Brand Loyalty

billy whizz · Scooby Slapper Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

What are Kawasaki up to? Three years ago they launch a new model amongst much hype, then three years later when they have a lot of satisfied owners they discontinue the model! Evil or Very Mad

I bought my ZZR1200 just under two years ago, I went to the NEC show yesterday excited and in the hope of seeing what new additions to the ZZR would be present on the 2005 model. When i asked the sales rep on the Kawasaki stand I was more than a little pissed off to hear him say that it would not be continued as a model during the forseeable future. Shocked

But hey he said that if I wanted a new one I could always get a 2003 model from dealer stock. When I asked if I could get it for £2000 less as it was already two years old he did not think it was likely. I think it's even less likely that I'm going to pay £8000 for a two year old bike! Anyway not to be out done I have just placed an order for a rather sexy looking Triumph ST1050 Sprint in Caspian Blue!! Very Happy

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Here comes the summer! Smile

Marc_Buck · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 31 May 2004 Karma :

I think i have misunderstood the title/post, but are you asking our views on being loyal to a bike make?...............like are you a kwaky man? yam? suzuki or honda? well im a yam man.
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94 fzr600r

mr.z · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :

Its a shame because the zzr is/was allot better tan many supposed sports touring bikes, i'm not entirely sure what bike is fiting the void it now leaves... is the zzr just discontinued in the uk? it might still be available imported? but late now i guess Razz

Really wish they still made my bike, but times and peoples buying tastes change, if they not selling they will cut a bike dead, or if someting that will do the job better or can do as good a job and be manufactured cheeper they thats how big companys make money.

I'm more for hondas, just overall they are the sort of bikes i'd prefer (realisticly though i can't have any newuns but...)

I wouldn't stop myself buying a yamaha or kawazaki if they matched the things i think are important in a bike, i'd have a beemer if i could afford one even, maybe a triumph...
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aqualung1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Karma :

i know just what you mean, just as a observation

if you like cruisers, and particaually yamahas range.. trying to get any info etc out of Yamaha, finding one is a nightmare

and then prices are silly

no wonder grey imports are selling well

sadly its the same anytime i find a model of bike i like exiit stage left fast Sad

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billy whizz · Scooby Slapper Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Inglesina94 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

BW I understand how disappointed you are as you look really good on your ZZR ... but rejoy ... you'll have matching bike with D. Wink

On a serious note, will have to ask you to take me out again for a ride on your beauty before you change it.
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Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Yup, the clutch basket broke on my ZX6R J2. It had had a slightly hard life with and been abused quite a bit though. Worked out cheaper to get a new engine than to fix that one(needed valves doing), but at least the OEM chain outlived the engine. Laughing

billy whizz · Scooby Slapper Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Last clutch basket i broke was on my Maico 400 MX, but then i did land it on top of another bike! Laughing

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Here comes the summer! Smile

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

No brand loyalty for me.

I've broken hondas and had suzukis wear out a bit much. I don't like kawasakis, but I may buy one anyway. Rather not buy a yamaha, because as far as I'm concerned they should stick to pianos.

aqualung1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Karma :

Josh · Traffic Copper Joined: 21 May 2004 Karma :

Started on a Yamaha because the bike was just, fun.
Then went on to sportier bikes and both so far (a fairing/bars may not make the GS500E a "sporty" bike to you, but to me it did) have been Suzuki's.
NExt up is either a blackbird or a ZX12R though, I don't care much for brand loyalty, just the bikes I like.
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Gti · Bendy Groupie Joined: 07 May 2003 Karma :

ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

Tarmacsurfer · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Karma :

Honda = Soulless
Suziuki = OK but rust like the debil and also a little characterless.
Yamaha = Not had much experience other than an XJ900 that simply didn't want to break.

Kawasaki = For life, not just for christmas Very Happy

Hadn't heard about the discontinuing of the ZZR. Sad Sad

Will back ZRX61 on the clutch thing as well, I've gone through alot of plates/springs over the years but never seen or heard of another clutch basket going.
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Mantzy · Spanner Monkey Joined: 30 May 2004 Karma :

I'm a honda man....that is why i've had a Sachs (with a suzuki engine) and a Kawa zx6r.

Hmmm...something went wrong there
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

DynaMight · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Karma :

Had a Aprilia, Honda, Suzuki and now a Kwak, Both Honda and Suzuki lasted a winter or 2 with no problems, The Aprilia turned to a cheese and we'll see what happens to the Kwak.

No loyalty here at all, I mean every bike is different some are designed to last, Some a built better than others, Some engines are not as good as others. You'd be a fool to never buy a Honda because your 10year old Fireblade blew up after years of abuse.
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ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hu

Yes, with a few exceptions (XZ550 v twin thing) Yamaha 4 stroke engines seem quite tough but with a few strange features. On the FZ750 and derivatives (for example) you need to split the crankcases to replace the starter clutch.

All the best

Keith
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billy whizz · Scooby Slapper Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Hmm most of my road bikes have been Kwack's but it is interesting to read all your comment's, i think maybe some of you have been fonder of some bikes than others. Not exactly brand loyalty i know but when you find a bike you really get on with it's a shame to find the manufacturer decide not to let it evolve, what would have happened if Honda had stopped the NC range after the first series? Any way i spoke to a rather nice lady at Kawasaki UK and she said that although the ZZR will not be imported to this country this year, it may return in the future completely re designed! Apparently i was just one of over 300 other owners to complain about it's demise from our shore's, seems Kawasaki shot them selves in the foot over this! Anyway i guess i will have to try to "bond" with my new Triumph ST Sprint next year! Cool

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Here comes the summer! Smile

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

It will be a right shame if Kawasaki dont decide to put the excellent powerful ZZR1200 engine to a new better use though! It's apparently got better low and midrange than the bigger 1199 ZX12 engine. The ZZR1200 IMO never looked as nice as the earlier 1100, in terms of styling, they should have kept the look of the old bike.
Anyway my suggestion is that they use the 1164cc ZZR1200 motor in its full 152bhp state of tune in the ZRX1200. If they gave that bike a bit of a re-style and lost a few kg, it would be the best muscle bike ever, and make the CB1300 look puny!

iCraig · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Karma :

Having owned 3 Suzuki's, 2 Kawasaki's, 2 Honda's, 1 Yamaha and 1 MZ.
I can firmly say that I don't have any brand loyalty as such.
Though if anyone asked me I'd have to say I was a Suzuki man!

As for the discontinuation of the ZZR12, its a shame, but Kawasaki must know something we don't? Laughing

Its not the first time they've dropped a decent bike from there range and haven't replaced it!

ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

synaptyx · Crazy Courier Joined: 05 Jul 2004 Karma :

I've had a Yamaha JogR CS50 ped, a Piaggio X9 125 Evo scooter and a Suzuki GSX600F. So, no. Hopefully a Honda, a Kwak, or a BMW next, not sure... Smile