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Offline j.k

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Suzuki´s situation
« on: March 15, 2012, 12:59:42 PM »
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline eprovenzano

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Suzuki´s situation
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2012, 01:24:18 PM »
The one thing we need to remember about KTM is their total sales are a small % to that of Suzuki, Honda, Kawi, and Yami.  All of the big 4 produce and promote street bikes.  The next time you go into a shop, count the number of street bikes, and the dirt bikes.  It?s usually a two to one ratio.  Those of us who also ride the street, buy lot of add-ons for our bikes.  I know of a few people who have almost as much in accessories as they paid for the bike.  Many street bike riders prefer to let the stealer work on their bikes.  It?s all about $$$$. 

Yes KTM is developing 2 strokes.  KTM had always been looking for the niche in the market where they can shine.  Look at the displacement choices, both 2 and 4 stroke.  Pick your strokes, pick the CC's.  The 300 has a cult following, but no Jap MFG'er made one...  KTM has a 125, and a 150 (144) Other smaller MFG'ers have followed KTM's lead in the 2 stroke engine size because they know they can sell the bikes.  KTM also have big bore off road 4 strokes, and adventure bikes up to 900cc.  All this is great for us the consumer, but in comparison to total bike sales, they big 4 are the big 4 for a reason.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline SachsGS

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Suzuki´s situation
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2012, 03:15:29 PM »
Suzuki's R & D budget for the offroad bikes probably only allows funds for 4T development.The Euros can make money on much smaller quantities hence continued refinement of 2T TM's for example.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline j.k

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Suzuki´s situation
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2012, 04:24:50 PM »
Very good answers. I look wiki about sales, Suzuki 2,902,000 units (Motorcycles) (2010). Like eprovenzano says money comes street bikes and parts, and other Suzuki stuff. But still stupid guy like me, dont get why dont keep making something that sell ??? Nowdays trend in industry is, if something dont make ENOUGH profit it can be shut down. Like some paper mills here in finland. One mill shut down because it didn't make enough profit. It made ??a profit every year but the shareholders' view, not enough ??? I just think if suzuki had same situation at the moment.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline TMKIWI

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Suzuki´s situation
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2012, 04:39:45 AM »
It is the Japanese loss.
Part of the reason the Euro manufactors market share has increased in the dirt bike market is they make 2 strokes. ;D
But some of the Euro manufactors don't make road bikes. So their R & D is in offroad.
I would kill for a new Gas Gas 300R. ;D Best looking bike on the market I reackon.
Plus they go like stink and are reliable with better standard equipment than a Japper.
My money is going to Europe not Japan.
Maybe if all of us bought European bikes we would all be happy and one day the Japanese might look at the sales figures and decide they are loosing to many sales.

Basically fuck the Japs. Buy a Euro 2 stroke and keep the smoker alive. The Japanese will either start building smokers again or will not get our money.
I think it is best if we stop moaning about the Japs and support the companies that build what we want.
Pretty simple really.  :)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
If you don't fall off you are not going hard enough

Offline SachsGS

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Suzuki´s situation
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2012, 11:21:35 PM »
Probably 90% of Suzuki's bike sales are tiddler bikes at their Indian subsidiary.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline eprovenzano

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Suzuki´s situation
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2012, 06:18:56 PM »
Over the weekend a friend (yes he rides a fopper) asked me to be on a lookout for a cheap smoker.  Last year he took a ride on my KTM, and now really misses the fun of a two-stroke. 

I was just talking to a co-worker that used to race quads both MX and drag.  He said (without my prodding) that he believes within 4 years all MFG's will be making 2 strokes again and dumping the 4 strokes.  He see's too many kids and young adults giving up the sport because its just too expensive to maintain the foppers.

I think times are a changin....  its just going to take longer than we would like.  The grass roots are going to change before the professionals will, but I feel the tide is turning back to the smoking section. 

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125