[pdad13]

I'm panting as we speak

Of course. After a little thought, I think the Amerzealander alliance could be a bankable one. They could take on the Japanese and take on the world, even if the bike wasn't quite up to today's engine performance. Being not quite as reptillian as you may think, I wouldn't feel right trying to sell the Fischer as a Britten. Plus, as a marketing strategy, it would ring totally hollow. But I think you could sell the idea of a Britten-Fischer collaboration if the Britten people were in place and they could get the the rights to the name.

And yes, you're absolutely right about the Britten name's shelf life. It's been over ten years now since the company has actually produced anything useful. However, if the rights-holders are as greedy as they seem, it might be difficult to show them the light in that regard.

 

[jungkvist]

Man, I could look at that Hysong engine, in the refections of a mirror-ball, and not find a good angle.



And, from the Copy on the web-site, looks like someone else already found that out.



Someone drops that one on my desk, I'm wonderin who I p!ssed off.

 

[jungkvist]

Re: Somebody! Anybody! PLease!

My cat tell me that's a good idea. Gimme a while, he's workin out the details.

 

[jungkvist]

I got tear in my eye from laughing so hard.

Thought you might thnk that. Now as far as them seeing the light...

Marlin Brado/Godfather...

Eeeehhh.......Seem to me... only light day got worry 'bout's see... sa-one dat thru bullet hole in da head. Sonny...cumear...eh!

 

[Marin_Cycleworks]

You probably couldn't stuff the Triumph or the Benelli triple into a frame made for an SV650. Since he hasn't mentioned building a proprietary motor (costs a fricken' mint) the SV650's probably the best currently out there.



If price were no object, the Ducati 749 would enhance the brand image big time and also satisfy power snobs. And Ducati sold engines to Bimota, so it's not out of the question. But then what's the benefit of this bike over a 749, except for elitism?

 

[jungkvist]

This time I'm being serious

As I see it, if the Hysong is the best engine (for the money) Fischer can put in their bike, it's gonna be tough sledding.

And, to get a better (more Marketable) engine the price instantly goes Boutique.

Far as capitol? They called in Glynn Kerr (don't imagine he's cheap) but he's either a one-time hit, or they got him worked-out at percentage (far as we know, they paid $50K for Kerr's name, and had the design work done at Dodunk PolyTech).

Me, from what I got so far...

I'm shinin a light, so bright on that chassis, you'd be able to read the owners manual on the other side of the crankcase...

So, it better be good.

 

[jungkvist]

Seru's got my vote with the Rotax, but unless Fischer lives under a rock he's already thought about that.



#2 would be the KTM RC-8, (same as above).



Poloris? Just kidding! Thought you guys could use a laugh...Besides, there's rumblings that Victory might go into the SB market...and won't we have fun if that happens!



Hey, anybody gotta line on Briggs $ Stratton?

 

[pdad13]

Take a look at the SV650

Hyosung used to build engines for Suzuki. Turns out they hired a bunch of engineers away from the big four when they decided to break ties with Suzuki. From what I understand, the guy who designed the SV650 mill is the same guy who headed up design on the Comet 650 engine (the one in question). They look very much alike.

 

[jungkvist]

Hey, would this qualify as an American Motorcycle?

ADD/WIRE/SEVICE/REPORT

In a surprising move, Sears Corporation and new partner Kmart unveiled plans today, that they are seeking to acquire the Moto Guzzi Motorcycle company / If acquired Moto Guzzis will be solded in the United States and throughout North America under the Kenmore Brand Name / Early reports indicate that the Moto Guzzi/Kenmore motorcycles will be sold through the new Sears/Kmart/SuperStore network / When officials at Moto Guzzi was finally reached for comment, an anonymous spokesman stated…

"Aye! She ain’ta mush’a fa motocycyleria but I bett’a she’s gone-be una hellaffa washmachine."

When asked for further comment, none was forthcoming. However, after several seconds, an apparent gunshot was heard and the phone-line immediately went silent.

ADD has no further information at this time.

 

[schizuki]

Globalisation is good, and makes this debate moot

I couldn't care less if the engine is American, Korean, Japanese or Philipino, as long as it works. An Asian engine doesn't make it American? Bullsh!t. The bike is designed in America, by an American, to be sold by and to and through Americans. Who gives a crap where the components come from? In a global economy, nativity is in the idea.

The problem isn't that little yellow people are sullying the 'Murcan bike with their engine. The problem is that it's too small, common and lackluster an engine for a $10,000 bike.

But look at it another way - how many people would buy a great-handling, well-designed sportbike designed by a sharp engineer, and powered by an aftermarket engine derived from a major manufacturer's mill, for $10,000, when they could get a simliar bike from Suzuki for $3500 less? I don't know. But there are apparently plenty who would buy an ill-handling, cobbed-together chopper designed by a slack-jawed lobotomite who probably couldn't spell the name of his shop if you spotted him the "O" and the "C", and powered by an aftermarket engine derived from a major manufacturer's mill, for $100,000, when they could get a vastly superior bike from Harley-Davidson for $85,000 less. So Fischer's success is not beyond the realm of rational possibility. If he could get Hyosung to design an SV1000-knockoff engine, he'd be there.

 

[jungkvist]

Re: Somebody! Anybody! PLease!

Hey, what's skinny on the Buzz/kpaul scam?

I got here too late for that one.

 

[pdad13]

Re: Globalisation is good, and makes this debate moot

You can certainly look at it that way. As far as I'm concerned, if the bike up to snuff, and I know the proceeds are going to an American company, I would consider buying an MRX.

The problem is Fischer is positioning the bike in a "proud to be an American" style. And if you're banking on American pride to drive sales, you've kind of screwed the pooch by taking one of the two main components on the bike and outsourcing it to an Asian company in a country known for low-cost production. If it were any other component besides engine and chassis, they could get away with outsourcing to a foriegn company. All bike manufacturers do it.

By the way, I have nothing against Hyosung. I do think they're going to be a player in the MC industry soon. Besides the power issue, the 650 is just an awkward fit in an "American" sport bike. And they are coming out with a 1000cc V-twin, probably this year. I bet the MRX has been designed to accept that engine, too.

 

[Neal]

Agreed....If they had Rotax design and build them a motor,they'd be a step up..Aprilia is still considered an Italian bike although it has a Rotax. My Beitch with the Hyosang motor isnt that its not 'Murrican but that bits just not a high tech sportbike motor. Although handling is obviously extremely important in a sport bike,if you want to market a high end "sportbike",you best have a high end motor.

 

[jungkvist]

Thanks

Ya know, I wouldn't be a patent lawyer who deals with the far-east for all the gold in China (no pun intended).

Hell, before you hire an engineer, oyer there, you'd have to make sure he doesn't talk in his sleep.

Gives "Took the words right outa my mouth" a whole ne meaning.

Watch out boys! They just keep'a comin!

I'll shut-up, now!

Been fun playin wit cha.

Gotta be mozyin..."Get a looooog liiiitle dooogies...(wish I could whistle)...Get a looooog liiitle...."

 

[pdad13]

Re: Somebody! Anybody! PLease!

Kpaul was throwing around his usual unfounded allegations about Buzz fleecing the dumb, ignorant and elderly for a living. So, naturally a few of the guys surmised that Buzz must derive a considerable amount of his income from Kpaul's relatives. It's been a running joke for quite awhile.

 

[schizuki]

Re: Globalisation is good, and makes this debate moot

"Besides the power issue, the 650 is just an awkward fit in an "American" sport bike"

I see your point, but I suspect there won't be any "Hyosung" badging on it. That would mitigate somewhat.

"And they are coming out with a 1000cc V-twin, probably this year. I bet the MRX has been designed to accept that engine, too."

Price it between the Honda RC51 and Ducati 999, and it'd be a winner.

 

[44510]

Just a novelty bike that will never sell. It will definitely draw attention to Buell due to the flag-waving marketing scheme. Are we sure HD isn't funding Fischer?



This bike has an unknown (for Americans) Korean engine -- this is a fatal flaw in design/marketing. What the heck were they thinking? This business decision alone will kill the bike.



However, I do think Fischer has the perfect base for a sportbike "kit" similar to the chopper kits so popular with the Viagra crowd. Change the chassis design so that it will accept an SV650 or (insert popular large displacement designation) mill. Sell the basic bike-in-a-box kit for about $6K -- customers just add paint, sweat, time, and a donor engine (suitably modified). Make sure customers can order upgraded components. Heck, I bet a bunch of us would enjoy building our own sportbike (winter project anyone?).

 

[seruzawa]

Briggs is already at capacity in providing engines for Buell Blasts.

 

[seruzawa]

Re: Take a look at the SV650

Maybe Hyosung could take a page from the Russians. The Russkies reverse engineer a BMW and call it a Ural. Hyosung should call their reverse engineered Suzuki an "Oriental Ural" or "Oral" for short.

 

[39220]

Re: Somebody! Anybody! PLease!

Right, the engine and everything else. The man was so full of innovative ideas- ideas that weren’t just gimmicks but worked- it was surreal. Radiators under the seat to trim the front and save space, carbon-fiber and Kevlar body work that even Formula One was still experimenting with at the time, front and rear suspension linked together and mounted to the engine. We think gas in the frame is a big deal? Britten's V1000 didn't even have a frame! Tim Hanna wrote a book on him titled "John Britten" and Motorcyclist did a write up on him in their 1/2005 issue. Very interesting stuff. Who knows how this guy could have influenced motorcycle design had he lived.