Hondas NEW MN4 Motorcycle

[SoCalFJR1300]

Reminds me of the Dan Gurney Alligator built here in So Cal.

It's also automatic.

https://powersports.honda.com/nm4.aspx

You like??

 

[Sno Cat]

It's futuristic & 'outside-the-box' but like the CTX, it's too Judge Dredd-like. Honda builds a decent quality bike but they won't win any beauty contests, VFR1200F & Interceptor notwithstanding.

 

[lnewlf]

bike version of the Nissan Cube--clown bike..

 

[Fred W]

Just need some ghetto hamsters to ride it around in the ads.

 

[Qtr Horse]

Similar to the DN-01 Honda had out around 2008-09.

I guess it will be liked or hated

 

[08FJR4ME]

11'K for for a 670cc bike. I don't think so.

JMT

 

[Fly Bye]

I like the look.

I don't care for the price.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

It's look very similar to this, and it sells for $34,000 and it's ONLY a single Honda 700 motor.

https://allamericanracers.com/gator-gallery/

 

[bluesdog]

Not to my taste at all. The ad copy is amusing.

 

[Warpdrv]

Hmmmmm

Judge Dredd ?!??!?!

 

[HotRodZilla]

I'm pretty sure Honda has lost its collective mind.

 

[garyahouse]

Thinking back to the ill-fated Rune, ya gotta admit, they're not scared to try something new. Someone once asked, back when Honda built the CB350four, why they do this. Why build a bike that's too heavy, too complicated, and too much money... when they already have similar sized bikes that are selling well? The answer was then, just is it is now:

Because they CAN.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[bigjohnsd]

Thinking back to the ill-fated Rune, ya gotta admit, they're not scared to try something new. Someone once asked, back when Honda built the CB350four, why they do this. Why build a bike that's too heavy, too complicated, and too much money... when they already have similar sized bikes that are selling well? The answer was then, just is it is now:
Because they CAN.

Gary

darksider #44

Gary, having been a Honda Dealer during the Rune Run I'm not sure I totally agree with you.

The Rune was developed, released and promoted as a Honda Styling/Engineering exercise.

They were allocated to US dealers based upon the numbers of Gold Wings & Valkyries sold in previous years.

We were allocated one and sold ours to a local customer.

My partner sought out dealers that were eligible to order a Rune but that chose not too.

As I recall we found six more and them transferred to us or we went and picked them up.

We sold all we found for more than MSRP of $26,999.

It appears that the average retail for a used Rune today is right at $20,000. That is pretty low depreciation for a 10 year old bike.

They look(ed) odd, they ran well, they didn't handle very good but they are unique. They built a set number and sold them until they were gone.

If you bought one today and put it away you would likely double your money in 10 years.

 

[HotRodZilla]

This NM4 is a clown bike. Like the Victory Vision, it will be loved or hated and mostly hated; especially at that price.

Wasn't the Rune built from 2003-2008? Regardless of first year prices, it was a dismal failure. I have only ever seen one outside a dealership, and it was being ridden by a guy in a Santa suit. The engine was amazing and some of the tech was first rate, but the design was horrendous.

Honda has done all kinds of weird things since 2003. They discontinued the VTX 1800s, claiming the 1300s were way more popular, while every other manufacturer is putting 1800cc motors in everything they can fit one in. I owned a 2003 VTX1800R, and absolutely loved that bike. It handled well and had amazing power for a normally aspirated V-Twin.

They haven't updated the ST1300 in years, and even the VFR1200 was a pretty big flop. Unlike others, I think its kind of ugly. A ton of potential Honda didn't tap, but charged out the nose for. Their MO lately has been building bikes that look like motorcycles but are mechanically scooters. While catering to that crowd, they have forgotten about the crowd that has already proven it will buy motorcycles.

Oh well...

 

[wild1]

It is kinda fugly but I would have to see one in person first. I would love to test ride one. It looks very comfortable.

 

[garyahouse]

Thinking back to the ill-fated Rune, ya gotta admit, they're not scared to try something new. Someone once asked, back when Honda built the CB350four, why they do this. Why build a bike that's too heavy, too complicated, and too much money... when they already have similar sized bikes that are selling well? The answer was then, just is it is now:
Because they CAN.

Gary

darksider #44

Gary, having been a Honda Dealer during the Rune Run I'm not sure I totally agree with you.

The Rune was developed, released and promoted as a Honda Styling/Engineering exercise.

They were allocated to US dealers based upon the numbers of Gold Wings & Valkyries sold in previous years.

We were allocated one and sold ours to a local customer.

My partner sought out dealers that were eligible to order a Rune but that chose not too.

As I recall we found six more and them transferred to us or we went and picked them up.

We sold all we found for more than MSRP of $26,999.

It appears that the average retail for a used Rune today is right at $20,000. That is pretty low depreciation for a 10 year old bike.

They look(ed) odd, they ran well, they didn't handle very good but they are unique. They built a set number and sold them until they were gone.

If you bought one today and put it away you would likely double your money in 10 years.

Actually, I like the Rune. I always did. Though I didn't care for the rear fender or the headlight, overall I think it's an absolutely a beautiful machine. I had even considered buying one just before I bought my FJR. After much deliberation, I decided it wouldn't be a good investment for me given the type of riding I do and the amount of money I had. Didn't they make it for two years only: 04 and 05? The net seems to have conflicting info.

Here's an interesting quote from Runeriders.com:

"...Honda was never hoping for big numbers.. They initially said one per dealer. The Rune was created for the same reason they create all their concept cars and bikes... brand image. Honda built it because they could and hoped it would attract a lot of attention. It builds showroom traffic and results in sales of other products. Dodge did it with the Viper.. It is and always will be one the finest looking bikes ever produced, custom or production. We who are blessed enough to be able to own and ride one know that the Rune just starts at its looks And it us who understand just how special the experience of Rune ownership is... And it is just that that you cant put a monetary value on..."

Written by a Rune owner, it's a little biased, but you see my point.

Another quote from the same site:

"... this bike was a statement for Honda ....and a total success....the Rune did EXACTLY what Honda intended it to do. The Rune put the Honda stamp on the best bike in the world... It was my understanding that even at $26K-$27.5K Honda lost money on every one of these (mostly from the gas tank forward)...a calculated loss to generate new Honda excitement..."

Back to what I was trying to say: the Rune was ill-fated in that it was only in production for a short time. I did not mean that it was poorly made or a bad idea, any more than I would say that about the 1973 CB350four. My daughter owns the baby Honda and becomes the center of attention WHEREVER she goes. Our Rune rider above seems to think his bike is just as popular. My point was just that Honda has always been willing to step on out the design limb to produce machines that would appear to many to be excessive.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

Just need some ghetto hamsters to ride it around in the ads.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Gary, I know several folks that own Runes, one guy even has two.

Most are garage queens, ridden once or twice a year.

The guy that has two rides the hell out of both of them. He work for Cobra and uses the bike to go to dealers, shows, rallys etc.. Has a Batwing fairing on one and pulls a trailer too. That bike has near 100,000 miles on it.

I can't remember if the VINS were all from one year or if they were spaced out over the years they were available. I don't remember them being available for open order from Honda. We sold all of ours the first year.

I agree with you and others that Honda has and is releasing some strange stuff lately. Hence I ride the FJR.

 

[Klubis]

I doubt that I would ever buy one, but I do admire how Honda is always pushing the envelope.