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Only $10 for all 2024 SX, MX, and SMX series (regularly $30).
But the fact that it last retailed for $4k and is Kaw's biggest selling dirtbike model ever (although I gotta figure the universally loved KLX110 will catch it sometime soon) seems just another thing to throw on the pile.
"I think there is a certain amount of people that love riding motorcycles and they just want to do it for fun. "
HAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHA
I just about pissed myself laughing at that statement. Like, you're not really sure, or what? Seriously?
And it's just a "certain" amount; as in a low percentage? HAHAHHAHAHAHA
Edit: I don't mean to bag on Mitch; I think he's great. But there are soooooooo many people out there that ride just to ride. Hell, last weekend I saw guy line up in the beginner class in jeans and long sleeve shirt on a plated XR-200. In my mind he was the Grand Ruler of the day. Gave no shits, just there to have a good time.
The Shop
Really, they couldn't give less of a shit, what you want. As long as a majority of their bikes get sold each year, and the industry wheel keeps turning to their tune, that's all that really matters.
Yamaha and their 2 stroke (125,250) is a good example. They will keep producing the same bike year after year for eternity, if people keep buying them. They have been uninterested in improving the bike, it's not on their list of "things to do".
What I'm saying is, until the industry is severely damaged at its roots, change is unlikely.
What do you not understand about ENTRY LEVEL.
NOT a bike for the guy who has aspirations of qualifying for Lorettas, nor for the guy who wants to privateer some outdoor nationals.
We're talking a dirtbike, that's cheap to buy, even cheaper to run, will do hundreds of hours between rebuilds and when it does go wrong the list of parts won't break the bank.
I know you'll struggle with this, but picture a TTR250 engined, 1998 YZ125 steel chassis, basic suspension and dare I mention steel bars?!
(There's no obsession with steel bars, just that they're one part that's cheap)
So this isn't about a rider wanting to compete on the latest & greatest equipment. This isn't about a manufacturer competing to make the best bike compared to another manufacturer (remember, they are using their top line models for that) this is about putting bums on seats. This is about making off road motorcycle riding more accessible to the masses.
Currently, $20,000 (and higher) four-strokes (that never had a two stroke market) are flying out of showrooms to be loaded up in 100k rigs, that are not going to races, with their entire families that can all partake in. I see more of these setups, on a daily basis (everyday and every weekend), than I saw when MX participation numbers were big. There are still a lot of people out there, with large amounts of expendible income to spend. Those people are not choosing to spend it on MX, at any level.
Im not sure what the answer to problem is. That is, if there is an answer.
EPA and 2006 legislation (same reason KTM's stopped coming with spark arrestors and USFS legal and went to "race only" and silencers)
FOR KZIZOK... Would you say SxS is the new way of when four wheeler purchases took away from motorcycle purchases, or are people buying SxS's instead of a four wheeler??
Magazine X and Y will review the bike and come to the conclusion that buying an 2013-2015 SX for the same price will be the better alternative.
Building and selling entry level road bikes is a huge market(especially in Asia which is the priority for the OEMs) but that would never work in our industry and that is unfortunate.
The attitude towards the sport (and all sports) has changed, and I think people often confuse that with the introduction of 4 strokes. Most riders want the most competitive and best machinery, people train and ride more during the week and take the weekends much more seriously.
Back then a trade in was easy and cost effective. We didn't spend a penny on the bike in one season, maybe a rear tyre and fit the piston kit that came with the spares kit and that was that.
Nowadays, bikes are too dear and depreciate far too much.
There is however, more brand new bikes recently than say.... 7-10 years ago. 0% finance schemes have helped new bike sales massively. But the second hand market is trashed for the same reason! Theres a glut of 2-3 year old 250fs & 450s that aren't selling or are selling very cheaply. No one wants them as they're still a fair 'lump' of cash that someone has to save up, whereas a brand new one is easy to put a small deposit on and make monthly payments.
The chance of cylinder replates, etc etc..
The point of it would be that a 'budget' bike will be cheap to buy and be able to put 100s and 100s of hours on it with zero to little maintenance. Oil, filters, fuel & tyres. Thats it. This will attract new riders, who buy, ride, improve, want something better and then buy the premium models.
At least that's what I've witnessed. I have both and a wife who hates dirt but respects my love for it so it's a win/win for me.
The cheap bikes we could ride 100h on without any major maintenance are available at the moment from the Japanese brands. KLX, CRF F etc... But you can't ride anywhere near "properly" on a MX track with a bike like that if you are an adult. Those are play/trailbikes.
Pit Row
Offroad motorcycle riding is accessible to the masses... I'm not sure when it became "inaccessible". Its called "buy used on Craigslist". If that's not good enough for you... its called... buy a CRF230, TTR 230 etc...
And to be clear... When I started posting in this thread... my only point was to say... If people think that the Big 4 are going to release NEW two stroke race bikes at a low cost, they are wrong. They won't sell for much less than 1k under what 4 stroke race bikes sell for. That's all I was saying.
And that's what this "entry level" class is that everyone is talking about. Everyone wants to see two stroke racing back in stadiums and they want there to be a 3rd class added that is a 2 stroke class for privateers to have an opportunity to make a name for themselves. The desire was born out of the lack of actual privateers able to show up in a van and go race for points week in and week out.
Glad you had the keyboard courage to tell me I don't know what I'm talking about though.
Why did you mention a new YZ125? And even then comparing new price to a YZF250?
That's not what the conversation was about. It was about the manufacturers coming forward with a budget, entry level bike.
The sport became inaccessible when bike got expensive. And repairing got even more expensive.
CRF250/TTR230- nah! I'm thinking better than that and certainly full size bikes with 21"/19" wheels.
Lastly, I don't THINK the manufacturers are going to do it. I just think it would be a good idea.
Now, where did I say you don't know what you're talking about?
Those entry level bikes suck, therefore nobody buys them. Want people to buy entry level machines? Don't sell ones that suck. Not sucking involves a bit more modern suspension, real brakes, and a touch more power to put some thrill into it without killing a first time rider.
You're crazy if you think nobody buys the entry level Japanese bikes. They are inexpensive, reliable, and a blast on the trails even for advanced level riders. Grab a few buddies and hit the trails on CRF230's and it is impossible not to have fun. That's how you get new riders hooked on the sport.
1974 MX125 entry level racer.
Choices, for people who don't want the big buck screamer. It worked then, would work again and KTM could pull it off and pull people in. Would make a great trail bike as well as entry level MX bike.
The economic climate has changed, the attitude towards all sports has changed, and I think people like to try and equate it to the introduction of 4 strokes, it's just a co- incidence of timing.
I raced 2 strokes through schoolboy and early adult, absolutely loved it, but not under the delusion that the same money wasnt thrown at tuning a 2 stroke. This is a Motorsport, people will always spend that extra £ they don't have to try and go faster.
it's all good. i'd rather load up the camper and go out to the desert and ride for a few days than go out to the moto track and try to keep up with the Jones'. little Jimmy Gohard doesn't need unobtanium $10k bike to have fun... but hey, whatever floats your boat.
different strokes for different folks, right
A buddy of mine who is a promoter ran a free 50cc beginner class all season for PW/CRF etc 50's to help bring in new riders. Great idea that more tracks should emulate but won't. Most promoters can't see the forest for the trees at least in the NW. I won't speak to other areas.........
MX declined when it was decided that it needed to be a spectator sport instead of a participant sport. It will never succeed as a spectator sport other than a novelty. Too hard for non-riders to relate.
Electric bikes will possibly save the sport of they can bring the cost down. More riding areas that are easily accessible is a big part of what we need...........
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