The Ricardo company

[lkchris]

Lightness is expensive

 

[36654]

Lightness is expensive

The lightness of being?

 

[Ponch1]

So, when the consumer buys a product from company XYZ that's a compendium of parts from suppliers A, B & C does he or she really understand that you're possibly just talking about a variance in QA/QC standards applied to the same product produced on the same assembly line? In addition, when the number of suppliers of a given component become fewer than the number of car companies, doesn't differentiating between car companies become silly?

Once the market understands that you're just offering a different combination of parts that the other guy could have chosen to purchase, you've pretty lost any brand appeal.

To your point, remember when each GM brand made their own engines? That ended. The difference is in the badging, trim and name. It's a perception game that in the end is meaningless as there is very little differentiation. It's already a little silly and will get sillier.

 

[Ponch1]

OK, so if Honda and Yamaha trim some weight from their sports touring bikes, I would be a fool to spend the money on a more expensive brand.

I really hope someone in Japan and Germany is listening..........

I doubt it's only the weight. Perception factors in here and with the japanese, it's price point. There's no other reason the ST and C14 do not have CC other than price point. Same with the F6B. It lacks ABS and CC. You'd think they'd find a way to include it at the same price or even a little more, but it's left out completely. That said, go to the gym and workout. The extra weight isn't the end of the world.

 

[ragtoplvr]

So who is responsible for the timing chain problems in the F800 and K1200?

Was it too small or poor materials

Rod

 

[36654]

To your point, remember when each GM brand made their own engines? That ended. The difference is in the badging, trim and name. It's a perception game that in the end is meaningless as there is very little differentiation. It's already a little silly and will get sillier.

Yes, and I quit driving Big Three products in 1992, because of that...

 

[36654]

I doubt it's only the weight.

Actually, weight and CG height are the biggest factors for me.

 

[Ponch1]

Actually, weight and CG height are the biggest factors for me.

I had a Nomad before the RT, so the RT is like a sportbike to me.

 

[Ponch1]

Yes, and I quit driving Big Three products in 1992, because of that...

I might after having a Suburban for 4 years. Never again. That said, I've had good luck with VW.