Other than the 2010 YZF450 is seems Honda is building bikes for everyone and slapping whatever color plastic you want on it. The new 2010 RMCRYZKX-F http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/new-bikes/2009/11/20/exclusive-we-ride-the-2010-fi-suzuki-rm-z250 it is good looking and probably a great bike.
Having a closer look and seeing a DOHC motor in that Zuk I think it's a joint venture deal. Honda builds the chassis and Yamaha supplies their last generation motors. Actually that wouldn't be a bad thing, bullet proof friendly Yami motors in the always highly rated CRF chassis, with the latest SSS KYBs...sweet.
... and yet another indication the Japs are resorting to extreme measures to stay afloat. I hope they don't sink... but it'll be fun to see them splash water on themselves as they bail out their life boats.
Oh well, you know how that saying goes...."put a paper bag over their heads and they all look the same". It'll be like that Chinese dirt bike company that sells that one MX model in any color and trim you want.
The test riders in the articles always seem to say the "Jap 4" work amazing. I have not rode a Jap bike since 96'. Not knocking them at all, but I always seem to beat them on my Husky 125! I love holeshots and overall wins against all the bigger bikes.
Does one manufacture make all the Japanese MX bikes now? Probably more truth in that then you realize. The Japanese have subcontracted a good deal of their manufacturing to outfits like Kymco (a Korean Manufacturer). Basically anything that is no longer a new design but they want to keep in production gets subed out and Honda parts roll down the same line (or at least the one right next to it) as Yamaha and Suzuki.
KYMCO is Taiwan just FYI, point is the same thing anyway, its another subcon and manufacturer and KYMCO is actually largest producer of scooters in the world last I heard. http://www.kymco.com/about_kymco/profile.asp
I stand corrected on the country of origin but like you said, the point of the discussion remains the same.
I think really the down to the roots, cottage manufacturers reside in Europe for the most part and especially in Italy, although they source alot of their add on parts from asia as well. Its just a big world market after all. I just got a boat load of Italian mags from one of our crew (Dario) I am re-amazed at what they have on the market over there in the moto world that hardly anyone has knowledge of here in USA,,,,,Reiju of Spain now has both a 250 and 450 enduro models Yam Wr powered in addition to their minis as well, KTM has like 35 models available from minis to street bikes, HM (Honda and in house models) is just insane as are Valenti (Suzuki enduro comp models of all sizes). Fantic has new models up to 200cc 4T along with their sick 50cc comp models, Beta from minis to full on sized bikes its just amazing and WRM is now production as well as Benelli MX machines. I may post a list of models just for all of us to see. Its nuts over there, I guess people are buying stuff but man is it expensive in EU bucks!!!
Unless you are paid in EU bucks The Euro is almost worth too much though. That is why I think you see less models coming to NA. They make more selling them in Europe.
