Japanese scooters, like Hondas, are normally released under different names. Take the Honda Reflex for instance… Over seas, it’s called the Honda Forza. Is the name the only difference? Look at the two images above and see. The one up top is the 2006 Forza, the one below is the 2006 Reflex. The one available to us in the USA is the Reflex… Is it me, or does the Forza look better? No, I’m not talking about Vader black vs. Canary Yellow… Look at the substantial backrest on the Forza.. The US version gets these little after-thought back-nubs. Why?
Check out this site for more on the Forza (Click on “View Original” if the Google translation is taking too long). You’ll see it comes with some sort of anti-theft smart-key… Moto-net.com says in a rough Google translation:
“Each version is also equipped with the new system ‘Honda Smart Card Key’, which establishes an electronic communication with the ignition system. A true interesting and particularly useful innovation: who never realized, at the time of switching on, which its key had remained at the bottom of the last inside pocket of the wind-breaker, under the combi of rain?”
. AND… Look at it! There’s more babes hangin‘ all over the Forza than I’ve ever seen on the Reflex. What’s up with THAT?!
I also noticed the Forza has “S-Matic” transmission… letting you do a manual shift if you so desire. Reflex? Just the old “V-Matic” we’re used to.
I think this paragraph sums it up:
“Florent Lionnet, assistant general manager of Honda Division Motor bikes: Forza 250 is a top-of-the-range scooter marketed in Japan and in Europe for demanding markets. Italy will be the first country in terms of volume and it is thus an Italian name which was retained for this scooter of which the consonance “go from before” indeed in the direction will illustrate our will to conquer of course a maximum of customers not only in Italy but also in France. This scooter is so much well designed that they will not be disappointed, I am convinced by it!”
Which translates into “The American scooter market is still just a baby and not yet worthy of the advanced scooters available in the Europe and Japan markets.”… to which I reply “CACA!”.
11. October 2005 at 12:33 pm
The Babe on the Forza should be more careful. She’s gonna poke her heels right thru the seat!!!! What’s she thinkin’?
Brent
Gallatin, TN
21. September 2007 at 6:50 am
The American scooter market is tiny compared with the asian and european market if you would do your homework. So in that sense, the American scooter market is indeed a baby compared with the european market. Nobody wants scooters in America, everybody wants Harley Davidson. Me, being Chinese, have the same mindset of asians. Forget Harley Davidson, give me Hello Kitty! I want quiet and fuel efficient, not loud and obnoxious!
21. September 2007 at 2:04 pm
Haha. Who needs homework? It’s obvious my friend! That’s one of the reasons I started this site in the first place. In hopes of being able to convince some Americans that Hello Kitty is ok! Er, I mean that Scooters are ok!
Cheers!
steve
Oh, and that’s right Brent! Get on her!