Posts
6054
Joined
11/21/2006
Location
Greensboro, NC, USA
Edited Date/Time
1/27/2012 3:23pm
Why is it that with America at the top of the MX/SX hill that we still can't manufacture a decent MX bike? Whenever something does come out the manufacture seems to kill itself trying to make it "different." I say just follow the blueprint that it out there.
Either way, I think that right about now might be a good time for someone to take another shot at it.
P
Either way, I think that right about now might be a good time for someone to take another shot at it.
P
Do you honestly think that somebody could start making motorcycles and compete with companies that have been doing it for 30 years...with millions and millions invested in R&D?
Do elaborate oh wise one.
The Shop
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What does who is "on top of the hill" have to do with manufacturing?
He would have more inside INFO on this topic... then pretty much anyone involved in American MX.
On a side note: I wish Mercury Marine who makes outboard 2stroke & 4 stroke motors would make a bike and get involved in the sport.
They also have a cool logo that would look badass on black plastic.
Tragic.
I'm all for buying made-in-the-U.S. stuff versus, say...Chinese made drywall, pet food, etc. But do you think a U.S.-made product would be:
Less expensive?
More reliable?
Perform better?
and desgned engineered in USA , without reinventing the wheel
seems like
drawing a fine line in the sand while in the sahara.
either its redesigned . and engineered from the ground up..
or its a copy??
like any Ford or Chevy "made in the USA"
so are all of Service Powersports current 12 model line up..
we are using parts sourced from Japan , and basing it off a proven design with some refinements for the particular chassis or engine combination.
i could make complet eframes almost as easily and sometimes easier than the modifications it takes for some models,
sznd i could source suspension,brakes, wheels, and other parts from the same vendors the current Japaneses OEMS do..
but there is no good reason to (and good reasons not to with added cost actually in lower evolumes les sthan 10,000 units)
but i understand where you are coming from Paul.
.
i just dont think you will see any american company jump into a full from the ground up
MX bike ? not the time or place to do so ,at all.
You would be far more likely to see the various Japaneses OEMs stangant thier current MX models , or drop them
and you WILL see some various off road models
(that the public likeky thinks are successful and will be surprised)
dropped by some of the OEMS for 2010..
if my crystal ball is working well
(typically it does ok, other than for lotto numbers)
stop making sense,
its not allowed here,you of all people know better!
Pit Row
but for now I won't.
I'm saving it for an interview.
Not to bash, but the gods honest truth of it all!
But until then, no, we're not over-paid!
We're not this,
& not that.......
But there are issues & other things
that ruin it all, & then there's the
key thing, money & support!
So until such time, dream on!!!!!!!!!!
Dave O.
These things will smoke your scooter. Made in America.
Either way, that's my reason for wanting an American made MX bike. Also, in case you haven't noticed, we don't make shit in this country anymore. It would be nice to at least see an American made bike out there on the track.
The way things are, as long as the bike doesn't cost more, is as reliable and performs as well it would sell. Like I said before it doesn't have to be different or better, as long as it is as good it will sell.
Like I said before the blueprint is already out there, there are plenty of people looking for work right about now, and from what many here seem to think there is more than enough know how in terms of MX technology and engineering in the US to get it done.
Also, I know that the country is in a recession right now, but there are always people that have money and are looking to make more.
P
P
As an American, and an MX fan, I've always longed to see an American company step up to the plate and really get into the market. I admire what Cobra has done, I was hopeful for the Cannondale and Harley efforts, and I hope that Zero Motorcycles can accomplish something in the e-bike space. Why? Because I have a "thing" for my fellow countrypeople, I guess, and I'd like to see us return to a position of leadership in the motorcycle market... like we were back at the beginning of the 20th century.
And to lead in this competitive industry, the bikes would have to hit all of the targets listed by GuyB: be a cost leader, be as reliable as an anvil and be the fastest, best-handling bikes on the track. A tall order, for sure, but that's what it's all about.
Clearly, though, the limited demand for racing motorcycles means that any potential US manufacturer would have to build and sell street bikes primarily, in order to survive as a business. And I'm kind of with Paul on the concept that now is a good time. Why? Because I'm a simpleton when it comes to economic theories, for one, but also because I believe that opportunities often present themselves when things seem most hopeless. This country needs to seriously re-think the ideas of personal transportation, explore alternatives to internal combustion propulsion, switch from "off-shoring" to "on-shoring" our manufacturing, and develop new ways of investing in business. There's work to be done!
Why would they bother building a GOOD bike and selling it for less???
These things look like they were designed by a 5 years old with a bunch of cardboard boxes..
Geez!!
Uneasy Riders: Harley-davidson Sales Slump
Harley-Davidson forced to cut more than 700 jobs and slash shipments of its powerful bikes
Motorcycle enthusiasts are easing up on the throttle as the US economy falters, forcing Harley-Davidson to cut more than 700 jobs and slash shipments of its powerful bikes.
The 105-year-old Milwaukee-based firm has suffered a 12.8% slump in sales in the US, where seven out of every 10 Harleys are ridden. Quarterly profits fell 2.5% to $187m (£94m).
Harley's chief executive, Jim Ziemer, described the figures as "disappointing" but he put a brave face on prospects.
"Harley-Davidson is fortunate to be dealing with the current economic environment from a position of financial strength," said Ziemer. "We are a great company with an exceptionally powerful brand."
Harley was established in 1903 by two Wisconsin school friends, William Harley and Arthur Davidson. The brand's popular association with rebellion was cemented by the actors Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper in the 1969 film Easy Rider.
But the credit crunch is forcing the company to contract its operations. Harley is reducing its shipments by between 23,000 and 27,000 bikes this year to between 303,500 and 307,500 globally. The firm is cutting its workforce by 8% through the loss of 370 unionized factory workers and 360 non-production staff.
Harley's shares fell 6.9% to $34.25 during early trading on the New York Stock Exchange yesterday, although the firm pointed out that it was still beating the broader motorcycle market, which saw a 14% drop in US sales in the first three months of the year.
"We will continue to invest in marketing, product development and our international business to drive future growth," said Ziemer. Harley's poor figures followed dismal earnings last month from another brand forever associated with the great American road trip - the motor-homes maker Winnebago.
Weak consumer spending arising from the credit crunch is seeping into diverse industries across the US economy. The Marriott hotel chain revealed a 34% drop in quarterly profit to $121m yesterday, blamed on a faltering travel market.
The poor travel outlook sent Continental Airlines into the red with an $80m loss, aggravated by high costs for aviation fuel.
Meanwhile, dismal advertising expenditure by American companies pushed the publisher of the New York Times into the red.
The New York Times Company, which owns more than a dozen American papers, revealed a quarterly loss of $335,000, compared with a profit of $23.9m a year ago.
"While this is a challenging time for the media industry, we are diligently managing our business for the long term," said the chief executive, Janet Robinson.
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