I have received several direct e-mails from those who saw it asking for more info concerning the full-scale pic of the VF2200C Magna that was posted for a short time in the thread titled "Foolish question time". Some background:
The VF2200C (the C stood for cubic inches) enjoyed a production run from Jan'99 through Feb'00; total units produced: 104. Unlike most Hondas, the 2200C was not built in either Japan or the US; it was actually produced in Brazil. Apparently, the only mc assembly line capable of handling the massive size of the 2200C was the line used to build the Amazonas; which is powered by the venerable air-cooled VW Beetle engine. So, the 2200C was actually a collaboration between Honda and BMW (Brazilian Motor Werke).
Alas, despite intensive focus group research by Honda prior to the sales release, the 2200C was a sales disappointment; fewer than 10 ever reached the streets of America. The rest were sunk off of the California coastline as part of the Artificial Reef Creation Project. In a rare marketing misstep by Honda, the company failed to accurately gauge the willingness of american bikers to sit for their Class 2 license exams. A Class 2 license was mandatory to meet DOT guidelines, given the bike's 11,000 lb. GVWR and 138.75 inch wheelbase. Additionally, the bike's revolutionary (for mc's at least) air brakes failed to generate much consumer buzz.
Hope this sheds some light and for those 10 who actually purchased a 2200C, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
:) :) :) :)
PS
For those of you interested in learning more about Kenzo Kacamoto, lead engineer and driving force behind the VF2200C, he is featured tonight at 9PM EDT on A&E's acclaimed series "What Were They Thinking?", a chronicle of star-crossed inventors and engineers. Along with the 2200C, Kacamoto's involvement with both the infamous 1980s Cadillac "4-6-8 variable displacement engine" and the Chevy Vega aluminum head project will be detailed.
An interesting footnote to Mr. Kacamoto's long career is his invention of the "Fife". Similar to a Spork, the Fife consisted of a 3 tine fork at one end and a razor sharp blade at the other end. The blade was capable of cutting minute steak, gutting and filleting fish, and light shrub pruning. The idea was to cut down on the needed number of kitchen table implements.
Initially, sales were brisk. However, as fate would have it, a disastrous direct- mail campaign derailed everything. Apparently, the intention was to mass mail a product sample to the hearing-impaired as a means of increasing market share. Unfortunately, a computer glitch caused the wrong mailing list to be pulled and the samples were inadvertently mailed to 320,000 visually-impaired residents on the East Coast. A rash of personal-injury lawsuits forced the company into bankruptcy shortly thereafter. You don't want to miss tonight's show!
:lol: :lol:
Yea Greg. I think I put on my foil hat in time!! LOL :wink: 8)
Curtis
That boy ain't right in the head or something.
:shock: :shock: :shock:
Quote from: DC SmithThat boy ain't right in the head or something.
:shock: :shock: :shock:
If you had seen the original pic you would understand the humor behind this and why Greg was laughing... and I definitely am "right in the head".
Just read about the A & E program and in the nick of time. Well, Dog the Bounty Hunter is ending and 9 looms near. I am interested in that sort of stuff. Thanks for the info.
Quote from: ThomasMagnaJust read about the A & E program and in the nick of time. Well, Dog the Bounty Hunter is ending and 9 looms near. I am interested in that sort of stuff. Thanks for the info.
I think tonight they are also doing a piece on the invention of the metric adjustable wrench... :wink:
So..................where's the pic? :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :?: :?: :? :?
Quote from: Curtis_ValkSo..................where's the pic? :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :?: :?: :? :?
x2
Or 4 Run Run for your Lives