Why No Japanese “Factory Edition” Bikes?

bvm111
Profile picture for user bvm111
Posts
9329
Joined
7/1/2008
Location
Las Vegas, NV US
bvm111 10/18/2017 7:47pm
10/18/2017 7:47pm
Acidreamer wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/10/18/220637/s1200_0FF81C35_6C28_4FF6_B471_DEF96903BBD3.jpg[/img] Quality over quantity


Quality over quantity
seth505 wrote:
Go change your piston bro
LaughingLaughingLaughing
Hcallz5
Profile picture for user Hcallz5
Posts
2853
Joined
8/20/2013
Location
UT US
Hcallz5 10/18/2017 8:24pm
10/18/2017 8:24pm
In the grand scheme of things over at Honda their motocross bike division resides in a shed in the back corner of the lot comparatively speaking to other divisions of the company.
Sidecar
Profile picture for user Sidecar
Posts
1725
Joined
1/29/2015
Location
GB
Sidecar 10/18/2017 10:50pm
10/18/2017 10:50pm
As already mentioned, Honda offer fe’s in the UK and my local Suzuki dealer sold fe Yoshimura RMZs ....






Jrewing
Profile picture for user Jrewing
Posts
2865
Joined
1/4/2014
Location
AU
Jrewing 10/19/2017 12:48am
10/19/2017 12:48am Edited Date/Time 10/19/2017 12:49am
280driver wrote:
It seams pretty obvious that KTM has been able to stay ahead from an equipment standpoint by coming out with thier Factory Edition Bikes each year...
It seams pretty obvious that KTM has been able to stay ahead from an equipment standpoint by coming out with thier Factory Edition Bikes each year. This insures thier riders are on the latest technology and keeps them at least a half year ahead of everyone else. Why haven’t Japanese brands done the same??
ML512 wrote:
One simple way to look at it is I don't think Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, or Honda could do "FEs" and make them successful. They don't have...
One simple way to look at it is I don't think Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, or Honda could do "FEs" and make them successful. They don't have the typical KTM buyer who's willing to pay a premium for a machine and to reach the number required to race the bike in sales would be a bit difficult. Lastly, it's such a niche product and as we've seen, the Japanese brands aren't too into that. It would be 400 units that are US only...they just aren't as stream-lined as KTM to pull off a quick run of machines on their development timelines. Look how long it took Suzuki to develop and release their newest 450 or how late the CRF250R is coming out this year.
Surely having an earthquake destroy your plant creates delays in things. In regards to the crf250

The Shop

See All »
Jaze
Profile picture for user Jaze
Posts
139
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
FI
Jaze 10/19/2017 2:50am
10/19/2017 2:50am
Squirrelings wrote:
KTM is only hurting the industry with overpriced FE and regular models. The other manufacturers are being forced to add things like electric start and oversize...
KTM is only hurting the industry with overpriced FE and regular models. The other manufacturers are being forced to add things like electric start and oversize rotors (KX450F rumored to have hydraulic clutch in '19 also) that aren't a necessity to keep up. The Japanese have always been reserved and build the bikes to a lower price point so more people are able to purchase them and get involved in the sport.
Haha! Japanese wanted 4 strokes in mx big time and prices jumped way too much.
Now we are this point and this sport is fading.
I think we need little change to rules and dump 250 4-strokes and make 125cc again in little class bike.
That and electric mx could save this sport or maybe not. Hurt is done already.
Japanese are supporting less and less these days to mx sports so no FE bikes in future i see.
Maybe KTM are also dropping them as they see those are not needed anymore.

mikebrownsound 10/19/2017 3:11am
10/19/2017 3:11am
Acidreamer wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/10/18/220637/s1200_0FF81C35_6C28_4FF6_B471_DEF96903BBD3.jpg[/img] Quality over quantity


Quality over quantity


Exactly .. . . .. ..
tempura
Profile picture for user tempura
Posts
2079
Joined
5/18/2015
Location
JP
tempura 10/19/2017 3:53am
10/19/2017 3:53am
Jrewing wrote:
Surely having an earthquake destroy your plant creates delays in things. In regards to the crf250
LOL!! The plant wasn't destroyed at all in the earthquake. Minor damage..
Jrewing
Profile picture for user Jrewing
Posts
2865
Joined
1/4/2014
Location
AU
Jrewing 10/19/2017 3:59am
10/19/2017 3:59am
Jrewing wrote:
Surely having an earthquake destroy your plant creates delays in things. In regards to the crf250
tempura wrote:
LOL!! The plant wasn't destroyed at all in the earthquake. Minor damage..
Saw a press release on it but sounds like it was bullshit
wfo4ever
Profile picture for user wfo4ever
Posts
789
Joined
8/3/2014
Location
NC US
wfo4ever 10/19/2017 7:17am
10/19/2017 7:17am
Hcallz5 wrote:
In the grand scheme of things over at Honda their motocross bike division resides in a shed in the back corner of the lot comparatively speaking...
In the grand scheme of things over at Honda their motocross bike division resides in a shed in the back corner of the lot comparatively speaking to other divisions of the company.
Hcallz5 is right dirt bikes is a very small market, and only getting smaller. Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha sell many other products. Motorcycles is a very small part of these companies, dirt bikes are even a much smaller part of their motorcycle sales. They could stop selling dirt bikes tomorrow and be just fine. This is why we see BNG on so many dirt bikes every year, some for many years like the Yamaha PW-50 for instance. American Suzuki only sells motorcycles, ATVs, and marine products. KTM is a small company that only sells motorcycles. They update their products more frequently because of the small number produced. It is easier to make a changes. Like a small run of FE bikes. It is also all they have to sell.
Crush
Profile picture for user Crush
Posts
20962
Joined
4/26/2009
Location
Sydney AU
Crush 10/19/2017 7:31am
10/19/2017 7:31am
Sidecar wrote:
As already mentioned, Honda offer fe’s in the UK and my local Suzuki dealer sold fe Yoshimura RMZs .... [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/10/18/220719/s1200_7533833E_2BEE_4421_8D34_C496BDE43AA9.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/10/18/220720/s1200_6F8C7F4D_C02B_4A0E_AD69_5FBBFC1C7E85.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/10/18/220721/s1200_A2AA1144_B3AE_402D_9CE1_5BE599F36982.jpg[/img]
As already mentioned, Honda offer fe’s in the UK and my local Suzuki dealer sold fe Yoshimura RMZs ....






Wow the Thorpe version is sweet!
BobPA
Profile picture for user BobPA
Posts
8029
Joined
10/31/2013
Location
PA US
BobPA 10/19/2017 7:42am
10/19/2017 7:42am
Sidecar wrote:
As already mentioned, Honda offer fe’s in the UK and my local Suzuki dealer sold fe Yoshimura RMZs .... [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/10/18/220719/s1200_7533833E_2BEE_4421_8D34_C496BDE43AA9.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/10/18/220720/s1200_6F8C7F4D_C02B_4A0E_AD69_5FBBFC1C7E85.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/10/18/220721/s1200_A2AA1144_B3AE_402D_9CE1_5BE599F36982.jpg[/img]
As already mentioned, Honda offer fe’s in the UK and my local Suzuki dealer sold fe Yoshimura RMZs ....






That first Honda is badass
280driver
Profile picture for user 280driver
Posts
576
Joined
3/22/2017
Location
VA US
280driver 10/19/2017 8:06am
10/19/2017 8:06am
My point was not about using flashy graphics kits etc. to sell more bikes. It was that KTM uses the FE’s as a way to put thier next-gen bikes under thier factory riders in order to try to give them an advantage. Very smart. I know it’s mostly the rider but the bike helps. KTM is selling more bikes because thier bikes are winning more races. You’d think the other brands would do the same to try to stop KTMs momentum. It makes sense to me now that other brands are too big to do it.
mx317
Profile picture for user mx317
Posts
4561
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
TN US
mx317 10/19/2017 9:04am
10/19/2017 9:04am
280driver wrote:
My point was not about using flashy graphics kits etc. to sell more bikes. It was that KTM uses the FE’s as a way to put...
My point was not about using flashy graphics kits etc. to sell more bikes. It was that KTM uses the FE’s as a way to put thier next-gen bikes under thier factory riders in order to try to give them an advantage. Very smart. I know it’s mostly the rider but the bike helps. KTM is selling more bikes because thier bikes are winning more races. You’d think the other brands would do the same to try to stop KTMs momentum. It makes sense to me now that other brands are too big to do it.
It also puts the next gen bikes under Loretta Lynn riders because even if the 2019 models are on the showrooms, they can't ride them. They can ride the 2018.5 (really 2018) model FE bikes that are usually the same as the next years model.
Mit12
Profile picture for user Mit12
Posts
1995
Joined
6/23/2014
Location
Lake Havasu City, AZ US
Mit12 10/19/2017 9:29am
10/19/2017 9:29am
kiwifan wrote:
Also all the Japanese manufacturers make a LOT more bikes than KTM, they simply do not have a production line availability to do one off runs...
Also all the Japanese manufacturers make a LOT more bikes than KTM, they simply do not have a production line availability to do one off runs, especially for bikes that do not make a massive profit for them. And certainly is not worth the extra millions building additional plants to do it.

KTM race teams do get a slight advantage in getting next years race bike earlier perhaps, plus the consumer who can afford one of course.

There are rumors that 2018 is the last year for FE's, we shall see, I highly doubt KTM will drop them, as it is a money maker for them.
KTM our sells the Japanese manufactures hands down in the dirt bike market world wide. They have out sold them even before KTM started winning in the US.
Dtat720
Profile picture for user Dtat720
Posts
1588
Joined
2/20/2015
Location
Flowood, MS US
Dtat720 10/19/2017 9:39am
10/19/2017 9:39am
kiwifan wrote:
Also all the Japanese manufacturers make a LOT more bikes than KTM, they simply do not have a production line availability to do one off runs...
Also all the Japanese manufacturers make a LOT more bikes than KTM, they simply do not have a production line availability to do one off runs, especially for bikes that do not make a massive profit for them. And certainly is not worth the extra millions building additional plants to do it.

KTM race teams do get a slight advantage in getting next years race bike earlier perhaps, plus the consumer who can afford one of course.

There are rumors that 2018 is the last year for FE's, we shall see, I highly doubt KTM will drop them, as it is a money maker for them.
Mit12 wrote:
KTM our sells the Japanese manufactures hands down in the dirt bike market world wide. They have out sold them even before KTM started winning in...
KTM our sells the Japanese manufactures hands down in the dirt bike market world wide. They have out sold them even before KTM started winning in the US.
Not even close to truth. Honda still outsells everyonr worldwide

Pit Row

See All »

Post a reply to: Why No Japanese “Factory Edition” Bikes?