Meaning of BEAT?

[jurek]

Does any oe know the mening of the beat name?
Is it?
to beat to death
the first beat of the war drum
throb, beat
to knock down,
eggbeater, whisk
to beat into shape

many thanks for any help
Confused.

[Paul w]

I think its a from a more modern definition than that,
more of a musical beat, or maybe the urban heartbeat?
Maybe it was just the Japanese trying to find a word that isn't a swear word in other languages! (as has happened with SEAT, VW and many others in the past!)

I'm guessing your not of british origin Jurek, what are you from mate?
(i may be wrong, sorry if i am!)



PW

[jurek]

Hi Paul
I am of Polish blood but born in Birmingham.

[tinytim]

It could just be coincidence but Honda seemed to go through a phase of naming there cars with a musical theme.
Prelude
Accord
Jazz
Concerto
Ballade

Perhaps the Beat was a follow on from that, although a few of my work colleagues seem to think an egg beater is more apt
:(

[Paul w]

You know, i'd not even thought of that!

CRX.....erm creschendo?

PW

[tinytim]

I don't really know where the Civic falls in, it seems to be the exception. The s2000 and the NSX were both specialist sports coupes so not in the same grouping. So! unless anyone in the music scene can put Civic as a musical term it must remain the exception? (or perhaps an Engrish translation error):D

[bref]

A good japanes site with roots explanation:

http://homepage1.nifty.com/j-project705/jtripcar/carname/honda.htm

"Beat" is really a swear word in French...It remember me my first english lesson at school. We were about 11 years old, when sex words are always funny...

[Wh1teLeopard]

Originally posted by tinytim
So! unless anyone in the music scene can put Civic as a musical term it must remain the exception? (or perhaps an Engrish translation error):D

*whips out the music dictionairy*

I knew this would be useful for something other than my A-Levels

Civic - Not in here :confused:

Prelude - an introductory piece of music or a self-contained piano piece in one movement

Accord - Accordion? - a portable reed organ.

Jazz - a term used to describe a style of music that evolved in the Southern States of the USA at the turn of the century....

Concerto - originally a work for one or serveral voices with instrumental accompaniment

Ballade - a type of medieval french poetry.

Beat - a unit of rhythmic measure in music, indicated to a choir or orchestra by the movement of a conductor's baton. A form of 20th-century popular music with a steady and powerful rhythm.

[bref]

Accord is french for "Chord"

found also Aria (from the Fit Aria) : a vocal melody

Rafaga : spanish songs played with guitar

Quint or Quintet : group of 5 singer

[jurek]

Hi Bref
I followed your linke and the Japanese translation of �uŒÛ“®�v
is Old Road (japanese script does not work here)

The plot thickens

[ozsamurai]

Well, I've had fun reading the posts so let me put your minds at rest finally about the slew of odd Honda names. Soichiro Honda placed a copyright on a slew of names in the earlier years of 4 wheel division,prior to that he went with the statsu quo and gave them numbers, which were model designations of the blueprints used in Honda (patents). He used buzz words from his youth in post-war Japan after that.
civic pride
reach an accord with ....
Inspiration

His first big hit being the Civic, which he had chosen in a hope that the car would take after the VW Beetle, the 'people's car', which he directly translated to Civic from civilian. When serious development of a stream of models started they randomly chose names with a 'harmony theme', as post war Japanese cars were still an item of contention. During the 80's when Soichiro handed over the reigns of Honda unofficially naming of the models was handed over to HGT (Honda Gijutsu Tech) the R&D Facility and the chief model engineers mostly had carte blanc on the names. Thats where the exceptions came from, Ascot, Inova, Rafaga(you know what we call this one in the office 'the-rat-fu***er' etc. But, then in the late 80's when Honda struck a little financial stiff spot they cut some of the budget dollars by reviving the original names Soichiro had registered (royalties paid). So again you saw the latest development of a completely new model come out under an old name, (ie: Civic, sports, to hatch, to sedan, to grocery getter and back to sports). Now the economy is back on line the names are back in the hands of the twits at R&D. And since they are trying to make a concerted effort to bridge the gap between Acura and Honda (Acura is not sold in Japan but people want it) they have started making the MDX, CR-V, FR-V etc. to take a stab a Lexus/Merc fame. If it has letters the it must be exclusive right?

CR-V =Comfortable Runabout Vehicle (how daggy is that?)

Anyway the Beat name was sorry to say just.... left over..... it was used prior to the release of the 4 wheel version in a 50cc motor scooter that was pretty popular for a while. The new Vamos, originally debuted the late 60's as an amphibious looking duck hunter.

Sorry to let you down, but names mean nothing to Honda, but if they get a hit, your sure to see 7 totally unrelated variations of it hit the market.

Cheers

Oz

[bref]

Thanks for this piece of History

I just had a look at a copyright internet site. Regarding Honda, I found more than 250 names.

Most of them are from "Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha", it is funny to find that "Soichiro Honda" is copyrighted by its son Hirotoshi!

Also find that all prototypes names and some old names are copyrighted, like Spocket or CVCC.

Strangely I didn't find CRX, and big surprise, looking for Beat, I found "Micra Beat" copyrighted by Nissan!!!

[Paul w]

I want a honda spocket!!! Doesnt matter what it is, I want one!



In fact.....competition time...design the honda spocket!

Winner gets something out of my garage!

PW

[ozsamurai]

Be careful not to park your Beat in there then, I'll have a go a t that!! A Honda Sproket Design Competition.....


Oz

[Paul w]

spocket or sproket?

PW

[bref]

Sport+pocket for Spocket. Fun car anyway shown 5 years ago at the NAIAS. Finally they opted this year for an another kind of pick up, the Ridgeline, probably based on a Mobil home...

[Paul w]

I'd buy one!

PW

[Paul w]

pics

[Paul w]

another

[adrianp]

Hey, you can put the beat in the back...:bounce:

[ozsamurai]

The Ridgeline goes on sale in the states in March this year, the spocket is the concept car it was developed from.

http://automobiles.honda.com/new_models/landing.asp?bhcp=1&BrowserDetected=True

The top secret (RC?? & RD??? (I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you all!!lol)) model is going to be even better, than this though so save your pennies, although you won't be able to fit a Beat in the back!

I was was also bouncing the CR-X name around with my biggest cheese at Honda. He said the name was originally taken from the F1 Honda Racing bike the CR Competition Racer, and the X used in all Honda cars is symbolic of the symbol for 'Inifinity' (looks for symbol function on keyboard, and fails!) given this as a hope of future eternal long life of the model, so the name usually just resides with the first two letters..... you never know when that might come in handy for the next Trivial Pursuit match!

Cheers

Oz

[jurek]

Hi Oz
In the UK there are many importers of highly modified Japanese cars ie Twin turbos large wheels modified body work, and most of the modification looks very proffesional. Are we importing all these modified cars 1000's or are mods very common and cheep to do in Japan so every one does it?
( sorrry to be a bit of the point)

[ozsamurai]

Models selected for export to other countries are chosen by a combination of factors, legality, marketability and driver skill. The UK being RHD like the rest of the civilized world has of course more models to choose from ( we don't have to design a LHD and work the bugs out etc.) So essentailly you see the best sellers from Japan, which of course include the highly modified TypeR's etc. We don't give those to the Yanks as they wreck 'em, quick shifting 1-3 at 6000rpm and blowing up the gearbox etc. I'm not too sure on your market 'modified' Honda's, but of course as the models are already a guaranteed seller in Japan aftermarket parts makers over here have mod parts ready from the concept stage, Mugen etc. they buy that right from Honda. Japanese love the 'brand thing' so alot of cars get modified with all 'genuine' parts. As a rule cars get traded in every 4 years here so this is where the 'lively' second hand market to the less fussy countries is active so you would see the modified cars coming through there also. Its what you guys buy, the left over standard models usually get crushed. So to get to your question 'does everyone do it"? If you own an Integra you have 5 variations to choose from Type R/S RS etc.... but if you don't want your girfriend to laugh at you or the guys to take the piss out of you you buy the Type R, therefore they are popular and hardly anyone owns the Type S, (we send those to the US!).

Cheers

Oz

[jurek]

Thanks Oz
In the uk we have MPV's loaded with part cloth seats, steel wheels with plastic covers, a radio possibly Sun roof if you are lucky and air con is slowly more common. The imports have Tv DVD blinds even a fridge. It is an eye opener.
A car fully loaded is very expensive to buy new and if after market parts are used the warranty becomes invalid.
Do you have many German cars over there? and are they also modified?
I also have a VFR800 (Honda) are these also modified as I have only found US suppliers for after market motorcycle bits and Uk supply is limited.
Its nice to have some one that can share what life in Japan is like.
Thanks
J
:bounce:

[ozsamurai]

Yes this 'option' trend is gaining more popularity not only with automakers but electronics maker as well here in Japan. The motivation is purely economic, while hiding it under a veil of 'user choice' and 'individual design' crap. CAse in point, a Sony Vaio used to come with all the goodies, AC adaptor, CDROM, floppy etc.. for around 200,000yen. Now of course they are still at the 200,000 yen mark, but all the accessories are [sold separately]. In the automaket this is also happening OS, not so much in Japan though. The dealers on your side, make a very slim profit on the sale of the vehicle itself, their bread & butter comes from offering of options, and subsequent fitting of those, want an Navigation Sysytem? have to buy Honda genuine or you warranty gets void, want it installed, have to installed by a Honda Tech or your warranty is void, purcahse and installation is where the dealers make the money, right Steve? So Honda UK imports the 'el cheapo models' and accessorizes them as requires, that's their business plan not Honda's, sticker price shock is lower that way. Another factor to consider is also the high tech expectations of the users now, you never hear of a cars transmission busting or the axle dropping off etc. Mechanical failures just get less and less, but ECU software bugs and electrical related issues are a on the increase in every maker as the technology advances way ahead of the design capabilities of the car. Electronic components just don't have the charactewristics to stand up to vibration, dust, misuse etc that a driver dishes out to them. So, I think the choice to sell the basic models is a conservative one but a logical one. If you want the fridge, buy it! The Beat has now gone over the 10year mark, imagine if it had been fitted with a NAVI system and fridge etc... They'd all be busted or out of date by now or costing a fortune to update.....

Cheers

Oz

[jurek]

So it seams its not so different over there.......

What is crime like in Japan as have noticed that Car security is not as advanced as basic Uk cars or are these also bolt on goodies that you can fit at a high price?

J

[ozsamurai]

Security in general is not needed here in Japan, cars just don't get stolen that often, or broken into. You could drop your wallet and it will come back to you with all the cash (unless a white guy found it!), we don't have guns, there is no army to speak of, its a safe country, ie no focus on security. My town is country only 4mill and I rarely even lock my door.
I just installed a security sytem into my car, only cause I like the beep sound when I park it.!!

Oz

[jurek]

Oz
I did not think places like that still exist.
I know so very little about Japan ,
do most people live in apartments or do they have house garden etc
Is punishment for theft heavy is Japan
In Uk the court usual only tell you of, there is little punishment. We all have rights.
If you hurt a thief who broke into you home
you are more likely to be punished than the thief.
But that is an other story
J

[Midship]

Japan really sounds like my kinda place.. They have one thing that’s lacking in this part of the world called Honour.

We get our fair share of import car here in Ireland and none of them are imported with alarms, it’s amazing.

I had this conversation with a Japanese exchange student in college a while back, and he couldn’t believe the lengths we have to go to protect our property, he said that damaging another’s property is viewed as low in Japan, in Ireland people would walk straight passed someone breaking into a car, totally different ethical standards.

I read somewhere that Japanese cars are well specked up because of the demands of Japanese consumer for example..

The typical American consumer buying a product like a DVD player and would look for something functional and would focus on the core benefit i.e. watching DVDs and favour simple operation. Whereas the typical Japanese consumer is far more complex they would favour the DVD player with all the extras and prefer additional feature rather that ease of use. Maybe this is part of the reason why Japanese cars are more spec-ed up?

To be fair the Japanese make these cars, why not keep the best of them like the beat for themselves! :D

[jurek]

It is so nice to be on a sight where we can all learn from each other . I bellong to a Honda vfr signt from the USA they are very clinical in there questions and answers and would not exchange informatins about the society they live in Thanks Oz and Midship.
Might be a silly ? but is there a drug culture in Japan or lots of unemployment?
J

[adrianp]

I'll agree there, Nice one Oz...

We all see bits of Japan on telly now and again but really know nothing about being over there.

It's nice to hear things are a lot more civilised than they are over here, it obviously explains why Oz is so willing to help out us lot over here that he only really knows through this forum.

I can see another thread starting 'Oz's guide to Japan, The beat way to travel':cool:

As a thought,(from Oz's earlier post) Hmm a fridge in the beat... Wonder if I can get one small enough to fit into the boot??? (do mini fridges work laying down??) It would keep the cans of drink cold when at the shows...:D

[Robin]

Tell me about it.

I have always wanted more than anything to holiday in Japan and I am hoping to get to go later this year with my girlfriend.

I will post a message if I do get to go and I might be able to bring back a small gift for people. Woo Hoo

I know it sounds silly but I have been playing a game called Shenmue and Shenmue 2. Set in late 80's Japan it is a truelly amazing game and as far as I have found out through research, it is very very true to what 80's Japan was like as far as scenery etc. It's amazing. Anyone with an Xbox or Dreamcast I would highly reccomend it.

Last thing to say - I am hoping to get a CRX as my next car when I get enought money together - 3rd gen Transtop just wondered if anyone had one or if people knew any pointers?

Thanks guys hope you are all still enjoying your Beats.

Robin

[Midship]

Hi Robin!

The 3rd Gen CRX is an excellent car, best go for a 1.6 SIR VTEC, the transtop however weighs a lot, takes up a lot of the boat and dose give a lot of trouble. The cogs in the motor get warn and eventually must be replaced, new cogs arnt costly but it dose require a lot of labour and the transtops is run by a separate ECU which has also been known to give a bit of trouble. On the upside thought the transtop looks cool!

Other things I would look out for are the standard car things.. Was its smacked at any stage etc etc…. the B16A engine that’s in them is simply excellent, most of them have oil around the dizzy side of the engine, basically its the seal on the dizzy that goes on them all. Its fairly simple o replace but don’t tell the guy your buying it off that.

I hope to go to Japan then Australia myself this summer, that’s if I can get the funds together! I don’t know though, if I go.. maybe ill end up staying!! Ill arrange to have my cars shipped back over to where they came from!

Good luck with the CRX, oh be sure to post up a pic!
Michael

P.S ive been in contact with your brother and he’s given me a hand out with the shipping, Cheers
:D

[Paul w]

Had a white ESI crx convertable, Its was great, but i wished i'd got the VTI!

A word of warning though, the electric roof looks great, but is slow, and you lose most of your boot!

The manual roof takes around 15 seconds to pop off and stow in the boot, where it forms a second boot lid, in its own frame.

My advice.....get a VTI, captiva blue, manual roof!

PW

[Robin]

Thanks for the advice so far guys. I will have to go for the ESi model as i cant afford the insurance on the VTi model. Even though the ESi model is the underpowered one is it still faster than I would be used to in the Beat?

The transtop does look good but I have heard its troublesome.

Here is one ad I saw

1997 HONDA CRX ESi, R reg.
54000 miles, silver, e/targa top, e/w, radio/cd, immobiliser, airbag, pas, f/s/h, new exhaust, excellent condition, MoT July 05. £3,300.

What sort of mileage are these cars good for?
I know that the immobiliser on it is factory fitted by Honda but does anyone know if it thatcham Cat 2 approved?

Thanks guys

P.S. Midship I am glad you got a reply from him, lazy sod hardly ever replies to me. Hope you get everything you want shipped.

[Paul w]

My ESI had over 100k on it when i sold it!

Probably because in summer it always took the scenic route home!

I think they hit 60 in around 9-10 seconds, so quick enough. Watch the handling though, not as chuckable as the beat by a long shot!

PW