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Edit: I read the OP's question as motocross specific, Team KTM vs. Team Honda. If we are talking overall OEM vs. OEM, I think KTM's product lineup and domination in off-road definitely sets them up to be overall stronger than Honda. You'll still see more Honda's on a motocross track, though.
Plus Honda pulled out supporting Honda of Houston's program, and Shaun's boy goes and rides a KAW. just to race!
Honda was a no show at LL's this year too!
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(Trey Canard)
Honda sold 15.5 million motorcycles globally in the 2012 fiscal year.
Honda as an OEM basically has no amateur presence to speak of beyond this program with Geico.
Pit Row
had Kawasaki or Suzuki stepped up for their last seasons (obviously the game changing seasons for both riders before going pro) then they would have went straight to the Satellite Suzuki or Kawi teams (JLaw, Bagget, etc). but both Kawi and Suzuki let those two go, Geico Honda saw what they were worth, signed them to long time deals before their am careers were up, and are now looking like geniuses for doing it.
KTM is new to the street bike gig, but for the most part they're strictly dirt bike, which is why I agree with the OP that they're on track to be the dominate presence in dirtbike disciplines (not necessarily in sales, but that too probably).
I would bet that Honda and Kawasaki are breaking even on the mx bikes they export here. When the world economy slowed in
2009, the japanese manufactures cut back R&D while the european manufactures went bigger on R&D. 80% of mx bikes never
see a track. So if you could buy a bike that weighted less than 240 pounds with e start and 6 speeds, why would anyone buy
a BHP from Japan? Most riders over 40 like e start bikes. KTM has the best after sales marketing out there which helps.
When walking into most KTM shops there is lots of enthusiasm and exciting products. Many of these employees are
hardcore riders that are glad to answer questions about bike setup or great riding areas. The mega dealers out there
that mostly handle Japanese bikes have taken this personal touch away to some degree.
So with KTM you have a choice of 125, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 450 , 500 and 690.
The japanese give you 250 and 450
wish i woulda got a picture of those sexy little sluts
One of these Peelout?
Lost it's link.... Here's another photo.
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But what the conversation is about is what do the dirtbike specific numbers are starting to look like. That would be a great number to see. That would be interesting
Graph the last 5 years and see what trends show up.
except this one was Orange and White, sooooo badass!
Global sales of scooters and cheapo motorcycles make up a large portion of that 15.5 million for Honda. But KTM also sells a lot of lesser-priced bikes in India through their partnership with Raj.
Bottom line in the U.S. off-road market: KTM is growing its share of a shrinking market- a market that is pretty small (yet still significant) in a global sense.
Post a reply to: Looks like KTM is going....