why don't suzuki's sell well?

chump6784
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4/25/2012 7:47pm Edited Date/Time 4/27/2012 7:51am
I read a lot about Suzuki having no money and dropping their support but I don't know why. Is it because they built some bad bikes a few years ago, cost of oem parts etc? They sell fairly well over here, there are always Suzuki's on the grids where I race. They do well in the shootouts and get good reviews but they don't seem to translate to sales.
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jmar
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4/25/2012 7:57pm
chump6784 wrote:
I read a lot about Suzuki having no money and dropping their support but I don't know why. Is it because they built some bad bikes...
I read a lot about Suzuki having no money and dropping their support but I don't know why. Is it because they built some bad bikes a few years ago, cost of oem parts etc? They sell fairly well over here, there are always Suzuki's on the grids where I race. They do well in the shootouts and get good reviews but they don't seem to translate to sales.
The competition dirt bike division of Suzuki is the least of their worries.

It's a tiny part of their business.
fader418
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4/25/2012 7:58pm
Because they are Suzukis...
1
silver753
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Brick, NJ US
4/25/2012 8:00pm
I'm not sure about the exact numbers, just a guess, I think Suzuki motorcycle sales as a whole are doing ok, even the dirt bikes. It's just the number of units sold compared to years past are waaaaaay down, along with all the other mfg's as well. As with most business, I'm guessing Suzuki's race budget is based on motorcycle unit sales, not on SUZUKI sales as a whole.

I remember reading somewhere that Kawasaki's total motorcycle sales are less than 5% of Kawasaki sales! They sell trains, ocean liners, and many other items, not just dirty bikes. Does anyone out there know the percentage of MC dollars that makes up Suzuki's budget? I'm too lazy too google it....
Jono
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4/25/2012 8:01pm Edited Date/Time 4/25/2012 9:23pm
Probably because of the lack of results on the track, or no big time stars riding a Suzuki.
1

The Shop

GHR
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4/25/2012 8:07pm
oh If only the Suzuki Samuari didnt tip over so easy.....what could have been...Silly
1
4/25/2012 8:14pm
fader418 wrote:
Because they are Suzukis...
there is alot of truth to those 4 simple words!

there has been a "stigma" with the big S for years. reliablilty stigma, frame stigma, just not quality on a large scale. good while it lasts yes! you know its not if its when when it breaks big time... yes too!
mxer613
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4/25/2012 8:18pm
They sell pretty good up here in the Portland area, I got 3 of my "Honda is the best ", friends to all buy rmz450's, two of em are on their second ones, now they all swear by them. I'm on my second, 07,& an 09.
BobbyM
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4/25/2012 8:19pm Edited Date/Time 4/25/2012 8:19pm
they only built 50 scooters...sheesh

and they fired designer...Smile
Jay LINY
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4/25/2012 8:19pm
Huh? I believe Suzuki is the best of the Jap bikes.And yes,I own 3. 2 RM's and a four stroke for the girlfriend.
Hando
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4/25/2012 8:32pm
Because they suck...
no, they don't.

the newer suzukis are awesome bikes, probably one of the better ones in the class and im a honda guy.

suzuki is big conglomerate, although small compared to the others. they are probably suffering in other areas of their business as all the other mfg's are
1
mxjordy127
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4/25/2012 8:34pm
whats the point of buying a new when they haven't changed much in the past few years
4/25/2012 8:56pm
Because they suck...
no, they for sure dont suck!

just persistent crank failures the last 15 years. its been their achilles heals to the point its expected and associated with the name.
jmar
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4/25/2012 9:08pm
silver753 wrote:
I'm not sure about the exact numbers, just a guess, I think Suzuki motorcycle sales as a whole are doing ok, even the dirt bikes. It's...
I'm not sure about the exact numbers, just a guess, I think Suzuki motorcycle sales as a whole are doing ok, even the dirt bikes. It's just the number of units sold compared to years past are waaaaaay down, along with all the other mfg's as well. As with most business, I'm guessing Suzuki's race budget is based on motorcycle unit sales, not on SUZUKI sales as a whole.

I remember reading somewhere that Kawasaki's total motorcycle sales are less than 5% of Kawasaki sales! They sell trains, ocean liners, and many other items, not just dirty bikes. Does anyone out there know the percentage of MC dollars that makes up Suzuki's budget? I'm too lazy too google it....
I remember reading somewhere that Kawasaki's total motorcycle sales are less than 5% of Kawasaki sales!

That would be all types of Kawasaki bike sales. Not just the competition dirt bike sales.
lostboy819
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4/25/2012 9:11pm
chump6784 wrote:
I read a lot about Suzuki having no money and dropping their support but I don't know why. Is it because they built some bad bikes...
I read a lot about Suzuki having no money and dropping their support but I don't know why. Is it because they built some bad bikes a few years ago, cost of oem parts etc? They sell fairly well over here, there are always Suzuki's on the grids where I race. They do well in the shootouts and get good reviews but they don't seem to translate to sales.
I think its the dealer network or lack of dealer support that has the most impact on suzuki sales.
chump6784
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4/25/2012 9:22pm
Jay LINY wrote:
Huh? I believe Suzuki is the best of the Jap bikes.And yes,I own 3. 2 RM's and a four stroke for the girlfriend.
That's interesting. I just got the vibe off here that Suzuki couldn't give their bikes away in the US. I understand the whole "they suck" comments, when I bought mine my dad, uncle and mates were asking why the hell I bought. a Suzuki cos they are a POS. had mine for 2 years, done a topend and that is it and its brilliant.
mx510
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4/25/2012 9:27pm
I purchased an 09 450 around February of 2010. I have put TONS of hours on the bike and like it a lot. The thing has been tough as nails so far. The only thing I have had to replace is a clutch (with as many hours that are on the bike, a clutch would have had to have been replaced on any brand). However I am picking up my new scooter tomorrow, and it is not a Suzuki. My reasoning is price. There are not many left up here in WA and the dealers that do have them are charging an arm and leg for them. So instead I am buying the maligned 2011 YZ450 ( I have rode one and like it, so spare me your opinion on them please). I was quoted 9700 otd for a Suzuki and 7600 otd for the Yamaha. I loved my Zooker, but I love my wallet being heavier more.
ridge
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4/25/2012 9:35pm
It's because they're yellow! It's probably the best bike out there, but all the bikes are so good these days that a lot of people buy what looks the best (to them.)

Think about this, how many yellow cars are out there compared to red or blue? On top of that, the orange/black and the green/black combo just look cooler than the yellow/silver.
corsair
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4/25/2012 10:11pm Edited Date/Time 4/25/2012 10:12pm
I can only talk about my limited experience. 82, 83, 84, and 85 yz 125s. 86 kx125. 86 yz250. 91 kx125. 2001 rm250. 2001 yz250. 2003 kx125. 2004 crf 450. 2006 yz125. 2007 rmz250. 2011 yz250. Out of all those, the 2001 rm250 and 2007 rmz 250 were the best handling bikes, by far, but they just didn't hold up like the others. They literally fell apart, bolts and shit vibrating off and just the cheesiest built bikes compared to all the others, even the kawasakis lol. The rm and rmz were both phenominal performing bikes, but they were just cheesier than all get out.
lostboy819
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4/25/2012 10:29pm Edited Date/Time 4/25/2012 10:30pm
ridge wrote:
It's because they're yellow! It's probably the best bike out there, but all the bikes are so good these days that a lot of people buy...
It's because they're yellow! It's probably the best bike out there, but all the bikes are so good these days that a lot of people buy what looks the best (to them.)

Think about this, how many yellow cars are out there compared to red or blue? On top of that, the orange/black and the green/black combo just look cooler than the yellow/silver.
Yeah but in the 70s and early 80s Yellow RMs dominated the starting gates all over the country the same with Yellow YZs and Yellow still looks 100 X better than KTM baboons ass orange YUCCCCCCCCCCCK !!!!!!
Mutt
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4/25/2012 10:32pm
Only owned one Suzuki in my riding career, I called it the "Yellow Curse". Had more strange issues with that bike then any I've owned previously or after that nightmare. Oh, did I mention that it tried to kill me?
chump6784
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4/25/2012 11:49pm
I personally like the yellow. Would never buy a yellow car but I like the bikes. On the other hand I hate the yamaha blue, when faced with the choice of blue or yellow and a similar bike the choice was easy
lostboy819
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4/26/2012 3:47am
chump6784 wrote:
I personally like the yellow. Would never buy a yellow car but I like the bikes. On the other hand I hate the yamaha blue, when...
I personally like the yellow. Would never buy a yellow car but I like the bikes. On the other hand I hate the yamaha blue, when faced with the choice of blue or yellow and a similar bike the choice was easy
Nothing cooler than a Yellow YZ with the black strobes.
4/26/2012 5:31am
Whether justified or not they do have a certain stigma for being unreliable, mostly due to poor quality materials. For instance this is how I view the big 5 in regards to reliability. Most of it is just from hearsay, people I've met in the pits, stuff Iv'e read on boards like this, or in magazines. Very little through direct experience because I've only owned Honda's, KTM's and Yamaha's. I'm not saying it's right, it's just my perception (so don't flame me)....

From 1 to 5 with 1 being the "most" reliable -

5. Suzuki
4. Kawasaki
3. Honda
2. KTM
1. Yamaha
2
1
Racer92
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4/26/2012 5:49am
Because they suck...
Oh cmon, cant you cast a lil better stink bait than that ?
WhKnuckle
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4/26/2012 6:11am
If I was buying a four stroke today, it'd be a Suzuki or a KTM. Of course, I'm not shopping today, so I guess it doesn't matter much.
tblazier
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4/26/2012 6:20am
The new Suzuki's are phenomenal bikes but they do not hold up as well over time as Honda's or Yamaha's. I have owned nearly 50 bikes over the years from all the big 5. My experience has been that Honda and Yamaha are head and shoulders above the others in longevity. My 20 year old CR500R still felt tighter than my 2 year old KX. I think the green and yellow bikes perform well but just wear out much faster.
mxer613
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4/26/2012 6:42am
mx510 wrote:
I purchased an 09 450 around February of 2010. I have put TONS of hours on the bike and like it a lot. The thing has...
I purchased an 09 450 around February of 2010. I have put TONS of hours on the bike and like it a lot. The thing has been tough as nails so far. The only thing I have had to replace is a clutch (with as many hours that are on the bike, a clutch would have had to have been replaced on any brand). However I am picking up my new scooter tomorrow, and it is not a Suzuki. My reasoning is price. There are not many left up here in WA and the dealers that do have them are charging an arm and leg for them. So instead I am buying the maligned 2011 YZ450 ( I have rode one and like it, so spare me your opinion on them please). I was quoted 9700 otd for a Suzuki and 7600 otd for the Yamaha. I loved my Zooker, but I love my wallet being heavier more.
Drive down to Beaverton, Or, Lanpheres has 2012 zooms for $7000 out the door, and no sales tax.
MX558
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4/26/2012 6:46am
I rode a new 12 Kaw 450 this weekend with maybe 5 hrs. on it and it felt like my Yamaha with at 50 hrs. I also rode and like the brand new 11 Suzuki but that thing vibrated almost like a 2t. I know they are both good bikes but that will keep me off them, it's Honda or Yamaha for me.
dcg141
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4/26/2012 6:59am
Suzuki's suck, Yamaha's suck, KTM's suck....Is it just me or am I noticing a trend here.

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