Honda Hoot 2009

[Tim Harman]

The American Honda Motor Co. has cancelled the 2009 Honda Hoot due to economic uncertainities.

"Based on the current economic crunch, which may have significant impact on our customers during 2009, American Honda will take this time to seek out new and innovative ways to engage with our customers so that we can continue to ride together," according to a written statement from American Honda on www.hondahoot.com.

Over the past 15 years, almost a quarter of million guests have attended the Hoot, which was first held in Asheville, Carolina. The motorcycle rally moved to Knoxville and eventually grew to become one of the largest rallies in North America.

The family-friendly event offered opportunities to test ride new products and grew the industry from the ground up.

 

[NancysToy]

That is amazing to me, that something so big and well established can disappear so early ahead of time. I see a number of other events already canceled, too, and expect more to follow. I suspect corporate donations and sponsorship will be very thin this year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for our favorite events.
-Scotty

 

[jwfranklin]

I'm sure most of you know that the 2009 models will be the last Honda motorcycles built in the US. The 2010 models will be built at their new plant in Japan. In the US, they build only the Goldwing and the VTX 1300 as the 1800 has been discontinued. They have another plant in Japan they are closing and moving to the new plant. In both current plants they build less than 100,000 units per year. They new plant is supposed to have a 350,000 capacity per year. More than Honda and Harley put together. Honda has been trying to buy Harley for years. Makes me wonder. In July we got 9 Runes together and went to the last Honda Homecoming at the plant in Ohio. The Runes came from as far west as Colorado, as far North as Canada, and as far south as Florida. The Rune apparently was their prize projects built in Ohio. When we pulled up, they got us a place to park together, right in front of the gate to the plant, and many employees came to look at them. Many had worked on them. At that time they were already building 2009 models. So I would think that by July 09 all motorcycle production will be in Japan. I wonder if this had any influence on the decision to cancel the Hoot.

Wayne

 

[BRPjunkie]

The Honda cruiser line (not counting the Gold Wing) has dwindled to just three engine sizes; 1300, 750 and 250 (long live the Rebel) across six models. Makes you wonder how committed they are to that segment. With the demise of the Valkyrie, the Rune and the 1800, 1100 and 600 engine models, maybe they plan to concentrate on the Gold Wing and sport bikes.

 

[sleepman]

I'm really not surprised that Honda has canceled this event. I have no doubt that it's related to the economy and not the fact that Honda is moving its motorcycle production over seas. Look at some of the other things that have occurred, Mansfield canceled its truck series race, Watkin Glen lost their sponsor for the Sprint cup race. Corporations are going to be closing their pocket books to a lot of the extra stuff this coming year. The only reason you'll see other big evens such as Daytona and Sturgis continue on is because they don't rely on just one sponsor, Honda was footing a huge bill to make the event happen.

Personally I already have plans to cut a couple of the trips and events that I attend out of my schedule for 09