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I think 7 of us want cheaper bikes and the rest are down to go in debt to keep up with the Jones.
I have read so much talk of 'fourstrokes killing the sport of motocross', limited edition / high priced versions just put another nail in the coffin, dumb ass kids got no idea.
Till it’s absurdly illegal but totally moto trippy cool 😎
The fact that a new 10k bike doesn't come from the factory with a holeshot device makes me unreasonable levels of mad.
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Yes, for true A kit would be cool, but it would have to be done through a tuner for the specifics set up for each rider.
I think the best way for a brand(s) to do it is to partner with an aftermarket company.....similar to Ford/Roush Chevrolet/Callaway/Lingenfelter etc.
An example would be a Honda CRF WE, but adding a component where the bike could be purchased through a dealer, but Honda delivers to Yoshimura.....who would offer a suite of modifications customized by the rider and would be priced a la carte. No different than a window sticker for a car. Anything from suspension, exhaust, full motor service, graphics, wheels, hubs, titanium, ecu, and other services. The bike could then be shipped to your door or you could pick it up at Yoshimura.
This model works well for numerous auto manufacturers who are not specialists in custom work such as this.
Well, usually, it's basically a cosmetic package anyway.... just buy the standard bike, put on the good bits you want. Do it your way. Orange hubs, and an Orange sprocket ain't gonna make you any faster, or make the bike handle any better!
You know, man, "Team spec"
* Motor built for 10 hours operation
* Suspension settings sprung for for dude 140 lbs, but valved to not move under any condition
* Custom ergos for a guy who is 5'7, but likes to ride with his butt hanging off the back of rear fender
* Weird-ass shock. It's similar to non "team" model, but all computer aided CNC- fabricated design, so you have to machine your own parts for it. The shaft is .5mm larger in diameter. I mean, I hear that's the difference maker in the whoops.
* Cool high tech coatings and finishes on everything, but bare metal high corrosion parts like pipes.
* Carbon fiber bits protecting extra data logging equipment, but not even a case-saver.
* Man, you know you need more of these frame gussets.
Never knew that.
As far as is required for a crf250rwe
Mmmmmm, not really keeping up with anyone. When you look at the content for the dollar versus the 'after-market' money that's usually spent by those that buy the base models. There are good values to be had in the Team Editions/Factory Editions/Works Editions -IF- people get them a reasonable prices. Even "retail" on the CRF450RWE at $12,399 can be a good deal of "kit" for the money. What people are currently paying for the 2023 KX450SR seems to be a smoking good deal!
Something that's missed in the planning depts at these companies and teams...
IF they made 400+ units of their coveted Factory Suspension...and other special race goodies...THEIR RACING PARTS WOULD BE CONSIDERABLY CHEAPER.
Imagine Honda selling an RCF450RR for say $20K with actual Factory Suspension on it...? Think it would sell? In reality, think of a CRF450RWE with legit factory suspension, some ti goodies, actual factory wheels, the real Hinson stuff, HRC triple clamps etc...etc...etc.? At 20K for a well built out bike, they'd be a steal.
As for "value": Priced out kit suspension lately? What's that Yoshimura Ti pipe on the RWE worth? LTX rims on nice hubs...what do people pay for those? Soon as you build those items out in a decent quantity...the price comes down.
Some of the special editions are a better value than the base model.
Please refer to the comment I’m replying to. All the potential in the world to rort.
I liked the KTM SXS models if you are old enough to remember, not factory as such but a great starting point if your seriously into racing and being competitive.
That's where I think the factory editions should be
I think Factory editions are stupid, especially the 2nd or 3rd year KTM Group bikes which are just stock production bikes with no performance or suspension mods, just Red Bull graphics, a couple hard parts, and an exhaust that is actually a worse performer than the production stock unit.
Around where I live, These FE bikes are usually sold to some vet guys getting back into riding after going to a supercross, and they get suckered in by how pretty the bikes are in the showroom, never mind the additional cost.
You rarely see a hard core experienced rider owning one of these things - In fact, the best guys' bikes normally look beat to shit with creased plastics and no graphics, but top line suspension.
Be a smarter man and build your own factory edition to suit your riding skills. Don't waste money on bullshit energy drink graphics and anodized hubs - buy an ECU, power flow air filter, get your suspension done to suit your riding skill and speed, and maybe some new bars and grips. You will go faster for longer and enjoy riding more that way.
Sure FE bikes are pretty, but do you want to be a vet track fashion queen, or a better, faster rider?
Don't just downvote me, tell me why I'm wrong....
I think what KTM is doing and what the other brands are doing are two different things. KTM is issuing a .5 model that is different by definition than the previous model. This is allowing them to in theory have 2 different bikes available for any rider every year. They use this rule to update frame, engine, suspension, basically the entire bike. The other brands are doing "factory editions" as a way to sell an upgraded motorcycle of their current model. Yes, the KTM FE has some upgraded stuff on it, but lets not kid ourselves on the premise behind this.
The main thing I would want in a Factory Edition is some premium engine internals for durability sake. For example: Del West valves, beryllium copper seats, Carrillo rod, JE piston, etc. Maybe a clutch and exhaust if the stock stuff is otherwise mediocre. Maybe a heavy duty wheelset if the stock stuff is delicate. And maybe some suspension bling (kashima/dlc). But primarily the engine internals.
I payed extra for the Ram truck that has Warlock on the side.
lol the fact the everyone buys hole-shot devices/local tracks don’t ban them makes me unreasonable levels of mad. If we all have them it’s the same, if we all don’t it’s the same. It’s cheaper and easier if we all don’t….
There is definitely a market for a close to factory bike..
I ride an 07 kx250 2 Stroke because I only ride for fun and it’s impossible not to have fun on that thing.
But at this stage of my life if I was going to try racing again or wanted a new 4 stroke, I’d buy a factory edition Kawi because I’m just fascinated to see how amazing they are with all the technology improvements.
But when I was younger and more into racing, the price tag would have been a killer for me..
Pit Row
Make the 450 class anything goes with a minimum weight of 200 pounds. Electric, gas, hydrogen what ever. NO cc rules or homo
AMA rules. The 250 class should be box stock with minimum mods allowed. Bring back the claiming rule to keep the 250 costs down. 20k to claim the winning 250 bike!!!
I think it would be rad if these companies allowed customers to sort of "build a bike". If you could order a bike with exactly what you want on it, it would likely save 1000's of dollars vs buying a stock bike, tearing off all the brand new parts you don't want replacing them with stuff you had to purchase (again). If you didn't have to pay for the stock forks, the stock clamps, stock wheels, stock ECU, stock bars etc. and instead just paid the price for the upgraded stuff it would be awesome. A person could tear off $2500-$3000 worth of stock parts without breaking a sweat. Let us save $$$ buy not having to buy those parts to begin with. The only way I could see manufactures do it is if they cobranded stuff like KTM does with their hard parts stuff or Yamaha with GYTR. But no way would they ever allow pure "aftermarket stuff to be sold on their bikes for liability reasons.
I'm thinking that's a logistics nightmare for a manufacturer. Then, you'd have to do that at the dealer level. So bike maker xyz would sell a frame and engine. The customer now goes through a checklist as to how to build out from there. Dealer, acquires all parts and assembles from there in their service dept. I'm not so sure I want my "high end bike" built by a guy in the service dept that may or may not have the skills or patience to do my build. I don't know if the mechanics get paid book time to actual hours, but for sure the shop is pushing them to be faster not meticulous. Just my 2 cents. And, the manufacturer has to sell a lower value item since they are only selling the frame electronics and engine, instead of a complete package.
Beta lets you do what you are talking about to an extent.
Correct, Beta will build you a bike with every part they offer, suspension sprung and valved for your weight/skill/terrain type, and deliver to your dealer of choice for pick up.
When the 2025 450RX comes out I will be doing the BYOB option for sure. SVC is only getting one 2024 as are most dealers. I know they haven't taken any deposits on it as it will go to the highest bidder when it shows up.
Every person who says they want a cheaper bike will walk right past a new Suzuki because it’s got old technology and a kickstarter. What else would a cheaper bike look like?
He's not wrong lol
Agreed.
I don't get the point of it either. Why should the manufacturer need to add all this complexity?
The old KTM SXS catalogue approach (not the full bikes necessarily) was perfect.
You buy your regular bike or FE bike with an exhaust and shiny shit.
Then if you want the real good shit to go race Nationals (or build a bitchin garage queen / vet race weapon) like factory calipers, fancy cylinder head, ECU, whatever, you can order it up and slap it on, no drama.
Yeah I get that but the rule has been around for decades. There’s been nothing stopping any factory team doing the same in the past.
There should be more factory edition 250fs
Part of me likes the idea of being able to buy a 100% replica of what the factory boys are racing on Saturday (if you could afford it) but this idea is really not practical and I'm sure the teams have some secrets they don't want to disclose.
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