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motoBRD
1/13/2013 11:22am
1/13/2013 11:22am
Edited Date/Time
1/14/2013 11:36am
My dad likes to say, "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday." Popular saying in our sport. Does it really apply though?
So, sometimes I like counting the number of bikes from each brand in the main. I'm a Kawasaki guy, so last year I liked counting the 450 Kawis making the main and in qualifying. It made me feel good as a Kawasaki brand loyalist to see around 10 out of 20 in the main. But does it really mean anything? Does it say something about R&D for that bike for that year? Can and/or do consumers really make decisions based on the racing? Just some thoughts, here are the numbers. And if so, Honda is in for a big year of selling. Most bikes in both mains and in the night program. Also won both mains, had 1 heat win from both classes and an LCQ win. By all means, this is not a Honda love thread, but wow. Big night for Honda in Phoenix. Not so much for KTM, especially with Dungey's issues and not many bikes in the night program.
450 Main:
Honda - 7
Suzuki - 5
Yamaha - 3
Kawasaki - 3
KTM - 2
250 Main:
Honda - 13
Kawasaki - 2
Suzuki - 2
KTM - 2
Yamaha - 1
450 Qualifiers (top40):
Honda - 12
Yamaha - 9
Suzuki - 8
Kawasaki - 8
KTM - 3
250 Qualifiers (top40):
Honda - 21
Kawasaki - 11
Suzuki - 3
Yamaha - 3
KTM - 2
So, sometimes I like counting the number of bikes from each brand in the main. I'm a Kawasaki guy, so last year I liked counting the 450 Kawis making the main and in qualifying. It made me feel good as a Kawasaki brand loyalist to see around 10 out of 20 in the main. But does it really mean anything? Does it say something about R&D for that bike for that year? Can and/or do consumers really make decisions based on the racing? Just some thoughts, here are the numbers. And if so, Honda is in for a big year of selling. Most bikes in both mains and in the night program. Also won both mains, had 1 heat win from both classes and an LCQ win. By all means, this is not a Honda love thread, but wow. Big night for Honda in Phoenix. Not so much for KTM, especially with Dungey's issues and not many bikes in the night program.
450 Main:
Honda - 7
Suzuki - 5
Yamaha - 3
Kawasaki - 3
KTM - 2
250 Main:
Honda - 13
Kawasaki - 2
Suzuki - 2
KTM - 2
Yamaha - 1
450 Qualifiers (top40):
Honda - 12
Yamaha - 9
Suzuki - 8
Kawasaki - 8
KTM - 3
250 Qualifiers (top40):
Honda - 21
Kawasaki - 11
Suzuki - 3
Yamaha - 3
KTM - 2
The Shop
So that's a least 4 KTM bikes and you're saying they are only 2?
Numerous years ago many pros were riding Suzuki when they had a large pro contingency program.
But it really means nothing? Say the numbers were even more extreme than what I posted incorrectly. Say it was 2 of every brand except for one - Honda or whoever had the REST. That really doesn't say anything? I'm obviously off base with the R&D comment. All of the bikes are good, especially with all the aftermarket parts after the teams are done with them. Could the numbers mean something else then? Idk, just an observation I've seen over the years of following SX.
keep posting them.
-Wins do not translate into instantaneous results in Motorcycle or ATV sales
-Supercross or National visits to any venue definitely impact sales in that territory (positively) for all brands. There is some bleed-over into other categories (ATV, Sport Bike, most notably.)
-Consistent wins or championships by one brand can move the needle slightly in that direction. JS7 winning the title in '09 definitely helped the 2010 YZ450 get off to a good start.
The OEMs still race with factory race teams, so their marketing guys definitely see a value in spending the money. They all know that when Justin Barcia wins on Saturday night, it may not result in more CRF450Rs being sold (maybe one or two, but not enough to pay for his salary and win bonus.) However, they also know that Honda will reap the benefits of better brand recognition and morale, which leads to the sales of more CRF150Fs, Big Reds, CBR600F4s and even generators. If they dig deep enough into the data, odds are good they'll find Barcia's win got them an extra Civic or Ridgeline, too. The hope is that their win will not just get them a bunch of motorcycle sales the next day, but convert new or existing customers for life. That kind of return is worth investing in.
To relate to the OP, there is definitely a benefit to having more of one brand in the main, if only for more chances for consumers to see the logo.
It’s not like Honda is the leader in supporting racing outside their teams. Usually the worst contingency and hardest to get support from.
Post a reply to: Bike brands in night program & mains...mean anything?