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Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
How does XI use the money against you?
"Of course the Chinese could care LESS about any foreign patents"
"Guy with NO recourse except to try to take legal action!"
That's how patents work, US patents only provide legal protection inside the US, US laws and US patents do not apply outside the US.
US patent holders have to pursue legal action against the person or company infringing the patent inside the US, if the company manufacturing the goods is outside the US, the US patent holder has to pursue the importer, there is no legal basis for pursuing the foreign company.
It is a really interesting discussion. What they have done in the adv segment with Kove and CFMoto with a lot of eyes watching has been really impressive. Turned lots of naysayers into owners.
Quality product, strong dealer support and affordable prices can sway most people.
Come a long way since my teenage pitbike days. Even then, damn those things were fun for a few months.
Wouldn't be surprised if kove tries at some point, though they'd need some real work to do so. The 250 is down on power right off the bat.
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You sure about that? KTM at one time was a large automotive radiator manufacture. If I recall correctly, it was roughly 50% of the business. After the 1991 bankruptcy and split up, I think they acquired that group and it is still part of their business today.
We do have an Indian company that will be competing with 2 brands starting next year.
100% sure. Pankl opened a factory in China in 2009 and I believe KTM owns them or owns part of them. I purchased a new radiator in 2023 from my KTM dealer and the box showed up with a “Made in China” sticker on the box. I inquired to a friend who works at KTM and was told that there’s a long list of parts on the new bikes that are all made in China, not just radiators.
This isn’t a terrible thing, as the radiators are every bit as good as the previous years.
https://www.piererindustrie.at/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Company-Presentation-PIAG_November-2020_Website.pdf
https://www.piererindustrie.at/en/pierer-industrie-ag-forms-new-automotive-group/
There’s no doubt that more and more parts will be manufactured there in the near future.
Bajaj has already said production in Europe is dead, so nobody should have expectations of getting a European bike from KTM. I'm just surprised by the radiators already, as that was a core competency they had in house.
Dirt Bike Magazine has little article on 450 Kove. Not a test but comments on what they know about it so far. I think the bike they wrote about was a 6 speed. Next release will be 5 speed as I understand.
I remember this story well and I still laugh thinking about it. Ping was spot on and very animated in all of his articles and I loved reading his column every month!
IT WOULD BE A HUGE STEP FOR THE CHINESE TO PRODUCE A BIKE COMPARABLE IN QUALITY TO THE JAPANESE ENTRY LEVEL PLAY BIKES THAT ARE SEVERAL LEVELS BELOW THEIR MX BIKES IN QUALITY AND ENGINEERING BUT AT LEAST THEY ARE DURABLE AND RELIABLE
The Chinese have the capabilities to produce a Japanese quality dirt bike. They are currently doing most of the world's heavy equipment, aerospace, auto, maglev trains, complicated civil works (bridges, tunnels, etc), computers, musical instruments, etc.
Most of the Chinese crap we see in the US is because the companies importing their products are seeking the lowest price possible, so the quality suffers.
Here is a copy of a group text I sent my friends on the topic:
I work worth Chinese suppliers all the time. Manufacturing suppliers come in 2 types, process or competence based. A competence based supplier can build good product, but is totally dependent on key personnel. Nobody can make that ol machine meet the numbers line ol Earl. Processed based suppliers are more consistent, nobody is going to change the cleaning procedure for a bonded joint, it's written in stone. They are also inefficient, every step is broken down to the level of something your grandmother could do. In China, only big companies like Apple can get the process based companies with consistent output. The rest of us get Earl, and when he calls in sick with a hangover shits going down at the factory. KTM was small enough, they probably got Earl. Bajaj is big enough I think they'll get a process based manufacturer with consistent quality.
And as you alluded, the cost difference is significant.
So…
I’m surprised we haven’t seen a Chinese SX/MX/SMX team, or at least a team using Kove bikes.
It won't happen until they find a way to make money with the venture. Right now they recognize many rec riders want a decent bike for less than $10k, so that's their target.
Probably nowhere close. Did you watch the video of Carson Brown riding that pile of shit? It sounds like a briggs and stratton engine. IIRC it also weighs a shit load.
At least it has real suspension on it.
I like the introduction that puts things into context.
They've had some issues with one test bike but their conclusion is that these bikes are "nearly there", nothing to see with Chinese bikes from a few years ago, good built quality with no names components, no electronics, a tad underpowered, just the price should be a bit lower to make it a more attractive entry bike alternative compared to more established brands.
The Chinese have 3 manufacturers in world supersport next season. They aren’t competitive with the Yamahas, Triumphs, Ducatis and MV but it won’t be long.
I never thought in a million years I’d buy a Chinese car but I just have, they are capable of building some really good stuff.
Pit Row
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