No more CT125's in Australia...

[SneakyDingo]

If you were watching the member introductions, you'd have seen we have a new member who snagged one of the last CT125 imports. "What's going on there?"

The Australian government has seen fit to prevent the import of non-dirt bikes without dual channel ABS, which is usually front and rear ABS. As the CT125 only has single channel on the front wheel, that means the humble Postie Bike will be no more. Due to the small market segment and the technical costs to do dual channel ABS, Honda has said they won't be updating the Grom, etc. to have dual channel ABS, and I don't expect that to change any time in the future.

 

[AZ7000']

Bummer, sucks they can’t get an off-road exemption

 

[dmonkey]

That really is a bummer. I'm a big fan of front ABS, especially when it's done well like Honda's, but even I don't want rear ABS on any of my motorcycles - dirt or street.

 

[SneakyDingo]

It's hard to explain this fully, but I'll give you the short version of my life to date: I have worked in data science for a while now. Some of our customers have 3 letters in their name, or are preceded by the word "Governor." I used to work a variety of jobs ranging from very illegal to discussing work over coffee with Karl O'Callaghan, before his son was busted for drugs and he mellowed out.

So when I say the next bit, it's with a pretty wide ranging perspective. I understand why they did this, they have the right idea, but an incomplete and largely wrong execution. They're also acting on flawed interpretation of metrics.

I can cite many examples, but it's probably easiest to describe the general metaphor of what I mean with the following statements:
1. Police would frequently set up speed traps on the Mitchell Fwy, sometimes as many as 5 speed traps, between where I lived and where I worked. The fatality rate along that stretch of road was very, very low.
2. In known Black Spots with fatalities, the police could never be found, nor were investments made to improve the safety of said black spots with static infrastructure such as red light cameras, speed bumps or fixed speed cameras.

In short, decisions have been made that would boost numbers, generate income, but not actually add to the safety of the overall system that much. It's similar to how in traffic engineering widening roads and adding lanes does not actually increase a road's ability to move people through it, and in some cases may actually decrease it. Right idea, wrong conclusion, thus wrong execution.

One potential forward looking statement is the Brussels Effect may be something to hope for with motorcycle manufacturers. With the EU regulating above 125cc engines to require ABS, this will impact relatively few motorcycles, aside from making it even harder to get a motorcycle in Australia than it was before (they cost about 50% more for various reasons unrelated to AUD vs. USD). It would be nice if they just aligned with the EU regulations and called it a day though, that would simplify things a lot.

In case you ever see me ranting about manufacturing, licensing and the like for international markets, this is why.

 

[Carolina Vagabond]

Yep, it sucks and is a damn shame.

 

[Kimmo]

I’m the new guy who snagged a new ct125 in Australia 3weeks ago… one dealer said he was getting a create (2) and that’s the last ones… the dealer I bought from had 2 tan coloured CT’s… one mine and the other sold a few days later…And yes true according to the dealers Honda will not send anymore ct125, monkeys or groms to Australia due to no rear abs. ( a new design rule but allowed to sell current stock) and all major quad bike manufacturers have quit the Australian market bc of a roll bar regulation.
my brother in Michigan snagged a 2022 monkey and the dealer said he was only getting 2 for the season.

 

[fmdualexhaust]

Goes to show that no matter where you live, big brother is always looking out for you.

 

[MickO]

Picked up my CT 125 today and it's the last one in stock. Live in Albury NSW (Australia). I need to run the girl in then start hitting some tracks around the Alpine high country. Looking forward to some good riding and camping on this machine.

 

[Cpd419]

If you were watching the member introductions, you'd have seen we have a new member who snagged one of the last CT125 imports. "What's going on there?"

The Australian government has seen fit to prevent the import of non-dirt bikes without dual channel ABS, which is usually front and rear ABS. As the CT125 only has single channel on the front wheel, that means the humble Postie Bike will be no more. Due to the small market segment and the technical costs to do dual channel ABS, Honda has said they won't be updating the Grom, etc. to have dual channel ABS, and I don't expect that to change any time in the future.

Too many rules.

 

[rightspy]

Sad, if there is any country that needs and deserves CT125’s, it’s AUS. Damn shame for such a stupid reason.

 

[Clancy oto]

Picked up my CT 125 today and it's the last one in stock. Live in Albury NSW (Australia). I need to run the girl in then start hitting some tracks around the Alpine high country. Looking forward to some good riding and camping on this machine.

Let me know when you’re ready for adventures. Some great places to meet equal distance from each of us. I’m near Bermagui.
Summer alpine-ventures are epic on this rig.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DJ427]

"last of the V8 Interceptors"
~Road Warrior 1981

 

[SneakyDingo]

I mean, if we're really going down this path of b*tching about poor decisions in the AU market, RIP the Barra motors.

 

[m in sc]

"last of the V8 Interceptors"
~Road Warrior 1981

actually 'mad max, 1980'

 

[maj]

You’re both right.

 

[SLUGGO]

Too many rules.

I bought a new green ct125 6 weeks ago, from a Honda dealership.
Have done 1300 kms so far and love it!!
Have fitted the Opmid multi gauge and a few other mods.