I called him out that Honda ditched the ST-1300. And his quick reply was there it is and pointed to their Gold Wing on the floor. That is Honda’s sport tourer.
They can think that all they want. But I am guessing perhaps none of us (including me) think the Gold Wing is a "Sport Tourer". Tourer, yes. Grand Tourer, yes. It is far to huge and heavy to fit the class. But, ya know, on the other end of the spectrum, manufacturers take a sport bike and put heated grips on it and move the pegs back a bit and call THAT a sports tourer. Hmm.
When it comes to buying a new bike they are choosing new technologies like the Gold Wing.
There isn't much choice anymore. The C14 is ancient tech now, 12 years old, built on technology of the 14-year-old ZX-14. That it is still relevant is a testament to just how good it really was/is. And no, there is
nothing wrong with the wonderful dual analog displays- but no cornering lights, mostly non-LED, few ride modes, small B&W single-mode screen, lack of cruise, non heated-seat, no closed-loop FI, etc, does matter now to customers.
The Gold Wing is not my first thought for a Sport Tourer
Because it isn't one
Read Kawasaki is losing sales because their bikes are behind in tech.
Bingo.
C-14 riders switching to even bigger bikes sort of goes opposite to guys that are aging want smaller lighter rides.
Again, we have only one choice left in our class- the Yamaha FJR. It has some updated tech, but is still not to the level of the ancient C14 in many ways. So if you don't like that choice, you will soon have no choice- you either go smaller which lacks "tour" (missing: long wheelbase, copious storage, great wind protection, shaft drive, reliability, power windscreen, smoothness, long warranty, etc), or larger, which lacks "sport" (missing: lighter weight, great performance, considerable lean angle, more aggressive posture).
Depressing topic for me.