Apexman
Parking Attendant
Posts: 12
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posted May 30, 2005 03:49 AM
Why Suzuki?
What is it about Suzuki that gets all the attention? I have been trying to tell my dirt riding friends that the KX dirt bikes are far superior to the dumb ass 4-stroke DRZ variations. Somehow, they look right past the disadvantage of the 4-stroke, fall in love with street legal and worship that stinkin' DRZ.
I can speak on this DRZ madness, because I had one after watching the promo on Speed Channel......and was unhappy with it from the start. When I went to a KX250, I started loving dirt riding, even though I suck at it. I use the dirt riding just to fool around. But that DRZ......ugggh, what a DOG! What ticks me off is all the hype and love of a lame bike, but hey...it's a SUZUKI......they don't even talk about the KLX....which makes it so obvious that Suzuki is on the minds of the uninformed......now, WHY?
Someone is getting bonus money, I think.
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Instead of a Cruiser,
why not a Sport
Tourer?
  
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted May 30, 2005 08:13 AM
Hey.... I have a DRZ and a DR350... both of them are awesome bikes... so  to you 
And the KLX IS A DRZ so why talk about it? SAME BIKE.
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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apexlocator
Parking Attendant
Posts: 15
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posted May 30, 2005 07:54 PM
First of all, the KLX is the sister bike to the DRZ, and as I said.....they never mention it. All the attention goes to the Suzuki, NOT the Kawasaki......my point being that the KLX should also be as popular, but it is not. As for the DRZ being lame, please accept my apology...BUT....I am sure that you have not yet given the KX a chance, my friend. The KX is a far superior product and a distinct pleasure to ride. It is truly head and shoulders above the DRX/KLX, for numerous reasons. I am just sick of the Suzuki getting all the attention lately.
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2004 Orange ZX10R
2004 Black 955iSE
1998 Yellow 748
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princesskiwi
Administrator
MISTRESS of SMACK
Posts: 7688
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posted May 30, 2005 09:15 PM
The DR350 is mine actually.
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The dose differentiates a poison and a remedy....
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted May 30, 2005 09:35 PM
Apex .. the KLX is hardly a "sister"bike to the DRZ... It is quite literally a Suzuki, right down to the words "Suzuki" stamped all over it , and the parts that make it up. Not a thing changed on it except the color of the plastic and the cover of the service manual (and only the cover)... after cover is an addendum that reads "Where manual states Suzuki read Kawasaki" ... pretty lame IMHO.
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted May 30, 2005 11:08 PM
quote:
after cover is an addendum that reads "Where manual states Suzuki read Kawasaki"
they really gotta hire a word processor that at least knows of teh search & repalce function...
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Editor
Administrator
Posts: 914
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posted June 01, 2005 07:12 AM
Then they would have to reprint the Suzuki manuals instead of simply glueing a new front cover on them that say kawasaki.... cheaper
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kz2zx
Pro
Nobody in Particular
Posts: 1166
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posted June 01, 2005 08:40 AM
Hey, you gents did read that Kawasaki and Suzuki are mostly ending their agreement to sell each other's bikes?
They'll be collaborating on parts purchasing from vendors - brake calipers, forks, bearings, perches, etc, but that's about it.
Kawaski's version:
quote:
KAWASAKI-SUZUKI ALLIANCE ENTERS NEW PHASE
The "alliance" announced in August 2001 between Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., (KHI) and Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) will now focus on potential exchanges of indirect resources, rather than on direct OEM product exchanges. It was originally formed as a mechanism to allow sharing of parts sourcing, platform production of OEM units, and joint development of new products.
Following a successful three-year arrangement, both companies have considered factors related to sales volume, profitability, customer reaction, influence on brand image, and competitiveness of each OEM product. The two brands have jointly agreed that more focused, independent development activity will serve to further enhance their respective brand identities with their loyal customer bases.
This modification to the alliance relationship will mean that OEM product sales will be discontinued, and the following models will not be available from Kawasaki, effective with the 2007 model year:
KLX125A/B, KSF80A, KSF50A, KDX50A
KHI product development has been accelerated during the initial alliance phase, as more resources were able to be placed against brand-specific product needs. The company will continue to develop new models to replace some of the above. Meanwhile, the KSF400A will still be produced for model year 2007.
Achieving significant savings in development resources was a primary goal of the relationship with SMC, and having done that, KHI is in a stronger position for investment spending against future product introductions. The market environment is such that expectations for new technologies and their product applications are ongoing, and KHI is intent on continuing to deliver excellence in these areas.
The alliance with SMC, and its benefits to our dealers, will be reviewed on a regular basis. Joint activity will be determined based on careful review of the effect it will have on both retail profitability and customer loyalty.
Suzuki's version:
quote:
In August 2000, Suzuki Motor Corporation and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. announced an "Alliance". This Alliance was formed to help in parts sourcing, platform production of OEM units, and joint development of new products. And some of benefits from this Alliance, such as products line-up expansion, came to us instantly.
Today, we are announcing that the Alliance has progressed to a new stage. Since we began selling OEM products from Kawasaki, three years have passed. Over these 3 years, we investigated many factors such as profitability, sales volume, customer reaction, influence on brand images, competitiveness of each OEM product. After much discussion followed by careful investigation, we have decided to discontinue the sale of these OEM products.
L With the OEM product sales being discontinued, we're announcing that for the 2006 product, the following models will not be available from Suzuki:
RM65, DR-Z110, LT-V700F, M95, and the QUV product.
Discontinuing the OEM products business gives us the opportunity to focus on developing Suzuki's own-design product with Suzuki character and brand image. Suzuki will continue to develop new Suzuki models to replace some of these units in the future.
The RM-Z250 will be produced for 2006. As this is a jointly developed unit, Suzuki and Kawasaki may introduce their own versions of this model with features not being commonly used on both of the Suzuki and Kawasaki models. Suzuki Motor Corporation has plans to provide Kawasaki with the OEM product in 2006 as requested by Kawasaki. This will give time for Kawasaki to develop their own models, as well as for Suzuki.
We will keep this Alliance as we continue to review our current status. After a decision is determined for the best business practices, further steps will be taken. Rather than the direct OEM products exchange, it may be more advantageous to consider indirect exchange of their resources so that both companies could keep their brand identities with respect for their loyal customers.
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