What happened to the middle of the range motorcycle?

[HenryDorsetCase]

My ZX-10R! Perfect step up from a 250...

Middle of the range to me would be 500 - 650cc twin, parallel or V... so I guess the scale of where "middle" is, is moving...

SV650!!!! !!! !!! except all the cheap ones have been turned into racebikes, driving the prices up.

[Drew]

Tui anyone.
Fook sake, it's a Suzuki, they will discount anything anytime in thier haste to shaft the suckers they call loyal customers.

I'm fairly loyal to Suzuki for a couple of reasons, but I'm not blind, nor do I refuse to own anything else. And the biggest issue with them from 99% of people dogging them, is the lack of "finish quality". Perhaps that's why they are usually the cheapest. Equating to "bang for buck" in my opinion.

[The Stranger:Me]

I'm fairly loyal to Suzuki for a couple of reasons, but I'm not blind, nor do I refuse to own anything else. And the biggest issue with them from 99% of people dogging them, is the lack of "finish quality". Perhaps that's why they are usually the cheapest. Equating to "bang for buck" in my opinion.

I believe you are correct, they go like hell and your performance comes at I feel a very reasonable purchase price when compared to others.

My point however is that should you be unfortunate enough to pay 20k for a bike that they then summerfest for 17k they just wiped and extra 3k off your resale for you. It seems to happen a lot more with Suzuki than other brands - on the face of it.

Buying any bike new is going to cost you obvioulsy, but it makes it worse when your dealer is working against you.

[Big Dave]

but it makes it worse when your dealer is working against you.

And might have long term repercussions. The reaming the resale took on a 'Skyline runout sale' in the 80's guaranteed I'd never buy another Nissan.

[Drew]

And might have long term repercussions. The reaming the resale took on a 'Skyline runout sale' in the 80's guaranteed I'd never buy another Nissan.

But every one knows about the summer deals on Suzukis dont they? Surely it is only the impatient that dont wait a couple months.

[The Stranger:Me]

But every one knows about the summer deals on Suzukis dont they? Surely it is only the impatient that dont wait a couple months.

Do you know what bikes they are going to summer fest this year per chance? Because that would certainly help anyone wanting to buy.

[eelracing]

Do you know what bikes they are going to summer fest this year per chance? Because that would certainly help anyone wanting to buy.

At a guess i'd say Suzuki will be updating the 600/750 GSXR range next year so keep a lookout for the 09 model deals this summer.

Prob the same for SV runouts,also Bandits and Boulevards always feature.

Maybe DRZ,s to as i think Suzuki are replacing them with an RMZ enduro range.

I am just speculating/wishful thinking...worth waiting for tho.

[Drew]

Do you know what bikes they are going to summer fest this year per chance? Because that would certainly help anyone wanting to buy.

Good point.

But, a bike is worth what someone is prepared to pay no? If someone is willing to pay full price, then that's what it's worth to them.

[AllanB]

The 'midrange' bikes are gone from our shores.

400 - 500's don't sell in NZ and this is the range that would be $8k ish

25 years ago the 400 cc class was big in NZ with the big 4 all offering tasty rides - parallel twins, inline fours and a V from Yamaha. Still huge in Japan and I notice Honda offer the tasty CB400 in Aussie (just under $10k there I think).

600's are hyper sports racers and cost accordingly.

There is the Kawa and Suzuki 650 twins - very good in their own right but only a bit cheaper than a 'big' one.

In reality there is probably not a huge cost difference in making say a $12k or $8k bike so why cut your own profit in half by offering one.

[ital916]

The 'midrange' bikes are gone from our shores.

400 - 500's don't sell in NZ and this is the range that would be $8k ish

25 years ago the 400 cc class was big in NZ with the big 4 all offering tasty rides - parallel twins, inline fours and a V from Yamaha. Still huge in Japan and I notice Honda offer the tasty CB400 in Aussie (just under $10k there I think).

600's are hyper sports racers and cost accordingly.

There is the Kawa and Suzuki 650 twins - very good in their own right but only a bit cheaper than a 'big' one.

In reality there is probably not a huge cost difference in making say a $12k or $8k bike so why cut your own profit in half by offering one.

The japanese market is huge for mid capacity bikes but mainly due to their licensing systems. Oh to have a new vfr400...mind you they went for a pretty penny when they were brought out new.

Hyosung have some good prices on the bikes in their range, but with the introduction of FI that is bound to go up .

Bring back the mid range I say!

[Drew]

Hyosung have some good prices on the bikes in their range, but with the introduction of FI that is bound to go up .

Which is funny, because FI is cheaper to mass produce than carbs.

[ital916]

Which is funny, because FI is cheaper to mass produce than carbs.

Didnt know that.....interesting.

[Robert Taylor]

Went to have a look at a bike today. A 2001 drz-400 dual purpose in excellent condition for $4995 at a dealership. I was pumped it had been on trademe for a few weeks, no interest....to my total dissapointment though it had been sold only a few days prior.

I then jumped around a few of the dealerships in auckland looking to see what bikes they had in the "affordable" category, again there was dissapointment.

Now in this case, "affordable" is a bike that can be bought for new at a price of 7-8k, is durable and dependable, can get me from a to b and can be flogged without breaking a fancy doohicky here or thingamajigy there. Can be fixed on the side of the road and is not going to cost the earth if the shit does hit the fan to fix.

A single, 400-600cc capacity. Alright suspension, able to do fireroads as well as slab and can be modified if I wanted to make it "better".

Suzuki went in the right direction with the drz-400sm at 7-8k, but I have been told that they will not be discounted again.

I dont believe it unreasonable to want a bike without paying the earth.......sadly I believe that such a bike will not come to fruition.

The reality is that there are just as many parts in a 400-650 cc machine as in a 1000cc machine and they cost about the same to make. To achieve a price disparity they have to be of lower specification. Or be made in a country where they pay slave labour rates and use materials sourced from re-consituted weetbix. Stay away from the mainland Asian offerings or make sure you have really good cellphone coverage and lots of patience....

[Morcs]

Theres a Honda FMX on trademe at the moment... seriously nice motard.

[Robert Taylor]

Ah yes, what was i thinking? Retailers always tell you when and what will be on sale soon so you don't inadvertantly buy at full retail. They wouldn't want that would they?

Cannot blame them for that when they have no margin...