Just as square-tread Firestone tires, exhaust wrap, and earth colors are the signatures of The New Custom Movement, so dinky wheels and lockable storage have emerged as Honda ’s invitation to new buyers. We saw this in the Grom , Honda’s gnome on two wheels. And we also saw it at the recent Osaka Motor Show (March 20), where Honda unveiled the Bulldog, which has a 28.75-in. seat height, a carrier rack, and visually massive tank-side accessory storage. The Bulldog, which rolls on 15-inch wheels, will also be seen at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show, March 27 to 29. While the Grom’s modest little air-cooled single tilts it to the urban scene, the Bulldog’s 399-cc DOHC twin and six-speed gearbox are highway-capable. In addition to the message they carry, the Bulldog’s small wheels lower the whole machine, making the low seat height easier to achieve with existing components. Honda originally tackled the US market after Mr. Honda’s machine-tool-buying trips here in the 1950s showed him that the motorcycle had in America evolved from cheap transportation into recreation. The problem was to crack The Wild One image and show Americans that small motorbikes were safe, innocent fun. 
Honda, in calling the Bulldog a “lovable touring partner,” is tackling the possible new market of mostly young people who have never been part of the sports motorcycle scene. These are people who have never heard of traction control yet are as attracted to safe, innocent fun as the next person. Yes, “lovable touring partner” is pretty corny, but we have to respect the industry’s search for every niche into which motorcycle-like vehicles might fit. The motorcycle has always, from the very beginning, been an organism that evolves to suit any application or economy. Detroit pundits observe that young people, many of them unemployed, aren’t buying houses or cars (or motorcycles). Their worst fear is that America’s entire youth will forever poke buttons and stare at screens in their parents’ basements, and drive their parents’ imported crossover-utility vehicles. Can’t happen. Mum and Dad retire, sell the house, slip into a small condo. Adulthood may not be cool, but it is compulsory. Might as well make the best of it and add some fun. Fun is cool. 
Gadget Reviews: mamaktalk.com
Car Reviews: automoview.com
Entertainment News: 38now.com
Today's Promotions: freepromotoday.com
