yamaha factory SM?
- Thread starter jonb
- Start date
Beauregard
Aut Agere Aut Mori
Cannondale made the mistake of not green-stickering their motard, I contend they would still be in business if they had; I would have bought one.
Hopefully Yamaha will be smart enough to get a green sticker on their boring looking but prolly fun motard.
Wouldn't it be rad if all the major manufacturers came out with motards?
mmmmm... tasty delight that would be.
Hopefully Yamaha will be smart enough to get a green sticker on their boring looking but prolly fun motard.
Wouldn't it be rad if all the major manufacturers came out with motards?
mmmmm... tasty delight that would be.
thump
Well-known member
It'll be interesting to see how the jap manufacturers react to the motard market and whether they decide to make 'em track only (like this one would probably be) or street legal.
The motard market is very strong in Europe and I've been surprised that the Japs haven't launched motards as yet.
I can only figure that the US is such an influential market that it pretty much calls the shots.
The motard market is very strong in Europe and I've been surprised that the Japs haven't launched motards as yet.
I can only figure that the US is such an influential market that it pretty much calls the shots.
thump
Well-known member
stillart said:
I agree. I also think the class structure the ama has created was designed with the conversion of MX/SX bikes in mind.
The classes in Europe are more aligned with the 500-650 models already available over there.
My own opinion is that the 'bigger' 500-650 bikes make more practical street bikes and are easier to live with.
Hence I see the Japs sitting on the fence- do they go for the street motard market or just make variants of their green sticker dirt bikes that can be baja-ised?
I see a market for dealers who are prepared to do the motard conversion at reasonable cost and as Stillart suggest, get a motard plated and out the door ready for the street.
Beauregard
Aut Agere Aut Mori
Regarding the dealerships putting a baja kit on a factory motard I just don’t really see that happening. Ideally the Big 4 Japanese will see an increase of market share by small European manufacturers like VOR, KTM, Vermawhatever and the like. I’m banking on an established pattern of: Invented in the USA, popularized in Europe, then EXPLODING in America; like Rock & Roll. Perhaps I’m dreaming...
jonb
Well-known member
its weird. i think it will blow up in america. you know how it is, to get big in the usa it more than likely has to blow up in a) california b) new york. suddenly everyone i'm talking to is lookign to get a bike, lookign to hti stockton, everyone knows about ward, mcgrath, russel and carmichael. its nuts. i bet this time next year it will be as big as any other form of racing and motorcycle culture.
Beauregard
Aut Agere Aut Mori
I'm giving it more like 2 years. Hollywood and MTV have to get on the band wagon first. The first time you see James Bond getting chased by a bunch of Hooligans on Motards you'll know to step up and yell to the crowd "I was doing it before it was cool!"
I started going to SuperMotard races in France circa 1985-86 as a spectator. It's has been "cool" for a while there, the "Guidon d'or" being the most popular race. The original idea of the SuperMotard races was to see who is the best of the best. Everything was supposed to be as neutral as possible. The bikes were half dirtbikes, half streetbikes, the track half MX, half roadracing track and all the best riders from all categories (SX, MX, Moto GP, Superbike, Supersport,...) were invited! Since then a new species of riders has appeared, the SuperMotards!Beauregard said:
:teeth