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« on: May 20, 2012, 09:09:51 AM »
If some of you want an idea of what two-strokes are up against, at least with the Japanese companies....I recently posted an article (okay, maybe I posted it quite some time ago) on the TSM Facebook page, where Superbike/Grand Prix racing over in Europe was being discussed. It was revealed that the Japanese had spent at least a billion dollars on their all-new 4-stroke bikes in an attempt to displace the old two-stroke 'junk'....meanwhile, grand prix race teams are dropping like flies, due to how insane the costs are to race a 4-stroke engine.
To that end, there's not much anyone can do other than simply stay away from The Big Four. KTM and Husqvarna are listening to you (somewhat), and if pride can be swallowed, there are plenty of screaming deals in the used market out there, and we all know how cheap it is to refurbish a two-stroke bike.
KTM's pushing the 4-stroke bike? They're simply trying to recoup investment, especially with the 4-stroke machinery. Once EFI hits 2-strokes full steam, however, the game is up, and Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki are all sitting on billions of dollars worth of modern-day wagon wheels. KTM is already selling everything they make concerning the 2-stroke market, correct? I wouldn't panic about their pushing 4-strokes, especially if they're quietly updating the bikes we're concerned about, right?
Want to solve a problem? Quit hoping that the Japanese are going to change their way of thinking, they're not going to fall on their swords, especially with that much money sitting on 4-stroke investments; keep in mind that Honda is screwing up pretty much everywhere right now, most everything they're selling in the car business is bombing spectacularly, especially the 'new' Civic, which is quite possibly the biggest dud they've introduced in quite some time...and will be redesigned...again...for either 2013 or 2014...immediately right after the 2012 'new' release that just occurred, it's that big of a turd.
Honda is also facing criticism all up and down their vehicle line, because while the bodies have been spruced up a bit, most of the drivetrain that's in those flashy, brand-new 2012 Honda cars is pretty much rehashed crap from 5-10 years ago. Hell, the Odyssey minivan, with it's tragic failure rate of a transmission (they can't build an auto tranny to save their lives)...it still has the same, basic 3.5L V6 from....1999, but with a couple of mild changes.
In addition, apparently, according to Honda north America, there are no Japanese words for 'Road Noise', or 'Noise Reduction', so therefore, you can't drive one of these heaps without ear protection. My 2000 Odyssey is the loudest heap I've owned in quite some time, and this comes from a guy who daily-drives a beater 1989 Chevy DisAstro van with almost-open exhaust, and at least two door panels missing.
The auto magazines have been howling, as well.
In other words, either switch brands to a company that at least quietly wants your business...start hoarding used equipment, or build your own bikes. Japan apparently doesn't give two shits about you...on every possible level.
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