If you thought we had it bad with our 101-horsepower version, the Japanese version of Honda's RC213V-S "street-legal MotoGP bike" makes 70 horsepower in regular trim.
That's right. Honda is asking the Japanese public to spend ¥21.9 million (or $184,000) for a motorcycle that makes two horsepower more than a Triumph Bonneville. It also only makes 64 foot-pounds of torque, which it hits at a whopping 5,000 rpm.
It isn't all bad news, however. At least the Japanese elite have the option of the RC213V-S with the Sport Kit, which brings the power up 300 percent to 215 horsepower.
At this point, I almost feel bad for Honda. Even some American Honda staff privately expressed their embarrassment at the unveiling of the bike, and it seemed as if this couldn't be seen as any more of a flop... until now.
Anyone — here or in Japan — plan to pick one up when they are released?