Re: old design was oilheads-digest V1 #47

["john h. outlan" <joutlan@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Grossly uncomfortable is an understatement.  A relative of mine, while touring
in TX, switched bikes with me while touring the Ozarks....and his ST-2 was
horrid...coming off the RT I felt like I was looking to the rear between my
leg =).  He put 31K miles on that Duc in 17 months, and it had all kinds of
maintenance issues, one that required an engine tear down for leaky gaskets,
and the valve adjustments/service on that Desmo was very expensive...in Dallas
anyway.  I sure can't recommend one for distance riding.  He now rides a
K12GT, which he said was like riding a Gold Wing after getting off that Duc.


John H. Outlan CPA
407-924-2727
321-415-0234 (Fax)
03RTBlk




  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Stan Rife
  To: oilheads@xxxxxxxxx
  Sent: Friday, January 09, 2004 7:28 AM
  Subject: RE: old design was oilheads-digest V1 #47


  I hardly think that the ST-4 is in the same class as a K1200LT. I
  have heard that the ST-4 is grossly uncomfortable at distance.

  Stan Rife
  Houston, TX
  1999 R1100RT


  -----Original Message-----
  From: owner-oilheads@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-oilheads@xxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
  Of Minor, Bob
  Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2004 2:44 PM
  To: oilheads@xxxxxxxxx
  Subject: RE: old design was oilheads-digest V1 #47

  << Maybe BMW wants to remain a niche player selling underpowered
motorcycles
  at
  inflated prices. The difference between Ducati and BMW who both have
  high prices on their high end models is that Ducati delivers a bike
  with significant power, not so for BMW. As far as sport touring models
  go, Ducati's ST4 is less expensive than BMW K1200RS or R11RS. The same
  goes for Aprilia, another niche player.

  Robert

  95 R11RS
  88 KRS Special>>

  Robert, Am I missing something here????  With that opinion how can you
  possibly own two?

  -----Original Message-----
  From: owner-oilheads@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-oilheads@xxxxxxxxx]On
  Behalf Of rennsport@xxxxxxxxx
  Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2004 7:01 AM
  To: oilheads@xxxxxxxxx
  Subject: Re: old design was oilheads-digest V1 #47


  On Wednesday, Jan 7, 2004, at 09:25 US/Eastern, Steve Makohin wrote:

  >
  > Quick review:
  >
  >   Steve: Ducati, for example, has a market share that is smaller than
  > BMW
  >          Motorrad's, and they have no plans to surpass BMW in sales.
  >          {Context: A company can be successful with a small market
  > share,
  >          and not have a corporate objective to increase market share.}
  >
  >  Robert: Yes but, Ducati started from the basement as far as sales go.
  >          At least they are moving in the right direction.
  >          {Steve is not sure how this response relates to his own
  >          comment, shown above}
  >
  >   Steve: I suspect that BMW Motorrad also started "from the basement as
  >          far as sales go". Don't they all?
  >

  We were talking about to different starting points. Oh well,,,

  >  Robert: {You can read his comments near the top of this posting}
  >
  > It seems we're down a rat hole. To refocus, the points I have made in
  > my
  > previous postings in this thread are:
  >
  >   o I have seen no evidence that proves that BMW Motorrad has a
  >     corporate objective of increasing market share.
  >

  I never went looking for any nor do I require any.

  >   o I have provided several examples of companies

  that is when this post became boring to read...

  :-)

  Lets forget market share and look at brand awareness for a moment. I
  think we can agree that a company can achieve B. A. and not increase
  market share and increase profit. There are people out there that do
  not know that BMW even makes motorcycles (how many of these are
  potential customers is questionable). When I have told people that I
  ride a motorcycle, the usual response is; "You ride a Harley?" Maybe
  BMW wants to remain a niche player selling underpowered motorcycles at
  inflated prices. The difference between Ducati and BMW who both have
  high prices on their high end models is that Ducati delivers a bike
  with significant power, not so for BMW. As far as sport touring models
  go, Ducati's ST4 is less expensive than BMW K1200RS or R11RS. The same
  goes for Aprilia, another niche player.

  Robert

  95 R11RS
  88 KRS Special

------------------------------