Staff
Administrator
Posts: 36886
|
posted December 18, 2009 08:08 PM
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A. SUSPENDS ROAD RACING FOR 2010 SEASON
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. announced the company will not participate in the AMA Pro Racing road racing series in 2010.
"While we've always considered road racing an integral part of our sportbike development process, the realities of the current economic situation dictate the temporary suspension of our U.S. road racing activities," said Bruce Stjernstrom, marketing director.
Kawasaki's long history of successful road racing includes 20 AMA series championships. Among the many champions who have worn the Kawasaki lime green racing leathers are Reg Pridmore, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Miguel Duhamel, Scott Russell, Doug Chandler, Eric Bostrom and more recently Tommy Hayden and Roger Hayden.
"We expect to see eventual improvements in the general economic condition and Kawasaki will reevaluate its road racing position as we monitor those issues," said Stjernstrom.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft, utility vehicles and recreation utility vehicles through a network of more than 1,475 independent retailers, with an additional 8,000 retailers specializing in Kawasaki power products and general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,300 people in the United States, with 400 of them located at KMC's Irvine, California headquarters.
Kawasaki’s tagline,”Let the good times roll,” is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand has become synonymous with powerful, stylish motorcycles for over four decades. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of recreational products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.
Source: Monster Energy Kawasaki
   
|
SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27919
|
posted December 18, 2009 08:26 PM
1st they quit supporting MotoGP, now AMA !?
OK, I won't make any jokes about Kawi not being able to turn compared to their competitors nor sell a litre/600 bike!
But its consumers who lose when brands quit supporting the racing.
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
|
BrooklynNYZX12
Zone Head
Posts: 514
|
posted December 18, 2009 08:46 PM
When the AMA takes its head out of its ass maybe all the manufacturers will return.They are still seething from the Buell incident where they let an illegal bike run and then win. Can they just simplify things for the fans and make Superbike the class it was in the 80's. Does anyone who is a motorcycle road racing buff miss that?? Remember the Muzzy Kawasakis,Yoshimura Suzukis and the Factory Honda 1000cc Superbikes? They were the absolute best seeing the factory backed teams wheel out hardware that everyone wanted to buy. Have a Superbike class for the 1000's Supersport for the 600's and make an unlimited class for the crazy shit where you can modify the bikes,bigger motors and goodies like that. Maybe it can be brought back....its so fugging confusing who knows whats racing what now.
I hate the traction control shit,bring back bikes that were bears to ride and shredded tires.
____________
Orient Express Top Street Bike Winner 8-4-07
|
SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27919
|
posted December 18, 2009 09:25 PM
 Edited By: SteveWFL on 19 Dec 2009 05:26
+1
The AMA is pathetic, I been beating that drum for 2-3 years.
But kawai really should support MotoGp and racing...just say'n
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
|
kawasakijockey
Pro
Posts: 1876
|
posted December 18, 2009 10:02 PM
quote:
+1
The AMA is pathetic, I been beating that drum for 2-3 years.
But kawai really should support MotoGp and racing...just say'n
They are not competitive enough at that level of racing to keep throwing money at it. When the cc's went to 800 it hurt alot of teams that were just getting somewhere on the bigger engine. They had to start all over and it is very expensive as you know, especially when there is no return(wins) for the millions put toward it. It only pays off to be a contender.
____________
Get on the shortbus boys 'cause its time to get schooled.
2007 ZX-14
1.38 60ft
9.03 @ 149mph
8.95 @153 small shot n2o
8.68 @160mph 5lbs boost
|
SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27919
|
posted December 18, 2009 10:05 PM
They are not competitive enough at that level of racing to keep throwing money at it
wow, surpised someone said that in this forum.
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
|
Bawls
Needs a job
re-learning to ride
Posts: 2701
|
posted December 18, 2009 10:08 PM
good thing they're cleaning house at the drag strip :P.
____________
Best 60ft: 1.42
Best 1/8th: 5.97
Best 1/8th MPH: 119
Brockland Police Badge # 001
|
ZX11D
Zone Head
Internet Police
Posts: 674
|
posted December 18, 2009 10:51 PM
Edited By: ZX11D on 19 Dec 2009 06:51
Not surprised by the move at all. It's DMG that has fu.....ed-up the road racing environment in the US. For as long as they are in control, I will not watch any AMA races......period. 
____________
'94 ZX-11
'07 ZX-14
|
Flame On
Needs a life
Fuel Air & Spark
Posts: 17104
|
posted December 18, 2009 11:57 PM
I m actually surprised we haven't heard more pulling out of AMA FOR 2010
____________
77 RD 400
80 GS1000 GT
06 ZX14
|
Tazio
Parking Attendant
Posts: 18
|
posted December 19, 2009 10:33 AM
DMG should just switch to world superbike rules, instead of trying to make the series resemble NASCAR. What's next, the "Bike of Tomorrow" ? Look how interesting Ben Spies made WSB this year!
____________
Tazio
|
1badzx12r
Needs a life
Posts: 8321
|
posted December 19, 2009 05:15 PM
NHRA and AMA ..i won't miss either .. and take the NFL and stick it toooo.
____________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S06nIz4scvI
|
Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
|
posted December 19, 2009 07:33 PM
I see this as having nothing to do with anything but a bad bike market, How many U.S. dealers have closed up in the last year? Bike sales are very bad right now. trust me I'm shoping for a used bike as we speak and you would not believe some of the prices out there. We will be lucky if new models of bikes don't stop for a few years.
|
SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27919
|
posted December 20, 2009 04:16 PM
quote:
I see this as having nothing to do with anything but a bad bike market, How many U.S. dealers have closed up in the last year? Bike sales are very bad right now. trust me I'm shoping for a used bike as we speak and you would not believe some of the prices out there. We will be lucky if new models of bikes don't stop for a few years.
I agree but the makers are all sharing this eceonomy, and the most successful names will support racing and have their name on the race tracks. Kawi is out of both MotoGP and AMA. Sure who cares about AMA, but MotoGP?
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
|
Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
|
posted December 20, 2009 04:44 PM
Don't know total sales but I would bet kawasaki is close to the bottom? anyone have sales numbers for the big 4? I still bet here in the states ama sells more bikes a year then motogp. after all what on the show room floor is even close to a motogp bike.
|
Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
|
posted December 20, 2009 04:57 PM
Found some figures quick this is all cc's and jan 09 to Sep 09
Yamaha is down 50.21%
Honda is down 60.66
Suzuki is down 50.63
kawasaki is down 67.54
Guess i see why they are not going racing that much.
|
lgm118icbm
Novice Class
Posts: 48
|
posted December 21, 2009 02:25 AM
who am I going to cheer for now?
____________
Costa Mesa, Ca
03 ZX-12R
03 Z-1000SC
04 ZX-6R
98 Concours
|
SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27919
|
posted December 21, 2009 05:54 AM
Kawi asked for lower sales with the new ZX10 and 6R design, we all discussed sales of that bike would fall off as soon as we saw the pics.
Sure it performs, but ugly bikes typically don't fare well in the showrooms
I suspect the redesigned C-14 will be a great seller for them next two years
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
|
zixxer14
Pro
Damn that was Quick
Posts: 1233
|
posted December 21, 2009 09:46 PM
quote:
suspect the redesigned C-14 will be a great seller for them next two years
Yeah saw that also, too bad they didn't work on the ZX fairing, that thing cooks when it's hot out.
|
Old Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 470
|
posted December 23, 2009 01:09 AM
Edited By: Old Guy on 23 Dec 2009 09:11
Glad they are getting out.
Breaks my heart they cant compete in roadracing anymore...,
I'm seriously considering either the 2010 C-14 or the Z1000 as a replacement for my 06 14.
Will wait til the fall when prices are cut....,alot.
Seeing how the 14 wont be worth squat, I'll probably keep it and either finish making it a touring bike if I get the Z1000.
Or return it to a fatass track day twisty roads ride if I go for the Connie.
I really like the early ride reviews on the Z.
And my riding time will drop as I work in the Merchant Marine Industry so the Z work be a better fit for my uses.
____________
Living the good life...,
On a XZ !!!!!
Tsukigi stainless full system
pcIII w/custom map
NO freakin flies!!
GP suspension forks
Penske rear shock
Rich's custom seat
And a whole bunch of other stuff.
97 zx6r full race bike with all the
good stuff
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC