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Jaimec
| | Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 02:13 pm: | 
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Yamaha was also the first Japanese country to put a V-Twin into a sportbike... the 1982 XV550 Vision (yes, the ORIGINAL Vision, not the land yacht Victory currently sells).
They also put the 920cc Virago engine in a sporting standard with an enclosed chain drive (I forget what that model was called).
And contrary to what someone posted earlier, they DO have an "Adventure bike" in their stable. In fact, they were the only other brand besides BMW to recognize this market in the early 90s with the TDM850. No one bought it in the States (ahead of its time?) but its been selling well in Europe for awhile. In fact, I think they still sell a version of it with an upgraded engine.
Me, I'm trying to envision a cross-plane 1000cc IL4 with a "Fuel in Frame" and underslung exhaust... WAHOO!!! |
Elvis
| | Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 02:37 pm: |
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It would be great to have an American company, but there are no American companies out there that can offer:
1. Vast worldwide distribution and service of PERFORMANCE motorcycles.
2. Past and present excellence in motorcyle racing.
3. The knowledge and expertise that comes from making some of the best, most innovative motorcycles in the world.
Yamaha is an absolutely great and innovative motorcycle company.
Still one of my all-time favorite bikes:
Sending some money overseas (while keeping the production and jobs here) seems a small price to pay for all the things Yamaha has to offer.
At this moment, I'd frankly rather see the money go to Japan and a deserving company such as Yamaha than stay here in the undeserving pockets of a company like Harley.
(Message edited by elvis on October 18, 2009) |
Swordsman
| | Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 03:35 pm: |
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So long as Erik runs the show, and the bikes are still assembled here, I don't think I'd care who actually owns them. I learned to ride on a Yamaha as well. They make some pretty sweet car engines too (I know Toyota has one or two).
Erik's passion and ingenuity paired with Yamaha's love of technology would be a freakin' force of nature.
~SM
(Message edited by swordsman on October 18, 2009) |
Court
| | Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 03:45 pm: |
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The possibilities are endless. |
Daveswan
| | Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 04:11 pm: |
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I have a ton of respect for the Jap bikes having a motocross background. Japanese business looks toward the future not short term gain.
I prefer and loved what Buell was doing for motorcycling and American motorcycles with street bikes.
HD seems to have their heads up their butts and you can only stick by someone so long before you kick them in the n*ts back and move on.
I hope something wonderful in America comes out of all of this.
Given the way corporate american automotive and motorcycle execs. handle things it just seems that by the time they get it the boat will already be sinking. It's like turning the Titanic - these over bloated companies and prehistoric business plans.
Given the way the world has been more intertwined like it or not I'd take the better of the evils if it means having Japanese backing. It would be a pill to take and I'd want something that would benefit the model.
HD bikes are merely assembled in America and so are Honda cars etc. HD is SUPPOSED to be an American company and it makes me ill that so much is outsourced then merely assembled here.
The forks are from Japan....made by the Showa
Most of the lights are from China
The chrome pieces are from Asia.
The engines are American Made.
The Sportster brakes are Nissin of Japan.
If a foreign company sees the value of what a group produces and lets them continue what they're doing, maybe share some technology but keep the formula then it usually works out ok. Particularly if a strong company with a long term vision is involved.
Maybe HD will finally draw a lesson. most lessons have a more lasting learning effect when it causes pain and failure. Just throwing money at a dying model doesn't provide any incentive, just gives the addict some short term relief.
If they can keep the heart of it American, than I think I could swallow it. Just offer an air cooled V-Twin and not some god forsaken, watercooled, inline-4, edge trimmer.
I'm pretty sure I'm ok with my old Buell anyways. I'll be able to tell my grandchildren how HD screwed up Buell, but look in the garage, I have one of the good ole ones from back in the day. Saved it from becoming a mutant chopper! you damn kids drive electric motorcycles now! That's not a motorcycle, it's a cordless drill on wheels! |
Mndwgz
| | Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 06:05 pm: |
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There's a nice Italian company that could use the 1125 engine in something like the Tesi. Just thinking outloud.  |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 06:14 pm: |
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I'd love to see Yamaha do something with Buell.
I can't imagine that as soon as the news came out that there weren't several calls into the Buell house with words of consolation and offers of "something". |
Hex
| | Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 06:43 pm: |
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I'd be surprised if there was one call. The way business goes, (eg. no one has yet to call or write me from the fishpole industry inquiring about my patent), Erik will unfortunately have to make the first step. Just thinking out loud... |
Metalstorm
| | Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 10:05 pm: |
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I can't imagine anyone with the means, even in the current financial situation, not wanting to get on board with Erik.
HD's loss will be some one's huge gain. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 10:19 pm: |
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No offense, but I think there would be a difference between a fishing pole and a championship winning technical director.
It ain't just the patents. It's the package that goes with those ideas.
The difference between a Gideon Bible in a hotel room drawer and Billy Graham. |
Milar
| | Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 10:21 pm: |
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The story has an AP headline. A quick check of the AP website found no such story. www.ap.org
M |
M2nc
| | Posted on Monday, October 19, 2009 - 12:16 am: |
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I understand the "American" comment, but look what the biggest American motorcycle company did to Buell. I think Yamaha would understand Buell and the elves better. Funny, I thought the latest R1 looks like a Firebolt. |
Ourdee
| | Posted on Monday, October 19, 2009 - 09:51 am: |
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Ft, Now ya did it. I'd take the Gideon Bible. |
Fast1075
| | Posted on Monday, October 19, 2009 - 03:01 pm: |
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I would KILL for a KR RZ350....KILL KILL KILL....(long as it had a few cases of spares with it)  |
Jssport
| | Posted on Monday, October 19, 2009 - 03:18 pm: |
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So if Yamaha did take over Buell, would DMG/AMA still let the 1125 race against 600's ???
I'd love to see Erik go back to his roots and develop a street legal 2-stroke. Something like a 400cc twin with fuel injection on the XB chassis.
... and of course the mandatory race kit, elevate it to a spec class bike, that would bring in the younger audience and sales would translate to other bikes, truly a win-win situation. |
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