.
The CB 1300 is a great touring bike with nice handling and a lot of smooth power for a good touring experience. For people over 185cm and 90kg the 250cc range is not a real option.

[matsuki]

If any of you assholes ride in the winter, PM me.

[Grumpy Gramps]

Hmm, have good memories going through the alps on a BMW R/26. Probably not what you would want nowadays for hair-pin curves with a crew of two but he, it's memories

[Mike Oxlong]

If any of you assholes ride in the winter, PM me.

I do, and I fit the epithet quite well. It's just that February is sometimes t-shirt weather.

[wagyl]

If any of you assholes ride in the winter, PM me.

I do, and I fit the epithet quite well. It's just that February is sometimes t-shirt weather.

He was never going to be able to sell electric heater wearables to a Canadian anyway.

[matsuki]

If any of you assholes ride in the winter, PM me.

I do, and I fit the epithet quite well. It's just that February is sometimes t-shirt weather.

He was never going to be able to sell electric heater wearables to a Canadian anyway.

As an honorary Canuck (I play fookin' haaakeee eh) I can tell you the stuff sells quite well in Canada. Actually, not looking to sell as much as recruit a few test subjects for some new gear we developed.

[kagemusha]

If any of you assholes ride in the winter, PM me.

If you ever come to the deep south...

[dimwit]

We get snow once every year or three, and it is always amusing to watch the your average Matsuyama biker dealing with ice.

[matsuki]

If any of you assholes ride in the winter, PM me.

If you ever come to the deep south...

....wear a rubber?

We get snow once every year or three, and it is always amusing to watch the your average Matsuyama biker dealing with ice.

You should see the assholes with 4wd in Tokio They go from "got 4wd, no need snow tires" to "call the tow truck, we're stuck in the 7-11 parking lot" reeeeeal quick

[legion]

Hmm, have good memories going through the alps on a BMW R/26. Probably not what you would want nowadays for hair-pin curves with a crew of two but he, it's memories

I have bad memories of coming down a mountain on a Triumph loaded with camping gear and partner and the road turning into deep gravel. We made it in one piece, and I didn't drop the bike, but I decided I'd opt for local, light and easy.

BMWs are good bikes, low center of gravity, I nearly bought one years ago but opted for the Triumph instead, I no longer have the Triumph but I've a feeling I would have stuck with the BMW, I have a buddy who has had his BMW longer than his wife, and his kids are all working for a living now.

Oddly enough I came across this video looking for something else today, my old Triumph in Tokyo, forgotten I'd uploaded this.

[Grumpy Gramps]

Nice