What's the next innovation? Remember the BMW Husky?

Dtat720
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Dtat720 4/17/2015 5:50am
4/17/2015 5:50am
Olson wrote:
Electronic suspension control.
BMW has it on their adventure bikes. Change setups and ride height with the push of a button. Its badass
Dtat720
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Dtat720 4/17/2015 6:03am
4/17/2015 6:03am
MyersAvionics wrote:
Honestly, America needs to design an actually good dirtbike. The Euro's have come with some really cool stuff with Sherco, Husaberg, KTM, Husqvarna, Beta, TM and...
Honestly, America needs to design an actually good dirtbike. The Euro's have come with some really cool stuff with Sherco, Husaberg, KTM, Husqvarna, Beta, TM and even GasGas (though they're going out of business).
jonesaustin wrote:
you're right but it's not america, it's japan. either way, dirtbikes should look LIGHT YEARS ahead of where we're at now. the mfg's don't think our...
you're right but it's not america, it's japan.

either way, dirtbikes should look LIGHT YEARS ahead of where we're at now.

the mfg's don't think our demographic, which, let's face it, is often guilty of trying to dumb down "look and feel" of the gear and machinery, presumably in an effort to seem "tough" (yawn). however the same guys in MX who dumb down design -- these are the "just give me something that works and i don't care how it looks" bullshitters -- these same "dudes" also turn to Ferrari, Tesla, Porche, and others in awe of their design!

it doesn't equal on the scales does it.

we need better better "look and feel" design. period, end of story.
You do know Yamaha engineers from the motorcycle division have been designing and manufacturing some of the most high end high performance car heads and blocks for decades now. Toyota being the biggest partner. All of Toyota's turbo cars used Yamaha designed engines with Yamaha built heads. Lotus uses Yamaha engine designs and suspension designs as well. Thats just 2 examples.

The designers are there and they do magnificent work. THE MARKET IS NOT THERE!! This isnt a rich mans sport. To let the designers go wild and design!, you would price out 3/4 of the market from the product. Sad reality
sumdood
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sumdood 4/17/2015 8:39am
4/17/2015 8:39am
All this high tech happy horseshit is awesome and all I just wish in addition to $10,000.00 dirtbikes they would also make an entry level low tech, easy to work on, air cooled, low seat height bike for CHEAP so that the average father can afford for his 2 or 3 kids to ride. Like an Ace 100 or a DT100 for under 3500 bucks. How is the sport going to survive if only the super rich can afford to get their kids into it. Technology is great and I'm all for it, but a bike for the average Joe with 3 kids would help keep the sport alive in the future. Remember Super Hunky's article about "big n little" wrench's ? Make it so you can work on it with a 10, a 12, and a 14mm wrench. Complete teardown with 3 tools. We need something cheap in addition to high tech. The only people I know who's kids ride dirt bikes are people like me that grew up with affordable bikes and fell in love with the sport. The guy up the street aint buying dirt bikes for his twins because who the hell can afford it. Ok sorry to stray off topic Carry on

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Uncle Tony
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Uncle Tony 4/17/2015 8:58am
4/17/2015 8:58am
sumdood wrote:
All this high tech happy horseshit is awesome and all I just wish in addition to $10,000.00 dirtbikes they would also make an entry level low...
All this high tech happy horseshit is awesome and all I just wish in addition to $10,000.00 dirtbikes they would also make an entry level low tech, easy to work on, air cooled, low seat height bike for CHEAP so that the average father can afford for his 2 or 3 kids to ride. Like an Ace 100 or a DT100 for under 3500 bucks. How is the sport going to survive if only the super rich can afford to get their kids into it. Technology is great and I'm all for it, but a bike for the average Joe with 3 kids would help keep the sport alive in the future. Remember Super Hunky's article about "big n little" wrench's ? Make it so you can work on it with a 10, a 12, and a 14mm wrench. Complete teardown with 3 tools. We need something cheap in addition to high tech. The only people I know who's kids ride dirt bikes are people like me that grew up with affordable bikes and fell in love with the sport. The guy up the street aint buying dirt bikes for his twins because who the hell can afford it. Ok sorry to stray off topic Carry on
I like super hunky, where can I find "big n little"
Mr Bean
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Mr Bean 4/17/2015 9:09am
4/17/2015 9:09am
sumdood wrote:
All this high tech happy horseshit is awesome and all I just wish in addition to $10,000.00 dirtbikes they would also make an entry level low...
All this high tech happy horseshit is awesome and all I just wish in addition to $10,000.00 dirtbikes they would also make an entry level low tech, easy to work on, air cooled, low seat height bike for CHEAP so that the average father can afford for his 2 or 3 kids to ride. Like an Ace 100 or a DT100 for under 3500 bucks. How is the sport going to survive if only the super rich can afford to get their kids into it. Technology is great and I'm all for it, but a bike for the average Joe with 3 kids would help keep the sport alive in the future. Remember Super Hunky's article about "big n little" wrench's ? Make it so you can work on it with a 10, a 12, and a 14mm wrench. Complete teardown with 3 tools. We need something cheap in addition to high tech. The only people I know who's kids ride dirt bikes are people like me that grew up with affordable bikes and fell in love with the sport. The guy up the street aint buying dirt bikes for his twins because who the hell can afford it. Ok sorry to stray off topic Carry on
This ^

As "technology" increases it seems two other things increase along with it - cost and weight.

My idea of a dirt bike involves simplicity, reliability and light weight. The market has gone in a direction that generally doesn't target these. I don't want the added weight, cost, maintenance (and diminished accessibility to the rest of the bike) that comes along with electric starting. Liquid cooling can be a plus or a minus depending on the application. I don't want a tall, heavy complex engine with a high center of gravity. And I sure don't want to pay almost 5 figures for something that isn't what I want... and I have a feeling I'm not the only one with these preferences.

While I'm for better performance, I have to ask "at what cost" - meaning financially, level of complexity (difficulty of maintenance, etc), weight, reliability,etc. What are the trade-offs?

It seems there are great off-road platforms that could be used to build solid bikes that aren't intended to be cutting edge but the manufacturers don't see the market or aren't interested in pursuing it. Examples: the KX/KDX hybrids or the Honda XR series. They would have good enough suspension and quality to have fun on (and isn't that the goal?) without the $10,000 price tag.. Not everyone wants or needs a 2015 -1/2 FE.

The KTM Freeride had the potential to fill the gap but missed on numerous areas and one huge one - cost. It's about the same price as a top of the line race bike, not an entry level unit.

The ones that will have a knee-jerk reaction to this aren't getting it - I'm not talking about these "instead" of the latest, greatest F1 based MXer; they are in addition to them. There are people who want or need a minivan in addition to those who want a 'Vette. The sport needs affordable entry and casual level bikes to keep it alive and possibly grow it. If the door has been closed and the only people buying bikes are those who have been in the sport for a while it means its days are numbered.

Maybe the Korean, Indian and other manufacturers that are emerging will fill this void and we'll see a new era of manufacturers in the market.

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