Comments on: It’s a Great Time to Build New Motorcycles http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/07/10/its-a-great-time-to-build-new-motorcycles/ Motorcycle News for Positive People Fri, 25 May 2012 22:44:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Kenny http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/07/10/its-a-great-time-to-build-new-motorcycles/#comment-252191 Kenny Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:18:17 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=6828#comment-252191 Paul, The Japanese aren't going to just drop a model line to free up cash(if it actually does free up cash) they only do that when they perceive a change in market orientation. It just doesn't make economic sense to just get rid of a model. The price of tooling and R&D is one obstacle but once that is overcome the company is making free money, would anyone here shoot a productive cow just to free up some space on the farm so you could get a new hossak front-end cow? But one thing you have to remember is that the japanese took cost cutting and time reducing and turned it into an art form. The vast majority of the world follows them in this respect. Hell, I work beside a kanban all day long and I live nowhere near japan. As much as I'd like to see new directions for motorcycles, I doubt it will come from any of the major manufacturers. And as regards to small bikes I have to say I agree with QrazyQat. The certification might be a challenge (I don't know what the quality of things is like over in Asia) but changing the design (If it even needs to be beefed up, as per those indestructible step thrus mentioned) would at the very most cost a couple of $10k for retooling the line and bringing in new components(Shoot me down if i'm wrong). Paul,
The Japanese aren’t going to just drop a model line to free up cash(if it actually does free up cash) they only do that when they perceive a change in market orientation. It just doesn’t make economic sense to just get rid of a model. The price of tooling and R&D is one obstacle but once that is overcome the company is making free money, would anyone here shoot a productive cow just to free up some space on the farm so you could get a new hossak front-end cow?
But one thing you have to remember is that the japanese took cost cutting and time reducing and turned it into an art form. The vast majority of the world follows them in this respect. Hell, I work beside a kanban all day long and I live nowhere near japan.
As much as I’d like to see new directions for motorcycles, I doubt it will come from any of the major manufacturers.
And as regards to small bikes I have to say I agree with QrazyQat. The certification might be a challenge (I don’t know what the quality of things is like over in Asia) but changing the design (If it even needs to be beefed up, as per those indestructible step thrus mentioned) would at the very most cost a couple of $10k for retooling the line and bringing in new components(Shoot me down if i’m wrong).

]]> By: Randy http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/07/10/its-a-great-time-to-build-new-motorcycles/#comment-252150 Randy Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:10:49 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=6828#comment-252150 I think it's the high regulation threshold that holds back everything but mainstream models in the U.S.. The hoops that have to be jumped through means the manufactures aren't going to take a chance. It's interesting Buell is brought up so much. If Buells are so nice why aren't they selling? Why isn't there a waiting list a year long? I own a Sportster (and several other bikes) so I'm used to the engine, But I wouldn't pay much for a Buell because of...the engine, and the looks too, to be honest. I think I'm like most people in thinking the vaulted "engineering" approach of Buell doesn't make a superior motorcycle, just one that looks wierd. People buy bikes other than Buell why??? NOT because they are stupid or hyper concerned about specs. I'm certain most picked what they got because they judged it to be the best bike for the purpose, styling, and cost. It's as simple as that. I think it’s the high regulation threshold that holds back everything but mainstream models in the U.S.. The hoops that have to be jumped through means the manufactures aren’t going to take a chance.

It’s interesting Buell is brought up so much. If Buells are so nice why aren’t they selling? Why isn’t there a waiting list a year long? I own a Sportster (and several other bikes) so I’m used to the engine, But I wouldn’t pay much for a Buell because of…the engine, and the looks too, to be honest. I think I’m like most people in thinking the vaulted “engineering” approach of Buell doesn’t make a superior motorcycle, just one that looks wierd. People buy bikes other than Buell why??? NOT because they are stupid or hyper concerned about specs. I’m certain most picked what they got because they judged it to be the best bike for the purpose, styling, and cost. It’s as simple as that.

]]> By: carboncanyon http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/07/10/its-a-great-time-to-build-new-motorcycles/#comment-252028 carboncanyon Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:13:58 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=6828#comment-252028 QrazyQat: uhhhh you gotta realize that in Indonesia the motorcycle market is HUGE. Like it or not, the fact is that the large manufacturers are focusing on markets like Indonesia. A number of factors play into the price: they have factories close to the intended markets so shipping is very cheap, cheaper steel (sometimes inferior), fewer regulations, etc. In order to have these bikes street legal and suitable to be sold in the US, many things have to be changed. Headlight size, more robust suspension for heavier Americans, maybe a larger tank, etc. That is very expensive to do. They would be lucky to sell 1/10 the number of units of a particular model here in the US, and would it be worth it? In the US market, total product runs per year might be in the thousands or low five figures. In Indonesia, it's probably high five figures or even six figures! I'd like to add that I seriously doubt many Americans would buy these $500 scooters anyways. Maybe some people would react to rising gas prices, impulsively buy one, then figure out it's garbage. For a market used to "better" stuff, this is brand suicide. QrazyQat: uhhhh you gotta realize that in Indonesia the motorcycle market is HUGE. Like it or not, the fact is that the large manufacturers are focusing on markets like Indonesia. A number of factors play into the price: they have factories close to the intended markets so shipping is very cheap, cheaper steel (sometimes inferior), fewer regulations, etc.

In order to have these bikes street legal and suitable to be sold in the US, many things have to be changed. Headlight size, more robust suspension for heavier Americans, maybe a larger tank, etc. That is very expensive to do. They would be lucky to sell 1/10 the number of units of a particular model here in the US, and would it be worth it? In the US market, total product runs per year might be in the thousands or low five figures. In Indonesia, it’s probably high five figures or even six figures!

I’d like to add that I seriously doubt many Americans would buy these $500 scooters anyways. Maybe some people would react to rising gas prices, impulsively buy one, then figure out it’s garbage. For a market used to “better” stuff, this is brand suicide.

]]> By: SteveD http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/07/10/its-a-great-time-to-build-new-motorcycles/#comment-251993 SteveD Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:38:19 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=6828#comment-251993 Buell is a great example. They make fun bikes that provide plenty of perfromance and handling for everyone except the measurebators. They cost a bit more, but that's not the only problem. I bet Buell would do better if they sold them at the metric shops alongside the Japanese and European brands, Buell is a great example. They make fun bikes that provide plenty of perfromance and handling for everyone except the measurebators. They cost a bit more, but that’s not the only problem. I bet Buell would do better if they sold them at the metric shops alongside the Japanese and European brands,

]]> By: kneeslider http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/07/10/its-a-great-time-to-build-new-motorcycles/#comment-251986 kneeslider Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:59:20 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=6828#comment-251986 Jim, you have a point. In fact, I addressed it a while ago when I asked <a href="http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/10/04/how-much-can-motorcycle-design-change/" rel="nofollow">How Much Can Motorcycle Design Change?</a> Riders are a conservative bunch, buying pretty much what they bought before and manufacturers respond. But somewhere along the line, new ideas have to be produced that do catch on, it's just making the dicey decision to produce it, sometimes we seem to hang on to the old while the great new model sits in pre-production limbo while everyone keeps wondering, "yes or no, should we or shouldn't we?" It certainly isn't easy. Jim, you have a point. In fact, I addressed it a while ago when I asked How Much Can Motorcycle Design Change? Riders are a conservative bunch, buying pretty much what they bought before and manufacturers respond. But somewhere along the line, new ideas have to be produced that do catch on, it’s just making the dicey decision to produce it, sometimes we seem to hang on to the old while the great new model sits in pre-production limbo while everyone keeps wondering, “yes or no, should we or shouldn’t we?” It certainly isn’t easy.

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