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Or just start a privateer 2-stroke-only team. Can you imagine the exposure they'd get? Instant fan favorite, instant sponsor dollars.
And I thought of this the other day too: Not only is Steinke the only two-stroke out there, he's also on the only carbureted bike out there...
And for the record, anyone who truly knows how to rail a two-stroke knows that times are comparable. It's just plain ignorant to say that he's wasting his time and should jump on a 4 stroke! On a soft track where torque may pull him to a slightly faster lap time, his results wouldn't be dramatically different, and he wouldn't be gaining the recognition that he is for the brand/team that he rides for. This isn't a 2T vs 4T thing, it's a guy going racing, doing the best he can with what works for him, and it's working out great for him and Eric G. Those guys don't grit it out training, travelling, keeping up their shit, and hammering it out on raceday, all for nothing, and they are putting all their cards on the table just like every other small team.
The Shop
Great job stank dog!
I don't think it is as much a no-brainer as some are insisting, to just put him under the team rig as a fully backed rider to rep the 2t. I'm as much a fan as the rest of the 726, and I do watch for him in the ticker, and i was stoked for him to get a point. But tell me this, what does Husky gain by throwing that money at him, that they haven't already gained with him just as a privateer on their bike? They are still getting the exposure without as much of the investment. To me it doesn't make sense, other than to reward him (which I think would be awesome btw).
There's a good number of reasons the factory doesn't pony up. Maybe there's a lesson there to learn from Suzuki and their 250 factory team.
Either way I think it would help them sell bikes, and that's really what it's all about. They'd just have to decide whether it's worth it. Every guy that buys a 125 is going to in turn pass on buying a 250 4t, so it's all going to boil down to their ROI in the long run. A 250 4t is a better way for them to make money, but they have a lesser chance of selling their 250 4t because of all the other manufacturers offering a bike in the same category. Meaning if someone is looking at buying a 125, they have 3 choices; if they want a 250 4t, they have 6 choices. Better odds in selling the 125, better money in selling a 250 4t...
KTM/Husky are saying that they still believe in 2 strokes... they are showing that by developing all new 2 strokes.... but it would basically be putting money where their mouth is by sealing the deal with some support for 726. vs. what they are doing now by saying "we believe in them" but with an asterisk next that statement saying "but not quite enough to support a rider."
all new bikes... PLUS... factory support (even if minimal) would be showing the buying customers that they truly believe in furthering 2 strokes. while Stank is gaining a huge following, i don't know that Husky is helping themselves or getting a good following by not helping him. i think that if they did throw him under the tent, even with minimal support, they would do MUCH more for the brand than just letting him do this on his own. jmo
Subtract all of the extra cost that goes in to prepping a race ready 250f and you could probably pay him a decent salary and still come out ahead from a marketing standpoint. They're not marketing 125's in America though.
Heck, the AMA should lower the age limit if you're on a 125. But we all know that won't happen lol
And one more thing: "They're not marketing 125's in America though.
Pit Row
Post a reply to: Steinke in 21st.. 6 min to go..