Here in the United States, we often vary between thinking we are the center of the world or acting as if we are the world, a way of thinking that spawned that old joke, “So, I see you Americans won the World Series again this year.”
To anyone paying attention, it has been clear the United States hasn’t been the center of the motorcycle world for a long time. Yamaha is unveiling the M1 for the 2014 MotoGP season, an activity of no real importance but full of symbolism. So where are Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo flying to for this event? No, not some European capital. No place in the United States was considered, I’m confident. Instead, they’re flying to Jakarta. That’s Indonesia, for the geographically challenged.
Wonder why? Consider this your stat of the day: More new motorcycles are sold in Indonesia in one month than in an entire year in the United States.
That’s certainly true when it comes to motorcycles. Just think of all the scooters and low capacity bikes the big four manufacturers sell in Asia. Then consider that the population of Indonesia is larger than that of Western Europe, and it all makes sense.
Obviously Ducati will launch their challenger in Italy, but I’m interested to see what Honda do?