Honda VS Suzuki $$$

[Pwalo]

Suzuki also seem to have longer model runs than a lot of other manufacturers which probably keeps their costs down. Residuals are minimal.

GS500's, SV's, and Bandits are good examples of this.

[vifferman]

While I like Hondas, I have never understood Blue Wing Honda and its marketing strategies. ....

I don't understand why Honda don't just take back the importing and do it themselves through Honda NZ

Agreed.
I was rather pleasantly surprised yesterday when ordering bike parts, that they actually had 4 of the 6 items I ordered in stock! Normally, it's invariably, "Sorry - not in stock; three weeks ex-Japan. Please pay up front." The other pleasant surprise (probably a factor of the crap exchange rate) was that it was actually cheaper to buy locally than from the US. My parts were US$86, plus (at a minimum) ~$20 postage (via a friend) or US$76 direct from the dealer. (So that's a range of NZ$165 to $250) Locally, they were a total of $141.
In the past, the price discrepancies have been HUGE at times, like NZ prices (and delivery times) being 3 or 4 times bigger than obtaining via Interdweebland.

I don't know if it's true, but Blue Wing's policies and actions give the impression of arrogance and lack of care about customer service. Sadly, some Honda dealers seem to exhibit the same attitude. It's a shame that some of the dealers who've gone belly-up recently seemed to have great customer service ethics yet not the financial wherewithall to back it up. I hope this doesn't mean that only the arseholes survive in the current climate...

[BMWST?]

doesnt worry me...i wouldnt have a suzuki if you paid me.I can offer absolutely no sane reason for that attitude.

[SVboy]

I was recently lured back from the "green side" by Suzukis aggressive pricing, and a realistic trade in deal to boot. It helps that I like Suzukis and they seem to suit me, but it was the $$ and a Dealer that was prepared to work to get the sale that made it happen. I am afraid the Honda people were not even in the running price wise.

[Mystic13]

doesnt worry me...i wouldnt have a suzuki if you paid me.I can offer absolutely no sane reason for that attitude.

I would suggest crossing to the dark side and finding a Japanese bike you like and riding one for awhile. Apparently that answers all questions you might have.

[BMWST?]

I would suggest crossing to the dark side and finding a Japanese bike you like and riding one for awhile. Apparently that answers all questions you might have.

4 honda,4 yamaha,1 kawasaki,2 bmw and 1 ducati,gives me some perspective

[vgcspares]

Sometimes it's easy to focus on what you get immediately and forget about everything your going to need. For example a higher price may reflect a vendor stocking spare parts in NZ or perhaps a better warranty.

what he said - why do you naturally expect manufacturers to only complete on price and Suzuki have always focussed in price to keep market share

[MaxB]

This time last year I reckon it was Yamaha that was overpriced esp. the models I was looking at.

At 23k the FJR1300 was looking like a good buy but they threw on ABS and bumped the rrp to 30k. That put it into another part of the market.

That's the trouble with Honda today, bumping up their prices without offering anything extra. Suzuki and Kawasaki seem to offer the best bang for the buck atm at least for big bikes.

[sleeqe2000]

I'm looking at moving upto a 600 from a 250 in the next few weeks and Suzuki and Kawasaki are really the only options for me.

Would love to replace my Honda with another Honda but there is nothing that I can come close too other than second hand bikes pre 2000. Whereas I think I can get a decent SV or ER6 around 2005 for 6-7k.

[cowpoos]

I think Honda DO trade on their reputation for quality, and probably aren't so worried about being a sales leader rather than maintaining a healthy GP (Gross profit), after all, anyone can lead a sales race and lose $$

They going broke...exit F1...slow GP bike...probally ditch that too...got to make money out of their average product some how???!!?

[BevanPT]

Welcome to my first serious post.

Just having a look on the dotcom at new bikes and not that I would buy either of these bikes now (have owned an 05 CBR1000rr before) but there seems to be a massive difference in cost between their flagship models.

Suzuki GSX-R1000 is $21,000
Honda CBR1000RR is $27,000

What? While I would be prepared to pay a little bit more for Honda quality () I wouldn't think that it's worth $6000 more.

Someone is missing the boat.

I hear ya Finn. I've been wanting to upgrade to a sports/tourer for quite some time now - lack of funds is why I haven't.

The two bikes I've been comparing are the Suzuki GSX750 and the Honda VFR800. Obvious differences between the two bikes aside I have seen the Suzuki retail for around $10k brand new and the Honda at $17k. I prefer the look of the VFR and it has slightly better technology but the price of the Suzuki has almost persuaded to me to go in that direction.

I think Suzuki brand's itself as a bike for the masses. Higher volume/supply at reasonable prices (certainly no problem with quality) and Honda is going for the lower supply (supply and demand) and perceived better quality.

My 2c worth.

[Gremlin]

I think part of the issue for Honda is that often the parts on their bike are made from better materials, higher quality etc, and over the list of parts for the bike, it starts getting expensive fast.

That said, Suzuki is waaaaay more expensive, since each rider buys at least 3 don't they?

Yes, the Honda's are expensive, and the problem is, their bikes are entering different markets, which makes it difficult to compete, with essentially, a jap bike.

ie, the predator is what, 22k now? for 24k, I can get a KTM 990 Superduke or Supermoto, probably a Supermoto T as well... bit of a no brainer... Around that is the Speed Triple as well.

[Indiana_Jones]

Honda's silly pricing is why I have a SV dather than the VFR800 i nearly bought - $5k difference was to much.

IMO Triumph priceing is even more out there.

HONDA CBR600RR 2009 - $20,950

TRIUMPH DAYTONA 675 2009 - $17,990

HONDA CBR1000RR 2009 - $26,950

TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 2009 - $19,990

Granted the latter two arn't in the same category.

-Indy

[crazyhorse]

The better bike is Suzuki..... go GSXR's!!!!!

[Kendog]

$17,500 for a K8 GSXR 1000 at Wellington Motorcycles.

That is a pretty damn good price.