The article is definitely focused on the sportbike and adventure touring market - but I do feel there is a considerable amount of truth to it. I don't see anything in the 2020 lineup that I couldn't get on the used market considerably cheaper. Suzuki has not come out with anything new in years - the engines in most of their bikes are very old designs. Most of what Suzuki has done for 2020 is drop motorcycles that they did not bring up to the new EU emission standards (or perhaps just weren't selling well). Their cruiser lineup is very mediocre (except the M109), they have no touring or sport touring bikes, and no "retro" type standard bikes to offer. The DR650 is a bike that is "comforting" in the old design, as it is lighter and simpler than the water cooled competition, and is very proven and reliable. Similar thing for the V-Strom 650/100 and SV650 bikes - they are reliable and been around for a long time and there are lots of aftermarket products available (I really don't like the looks of the oil filter and front exhaust header poking out the front of the engine).
My current riding style has a pretty narrow focus. I need a nice retro bike for afternoon rides and riding in the twisties (My Savage Cafe' bike serves this purpose), and a mid sized sport touring bike for covering a lot of miles (I bought a used BMW to serve that purpose). Belt or shaft drive is nice - on new bikes this option is only available from BMW or Moto Guzzi.....and Moto Guzzi doesn't make a Sport Touring bike and BMW no longer has belt drive or makes a mid size Sport Touring bike anymore. The nearest thing you can get to a middleweight, shaft drive Sport Touring bike is the BMW R1250RS which weighs 549 pounds - or you buy a Moto Guzzi for half the price and add luggage and a windshield like MM has done.
Yamaha no longer makes the little SR400 single - it really was a bit under powered to be a bike you could ride on the highway....however the W800 Kawasaki looks really nice if you can put up with a chain. I know the new Royal Enfield twins are similar - but with no dealers anywhere around I would be more likely to go with the Kawasaki. The Triumph lineup is nice as well.
https://www.kawasaki.com/Products/2020-W800?cm_re=CATEGORYLANDING-_-PRODUCTTH...Not sure what the future of motorcycle sales or products will be. There are so many good used bikes on the market, I really can't see I will be buying any "new" motorcycle from a dealer in my lifetime.
Pages: 1
