Team Moto Concepts and Team Rockstar

TDeath21
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Somewhere, MO, USA
Edited Date/Time 2/26/2013 4:05pm
Are they actually helping Suzuki as a brand even though they make a point to not have any Suzuki logos on their bike at all and never refer to their bike as a Suzuki? Moto Concepts even switched out the yellow plastic on their bikes.

In my opinion, they are making Suzuki look really good. These two teams could have picked any brand they wanted. They chose Suzuki. Then, with zero factory parts, Alessi beats all but one factory rider in MX, and Millsaps is now putting it to everyone in SX. If I were Suzuki, I honestly can't think of a better way to advertise your brand on the track. People are wondering why Suzuki doesn't throw some support their way. Why should they? It's got to make them happy to see satellite teams choose their bike over all the others and then go out and perform well with sub par parts.

I'm sure this has been discussed before at some point, but I looked back a few pages and couldn't find anything.
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al711
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2/25/2013 4:08pm
I agree, why buy the cow when you get the milk for free?
Brad460
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2/25/2013 4:18pm
Who really bases their buying decision on who is racing what?! Or winning on what?!
2/25/2013 4:21pm
Yamaha needs to pay Team Rockstar a couple bucks to throw a blue fender on Millsaps bike and call it a Yz.
2/25/2013 4:21pm
Brad460 wrote:
Who really bases their buying decision on who is racing what?! Or winning on what?!
John Q. I wanna motorcross bike to go drink beer and raise hell in the pits with no shirt on.

The Shop

2/25/2013 4:43pm
Brad460 wrote:
Who really bases their buying decision on who is racing what?! Or winning on what?!
Alot more than you'd think. I know a number of Joe's who refuse to ever buy Yamaha again, at least in the foreseeable future, because of all the (negative) hype that backwords engine got from the pros. Is it really that bad of a bike for Mr. Weekend Warrior? Absolutely not. But if James Stewart can't make it work, then it must be a hunk of junk right?

Just sayin', there's all types out there. So I'd say yes, some people DO base their buying decisions on who is doing good (or bad) on what.
Zaugg
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Not California, CA, USA
2/25/2013 4:45pm
I think if Rockstar's corporate colors we something other than black and yellow, you'd be seeing different colors on their team bikes.

Besides, Hewitt said he wouldn't mind reuniting with Suzuki....so there's that.

Genova on the other hand....who knows...but with him I believe it's money and support is the way to his heart.
APLMAN99
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2/25/2013 5:19pm
Suzuki lists Rockstar Energy as an affiliated team on their website, same with Yoshimura and RCH......
GuyB
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Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
2/25/2013 6:41pm
TDeath21 wrote:
Are they actually helping Suzuki as a brand even though they make a point to not have any Suzuki logos on their bike at all and...
Are they actually helping Suzuki as a brand even though they make a point to not have any Suzuki logos on their bike at all and never refer to their bike as a Suzuki? Moto Concepts even switched out the yellow plastic on their bikes.

In my opinion, they are making Suzuki look really good. These two teams could have picked any brand they wanted. They chose Suzuki. Then, with zero factory parts, Alessi beats all but one factory rider in MX, and Millsaps is now putting it to everyone in SX. If I were Suzuki, I honestly can't think of a better way to advertise your brand on the track. People are wondering why Suzuki doesn't throw some support their way. Why should they? It's got to make them happy to see satellite teams choose their bike over all the others and then go out and perform well with sub par parts.

I'm sure this has been discussed before at some point, but I looked back a few pages and couldn't find anything.
Hey, what's that on the front fender?

olds cool
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Claremont, NC, USA
2/25/2013 6:51pm
TDeath21 wrote:
Are they actually helping Suzuki as a brand even though they make a point to not have any Suzuki logos on their bike at all and...
Are they actually helping Suzuki as a brand even though they make a point to not have any Suzuki logos on their bike at all and never refer to their bike as a Suzuki? Moto Concepts even switched out the yellow plastic on their bikes.

In my opinion, they are making Suzuki look really good. These two teams could have picked any brand they wanted. They chose Suzuki. Then, with zero factory parts, Alessi beats all but one factory rider in MX, and Millsaps is now putting it to everyone in SX. If I were Suzuki, I honestly can't think of a better way to advertise your brand on the track. People are wondering why Suzuki doesn't throw some support their way. Why should they? It's got to make them happy to see satellite teams choose their bike over all the others and then go out and perform well with sub par parts.

I'm sure this has been discussed before at some point, but I looked back a few pages and couldn't find anything.
GuyB wrote:
Hey, what's that on the front fender? [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/02/25/9I9D6312_493985.jpg[/img]
Hey, what's that on the front fender?

A logo for Victorville Suzuki? And for the record, I agree with you that gloating is way over rated.Wink
ando
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Perth, AU
2/25/2013 8:12pm
Brad460 wrote:
Who really bases their buying decision on who is racing what?! Or winning on what?!
shiftmx_22 wrote:
Alot more than you'd think. I know a number of Joe's who refuse to ever buy Yamaha again, at least in the foreseeable future, because of...
Alot more than you'd think. I know a number of Joe's who refuse to ever buy Yamaha again, at least in the foreseeable future, because of all the (negative) hype that backwords engine got from the pros. Is it really that bad of a bike for Mr. Weekend Warrior? Absolutely not. But if James Stewart can't make it work, then it must be a hunk of junk right?

Just sayin', there's all types out there. So I'd say yes, some people DO base their buying decisions on who is doing good (or bad) on what.
I'd say some do, but not a significant number. Suzuki has won more 450 titles in the last eight years than any other brand, yet are arguably doing the worst in terms of sales numbers, and have come closest to not having a team altogether.
Gene Frenkle
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Adelaide SA, AU
2/25/2013 9:56pm
TDeath21 wrote:
Are they actually helping Suzuki as a brand even though they make a point to not have any Suzuki logos on their bike at all and...
Are they actually helping Suzuki as a brand even though they make a point to not have any Suzuki logos on their bike at all and never refer to their bike as a Suzuki? Moto Concepts even switched out the yellow plastic on their bikes.

In my opinion, they are making Suzuki look really good. These two teams could have picked any brand they wanted. They chose Suzuki. Then, with zero factory parts, Alessi beats all but one factory rider in MX, and Millsaps is now putting it to everyone in SX. If I were Suzuki, I honestly can't think of a better way to advertise your brand on the track. People are wondering why Suzuki doesn't throw some support their way. Why should they? It's got to make them happy to see satellite teams choose their bike over all the others and then go out and perform well with sub par parts.

I'm sure this has been discussed before at some point, but I looked back a few pages and couldn't find anything.
GuyB wrote:
Hey, what's that on the front fender? [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/02/25/9I9D6312_493985.jpg[/img]
Hey, what's that on the front fender?

olds cool wrote:
A logo for Victorville Suzuki? And for the record, I agree with you that gloating is way over rated.Wink
Interesting that the Suzuki logo has disappeared.
It was there in the team launch photos appearing on line.
TeamGreen
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2/26/2013 3:47am
Brad460 wrote:
Who really bases their buying decision on who is racing what?! Or winning on what?!
shiftmx_22 wrote:
Alot more than you'd think. I know a number of Joe's who refuse to ever buy Yamaha again, at least in the foreseeable future, because of...
Alot more than you'd think. I know a number of Joe's who refuse to ever buy Yamaha again, at least in the foreseeable future, because of all the (negative) hype that backwords engine got from the pros. Is it really that bad of a bike for Mr. Weekend Warrior? Absolutely not. But if James Stewart can't make it work, then it must be a hunk of junk right?

Just sayin', there's all types out there. So I'd say yes, some people DO base their buying decisions on who is doing good (or bad) on what.
ando wrote:
I'd say some do, but not a significant number. Suzuki has won more 450 titles in the last eight years than any other brand, yet are...
I'd say some do, but not a significant number. Suzuki has won more 450 titles in the last eight years than any other brand, yet are arguably doing the worst in terms of sales numbers, and have come closest to not having a team altogether.
And why is it that Suzuki hasn't sold many bikes?

How many times did they not release a New Model or Release Very Limited Quantities?

How many years did they not have any real dealer incentives?

How many times did they not have any real financing avail.?

Where's there Am. Racing program?

Most all of these problems have been fixed & Suzuki has their own reasons for doing things their way; yet, it takes a while to undo the damage caused by some of these actions.

Funny thing: It seems...the entire time...

They've been building The BEST BIKE in the minds of riders like Alessi, Stewart, Milsaps & Peick.

That's the bike THEY WANT TO Ride.

That last point is Marketing Gold.
Sully22
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USA
2/26/2013 4:56am Edited Date/Time 2/26/2013 5:06am
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Racing/Motocross/Rules.aspx

It seems a little confusing as it says 2012 rules for contingency, but 2013 payout is listed on the page....doesn't even list pro motocross or SX payout for 2013, if there is any? But, doesn't the contingency rule about showing the Suzuki logo and having a yellow front fender impact some of their decisions. Are these guys, besides rch and yosh suzuki, able to get contingency....rockstar energy racing is one of the suzuki pro teams listed on the page with yosh and rch? Wasn't someone in the media asking davi if he knew he was availible for Suzuki contingency because he wasn't on a factory team?
captmoto
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA
2/26/2013 8:24am
Hewitt isn't burning bridges. Genova doesn't seem to care. Who do you think would get called on first by Suzuki.
Underdog999
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2/26/2013 8:34am
Don't the Rockstar bikes have Suzuki on the clutch cover?????
JeepnMike
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Enumclaw, WA, USA
2/26/2013 9:13am
TDeath21 wrote:
Are they actually helping Suzuki as a brand even though they make a point to not have any Suzuki logos on their bike at all and...
Are they actually helping Suzuki as a brand even though they make a point to not have any Suzuki logos on their bike at all and never refer to their bike as a Suzuki? Moto Concepts even switched out the yellow plastic on their bikes.

In my opinion, they are making Suzuki look really good. These two teams could have picked any brand they wanted. They chose Suzuki. Then, with zero factory parts, Alessi beats all but one factory rider in MX, and Millsaps is now putting it to everyone in SX. If I were Suzuki, I honestly can't think of a better way to advertise your brand on the track. People are wondering why Suzuki doesn't throw some support their way. Why should they? It's got to make them happy to see satellite teams choose their bike over all the others and then go out and perform well with sub par parts.

I'm sure this has been discussed before at some point, but I looked back a few pages and couldn't find anything.
GuyB wrote:
Hey, what's that on the front fender? [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/02/25/9I9D6312_493985.jpg[/img]
Hey, what's that on the front fender?

olds cool wrote:
A logo for Victorville Suzuki? And for the record, I agree with you that gloating is way over rated.Wink
Let me get my glasses.. Wait!! Look REAL close. There is a 1/2" S for Suzuki on the tip of that fender!
2/26/2013 9:38am
If the winners aren't selling bikes, then why should the factories get involved at all?

If Suzuki were my company, I'd be doing my best to make Genova and Hewitt at least think I was helping. It would certainly help the casual fan if MCR bikes had the correct color. It can't cost Suzuki that much to at least throw them some free bikes and parts here and there and that wouldn't at all negate MCR's nor Rockstar's results. They should also invite them to the track for practice and share some data - both would go a long way toward making good business partners. These teams could up and leave at any moment and just might if given minimal support by another manufacturer. If they felt loved, they might think twice about leaving.
APLMAN99
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2/26/2013 9:49am
If the winners aren't selling bikes, then why should the factories get involved at all? If Suzuki were my company, I'd be doing my best to...
If the winners aren't selling bikes, then why should the factories get involved at all?

If Suzuki were my company, I'd be doing my best to make Genova and Hewitt at least think I was helping. It would certainly help the casual fan if MCR bikes had the correct color. It can't cost Suzuki that much to at least throw them some free bikes and parts here and there and that wouldn't at all negate MCR's nor Rockstar's results. They should also invite them to the track for practice and share some data - both would go a long way toward making good business partners. These teams could up and leave at any moment and just might if given minimal support by another manufacturer. If they felt loved, they might think twice about leaving.
I wouldn't be surprised if the big hang up for Suzuki with Alessi\MCR was still the deal with Tony Alessi taking the works suspension to an outside party. It might be hard to think about giving him\them "works" parts knowing that their privacy might not be respected.
Titan1
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2/26/2013 9:54am
I think the factories aren't necessarily and exclusively in the racing business to prove that they have the best bikes. I think its largely because of the exposure that winning races provide their brand.

They could get the exposure a number of ways (TV, Radio, Print Ads, Billboards, etc.) but if they are in participating racing, they are getting a ton of exposure-DIRECT exposure-to people that buy their product (ESPECIALLY in moto where the vast majority of fans also ride).

Obviously the riders/teams/products that get the most exposure in racing are the ones winning races...which is why teams pay millions of dollars for the best riders (so they can win races and then get the most exposure).

So will winning races increase their sales? YES! But not necessarily because people think they have the best bike, but because their brand is getting more exposure.

Just my $.02....
Prairieboy43
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2/26/2013 10:18am
The bike is good because it had Roger Decoster written all over it. It took a while to build a good machine. Hire top riders/ mechanics, win races, sell bikes. Seems like and easy marketing system.However Suzuki did not rehire "THE MAN", bike sales are dissapearing, R & D is stagnant, It is a good bike, but times are changing.
KTM hired the right guy. "THE MAN" , and team behind the machine are building a excellent bike. Last race 4 KTM in 450 main event. KTM will have the best bike. The japanese made a mistake. Now if and North American company will hire "THE MAN", and build an excellent bike, hire some top riders/ mechanics, win races, Sales increase. Bike sales will pick up, support the north american economy, start exporting motorcycles. Increase GDP for America, bring jobs & pay down debt. It is a shame that Cannondale faltered. Now 12 years later we would likely have Cannondales in the main events.
"Hire the right guy"!!
Cool Cool Cool Cool Woohoo Woohoo Woohoo
Holigan
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2/26/2013 11:18am
Things change all of the time. Who knows what will happen next year? A decision maker at Suzuki could decide to drop Stewart and RCH support at the end of the year and start helping Hewitt and MC. Not many people at Suzuki (or anywhere else) knew that Hewitt and the team would be crushing the other Suzuki teams in '13. Bobby will either get support from Suzuki or one of the other manufacturers in 2014.
Underdog999
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2/26/2013 11:35am Edited Date/Time 2/26/2013 12:21pm
The bike is good because it had Roger Decoster written all over it. It took a while to build a good machine. Hire top riders/ mechanics...
The bike is good because it had Roger Decoster written all over it. It took a while to build a good machine. Hire top riders/ mechanics, win races, sell bikes. Seems like and easy marketing system.However Suzuki did not rehire "THE MAN", bike sales are dissapearing, R & D is stagnant, It is a good bike, but times are changing.
KTM hired the right guy. "THE MAN" , and team behind the machine are building a excellent bike. Last race 4 KTM in 450 main event. KTM will have the best bike. The japanese made a mistake. Now if and North American company will hire "THE MAN", and build an excellent bike, hire some top riders/ mechanics, win races, Sales increase. Bike sales will pick up, support the north american economy, start exporting motorcycles. Increase GDP for America, bring jobs & pay down debt. It is a shame that Cannondale faltered. Now 12 years later we would likely have Cannondales in the main events.
"Hire the right guy"!!
Cool Cool Cool Cool Woohoo Woohoo Woohoo
Yes, Roger did a great job getting the bike going up until he was with them, but....

Hewitt and Co. have done a phenomenal job with their bikes! Their engines are top notch, more so than MC's.
APLMAN99
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2/26/2013 11:41am
The bike is good because it had Roger Decoster written all over it. It took a while to build a good machine. Hire top riders/ mechanics...
The bike is good because it had Roger Decoster written all over it. It took a while to build a good machine. Hire top riders/ mechanics, win races, sell bikes. Seems like and easy marketing system.However Suzuki did not rehire "THE MAN", bike sales are dissapearing, R & D is stagnant, It is a good bike, but times are changing.
KTM hired the right guy. "THE MAN" , and team behind the machine are building a excellent bike. Last race 4 KTM in 450 main event. KTM will have the best bike. The japanese made a mistake. Now if and North American company will hire "THE MAN", and build an excellent bike, hire some top riders/ mechanics, win races, Sales increase. Bike sales will pick up, support the north american economy, start exporting motorcycles. Increase GDP for America, bring jobs & pay down debt. It is a shame that Cannondale faltered. Now 12 years later we would likely have Cannondales in the main events.
"Hire the right guy"!!
Cool Cool Cool Cool Woohoo Woohoo Woohoo
Uh, KTM was selling a ton of bikes well before they hired DeCoster or Dungey......

Those were definitely good hires, but their sales were on a serious upswing even without them.
OB173
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Buffalo, NY, USA
2/26/2013 11:48am Edited Date/Time 2/26/2013 11:52am
TDeath21 wrote:
Are they actually helping Suzuki as a brand even though they make a point to not have any Suzuki logos on their bike at all and...
Are they actually helping Suzuki as a brand even though they make a point to not have any Suzuki logos on their bike at all and never refer to their bike as a Suzuki? Moto Concepts even switched out the yellow plastic on their bikes.

In my opinion, they are making Suzuki look really good. These two teams could have picked any brand they wanted. They chose Suzuki. Then, with zero factory parts, Alessi beats all but one factory rider in MX, and Millsaps is now putting it to everyone in SX. If I were Suzuki, I honestly can't think of a better way to advertise your brand on the track. People are wondering why Suzuki doesn't throw some support their way. Why should they? It's got to make them happy to see satellite teams choose their bike over all the others and then go out and perform well with sub par parts.

I'm sure this has been discussed before at some point, but I looked back a few pages and couldn't find anything.
GuyB wrote:
Hey, what's that on the front fender? [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/02/25/9I9D6312_493985.jpg[/img]
Hey, what's that on the front fender?

Victorville Suzuki is a sponsor of MCR and they requested to be on the front fender. They don't get any support from Suzuki.
Prairieboy43
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610
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Location
Edmonton, AB, CA
2/26/2013 12:23pm
The bike is good because it had Roger Decoster written all over it. It took a while to build a good machine. Hire top riders/ mechanics...
The bike is good because it had Roger Decoster written all over it. It took a while to build a good machine. Hire top riders/ mechanics, win races, sell bikes. Seems like and easy marketing system.However Suzuki did not rehire "THE MAN", bike sales are dissapearing, R & D is stagnant, It is a good bike, but times are changing.
KTM hired the right guy. "THE MAN" , and team behind the machine are building a excellent bike. Last race 4 KTM in 450 main event. KTM will have the best bike. The japanese made a mistake. Now if and North American company will hire "THE MAN", and build an excellent bike, hire some top riders/ mechanics, win races, Sales increase. Bike sales will pick up, support the north american economy, start exporting motorcycles. Increase GDP for America, bring jobs & pay down debt. It is a shame that Cannondale faltered. Now 12 years later we would likely have Cannondales in the main events.
"Hire the right guy"!!
Cool Cool Cool Cool Woohoo Woohoo Woohoo
APLMAN99 wrote:
Uh, KTM was selling a ton of bikes well before they hired DeCoster or Dungey...... Those were definitely good hires, but their sales were on a...
Uh, KTM was selling a ton of bikes well before they hired DeCoster or Dungey......

Those were definitely good hires, but their sales were on a serious upswing even without them.
I agree, KTM has made significant increase in sales in the last decade. It is a puzzle. KTM is putting that puzzle together. It takes time and $$." You reap what you sow". To bad about Cannondale. If you don't have sales, you become economic history.
2/26/2013 1:17pm Edited Date/Time 2/26/2013 1:20pm
It would be cool to see Moto-concepts offer a deal for MCR replica RMZ450's (White plastics / graphics / seatcover all subsidized by sponsors) out of Victorville Suzuki but to qualify for the deal you must visit their pits at 3 different races... Every buyer goes in the draw to win an actual team bike at the end of the season.
That way they are driving Suzuki sales in their own innovative way... when Victorville Suzuki are selling more RMZ's 450's than anyone else maybe Suzuki will take notice of the team..
Underdog999
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662
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Kalaheo, HI, USA
2/26/2013 1:26pm
motokiwi wrote:
It would be cool to see Moto-concepts offer a deal for MCR replica RMZ450's (White plastics / graphics / seatcover all subsidized by sponsors) out of...
It would be cool to see Moto-concepts offer a deal for MCR replica RMZ450's (White plastics / graphics / seatcover all subsidized by sponsors) out of Victorville Suzuki but to qualify for the deal you must visit their pits at 3 different races... Every buyer goes in the draw to win an actual team bike at the end of the season.
That way they are driving Suzuki sales in their own innovative way... when Victorville Suzuki are selling more RMZ's 450's than anyone else maybe Suzuki will take notice of the team..
Would MUCH rather get a Rockstar Energy bike! Nicer looking, AND, the most important part, the engine kicks butt!
flomiester
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Elwell, MI, USA
2/26/2013 3:57pm
Even though i doubt they would admit it but i bet theres a lot of similarity to the moto concepts engine and the rock star engine.there i said it .
TeamGreen
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2/26/2013 4:05pm
Holigan wrote:
Things change all of the time. Who knows what will happen next year? A decision maker at Suzuki could decide to drop Stewart and RCH support...
Things change all of the time. Who knows what will happen next year? A decision maker at Suzuki could decide to drop Stewart and RCH support at the end of the year and start helping Hewitt and MC. Not many people at Suzuki (or anywhere else) knew that Hewitt and the team would be crushing the other Suzuki teams in '13. Bobby will either get support from Suzuki or one of the other manufacturers in 2014.
Yup!

Even heard that from a Title Sponsor or two...

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