I did my racing back in the early-mid '70s. There was a mix of Japanese and European bikes back then. You saw Huskys, Maicos, CZs along with the Suzuki's, Kaws and Honda Elsinores. What happened? Now, any time I see motocross on tv - you only see Japanese bikes....
Because the J models have to pay millions for a body to ride a million dollar+mc. Europeans are just smarter than that. Later George
At a local level, you see no or few European bikes. If there is 200 racers at a large motocross event that I race, I will have the only Husky and a few KTM's (one time I raced a Husaberg...). I believe it is cheaper to race Japanese bikes and they're much easier to setup, race and be competitive. Japanese are smarter in this area. They know how to build a stock MX bike that is very close to race ready. I'm only speaking from a local Vet Club level. Pro-level, I'm sure its money and commitment. The Euro's have very little of both, as compared to the Japanese. I love my Husky TC510. Its a great bike and I get many people who like to look at it, at the track. Anyway, my two cents...
Daniel, I know what you mean...I am always the lone Husky rider in my area in MX. People like my 510 as well, especially in it's all red trim. I experienced this odd ball sensation many times over with a few other Euro brands too...maybe BMW's money will go towards MX as well as Enduro...a bigger named rider that hasn't been washed up would help sales/exposure I think. A big television audience and 50,000 fans in the stands is quite a prospective buying group...
Cuz you can head down to your local shop and pic up a non current J MX bike for 5K and all it will do well is MX. But it is built just for that and does it well. Kids ride MX and buy whatever their local J bike retailer has.
I said something untrue. Husqvarna pays more in contingency than any Japanese brand. So, Husky does have money and Husky Bucks out there for guys that win MX. People ride what is known or what others are riding at the track. Kinda like, follow the leader. Maybe if there was more Husqvarna marketing, we would see more Husky's?
DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING ! This man wins the cigar for common sense. J's are a few miles away. E's are farther away. Dads and Moms of kiddies riding MX usually have jobs and don't want to drive 2, 3, or 10 times longer to get parts and service. However, SMART adults with sufficient income, will gladly drive more and spend more to avoid substandard, under-engineered bikes in favor of TRUE race-ready machines.
In the states, it is really just the big guy eats the little guy ... Kill off the competition ... economics 101 ... You gotta remember, honda, Kiwi, yamaha are very large corporations ... They get money from many aspects. Most if not all the EU bikes, rely on just bikes. Throw in a JAP dealership on every corner, and selling UR 'other' bike is very challenging ... Most of the smaller companies have died out, or stayed small, and most of the ones that are hanging to any degree, are owned by larger companies. Ossa is making a FI 2t currently. Have you heard of it? Probably not as they cannot advertise much These 'bike only' companies don't have much of a chance outside EU, no matter how good the bike is ... The usa has big sales potential for all but only if you can get on the biggest stages which is SX / MX racing and as mentioned above, you gotta have the best riders for UR bike to win or just race well with the others ... This advertising of UR brand on these 2 stages is essential here in the states. Throw in the ama nazis that almost conspire to keep everyone out but a 4t rice burner, and you have the state of bikes today in america. In my old neck of the woods (WA) , there is nothing much there but rice burners with a few Huskies tossed in with a growing crowd of KTMs ... PS -- FIM MX racing is in the usa at GH this year.. There will be a few EU brands racing there with KTM making a big showing against the japanese brands.
Seems like a few old European bikes have been resurrected as of late....I read not too long ago CCM was building a MX bike again, and just read in Motocross Action that Maico was brought back to life by a British company and they will be building 250,320, 500, 620 and 700!cc models and that they are 2 strokes! They even had a photo of one. What's next.....Bultaco....Montesa MX bikes again?! Valhalla
That is really cool. I have owned a 75 Bultaco Alpina, 74 Montesa Cota, 72 Ossa M.A.R......all trials bikes, and as a teenager my bedroom walls were covered in magazine photos of Husky CR's, Bultaco Pursangs, Montesa Capra's, Maico's, CZ's, Carabella's and all great riders from the 70's. I think the most terrified I've ever been was on a 75 Montesa Capra 414! Valhalla
I've also heard the Japanese MX bikes are the loss leaders of their rec. vehicle operations. They make the money on quads and other items, even personal water craft and snow mobiles.
Thanks to all for the answers.... I just picked up my Ebay "summer project" - '79 Husky 250 OR. Got it fired up, and they still scream, just like I remembered! Maybe there'll be one more Husky on the tracks here shortly, once I build up my long-subdued nerve to go for it again! (Last time racing was probably 1975...)
All good points you guys bring up... I was reading an article about the new BMW S1000r sport bike and its very very good......much had been said about why BMW chose to make this bike using the same "template" if you will.... as the Japanese....eg Alum spar frame..inline 4.....they have essentially gone down the same road with the successful format the Japanese have layed down so well.....and on price and effectiveness......even outdone them Typically we have seen the Europeans doing "anything but" allowing a direct comparison...by sticking to the heritage of their past....and making things just a bit different.....Ducati desmo V twins(fours too) and trellis frame.....Aprillia V twin and now V fours...BMW had their Tele and Paralever front ends as well as boxer engines.....all in keeping with being unique and doing what the Euro's do best.....the advantage is they are smaller companies and dont have to work the common denominators to sell big volume and this works for them..... But making this philosophy work in MX is tough...sure 35 yrs ago being different was good as a manufacture your picture was "more free for you to paint".... but MX bikes have been perfected(almost?) and nowadays trying to be different doesnt make you better...more like out on a limb....as you cant avoid a direct comparison.... MX bikes are lined up every weekend.....and your lucky to be as good as the bike next to you..... KTM and HUSKY( relatively speaking) are doing a very good job with smaller resources in my opinion....and if they have proven anything its the fact that an alum twin spar frame is not necessary for a well handling bike
