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They hold their value because they are the best bike on the market. Low maintenance, cheap running costs, and software updates add to it.

What do you guys (insiders) think about the chinese bikes exploding onto the scene all of a sudden? How much do you know about them? Have you heard anything from the mxgp guys or any other insiders that know how good they are? Will they be added to the shootouts? Are the existing brands worried that theyre going to be undercut on price? How soon in your opinion until they have a factory team in the US and how long after that do they get a win?

For Lewis…Horgmo and Oliver. ZX moto. What do we think? Money grab or true factory effort?

Back on subject, I viewed all 3 bikes at EICMA today and - based purely on the bikes shown on their stand - I'd say ZX moto and Kove are in the quality and capability ballpark. JHL not quite, yet, but I'd bet on them getting there soon in terms of performance and durability. Obviously, I havent ridden them, but all 3 look clubman worthy. Only ZX have a proper GP set up currently in place. If they listen and learn they will make fast progress. Podiums in 2027? No. Be realistic - look how hard that has been for...

The labor cost is less to begin with so everything being equal they are ahead. And could sell cheaper right there. Most of the cost in a bike is not material cost. Tooling, R&D, engineering, so much is labor. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but according to google the average salary for an engineer designing engines in China is roughly half what it is in Japan. Similar for motorcycle factory workers. I see the racing as a help in marketing, maybe not with everybody, but likely w they see it as helping with their target audience. . It...

Just to update here. I got the ex with MX suspension. Made it street legal here so I can ride it on the road (rarely do except to go see buddies occasionally). This bike is the most fun I’ve had on any dirtbike. It’s insane. Happy I went with the mx suspension on it as that’s what I personally prioritize.

Well put...I love Dakar, but it's pretty stomach-churning to be part of the sportwashing of their regime. Most people don't even know who Jamal Khashoggi is (or the fact that the Saudi security services (under the direction of the crown prince) literally lured him to the embassy, murdered him, and chopped him up in the Saudi embassy in Turkey for having the audacity of criticizing the Saudi government). I don't blame the competitors at all, but it's pretty sad what truckloads of money will gloss over....

Returning to Saudi Arabia in 2028, that's optimistic.