Written by Hiroaki Numao, Photo by YAMAHA, HONDA, Original Source: Nirin Corporation 2022 New Year Special Issue
The best-selling motorcycles in 2021, the year of the motorcycle boom, were the SR400, the last model in the 251cc class and above.
- The 400 class has been a great achievement for a long time, and SR has made its final victory!
- Final SR, which has been a hotly contested issue since its launch in March
- Full of rare equipment, a "living fossil" in the best sense of the word.
- Famous motorcycles are being sold one after another, and the next one will be that national long-seller?
The 400 class has been a great achievement for a long time, and SR has made its final victory!
Kawasaki's Z900RS/Cafe is the best seller in the 251cc and above class, which was introduced at the end of 2017 and ranked No. 1 in sales for three consecutive years through 2020. In previous years, the CB400SF/SB reigned supreme, but continued to take first place despite the large, expensive class.
While the Z900RS will again be the top seller in 2021 and will take the top spot for the fourth consecutive year. Yamaha's SR400 takes the top spot, the first time since the CB400SF/SB in 2017 that a 400cc class has taken the top spot in a long time.
The SR had long been rumored to be discontinued, and its popularity had been on the rise, ranking 4th in sales in 2020 for 251cc and above and 2nd in the 251-400cc class. Furthermore, the Final Edition went on sale in March 2021, and reigned at No. 1 in sales of 251cc and above for six consecutive months from March to August of the same year. Sales grew to 6,966 units, about three times the 2,450 units sold the previous year.
The Z900RS/Cafe, on the other hand, showed a strong performance with 4853 units, surpassing last year's 4046 units, but falling short of the SR's momentum. This may be due in part to the postponement of sales of the special edition Z900RS SE.
Data provided by: Nirin Corporation - The only newspaper specializing in the motorcycle industry that compiles its own sales data by model. Subscription applications are available on the web at http://www.nirin.co.jp
It has been rumored, but Yamaha finally announced the end of production and final edition of the SR400 in January 2021. The limited edition shown in the photo was especially overwhelmingly popular
The Z900RS is popular for its Z1 style of yesteryear and nimble driving performance. a special edition SE was scheduled to go on sale in November 2021, but due to delays in parts procurement following the Corona disaster, the launch was postponed until January 21, 2022.
Final SR, which has been a hotly contested issue since its launch in March
The SR400 has matured while maintaining the sleek styling and basic configuration, including air-cooling and kick starter, that has been in place since the first generation in 1978. 43 years later, the end of production was announced for the 2021 model year, and the final edition was unveiled on January 21, 2021.
In addition to the regular Final Edition version, a Final Edition Limited, limited to 1,000 units, is also available. This luxury version features a sunburst paint job, leather seats, and brass emblems.
Within a few days of the announcement, orders poured in, exceeding the annual sales plan of 6,000 units (5,000 final and 1,000 limited). This is more than double the annual domestic production volume, and the Limited was so popular that it sold out on the same day. The Limited was sold out on the same day.
Final Edition Limited (748,000 yen), limited to 1,000 units. It has a premium, and the central market price on major motorcycle sales sites is around 1.6 million yen. Some of them are priced at 2 million yen.
The Final Edition, which is sold normally, is available in blue and gray (605,000 yen). All motorcycles went on sale on March 15. New motorcycles are priced at 800,000 yen at the lowest, and 1,000,000 yen is common.
Full of rare equipment, a "living fossil" in the best sense of the word.
The biggest reason for SR's top sales is that it is the last model of a very long-selling model. Even though the popularity of the SR has honestly had its ups and downs, it is quite natural that even riders who had little interest in the SR would want to buy it if they could no longer afford a bike that has been a favorite of riders for 43 years.
The reason for the end of production is due to the impending introduction of mandatory ABS for motorcycles in October 2021 and the next emission regulations that will begin in November 2022.
In 2018, it complied with the 2016 emission regulations by adding canisters and other components, but it is difficult to comply with the strict new regulations with an old-fashioned SOHC 2-valve air-cooled single-cylinder, both from a cost and technical standpoint. It is also difficult to secure space for an ABS unit due to the simplicity of the chassis.
The company has decided to end its 43-year history, stating that "it is not possible to maintain the SR's character based on the current model."
The traditional air-cooled single was converted to FI in 2010. In 2018, a canister was added to the lower-left side of the engine to absorb evaporative gases in the tank, and other efforts have been made to extend its life, but it is finally coming to its end!
In addition, retro equipment not found on modern motorcycles adds to its rarity. Air-cooled engines, kick-starters, decompression bars to relieve compression in the cylinders, and of course No current motorcycles, at least none from major manufacturers in Japan or abroad, have such mechanisms. It is highly likely that these "living fossils" of the 1970s will no longer be available as new motorcycles.
Motorcycles, both new and used, are very popular these days as a hobby that avoids the "density" of the market.
SR's customary ritual is the kick start. While some small-displacement motorcycles still use a kick start, the SR is the only one that does not have a cell starter.
The first generation SR400 was born in 1978, based on the XT500, an off-road vehicle. The tank is slightly slimmer than the current model, but the image remains unchanged. Maximum output is 27ps, 3ps more than the current model.
Unfortunately, this popularity is also likely due to "resale" purchases. As is the case with various hobby items such as video game consoles, it is likely that there are a significant number of people who purchase these machines for investment purposes, buying them at list prices and then selling them at higher prices to earn a profit. It would be a very sad situation if the vehicles are not distributed to SR fans and motorcycle enthusiasts because of resale.
Famous motorcycles are being sold one after another, and the next one will be that national long-seller?
Due to emission regulations, other "classic" models are disappearing one after another, in addition to the SR. The final edition of the CB1100 series, the only current model equipped with an air-cooled straight-four, was announced in October 2021, and although a reservation period was held from October 8 to November 25, reservations were closed on October 24 due to its popularity.
The CB1100 was also discontinued (photo: EX Final Edition), and ranked 14th in the 2021 sales ranking (251cc and above). It was ranked 8th in the large class.
In December of the same year, the final edition of the Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight was also announced. The Sportster series, including the Forty-Eight, is the most popular in the Japanese market. Since they were difficult to obtain and at a premium, a final version was set up exclusively for the Japanese market.
The Sportster series had been equipped with air-cooled V-twin engines, but production was terminated due to failure to comply with upcoming emission regulations. The Sportster S with a water-cooled engine is newly introduced.
The final version of the Forty-Eight was released in a limited edition of 1,300 units. Exclusive seats and serial-numbered side covers were added. It appears to have sold out early as of last December.
Furthermore, it is likely that more and more famous motorcycles will be discontinued in the future.
The CB400 series, another long-selling series, is finally discontinued. The CB400 series, equipped with a liquid-cooled straight-four engine, was the leader of its class, but it has been decided that it will not be compliant with regulations and will go into the "Hall of Fame" as of 2022.
The reason could be cost: the CB400 series is almost exclusively a domestic model, and although it is popular in Japan, it lacks the economies of scale that come with global expansion.
In addition, although in the 400 class, the naked CB400SF has a vehicle price of approximately 900,000 yen, while the CB400SB with cowl is priced at over 1 million yen, the highest in its class. The basic design of the engine is also old, and it is said that if a major modification is required to pass emission regulations, the price could reach nearly 2 million yen.
The CB400SF has topped sales many times since its first generation in 1992; the current model is equipped with a variable-valve Hyper VTEC Revo. Unfortunately, the final version will not be available.
The 2021 CB1300SF will adopt an electronically controlled throttle, etc. to comply with the 2020 emission regulations. However, it is reported that the company has decided not to extend the life of the CB1300SF any further.
How many great motorcycles will disappear by November 2022, when emission regulations will apply to all new motorcycles except 50cc motorcycles? We will keep an eye on future developments.
Original Source [ Best Car Web ]
