Kawasaki pulls out of off-road?

ebers
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Edited Date/Time 10/4/2012 12:24pm
According to the article, Kawasaki is pulling their factory effort in the off-road game at the conclussion of the 2012 season? Nothing is confirmed in it. And it also reads that the recent signing of RV and the money he's going to get is a possible reason for it. If that holds any truth at all, what do you guys think of that?

Kawasaki pulls out of off-road racing
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Flip109
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10/2/2012 1:18pm
That sucks. I think RV is expensive! lol
Titan1
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10/2/2012 1:24pm
That would be a shame! In the offroad world (especially the Hare and Hound and WORC) Kawasaki is the largest team. There would be a lot of unemployed riders if Kawi pulls out....sad day, if true.
Switch
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10/2/2012 1:25pm
When Suzuki pulled the plug on GNCC, that was a blow to the series. I hate to see Kawasaki follow their lead.
Big Daddy
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10/2/2012 1:37pm
Yep, knew this since September 19th. Just wondering when it would hit the press. Kinda knew that too though.

The Shop

ebers
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10/2/2012 2:07pm
Its sad that there isn't much of an effort to begin with in off-road to begin with. Its the most identifiable product that mortal racers/riders can relate to.

I'm very intrigued on the details of the RV statement and if him landing a 3-year, 2.5 million dollars a season salary is whats sucked the race funds dry.
ML512
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10/2/2012 2:28pm
Sucks its trueSad I was really surprised that the team wasn't staying together at least for Endurocross.
blusmbl
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10/2/2012 3:03pm
Well that's a kick in the shorts. Think Destry Abbott will pick up a KTM sponsorship?
10/2/2012 3:41pm
That really sucks, especially for a guy like Taylor Robert. Destry wasn't planning on racing a full schedule next year, anyways, but I think it will hurt his efforts. He has been on Kawi's for his entire pro career, as far as I know.
Xavier
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10/2/2012 3:51pm
How long before KTM dominates EVERYTHING ??
ML512
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10/2/2012 3:55pm
blusmbl wrote:
Well that's a kick in the shorts. Think Destry Abbott will pick up a KTM sponsorship?
Destry is good as far as i know, he technically works for PR department now.
ML512
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10/2/2012 3:56pm
Xavier wrote:
How long before KTM dominates EVERYTHING ??
They pulled out of worcs too earlier in the season. Might be back next year though. and they still have to deal with THR and Bell come the baja 1000 this year Cool GO ROBBY!
motomike137
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10/2/2012 4:00pm
The economy is ugly... not much coinage to go around... I would guess that Kawi isn't paying all of RV's salary either.
BAMX
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10/2/2012 4:02pm
Nearly everyone in offroad rides KTM's. Most of them are 2 strokes. The last enduro I raced, I was one of I think it was 2 Suzukis. If I had to put a number on it I would say 75% KTM in D37.
MiSledder
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10/2/2012 5:11pm
What does this mean for PC?
10/2/2012 5:15pm
From Destry's FB
Destry Abbott
As many of you have already heard, based on the number of emails and phone calls I’ve received today, Kawasaki has made the tough decision to dissolve their Team Green Off-road program! I was extremely heartbroken when I heard the news yesterday, not only for myself, but for my Team Green family and fellow teammates as well! I’ve considered everyone I’ve had the pleasure of meeting at Kawasaki like family for the last fifteen years, and I’m extremely sad to see this amazing program come to an end. At this point I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do or what direction I’m going to go, but no matter what I plan on staying in this industry! I’m sure you’ll continue to see me on a Kawasaki no matter what happens! They’re a great company and a great group of people, and I’ll always consider myself a Kawasaki guy! I’m still planning on racing next year, and of course I’ll be doing a lot of riding schools to help out with the cost. I’m also working on a few other things, but don’t quite know where that’s going to go yet. Thanks for everyone’s support and I’m looking for sponsors if your interested in helping me out!Smile
Overdrive
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10/2/2012 5:27pm
ebers wrote:
According to the article, Kawasaki is pulling their factory effort in the off-road game at the conclussion of the 2012 season? Nothing is confirmed in it...
According to the article, Kawasaki is pulling their factory effort in the off-road game at the conclussion of the 2012 season? Nothing is confirmed in it. And it also reads that the recent signing of RV and the money he's going to get is a possible reason for it. If that holds any truth at all, what do you guys think of that?

Kawasaki pulls out of off-road racing
Nothing to do with RV, everything to do with slow sales. It will all come crashing down if they don't get prices under control, people are not making what they used to. Its hard to afford todays bikes when your income shrank to what it was in the 90's.
Hando
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10/2/2012 6:00pm
ebers wrote:
According to the article, Kawasaki is pulling their factory effort in the off-road game at the conclussion of the 2012 season? Nothing is confirmed in it...
According to the article, Kawasaki is pulling their factory effort in the off-road game at the conclussion of the 2012 season? Nothing is confirmed in it. And it also reads that the recent signing of RV and the money he's going to get is a possible reason for it. If that holds any truth at all, what do you guys think of that?

Kawasaki pulls out of off-road racing
Overdrive wrote:
Nothing to do with RV, everything to do with slow sales. It will all come crashing down if they don't get prices under control, people are...
Nothing to do with RV, everything to do with slow sales. It will all come crashing down if they don't get prices under control, people are not making what they used to. Its hard to afford todays bikes when your income shrank to what it was in the 90's.
yup....i stopped riding about 6 years ago back when everyone pretty much switched (except me of course) and the economy was ...well..lets just say it was the America we all once knew.

Things are VERY different these days and it will be quite a bit of time before things go back to 'normal'.

Been going to the tracks every weekend all summer pretty much..been seeing ALOT of 2-strokes compared to what it once was and alot of older 4-strokes.

Times..they are a changin'
WORCSRacer
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10/2/2012 9:17pm Edited Date/Time 10/2/2012 9:30pm
ebers wrote:
According to the article, Kawasaki is pulling their factory effort in the off-road game at the conclussion of the 2012 season? Nothing is confirmed in it...
According to the article, Kawasaki is pulling their factory effort in the off-road game at the conclussion of the 2012 season? Nothing is confirmed in it. And it also reads that the recent signing of RV and the money he's going to get is a possible reason for it. If that holds any truth at all, what do you guys think of that?

Kawasaki pulls out of off-road racing
Overdrive wrote:
Nothing to do with RV, everything to do with slow sales. It will all come crashing down if they don't get prices under control, people are...
Nothing to do with RV, everything to do with slow sales. It will all come crashing down if they don't get prices under control, people are not making what they used to. Its hard to afford todays bikes when your income shrank to what it was in the 90's.
"Nothing to do with RV..".

IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH RV, the money is gone. They blew the wad of cash from Monster on him, they had to or Monster would pull the plug on them. Kawasaki, just like every other manufacturers racing division they count on sponsor money to go racing.

No sponsor money = no racing. Racing is not an effective or economically viable way to sell bikes.
10/2/2012 11:30pm
What does this mean for Taylor Robert? He wins a WORCS title and loses his job? What a shame. He and Destry are some of the most well-rounded dirtbike riders on the planet. I hope they find good rides for next year. I wonder if this has anything to do with the condition of Kawasaki in general.
FourFooptyF
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10/2/2012 11:36pm Edited Date/Time 10/2/2012 11:38pm
Especially when you're racing bikes that the public ain't too interested in. You insist the the public is interested in them, but they ain't. Then you payola all the magazines to tell the public that they's gonna have to learn to be interested in'm... but alas... they still ain't... Then you slip Jeff and the Reff a little wad o' Christmas Cash to do some panting and talk real sweaty briefs and rosey about'em on TV... and people still don't really care.

After watching Erzberg this year, you can't blame them for pulling out. Maybe if they write a nice letter, they can borrow a couple Husaberg 2's and put green plastic on them... Or just start making and selling real bikes again.
julienmark
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10/3/2012 3:34am
Big Daddy wrote:
Yep, knew this since September 19th. Just wondering when it would hit the press. Kinda knew that too though.
Yep, i knew this on Sept 18th, i just couldn't tell anyone until some one said he already new it.
i also know the lottery results
10/3/2012 4:10am
Big Daddy wrote:
Yep, knew this since September 19th. Just wondering when it would hit the press. Kinda knew that too though.
julienmark wrote:
Yep, i knew this on Sept 18th, i just couldn't tell anyone until some one said he already new it.
i also know the lottery results
Wink Smile

I knew Big Daddy wasn't the insider he thinks he is. It's obvious he is second tier to you.

Now could you please privately forward some winning lotto numbers to me. I would gladly only need the winning numbers for the lower drawing amounts so that you can take home the big wins.

Thanks in advance!
10/3/2012 4:17am
Xavier wrote:
How long before KTM dominates EVERYTHING ??
About 48 hours ago.
10/3/2012 4:21am Edited Date/Time 10/3/2012 4:23am
WORCSRacer wrote:
"Nothing to do with RV..". IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH RV, the money is gone. They blew the wad of cash from Monster on him...
"Nothing to do with RV..".

IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH RV, the money is gone. They blew the wad of cash from Monster on him, they had to or Monster would pull the plug on them. Kawasaki, just like every other manufacturers racing division they count on sponsor money to go racing.

No sponsor money = no racing. Racing is not an effective or economically viable way to sell bikes.
Racing is relatively cheap for a mfg. Especially if they hire a private team to be their satellite effort.

It's the riders that can get expensive, and require big outside sponsors.

Kawi could easily keep their Team Green program going. They just wouldnt be able to pay the riders much. Pulling the official satellite Team Green doesnt necessarily mean they wont support a privately run team in some fashion. Destry has been wanting to run his own team for a while now.



...and this aint the only team to be pulling out. There's more shitty news on the horizon.



-
Big Daddy
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10/3/2012 4:22am
Big Daddy wrote:
Yep, knew this since September 19th. Just wondering when it would hit the press. Kinda knew that too though.
julienmark wrote:
Yep, i knew this on Sept 18th, i just couldn't tell anyone until some one said he already new it.
i also know the lottery results
You have no clue bud!
Big Daddy
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10/3/2012 4:22am
Big Daddy wrote:
Yep, knew this since September 19th. Just wondering when it would hit the press. Kinda knew that too though.
julienmark wrote:
Yep, i knew this on Sept 18th, i just couldn't tell anyone until some one said he already new it.
i also know the lottery results
;) :) I knew Big Daddy wasn't the insider he thinks he is. It's obvious he is second tier to you. Now could you please privately...
Wink Smile

I knew Big Daddy wasn't the insider he thinks he is. It's obvious he is second tier to you.

Now could you please privately forward some winning lotto numbers to me. I would gladly only need the winning numbers for the lower drawing amounts so that you can take home the big wins.

Thanks in advance!
And neither do you.
10/3/2012 4:30am
julienmark wrote:
Yep, i knew this on Sept 18th, i just couldn't tell anyone until some one said he already new it.
i also know the lottery results
;) :) I knew Big Daddy wasn't the insider he thinks he is. It's obvious he is second tier to you. Now could you please privately...
Wink Smile

I knew Big Daddy wasn't the insider he thinks he is. It's obvious he is second tier to you.

Now could you please privately forward some winning lotto numbers to me. I would gladly only need the winning numbers for the lower drawing amounts so that you can take home the big wins.

Thanks in advance!
Big Daddy wrote:
And neither do you.
Shocked Tongue Wink
WORCSRacer
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10/3/2012 8:28am
Racing is relatively cheap for a mfg. Especially if they hire a private team to be their satellite effort. It's the riders that can get expensive...
Racing is relatively cheap for a mfg. Especially if they hire a private team to be their satellite effort.

It's the riders that can get expensive, and require big outside sponsors.

Kawi could easily keep their Team Green program going. They just wouldnt be able to pay the riders much. Pulling the official satellite Team Green doesnt necessarily mean they wont support a privately run team in some fashion. Destry has been wanting to run his own team for a while now.



...and this aint the only team to be pulling out. There's more shitty news on the horizon.



-
What's your idea of cheap? Kawasaki has a SX/MX budget of $7 million. Of that number Monster pays most of the bill. Kawasaki runs the race team as a business unit. No sponsor money, no racing. Selling 5,000 mx units in no way justifies that expense.

Kawasaki is not a motorcycle company at its core. It's Kawasaki Heavy Industries. They build ships, trains, power plants, airplane wings, tractors.... MX bikes are absolutely NOTHING to this company's bottom line. Because of that fact, Kawasaki Racing has to run as a profitable BU and when they no longer can do it they'll get whacked.

Btw, the Team Green program runs under the race department. It be very reasonable to expect big cuts there too.
10/3/2012 8:44am
WORCSRacer wrote:
What's your idea of cheap? Kawasaki has a SX/MX budget of $7 million. Of that number Monster pays most of the bill. Kawasaki runs the race...
What's your idea of cheap? Kawasaki has a SX/MX budget of $7 million. Of that number Monster pays most of the bill. Kawasaki runs the race team as a business unit. No sponsor money, no racing. Selling 5,000 mx units in no way justifies that expense.

Kawasaki is not a motorcycle company at its core. It's Kawasaki Heavy Industries. They build ships, trains, power plants, airplane wings, tractors.... MX bikes are absolutely NOTHING to this company's bottom line. Because of that fact, Kawasaki Racing has to run as a profitable BU and when they no longer can do it they'll get whacked.

Btw, the Team Green program runs under the race department. It be very reasonable to expect big cuts there too.
Kawasaki's SX/MX budget is a true factory budget. Of that 7 million, most of it is salary for the athletes. If they just wanted to have a team, it would only require bikes and parts support, which is relatively cheap for a mfg. Low 6 figures. Which is a drop in the bucket even for the smaller mfg's.

No sponsor money doesnt equal no racing. It equals no big name riders.

Kawasaki's off road team was under the Team Green budget and is that of a satellite effort. It was NEVER anything close to the official teams budget. It was run in-house and that is why people get confused into thinking it was a factory team. It never was.

I would be VERY surprised if Kawi doesnt field a WORCS team next year in some fashion. It will most likely be a private team that they give bikes and a parts allowance too. That is cheap to do for a mfg. Relatively speaking. Make sense?
WORCSRacer
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Clovis, CA US
10/3/2012 9:21am
WORCSRacer wrote:
What's your idea of cheap? Kawasaki has a SX/MX budget of $7 million. Of that number Monster pays most of the bill. Kawasaki runs the race...
What's your idea of cheap? Kawasaki has a SX/MX budget of $7 million. Of that number Monster pays most of the bill. Kawasaki runs the race team as a business unit. No sponsor money, no racing. Selling 5,000 mx units in no way justifies that expense.

Kawasaki is not a motorcycle company at its core. It's Kawasaki Heavy Industries. They build ships, trains, power plants, airplane wings, tractors.... MX bikes are absolutely NOTHING to this company's bottom line. Because of that fact, Kawasaki Racing has to run as a profitable BU and when they no longer can do it they'll get whacked.

Btw, the Team Green program runs under the race department. It be very reasonable to expect big cuts there too.
Kawasaki's SX/MX budget is a true factory budget. Of that 7 million, most of it is salary for the athletes. If they just wanted to have...
Kawasaki's SX/MX budget is a true factory budget. Of that 7 million, most of it is salary for the athletes. If they just wanted to have a team, it would only require bikes and parts support, which is relatively cheap for a mfg. Low 6 figures. Which is a drop in the bucket even for the smaller mfg's.

No sponsor money doesnt equal no racing. It equals no big name riders.

Kawasaki's off road team was under the Team Green budget and is that of a satellite effort. It was NEVER anything close to the official teams budget. It was run in-house and that is why people get confused into thinking it was a factory team. It never was.

I would be VERY surprised if Kawi doesnt field a WORCS team next year in some fashion. It will most likely be a private team that they give bikes and a parts allowance too. That is cheap to do for a mfg. Relatively speaking. Make sense?
"Make sense?"

Not when you know what I do. BTW, the OffRoad Team was not a Team Green Program, it was a "Factory Team" just like MX/SX.

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