Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: Nitro on June 08, 2007, 09:55:35 PM
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Why don't they sell this one in the US? (http://www.phmotorcycles.co.uk/bikes/suzuki-gsx1400.html) I like it.
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And this one! (http://www.motorbikestoday.com/reviews/Articles/yam_xjr1300.htm)
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Check this youtube video. A GSX1400 with a blower. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbg4uA9IXyk&mode=related&search=)
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nice looking big bike! Seat looks way comfy- but my bike makes within 3 hp...I'll stick with my water-cooled beast.:)
That supercharged bike is just sweet! wonder if you can do that to a 1250?
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Since the naked B12 was not a hot seller in the US, Suzuki figured the GSX1400 was a waste of time to support, especially since the B12 makes close to the same power and is lighter.
Similarly, Yamaha figured the XJR1300 wouldn't sell here, just like they figured the TDM900 and the MT-01 wouldn't either. In fact, they weren't even gonna let us have the FJR1300, but so many people made noise, they decided to test it with the PDP deposit plan for a couple years before they realized there WAS a market for the Feejer. OTOH, not enough noise was made to do likewise for other models EU gets that we don't.
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I never cared for the MT01 until I saw one and was impressed with it.
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I never cared for the MT01 until I saw one and was impressed with it.
It's impressive to look at and impressive to ride but totally impractical for two-up and I'd hate the thought of having to keep it clean.
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OTOH, not enough noise was made to do likewise for other models EU gets that we don't.
yep the magazines really got behind the FJR- wish they would push the big nakeds more. the US is more the boy racer type of mentality- so we get all the racer replicas. :roll:
That MT-01 is one SICK looking machine- It would sell over here- I know it would. looks like a confederate hellcat...only 50,000 cheaper!
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the US is more the boy racer type of mentality- so we get all the racer replicas. :roll:
Or v-twin cruisers.
Well, Yamaha/Star offers a few V4's in the V-Max and Royal Star lines...
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Since the naked B12 was not a hot seller in the US, Suzuki figured the GSX1400 was a waste of time to support, especially since the B12 makes close to the same power and is lighter.
Similarly, Yamaha figured the XJR1300 wouldn't sell here, just like they figured the TDM900 and the MT-01 wouldn't either. In fact, they weren't even gonna let us have the FJR1300, but so many people made noise, they decided to test it with the PDP deposit plan for a couple years before they realized there WAS a market for the Feejer. OTOH, not enough noise was made to do likewise for other models EU gets that we don't.
Same prollem with dizzel cars. Guess they want to keep pushing the more expensive hybrids in the US.
Truly, if you've never driven a VW Golf TDI, you are missing something great. :taz: How about great acceleration and fantastic mileage? They get 43 mpg flat-out on the Autobahns (they cruise at over 100 mph). When not driven by madmen like me, 53 mpg is normal. So, why haven't we been able to buy something like the diesel SMART in the US? Or how about Japanese, Korean and Euro diesel cars?
Look around the internet and you will find plenty of diesel motorcycles as well - but NOT IN THE USA!! (dammit!). Even the old 500cc hindu Ex-Brit single can now be bought with a diesel engine. :duh:
Why am I beating this to death? Becuz of the PERFORMANCE and MILEAGE these power plants deliver. How about 160 lb-ft of torque and 120 mpg? Imagine the acceleration provided by 160 lb-ft of torque? It takes a 2.5 - 3.0 liter gas engine to make this kind of grunt. :bomb:
So, if there's something to complain about, it's the lack of diesels on the US car and M/C market. :stickpoke:
Gopher it - complain! :gatlin
I'm NOT buying another car until I can get a small dizzel, and I'd also like to see a diesel motorcycle on the market.
Herb
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I had a 06 TDI Jetta last year, loved that car! Had been wanting a TDI for a work car. I drive from south AL to Louisianna every week for work. Never could get a decent trade in for my Superduty- so I was gonna buy a bike- then on the way to the bike shop to buy a SV1000S- I stopped at the V-dub dealer and got a deal worked out. car got 43 mpg at 80 mph...and was a sweet handling car to boot!
When I got it-
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c45/Leedogg96ta/Jetta/100_2960rs.jpg)
when I traded it for the YUKon-
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c45/Leedogg96ta/Jetta/100_3803rs.jpg)
Man, I miss it- but you just can't put 2 adults, twin babies, and 3 young boys in one!
The good thing is, that, it pushed back buying abike for a year...and the new bandit came out!
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I had a 06 TDI Jetta last year, loved that car! Had been wanting a TDI for a work car. I drive from south AL to Louisianna every week for work. Never could get a decent trade in for my Superduty- so I was gonna buy a bike- then on the way to the bike shop to buy a SV1000S- I stopped at the V-dub dealer and got a deal worked out. car got 43 mpg at 80 mph...and was a sweet handling car to boot!
When I got it-
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c45/Leedogg96ta/Jetta/100_2960rs.jpg)
when I traded it for the YUKon-
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c45/Leedogg96ta/Jetta/100_3803rs.jpg)
Man, I miss it- but you just can't put 2 adults, twin babies, and 3 young boys in one!
The good thing is, that, it pushed back buying abike for a year...and the new bandit came out!
Hey, great that it all worked out for you, but too bad that you had to get rid of the TDI. How do you like the 1250 Bandit?
Herb
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Search my name and you'll see that I am SOLD that I made the best choice for my bike. Glad I didn't buy that SV1000S last year.
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Similarly, Yamaha figured the XJR1300 wouldn't sell here, just like they figured the TDM900 and the MT-01 wouldn't either. In fact, they weren't even gonna let us have the FJR1300, but so many people made noise, they decided to test it with the PDP deposit plan for a couple years before they realized there WAS a market for the Feejer.
I tried doing a few searches last night on worldwide motorcycle sales and couldn't find squat other than stats for the US. Anybody know what sale ranks are per country? Curious to see where the US stands compared to other nations. Was wondering if we're lower in the rankings and that's why we don't see as many options.
From what I found the US averages around 1,000,000+ per year, but that's a total between motorcycles, offroad, dual-sports and even scooters.
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I've seen the numbers before . . . the US is by far the largest single country market.
The only thing I can figure is the US distrubutors must not want to mess with models they can't sell by the shipload, but small countries with small volumes are willing to.
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I hate to say this, but do you think Harley has anything to do with it? I'm not sure what there oversea sales are (can't imagine it being that huge of a market), but I wonder that since they do hold a fairly large chunk of the market in the States if that has an impact. Still, you look at the cruiser line-ups of all metric mfgs and they have a ton. But when it comes to sports/sport standards the pickin's is kinda slim.
I've been cursing Yamaha under my breath for the past few years for having such a small line-up of bikes compared to the other Japanese mfgs. I'm not saying the R1 and FZ1 aren't works of art, but they need more variety. Don't care much for the YZF600R, and the R's are way too much $$$.
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Along the lines of the XJR1300 and GSX1400, the US never got the CB1300 either. Spotted a Repsol version sitting alongside a MT-01 when I was at a Medieval Festival in France last year:
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3/a4xnut/French%20bikes/0032CB1300.jpg)
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3/a4xnut/French%20bikes/0031CB1300.jpg)
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3/a4xnut/French%20bikes/0030MT01.jpg)
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3/a4xnut/French%20bikes/0029MT01.jpg)
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Does the Honda have gear driven cams?
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Does the Honda have gear driven cams?
I don't know, but since it is not an engine shared with a model with racing aspirations and it's an in-line 4, I doubt it.
The CB1300 got it's engine from the X4, a bike designed to give the V-Max some competition... also never sold in the US.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/67/Hondax4.JPG)
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That rear suspension set up is slick as hell on the Honda.
Can't get used to seeing the chain on the right side of the swingarm. I looked at the license plates of the cars in the background to make sure the image hadn't been reversed and I was seeing things right.
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That rear suspension set up is slick as hell on the Honda.
Can't get used to seeing the chain on the right side of the swingarm. I looked at the license plates of the cars in the background to make sure the image hadn't been reversed and I was seeing things right.
Yup, the CB's chain is on the left, the MT's on the right.
The twin shocks on the CB allow it to have a huge underseat storage compartment, like the ZRX, too... ~12-13L worth!
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If you US guys really want the MT-01 it IS available in Canada. There's been one sitting at my dealer here in little old Cranbrook since late last year. I'm a little surprised it's still sitting. (and just about as surprised that YMC actually decided to sell it here!).
If you want one bad enough, look into buying it and importing it as a "used" vehicle?
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Found this site about the MT01. Has some cool multimedia. Has some sound clips on it as well. Thing sounds like a beast.
http://www.yamaha-motor-europe.com/mt-world/
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If you want one bad enough, look into buying it and importing it as a "used" vehicle?
It would be a major league pain in the neck to import a motor vehicle into the US for road use that has never been approved by our DOT & EPA. It can be done, and there are a few who find ways to sidestep the system. It's expensive and drawn out to do it legally (Bill Gates gave up on bringing in a Porsche 959 for street use and brought it in as an off-road only car). If you sneak it thru and they catch you later, you'll forfiet the vehicle and face federal charges.
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Found this site about the MT01. Has some cool multimedia. Has some sound clips on it as well. Thing sounds like a beast.
http://www.yamaha-motor-europe.com/mt-world/
It is a bit of a beast but in a sanitised Japanese kind of way. It sounds fantastic, pulls like nothing else and just feels like a bike with character rather than just being a samey efficient bike like the Bandit. I'd give one space in my garage if I could have more than one bike. It's expensive and it's impractical but sure is fun. Since I can only have one bike, I need an all-rounder and that's why I have a Bandit.
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Some of us may remember these things:
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q13/ZenMan33/81KZ1300.jpg)
'81 KZ1300 6-cyl. beast... they made great tourers and came in a full touring package called the Voyager, if I remember right.
I had a naked one for awhile... it was liking riding a buffalo. You had to force it to do anything but go straight, But man, it could eat up freeway miles like candy... :bandit:
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That thing might have handled badly- but MAN all those pipes are pretty! :banana2:
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Yup, I remember the KZ13... and how when it was intro'd with Doug "The Wheelie King" Domokos:
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d35/paulweit/Bandit%20Alley/Domokos_wheelies_KZ1300.jpg)
Ever see the one a guy in the UK made into a V12?
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d35/paulweit/Bandit%20Alley/kawv12.jpg)