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I think if suzuki wanted to get back in the game they would stop trying to duplicate every other japanese bike in yellow. They should forge a new corporate identity.If not a completely new identity, how about just building an epic new 300 two stroke in a couple versions and a 350? if they are going to be content as a follow the leader brand, why not follow the actual leader?
The reborn Triumph briefly tried to out-do the japanese with inline 4 sportbikes and cruisers, etc, in the 1990's. They did not compare favorably and did not sell. Then they decided to go their own way, embracing the triple (three cyl bikes, not the triple at wendy's), producing a unique, desirable product that sells. Suzuki had better think about doing something similar, they are swirling around the drain ytrying to out Honda the Honda people.
You can't compare non-current prices to new prices and act like thats a fair comparison.
M
The Shop
I've also ridden both the 17 KX450 and 250. The 450 was pretty nice but felt a bit heavy for me and after riding the 450 in the woods, I felt like the 250 just didn't have enough "get up and go". Both great bikes regardless. The thing that has me going with KTM over and over is the ease of maintenance and build quality for the woods. The only thing I had done the first year was set the sag and air pressure. After that, I was good to go.
To me, Japanese brands need to diversify their offerings. I'm seeing quite a few Yamaha's now racing offroad with the 250X and the 250FX. I'd be all over the 250X if they added just a few small items.
Also, your yz was probably a mx bike converted to offroad, where the 300 exc (xc?) is an enduro bike from the start.
The reality is that Kawasaki nor KTM will ever reward you for defending their brand online so you might as well just shut the fuck up about it and let other people enjoy what they like.
All I know is, spending an extra $1500+ for a ktm isn't going to make me any faster than if I bought a left over kx or rmz.I can take the saved money and personalize the kx or rmz with bars, graphics and suspension while still spending less than what I would have on a ktm. All of these bikes are good now. Even if they are finishing last in the shootouts. I don't but into the, "buy x brand, its the best bike out there." Well maybe to that guy it is, but to me, my Yamaha is the best bike for me.
Pick a freakin color and stop bitching.
The OP started this as an thought on if the Japanese builder(s) should just build a price specific bike and focus on that target.....we managed to move away from that quickly (sorry) however the yz 250 is a good example of not having to do that IF the product is good and the aftermarket hop up parts are available and the owner can make the mods and repairs themselves....the yz is uchanged for a decade plus and they still get a good price for them and sell everyone they make because it is a good product.
Pit Row
As said earlier, off road it's got to be KTM or Euro for me. MX? Anything but a YZ. Just don't gel with them
They are all really good bikes. Pick a color you like best because you wont be any faster on the other colors. And no matter what color you pick, no matter what components it has, no matter what suspension it has, no matter what go-fast parts it has...... someone on a 20 year old bike is going to come along and spank you.
https://youtu.be/CR-zIi3ADLA
These bikes are all fantastic, and virtually indestructible. You can buy one used and freshen it up and race/ride it for years.
A better rider will still beat you on any other bike, even an old roached out 97 Kawi or Yami.
I can lose 10 lbs and workout if I need to beat an equally talented rider on a KTM, or I can just practice more.
These bikes are now like boats, Harleys and big motorhomes. Toys marketed to the upper middle class and up.
I think these manufacturers have decided they would rather sell fewer bikes at higher margins than build and ship a ton of bargain bikes and as long as there are people willing to pay the premium, they will keep doing it.
Truth: EVERY BRAND makes some great bikes
Truth: EVERY BRAND has some short-comings
Fantasy: One Brand is THE ANSWER FOR EVERYBODY
Fantasy: One Brand is "The Best"
You wanna know what I've learned after 40 years in the sport...40 years of being around Chassis and Powertrain Engineers and 40 years of getting to ride/test EVERYTHING from Amex & ATK to Maico...even Zundapp?
Anyone can find a smile and happiness on damn near any kind of bike...any brand...and that's what it's really all about. Isn't it?
I am currently...& -INTENTIONALLY- riding the new RMZ. Why?
Because I could "feel" that the bike had soooooo much more than what I was able to learn about it in 3 days of track riding...
It had such AWESOME torque and "easy power"...
It turned SO LIGHT...yet, it was the heaviest in the test... (I think? Well, it sure wasn't the lightest!)
The motor was virtually "unchanged"! That's a good thing for a rider that wants an affordable & easy to keep track bike.
The forks were pretty good...once you got in there and clicked'em...
The New Look and Ergo's really worked for me...
But, the shock? It was weird. It was different & it even "adjusted" different than what we are familiar with...
So, it got last.
It got last in a test where the ALSO HEAVY Honda got 1st. Huh. That was intriguing.
That gave me the initiative...and a bit of a "W T F" when I looked at the Zook. Why? 'Cause it ain't a whole lot different "under-neath it all"...it just wasn't as well sorted out as the Honda. It was still the "Unloved Zook" & I wasn't having that.
Why am I writing this and posting it here? Because, I saw shades of the same "Us-n-Them" stuff from testers, tech's & people that were around at the time. The same kind of prejudice we see here. Don't go thinking I'm pointing fingers. I'm not. It's simple "humans being". Yup. Humans being...humans. Humans have opinions. There it is.
Sometimes our opinions are jaded, prejudiced, affected by outside circumstance and worst of all "what we think we know".
Are you bored or tired of my blabber, yet? No,worries. There's gonna be plenty more of it in "Bike Bullds"...& I'll be starting with the VERY SAME RMZ that I rated "last" in the shoot out...
I'm in the minority & will probably never own an orange or white KTM after 4 decades of riding. Most have drank the orange koolaid, but I just don't see what's so special about them other than maybe a hydraulic clutch or Brembo brakes.
Post a reply to: Time for Japan, Inc. to embrace the "affordable alternative" market niche ?