Stumbled across this video. I was prepared for some true Suzuki bashing, but by the end of the video, I found myself whispering Amen under my breath. What say you?
Food for Thought
- Thread starter fallenarch
- Start date
Hell, one could take the name "Suzuki" out of the title and insert any number of motorcycle companies....
When I watch this, I think of all the other crappy decisions and bikes other companies have made over the years....we all remember the speed wobbles of Kawasaki, huge cam recalls with Honda, the AMF years of HD and the ever on again off again of Indian....Yamaha had a pretty good run...there were some stupid designs and red herrings but they've generally remained pretty solid....
Suzuki is but one company in real trouble.
When I watch this, I think of all the other crappy decisions and bikes other companies have made over the years....we all remember the speed wobbles of Kawasaki, huge cam recalls with Honda, the AMF years of HD and the ever on again off again of Indian....Yamaha had a pretty good run...there were some stupid designs and red herrings but they've generally remained pretty solid....
Suzuki is but one company in real trouble.
Well, I think Suzuki is the only company to walk away from a winning MotoGP effort and pulled some of the greatest sportbikes made off the market. I don't think this is critical of Suzuki really. It just points out they are risk takers and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I rode a Tm400 and I have had it kick back into my leg, but I loved that bike. I would love to try the TL too, but those are hard to find. The RM370 was one of the craziest bikes I ever rode and I still love that bike. He talks about not changing the DR series (didn't mention the Busa), but my 2009 is still a formidable, comfortable and capable ride.
I was waiting for him to blast the Busa but he didn't, which tells me he was sincere in his criticism and love for the brand.
I was waiting for him to blast the Busa but he didn't, which tells me he was sincere in his criticism and love for the brand.
Kawasaki and BMW both dropped out of Moto GP as well and both of those companies have their red herrings..you had one of them before the GS....
Kawasaki kept the KLR around unchanged for quite a few years and the ZX14R kind of went away in favor for the H2 platform.
Honestly I could see that video being made omitting anything Suzuki and inserting almost any other motorcycle company.
Moto GP used to be a way for the manufacturers to showcase their developments but the bikes have become so specialized that very little of the technology transfers to the street.
I think you are assuming I am attacking Suzuki and I'm not. Other than the recent BMW's every bike I have owned was a Suzuki. I think the guy in the video is more talking about how frustrating it is that a company that can produce Gixxers, Busas, etc. seems to not really care about their legacy in motorcycling. I think that was the point and I totally agree that Suzuki is frustrating in that way.
By the way, BMW has stayed out of MotoGP because of the technology limits. BMWs robot-laid CF frame would be unbeatable, but MotoGP mandates weight minimums and no CF frames. Yamaha considered dropping out when MotoGP went to control ECUs. BMW is all about doing things the most complicated way possible. Suzuki keeps it simple. I personally think Suzuki are the better designers.
By the way, BMW has stayed out of MotoGP because of the technology limits. BMWs robot-laid CF frame would be unbeatable, but MotoGP mandates weight minimums and no CF frames. Yamaha considered dropping out when MotoGP went to control ECUs. BMW is all about doing things the most complicated way possible. Suzuki keeps it simple. I personally think Suzuki are the better designers.
I know you are not personally attacking Suzuki...I was commenting more on the video and how it is pointed at Suzuki but could easily be pointing at any other motorcycle company as many of the others are in the same situation.
I think the motorcycle segment is getting smaller and smaller and companies just aren't willing to spend the money in R&D they used to.
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