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In the past the manufactures would have agreed with the major race federations what capacity class would be required for pro racing. The manufacturers
Then invested into the agreed classes.
Building a 350 is moving the goal posts after millions of investment.
The only way it would work would be in the sport became popular enough to have 3 pro classes again.
Please.
Don’t want airforks and I’m not a rich enough to buy an Austrian bike and convert aftermarket.
I mean, the title of the thread is Japanese 350's, shouldn't that be a clue?
Sorry, but Austria Inc. already built another set of goal posts, they didn't just move them.
For the doubting Thomases who say there is no class for them I would like to add Exhibit B (as in Mike Brown) into evidence. Mike Brown cleaned up LL's on a 350 in an age class that has no displacement. Last year Emig ran a 150 smoker. I would be willing to bet that more racers around the country are competing in age classes with no displacement requirements versus standard 250/450 classes.
Pit Row
Let expand on this more. I’m seeing comments in this thread around “millions of dollars” in the context of the cost delta to make a 450’s vs 250’s. Really? Anyone here work in Japan with access to that data that can share with us this budget delta between a 450 and 250 program (engine cost.. R&D, etc,)? Can you send me the numbers so I can look them over? I suspect… NOT. Because… no balls. NDA.s etc… You’d lose your job. Sad…And the numbers used in R&D came from? Mars? Pluto? It’s all conjecture. It’s a guess by people that don’t ride. NO CLUE what the actually sales volume would be vs. cost to go from a 250F to a 350F. YOU DON’T KNOW till you produce it and offer it up for sale. You just don’t!!!
Fact: You don’t need millions to run the calc’s on the stresses on a rod/crank/ piston/transmission to produce a displacement engine between a 450 and a 250 (aka a 350). You plug in the numbers to some software… increase some material thickness, produce a prototype and test it. See what breaks …if you’re smart. It’s not Millions. I call BS on millions to do this. Total BS. Disagree- send me the exact data! The real world numbers. If you can't.. you just told all of us you are lazy.
If you can’t send us/me the data with regard to this…. you the Yamaha employee… you’re an armchair quarter back blowing smoke into your own room and the made-up world you live in. I’m not being mean… As a real-world data point… for some strange reason KTM sells a ton of 350 four strokes. Hmmm…. Did they KTM make this all up> Did they stop 350 production? Someone is not paying attention.
Fact: If Yamaha (KTM has said they are doing this) are using the same frame between a 450 and 250 they can certainly produce a 350 without a new frame design. So, the “millions of dollars” related to R&D cost to put a 350 engines in a frame (I’m calling BS on this .. and I have BS degree,,, LOL)…it's imo much less to build this bike … assuming they are claiming the cost to produce a 350 s that kind of money. If you disagree. put me in touch with a Yamaha R&D guy and I will go through the numbers with them. And I’ve been involved in product development as well as sales with companies on the NASDAZ … So... bring it.
Bottom line. 350’s (or even 300. 320’s etc.) work. We, the consumer, don’t give a rat’s ass about the 250/450 racing displacement. We want bikes that fit out need. A bike that we enjoy and is fun to ride Have you notices KTM 150, 300 sales???? 350 sales???. KTM has figured this out. Japan mfg.’s are not paying attention. The market will teach the Japanese mfg lesson. I think that is happening now!
https://www.redmotousa.com/product-page/400rx-engine-kit
Achieve manageable power from your CRF 450 with the woods and motocross friendly 400 Engine Bore Kit from RedMoto.
Tested by factory race teams internationally with race winning performance in the most extreme conditions.
World renowned Italian cylinder and piston manufacturer, Athena. The CRF 400 shares the same technical characteristics of its bigger brother, the CRF 450. It is aimed at the rider who demands power without the brute force of the 450. That doesn’t make the CRF 400 any slower. In fact, it is the bike of choice for professional racers in the most prestigious events around the world.
The RedMoto CRF 400 R/RX engine kit swaps the original top end (piston, cylinder, seals) with one that has 92mm bore to reach a total displacement of 413cc.
**ECU Remap NOT Required**
it would be sweet if they made a similar kit for the YZ, KX, etc... but would it sell?
it seems like a lot of moto guys want to roll up to the starting line with the biggest, fastest motor they can afford.
Even their off road versions are just MX bikes with softer valving, an 18” rear wheel and a kickstand. No bigger tank, wide ratio trans, upgraded cooling system, different engine tuning, etc. They are mailing it in and have been for a long time now.
I’d love to see them offer 350’s in their lineups, competition is good.. But it really doesn’t seem like they care enough to do more than the bare minimum these days in terms of being innovative or forward thinking. Yamaha is the only one that seems to offer anything exciting in their lineup. Good by Japan’s standard but still pretty lackluster compared to the European offerings.
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