Honda Motor Company could soon begin sourcing components for its big, global motorcycle from low-cost countries like , top company sources said.

According to them, the global scenario for big bikes has changed significantly of late. “Costs are an issue and gone are the days when we could make bikes in for the rest of the worlds without a care in the world. Today, this in an area of concern which makes the need for sourcing from low-cost countries imperative,” officials said.

The other challenge relates to fuel consumption, especially with new option such as hybrids and electric cars.Two-wheeler makers like Honda believe that they may have to follow suit too. In turn, this will translate into added pressures on costs.

The biggest advantage offers is a robust supplier base that has proved its mettle both in quality and competitive costs. From Honda’s point of view, these vendors have come in handy for the domestic market, where bikes like the ‘Splendor’ and ‘Passion’ (from the Hero Honda stable) rule the roost in the price-sensitive commuter segment.

The near future could now see the Japanese automaker tapping into this supplier base to source key components for its sporty motorcycles assembled in the Kumamoto facility referred to as the mother plant. It is from here that also gets its quota of fuel-injection components used in bikes such as the ‘Glamour’ and ‘Stunner’.

The R&D Center had on display for journalists the latest VFR1200F dual clutch transmission motorcycle which offers the rider the option of manual and automatic transmission. Honda has targeted Europe as the first destination for launch next year, said Mr Kyoichi Yoshii, Chief Engineer, Product Development Division, Honda R&D. this will be followed by the US, Japan and them China, Brazil could join the list in 2011 while Russia may import the bikes from Europe.

 “ is one big, important market for the VEFR1200F,” Mr. Yoshii said, though it poses risk in the copyright department given that copying is rampant in the country. He added that with the market in heading towards saturation point for bikes, it was important to work on products focused on a smaller, yet niche, customer base.

Thus far, there are no plans for the VFR1200F in . The bike would in any case have to be imported and end up with a hefty price tag in showrooms of over Rs 20 lakh thanks to the 100 percent plus duty levy.

Honda Motorcycle & scooter has been importing big bikes, such as the CB1000R and CBR1000RR, which are priced in the region of Rs 10 lakh to 13 lakh, These have largely been used as brand-Building initiatives and the VFR1200F, if imported, will cater to the same requirement too.