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Only $10 for all 2024 SX, MX, and SMX series (regularly $30).
The GPS are entirely OPEN. Run ANYTHING you want - and the OEMS do build some neat stuff for that series - but most of it is loosely off a production bike - because production bikes are quite good.
But what I continue to not understand - why do people thing the big 6 are racing truly production legal bikes here in the US?????
There is a reason honda crushes their frames and engines after a season - and don't think for one second that with modern casting technology - you couldn't case a new head/port/case etc that looks the same - but isnt.
I digress - the rule is what it is - and certainly isn't changing. Any new company who would want to enter the segment - will have to have mega dollars.
Lets say this is the best case scenario: TM thinks it would be good markering to field a 1 rider 450 or 250 team for at least 3-5 years to get more eyes on them in the US market. Wouldn't it be 100% worth it to bin the stupid rule?
As a TM dealer - trust me - they have tried - NO GO
What's even crazier - is MX Sports has FULL authority for outdoors rules. They still wont change it
Carry on.
The Shop
In 2009 and 2010 the AMA bent the rules for Cobra and Metrakit due to the economy being so bad.
Technically, they could probably apply for "Pro" homologation for SX and run a couple of months without having any new bikes in the country, as I think they only have to have 200 by March 1 and the remaining 200 by June 1. I doubt that they'd get their request approved the next year, though, if they didn't meet those minimums.
When it comes down to it, selling less than 10 bikes nation wide isn't really a sustainable business model, more like a hobby. Not that I am happy with it, but it is what it is.
I do sometimes wonder if they would be able to use that one year "exemption" that the other manufacturers were allowed way back when, but I supposed that it's probably already been sunsetted so that it no longer exists.
Oh and as for Honda (or any manufacturer) crushing their bikes as evidence of not following the rules, they've been doing that for much longer than the production rule has been around so I don't think that really shows that anyone is cheating. It's merely a long time practice, probably asked for by corporate attorneys as much as anything else to reduce liabilities as well as having the benefit of not spreading factory "secrets" around as quickly and readily.
Footnote- in the mid to late 90s a TM actually made it to a national practice, but no further. Apparently officials thought the rider's writing was bad and thought it was KTM.
Despite this - they haven been around 40+ years - dominate supermoto in europe, have won tons in enduro, dominate karting, have a moto 3 team in motoGP, won an MXGP moto in mx2 recently...etc etc.
I'd say it's more than a hobby - but don't know much do I..
The sales figures for offroad bikes was published for Australia for a year - I think MOST people would be surprised how few of ANY brand are actually sold now days.
If you work the numbers - A person would be surprised how much money you can make selling 1000 of something....
Even selling 300 of something
or 100
I don't quite see your argument in this thread - other than to argue.
As a TM dealer - I don't quite get MX sports position. Opening the sport to more manufacturers pours more money into the sport. IE a professional race team so that there are more rides available - more support available for local dealers to pour into the sport - etc etc...
I would have supplied a demo bike for a local pro this year if he was allowed to race it outdoors - but he isn't - and he nearly had to quit until a very gracious person bought him some bikes to ride. He may not set the world on fire this year - but it's nice to support kids who work hard - deserve some help - and they boost the community with riding lessons - give the youth local hero's to look up to and talk to at the local races etc etc. He is the whole reason our sport exists - he has raced his way up and supported this moto economy as a consumer to GET to this point where is this good - and quitting now trickles down to other local youth who see he can't make it - and they quit and don't pour money into the sport.
The sport is growing and growing in the divide - as all forms of racing seemingly is - but it doesn't have to be this way.
Interestingly - also mx sports run - TM (and sherco, beta, gas gas) are all allowed in GNCC...and are having success. Some small dealers are also able to support themselves - and a shop employee or two by selling these brands and other products and services that go along with being a small support shop...
It's just a win win in my highly simplistic, un-educated opinion.
Pit Row
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