New African Twin Maybe 1200cc

[Garandman]

I should be able to walk into my dealership and find out exactly how many they have coming and when.

Anything less is a supply chain failure that negatively impacts potential buyers.

Why manufacturers and dealers cannot figure this out and just communicate honestly is something I will never understand.

When I pre-ordered a V-Strom ABS, the issue was that there was a ship load of VStroms enroute to the US. IIRC there were 940 bikes onboard, some lesser number being ABS (about 20-30%).

The issue was that at the time Suzuki had 930 dealers (now substantially reduced), and some of them were multi-location dealers. The 128-group dealers had ordered zero, while Nault's had ordered seven, including two DL650A. No one seemed to know when the next ship load would arrive.

So I can see how when a manufacturer is filling the pipeline, initial supply is subject to dealer accounts payable standing, volume of orders, any Gold, Platinum, or Five Star status, local market demand, and dealer sales manager's expectations. And I'd expect the northern parts of the country to be last in line for all those reasons.

[SRTie4k]

It seems a bit silly that there is no built to order system in place in the motorcycle industry like there is in the auto industry.

[Garandman]

It seems a bit silly that there is no built to order system in place in the motorcycle industry like there is in the auto industry.

Their goal is quite the opposite! They want to make as few standard models as possible, while dealers want to install more added-value options.

Want a Honda CTX700 with ABS? Get DCT as a package. CRF100L ABS is standard, DCT or manual. Red, Silver or White.

[markbvt]

CRF100L ABS is standard, DCT or manual. Red, Silver or White.

Not white, not in North America. We're apparently not cool enough to get the white/blue/red version.

--mark

[nhbubba]

We also don't get the base version, which does not have ABS or traction control. They build it, they just don't sell it here. For the rest of the world there are three option levels; base, ABS+TC, ABS+TC+DSG.

[Spooler]

We also don't get the base version, which does not have ABS or traction control. They build it, they just don't sell it here. For the rest of the world there are three option levels; base, ABS+TC, ABS+TC+DSG.

You can get non abs in Europe? I thought euro4 mandated abs. Could be wrong and maybe it's not in effect yet.

[nhbubba]

I've seen the base discussed at length by AUS and NZ riders. One of the nits is that the base has incandescent turn signals while the other trims have LED. Much discussion as to which indicators the US market will get.

That said, AUS and NZ are not in Europe. So maybe that's the gotcha here.

[markbvt]

I've seen the base discussed at length by AUS and NZ riders. One of the nits is that the base has incandescent turn signals while the other trims have LED. Much discussion as to which indicators the US market will get.

It's been confirmed that the US is getting the incandescent turn signals. Reason has not been made public, but I read somewhere that it has something to do with the DOT specifying a minimum amount of illuminating area which the LED signals fail to meet.

--mark

[e30addict]

It's been confirmed that the US is getting the incandescent turn signals. Reason has not been made public, but I read somewhere that it has something to do with the DOT specifying a minimum amount of illuminating area which the LED signals fail to meet.

--mark

I call BS on this.

Fucking bean counters and cheap incandescents is more likely.

[tls25rs]

Fucking bean counters and cheap incandescents is more likely.

I'd be really surprised if the incandescents were cheaper than their LED equivalent. OEMs most likely wouldn't be switching over to the LED lights if they weren't cheaper to them in some way, shape or form.

[e30addict]

I'd be really surprised if the incandescents were cheaper than their LED equivalent. OEMs most likely wouldn't be switching over to the LED lights if they weren't cheaper to them in some way, shape or form.

Marketing?

[nhbubba]

Meh. I'm perfectly okay blaming the US gov't. I believe the story that its an inflexible, antiquated DOT rule.

[SRTie4k]

My 2008 Z1000 had LED turn indicators. I can't quite wrap my head around why the Japanese motorcycle industry embraces proven technology at such a glacial pace.

[MattR302]

Spy shots from a new Yamaha FZ7 Tenere
MO Espionage: Yamaha FZ-7 Tenere Spy Shots

[nhbubba]

Saw that. Kinda sexy. Naturally, I want.

Make it Yamaha, make it!

[markbvt]

Spy shots from a new Yamaha FZ7 Tenere

I love how the pubs keep calling it FZ-07 or MT-07. I can't imagine Yamaha wouldn't put this in the XT model lineup just like every other dual-sport/ADV bike they've made in the last 30 years. FZ/MT is their naked sportbike designation (depending on what continent you're on).

But regardless, it's nice to see a test mule. This bike has been rumored in some form for years. Will be interesting to see what Yamaha actually brings to market (and critically, what it will weigh).

--mark

[feralchimp]

I read somewhere that Europe got first-year dibs on the CRF1kL RWB Tricolor scheme because they pushed hardest to get the bike made, and that the U.S. should be able to get it in the 2017 model year. But hey, internet gossip, so who knows.

[markbvt]

Just got confirmation that my Africa Twin is finally en route to my dealer. Of course I'm leaving on a trip day after tomorrow, so I won't be able to pick it up till June 11... but at least I can make firm plans now!

--mark

[nt650hawk]

if you want you can arrange it so i can pick it up for you while you are away!

[SteveM]

Weymouth Honda has one on the floor, silver, manual.

I'm 5'11" with a 32" inseam and it was tippy toes. But it is a big, badass bike.

[nt650hawk]

Oooohh stopping in tomorrow!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[nt650hawk]

Oooohh stopping in tomorrow. Same measurements. I'm not worried about stopping😊

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[SteveM]

Oooohh stopping in tomorrow. Same measurements. I'm not worried about stopping��

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Tell Chris Steve said "hi".

[nhbubba]

I'm 5'11" with a 32" inseam and it was tippy toes. But it is a big, badass bike.

Weird. I'm about your height, maybe a touch shorter, with a shorter inseam and could just about flat foot it. IIRC the seat height is adjustable. Didjah play with that?

[SteveM]

Weird. I'm about your height, maybe a touch shorter, with a shorter inseam and could just about flat foot it. IIRC the seat height is adjustable. Didjah play with that?

I did not play with the seat, good to know!