Why aren't Honda making this thumpette?

[guest18]

I mean, for a company that bangs on about how forward thinking they are, why not a developement of one of their existing commuters that takes the top speed from less than 60mph to over 80, fuel consumption from around 130mpg(US) to 221mpg, or at around 55mph from 113 to 237miles per US Gallon 

All that with good behaviour in side winds, a comfortable seating position, some built in storage and excellent weather protection.

An opportunity to make all the other manufacturers look lazy and dull, but....

an amazing homebrew, but proof to me that the big manufacturers have no interest in progress 

http://www.velomobiel.nl/allert/Recumbent%20motorbike.htm

[guest24]

It's a very interesting idea, but I would always want an 'open' motorcycle as that is part of the reason I ride them. However, a fully-enclosed  one could be mentally-stimulating as well.

[Ian]

                            That depends on what stimulates your mind

[guest18]

I was thinking as much of the Burgman type crowd, or convertee car drivers more than "bikers" as it were. A bike has it's own attractions but weather and to a lesser degree economy put off a lot of people from making the switch to two wheels.
I have had several conversations with colleagues who bemoan the traffic/cost of cars etc and make noises about trying commuting by bike, it all goes well normally until they ask what the economy of my bike is like, I tell them I get about 60mpg and they point out that a 2 litre td can get that with the aircon on and the better halfs new Polo can get 75mpg+...

Providing a genuine 200mpg option with decent weather protection, the ability to travel at motorway speeds *and* not having to queue in traffic should be an easy sell for the right marketing department surely!?! It's even nice and "green"!

[002]

OK !  Good idea.

But I cant see anyone buying one ! Or at least not many.

Jethro

[guest24]

They will probably price it so high no-one will buy it. Remember the Bimota Tesi with its hub steering and how expensive that was?

[Bill Rutter]

Jethro's right - who will buy it? BMW came up with the F650CS Scarver that was extremely practical having a maintenance-free drive belt, luggage options aplenty and 80mpg easily achievable. They did spoil it a bit by giving it looks that only a mother would love and didn't give it a centre stand. They also went OTT by fitting Z-rated tyres (150+ mph?) They tried, bless 'em. But after 5 or 6 years it was dicontinued due to poor sales. But it gave a sound testing for the final drive on the F800 that came after. I was going to sell mine but after being let down by a buyer I have decided to keep it at least for a couple more years when, with my 4-wheeler being paid for, I might buy a nice used R1150RT.

Bill

[themoudie]

Aye Bill,

Good to read you on here again.

As for the Scarver! Whilst I had my Funday, I went over to our nearest BMW dealer and they had a number of these in stock. All of them had rust forming in the various seams and nooks and crevices of that 'tank' and elsewhere on the frame. The knicker elastic drive may not have been in doubt, but the paint/chrome etc finish appeared naff!

A friend was delighted with his new 800, no problems from the elastic, but the body paintwork and finish on the crankcases, was the subject of 3 warranty replacement claims! Cheap alloy castings and cheaper plastic coating with minimal mudguarding and salt on our roads, apparently don't mix!

You seem to have a good one and long may you enjoy it! 

My regards, Bill.