10 Great Bikes That Never Made It To America

The global motorcycle market is a diverse landscape of two-wheeled marvels, with manufacturers constantly innovating to meet the demands of riders worldwide. However, not all exceptional motorcycles make their way to every corner of the globe, and the United States, despite being a significant market, has missed out on some truly remarkable machines. This article will explore 10 great bikes that never made it to America, delving into their unique features, the reasons behind their absence from U.S. shores, and the impact this has had on the American motorcycle scene.

In the following sections, we’ll examine each of these coveted motorcycles in detail, discussing their specifications, performance capabilities, and the factors that contributed to their exclusion from the American market. We’ll also analyze the broader implications of these absences, including regulatory challenges, market preferences, and manufacturing and distribution issues that have shaped the availability of certain models in the United States.

Global Motorcycle Market Overview

Region	Market Share (%)	Top Manufacturers
Asia-Pacific	52.3	Honda, Yamaha, Bajaj
Europe	22.7	BMW, Ducati, Triumph
North America	14.6	Harley-Davidson, Indian
Latin America	7.2	Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki
Middle East	3.2	KTM, Kawasaki, Aprilia

List of 10 Great Bikes Not Available in America:

Honda CB400 Super Four:

This iconic Japanese middleweight naked bike has been a staple in its home market for decades. The CB400 Super Four features a smooth inline-four engine, excellent handling, and timeless styling that has earned it a cult following in Asia and parts of Europe.

Yamaha XJR1300:

A muscular retro-styled naked bike, the XJR1300 boasts a powerful 1,251cc air-cooled inline-four engine. Its classic looks and modern performance make it a favorite among European riders seeking a blend of nostalgia and capability.

Suzuki GSX-S750 Katana:

This modern interpretation of the iconic Katana model combines sharp, futuristic styling with a potent 749cc inline-four engine. While the larger GSX-S1000 Katana made it to the U.S., this middleweight version remained exclusive to other markets.

Kawasaki W800 Street:

A classic-styled parallel-twin that pays homage to Kawasaki’s W series from the 1960s. The W800 Street offers a refined riding experience with its air-cooled 773cc engine and retro aesthetics, popular in Europe and Japan.

BMW G310 RR:

Based on the G310R platform, this fully-faired sport bike showcases BMW’s racing DNA in a smaller package. It’s particularly popular in Asian markets where smaller displacement sport bikes are in high demand.

KTM 390 Adventure:

While the 390 Duke made it to America, its adventure-touring sibling, the 390 Adventure, remained elusive. This lightweight adventure bike offers impressive off-road capabilities and long-distance comfort in a compact package.

Aprilia RS 660 Tuono:

The naked version of Aprilia’s middleweight sportbike, the RS 660 Tuono combines aggressive styling with a comfortable riding position. Its 660cc parallel-twin engine delivers exhilarating performance in a more street-friendly package than its fully-faired counterpart.

Triumph Trident 660:

A modern classic roadster that blends retro styling with contemporary performance. The Trident 660 features a 660cc inline-triple engine and serves as an accessible entry point to Triumph’s lineup in many markets outside the U.S.

Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel:

An adventure-touring variant of the V85 TT, this model comes equipped with additional luggage and touring amenities. Its unique transverse V-twin engine and classic Italian styling make it a distinctive option in the adventure segment.

Ducati Scrambler Nightshift:

A blacked-out, urban-focused version of the popular Scrambler series. The Nightshift features a sleek aesthetic with cafe racer-inspired elements, catering to riders seeking a stylish and versatile city bike.

These 10 great bikes that never made it to America represent a diverse range of styles and capabilities, each offering something unique that could have appealed to American riders. Their absence from the U.S. market is due to a combination of factors, which we’ll explore in the following sections.

Key Specifications of Featured Bikes

Model	Engine Type	Displacement (cc)	Power Output (hp)
Honda CB400 Super Four	Inline-four	399	55
Yamaha XJR1300	Inline-four	1,251	98
Suzuki GSX-S750 Katana	Inline-four	749	112
Kawasaki W800 Street	Parallel-twin	773	47
BMW G310 RR	Single-cylinder	313	34
KTM 390 Adventure	Single-cylinder	373	43
Aprilia RS 660 Tuono	Parallel-twin	660	100
Triumph Trident 660	Inline-triple	660	80
Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel	Transverse V-twin	853	80
Ducati Scrambler Nightshift	L-twin	803	73

Reasons Why These Bikes Didn’t Make It to America:

Regulatory Challenges:

• • Stringent emissions standards in the U.S. often require significant modifications to engines and exhaust systems.
  • Safety regulations, such as specific lighting and reflector requirements, can necessitate costly redesigns.
  • Noise pollution laws in some states may conflict with the exhaust characteristics of certain models.

Market Preferences:

• • American riders traditionally favor larger displacement engines, making some middleweight models less appealing.
  • The U.S. market has shown a preference for cruisers and large adventure bikes, potentially limiting demand for certain styles.
  • Brand perception and loyalty play a significant role in purchasing decisions, making it challenging for some manufacturers to justify introducing new models.

Manufacturing and Distribution Issues:

• • Limited production capacity may force manufacturers to prioritize markets with higher demand or profit margins.
  • Establishing a distribution network and providing adequate dealer support can be costly for models with uncertain sales potential.
  • Currency fluctuations and tariffs can impact the profitability of importing certain models, influencing manufacturers’ decisions.

Homologation Costs:

• • The expense of crash testing and certifying vehicles for U.S. roads can be prohibitive for low-volume models.
  • Adapting instruments and controls to meet U.S. standards (e.g., mph speedometers) adds to development costs.

Marketing Strategy:

• • Some manufacturers may choose to maintain certain models as regional exclusives to create desirability and mystique.
  • Limited marketing budgets may lead companies to focus on promoting their existing U.S. lineup rather than introducing new models.

List of Key Factors Influencing Motorcycle Availability in the U.S.:

1. Emissions and safety regulations
2. Market size and potential demand
3. Production capacity and allocation
4. Distribution network and dealer support
5. Homologation and certification costs
6. Brand perception and existing model lineup
7. Currency exchange rates and tariffs
8. Regional marketing strategies

The absence of these 10 great bikes from the American market highlights the complex interplay of factors that determine which motorcycles are available in different regions. While some of these models may eventually find their way to U.S. shores, others will remain tantalizing examples of what might have been.

Conclusion:

The 10 great bikes that never made it to America represent a significant loss for both manufacturers and American riders. These motorcycles, showcasing innovative designs, unique engine configurations, and diverse riding experiences, could have dramatically enriched the U.S. motorcycle landscape. Especially missed is a strong Best Trail Dirt Bike, a category where American riders could have benefited greatly from the innovative designs and technologies showcased in these models. Their absence highlights the challenges global manufacturers face in navigating complex regulations, market preferences, and economic factors that impact product availability.

Looking ahead, there’s potential for some of these models, or similar offerings, to eventually reach American consumers. As market trends evolve and manufacturers expand their global presence, we may witness a growing willingness to introduce niche or region-specific models to the U.S. market. Moreover, advancements in manufacturing techniques and regulatory harmonization could alleviate some of the historical barriers limiting motorcycle availability.

Ultimately, the story of these 10 great bikes serves as a reminder of the motorcycle industry’s global nature and the vast array of two-wheeled machines available worldwide. While American riders may have missed out on these specific models, the motorcycle market’s continuous evolution guarantees exciting new options will always emerge, from both domestic and international manufacturers.