Anyone else tired of this? I think I've got some 1980's sled mags in my closet that mention that Honda is working on a sled. Anyone know how their AquaTrax water craft is working out? Call me Johnny Skepitical but I simply don't see how Honda is supposed to revolutionize the sled industry when they have never produced a snowmachine.
redrx1rkt
Expert
I don't think there's enough of a market for them to jump into. 150-160,000 sled sales per year, and these buyer are pretty brand loyal. Where's the motivation for any other manufacturer to get in? Not to mention, snowmobiles need to update constantly to keep up with the competition. Japanese companies don't like to do this...and, it costs a lot of money. Honda is traditionally stubborn about changing. Just look at how outdated their ATV chassis' are.
Bakemono
TY 4 Stroke Guru
Oh really? It seems like a certain Japanese snowmobile company has been making the most updates lately.redrx1rkt said:
Look at the auto industry, Toyota and Honda upgrade, improve or bring out new vehicles every year, whereas Ford and GM seem content to leave things alone untill they see a major sales drop. :ORC
Ive heard the Honda for the past couple of years (since Ive started going on sled forums basically), but I cant see it.
Face it people, the snowmobile market is in decline right now. If you were the president of Honda, would you think that getting into the sled market is good for business??? Not me.
Itd be cool but I cant see it happening. I honestly cant see why Honda got into the PWC market. Its a dead market. Thats why Polaris got out.
nhrxrider
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Honda is the type of company that IF they were to make sleds, they would make something comparable to the best in the industry. Since they haven't done it before, thats a big leap to make, so I don't know if I see it happening. Then again, you never know. They came out with lawn tractors many years ago, and since we were a Honda family, we managed to come up with the money (almost $3000) for a 13hp lawn tractor. Here I am, almost 20 years later, and it still runs like new, even after the severe beatings I give it (just think 13hp bush Hog). They came out with the track drive snowblowers and I hear they work great.
They are also a very strong 4-stroke company. IF they were to come out with sleds, expect to see them centered around 4-stroke engines. I sure woulnd't mind seeing them come out with RX competition using a CBR engine!
As for the import vs. American thing...I just don't know how you can say the imports don't update. Their cars change every couple of years. Look at American models. Chevy trucks went from '74 to '87 (and up to '91 for 1-tons) basically unchanged. Even the different models (1/2-1 ton) were almost identical except for the drivetrain. Jeep kept their Cherokee around from '84-'01. Try finding any imports that went that long without a major change.
Jim
They are also a very strong 4-stroke company. IF they were to come out with sleds, expect to see them centered around 4-stroke engines. I sure woulnd't mind seeing them come out with RX competition using a CBR engine!
As for the import vs. American thing...I just don't know how you can say the imports don't update. Their cars change every couple of years. Look at American models. Chevy trucks went from '74 to '87 (and up to '91 for 1-tons) basically unchanged. Even the different models (1/2-1 ton) were almost identical except for the drivetrain. Jeep kept their Cherokee around from '84-'01. Try finding any imports that went that long without a major change.
Jim
redrx1rkt
Expert
I disagree with you guys. First, Captain Toyota, Yamaha just recently started becoming more willing to change more often. In the past, they would debut a new sled and would make only minor changes (like my 2002 with it's new, brighter headlight compared to the 2001) and keep the chassis the same for years. The ProAction skid came out in 1996 and it could still be found in the 136" sleds last year! The Vector motor is the first new engine (completely new) for Yammi sleds since...since...well, a long time. The positive side of this is the technology does get perfected over the years, but it doesn't change and still ends up behind the competition.
As for Honda, they are not quick to change. It took them 6 years to update the Odyssey minivan and they redo the Accord and Civic every five years, almost religiously. Their ATVs are basically the same machines they were in the 1990s, except for the Rincon. In fact, there was an article in ATV Connection magazine last year complaining about slow Honda is to change.
Except for Yammi the last couple of years, Japanese manufacturers are notoriously conservative giants. They continue to work within the bounds of the same technology, perfecting it, but losing sight that it was limited to begin with because of what the other manufacturers are doing.
GM's biggest problem is the bastardizing and recycling of their platforms. Before you get excited about a new GM model, check it's pedigree. Are you sure it's not just new sheetmetal on a Celebrity Eurosport? The TrailBlazer platform is used by Buick, GMC, Saab, Oldsmobile (until they closed).
As for Honda, they are not quick to change. It took them 6 years to update the Odyssey minivan and they redo the Accord and Civic every five years, almost religiously. Their ATVs are basically the same machines they were in the 1990s, except for the Rincon. In fact, there was an article in ATV Connection magazine last year complaining about slow Honda is to change.
Except for Yammi the last couple of years, Japanese manufacturers are notoriously conservative giants. They continue to work within the bounds of the same technology, perfecting it, but losing sight that it was limited to begin with because of what the other manufacturers are doing.
GM's biggest problem is the bastardizing and recycling of their platforms. Before you get excited about a new GM model, check it's pedigree. Are you sure it's not just new sheetmetal on a Celebrity Eurosport? The TrailBlazer platform is used by Buick, GMC, Saab, Oldsmobile (until they closed).
local 25
Expert
Correct me if im wrong,but wasnt Honda the first to offer a water-craft with a factory super charger ??? . Then sea-doo came out with a super charged RTX 2 years later. 215 HP mind you. 
I wish Honda would make a sled you just know they are going to compete and would make Yamaha and the rest pick up their ears and listen just that much more.
buddah
Lifetime Member
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O.K., guys.........let's clear up a couple of misconceptions........1st off some background: I retired from Honda of America Mfg. in OH after almost 20 yrs., so I do know most of the facts regarding your various opinions.
Honda's cars are on a four year repeating cycle by model. The Accord will be completely re-designed every four years and then the Civic every four years on the two-year off cycle, if you can understand that. The are major upgrades to pieces and parts every year, but full model change is every four.
Next Honda has looked at the snowmobile market in the past (mid-80's) but I can't say how much lately. When I first started there, I was working on a computer system for one of the engineers in the bike plant (the Marysville Motorcycle Plant to be specific). This engineer took me into a closed locked room that had a completely disassembled and cataloged sled laying on mats, but I was not into sleds back then so I have no idea what kind it was.
Obviously, Honda spends a great deal of development time prior to bringing something to market. We (Honda associates) knew of the development of the watercraft at least a year before it was publicly announced, and then that announcement was a year before availability.
And finally, since they already have the possible powerplants (watercraft engines), it's not that big a leap to design running gear to support it/them.
Disclaimer: NONE of this is an official position, but rather just my opinion(s) on the entire scenario.
Honda's cars are on a four year repeating cycle by model. The Accord will be completely re-designed every four years and then the Civic every four years on the two-year off cycle, if you can understand that. The are major upgrades to pieces and parts every year, but full model change is every four.
Next Honda has looked at the snowmobile market in the past (mid-80's) but I can't say how much lately. When I first started there, I was working on a computer system for one of the engineers in the bike plant (the Marysville Motorcycle Plant to be specific). This engineer took me into a closed locked room that had a completely disassembled and cataloged sled laying on mats, but I was not into sleds back then so I have no idea what kind it was.
Obviously, Honda spends a great deal of development time prior to bringing something to market. We (Honda associates) knew of the development of the watercraft at least a year before it was publicly announced, and then that announcement was a year before availability.
And finally, since they already have the possible powerplants (watercraft engines), it's not that big a leap to design running gear to support it/them.
Disclaimer: NONE of this is an official position, but rather just my opinion(s) on the entire scenario.
With the manufacturing and design might of Honda how hard would it be for them to put a sled together! I dont think it would be very hard for Honda to develop one and be competitive right from the get go.
Yama-Crazy
VIP Member
Yes but Honda makes a great pwc with the turbo! I'd want one...Captain_Toyota said:
redrx1rkt
Expert
Yamaha makes a better one. I looked at both before buying two years ago. Honda's major problem is a wet ride. Yamaha FX H.O. is also faster than supercharged Honda.
Bakemono
TY 4 Stroke Guru
I have to respectfully disagree with you. Take Toyota for example. Every year they have 2-3 vehicles that are completely redesigned or signifigantly improved from the previous year. They typically run on 3-year cycles between redesigns.redrx1rkt said:
Ford and GM go about 7 years between redesigns.
redrx1rkt
Expert
The Tundra hasn't changed since 2000...except for the addition of a crew cab and a bigger V6.
The Corolla hasn't changed since 2002.
The Sienna, until 2005, stayed the same for 5 years.
The Camry gets updated every 3 years to keep up with Honda.
The Prius and Scion line were pretty innovative, I will give you that.
Yama-Crazy
VIP Member
redrx1rkt said:
redrx1rkt
Expert
A PWC is not anywhere near as much fun as a sled...not even close. I am going to sell my 2004 WaveRunner FX Cruiser in the spring.
