Future bike prices-Will you and I be priced out of the sport?

[Demon]

Lots of talk about new bike prices hitting 10gs so that the OEMS can get a return on the 4 stroke R&D. I don't know about you guys but I will not buy a 10g dirtbike especially one that runs on 5 dollar gas. I know some of you will say 2 stroke 4 ever but if they aren't making them it is only a matter of time before you have to either buy an exspensive thumper or hang up your helmet for good.

[Erick]

If the AMA and the FIM don't change the displacement limits the sport will propably destroy itself in my opinion. It will become an elite sport. Thats why the two stroke must return to major competition and given a fair chance. The displacements should all be equal. The AMA and the FIM have been controlled by the OEMs for too long. They should put their foot down before the sport will collapse.

The political problem is the polution. There are concepts being developed with 2 sparkplugs to produce a beter combustion. They only have to picked up up by the major OEMs. To force them do that could be acchieved by enforcing an equal engine displacement per racingclass. If they prove to be competitive, which I hope in this case, they will be ridden by the professional riders. This will change the trend from 4 strokes to 2 strokes and will result in larger 2 stroke sales.

This is just a theory and my look upon things.

[Aus_Rider_22]

$10 000 for a new 250f here and
$11 000 for a new 450f here.

I know it's different but I know what you mean, Demon.

Prices won't drop, they will only go up and it's the same with parts.

Right now I can't afford any new bike so it's not a problem yet but if bikes over here get over 15k for new I will buy an older bike and spend money doing it up and making it new again rather than dropping 15k for something thats stock and will only depreciate like mad!

[Sheriff]

I think the riders have a responsibility in that also. Most people replace their bikes every 1 or 2 years even if it's more expensive. I'm not sure it's worth it for most. People tend to forget that they are in it for fun. If bike sales drop, the prices will stop increasing.

[KTM229]

The price of the dollar is going down and the euro is going up so things arent looking good for KTM. The 09s price went up 15%

[YamahaRacin27]

I've already hung my helmet up and I'm only hoping not for good. I sold my bike (only got $2350 for it) and haven't even thought about buying a new one yet. I've got my brothers if I want to ride but I don't feel like paying $30 in gas to get to and from the track and $20 to ride. Just not worth it..

[Flesh206]

Thats another reason why EFI is just going to drive up the price by $300-$500 dollars. I say F EFI carbs are good enough. What the OEM's should do is work on making the prices lower. Just imagine if the OEM's didnt do any R&D over the course of a year or two think how much money they could save and pass that saving on to you.

[IGASAURUS]

Just imagine if the OEM's didnt do any R&D over the course of a year or two think how much money they could save and pass that saving on to you.

Yeah, I mean, why would should they make changes to their bikes? My '99 YZ400F was sweet! :rockon:

[Flesh206]

Yeah, I mean, why would should they make changes to their bikes? My '99 YZ400F was sweet! :rockon:


At that stage of the 4stroke game I think R&D was needed, unless you liked your bike setup like a tractor and I mean waid as much as a tractor and turned like a tractor. On a good note it didnt blow up as much 250f's do. But i will stick with my 250 stroke its a universal bike you can race mx1, or mx2 with the same bike and not get murdered like if you were on a 250f thats on the verge of blowing up like a gernade whenever it feels like it.

[bikerben12]

complaining about fuel prices, try living in the UK with our fuel prices

[Patrick]

Not for me. The best way to buy a motorcycle is to find yourself a gently used two stroke, clean it really well, freshen it up, and ride it. I got a practically brand new 2006 YZ250 for $3,600.

I also did a full top end rebuild on my 2003 YZ125 for under $200. Compare that to a $1,500 full top end rebuild on my 2006 KX250F.

Go on craigslist and look for bikes. There are guys selling older bikes ridiculously cheap. If you don't mind being the guy with an old bike, you know how to ride a two stroke, and you can handle the bike's older-style handling, you can ride moto for pennies.

[IGASAURUS]

I was kidding Flesh...

[Flesh206]

I was kidding Flesh...

I couldnt tell if you were being serious or not...there are some tards that frequent this board.

[motodrew295]

I bought a brand new left over 06 CRF450 this year, and I still have my '06 250f from late '05 I'm just going to freshen it up new bearings top end crank ect, I keep them well maintained I don't see the point in buying 2 brand new bikes every year like some guys do. I guess if they can afford it, but I'm not going to get in over my head. I was going two-stroke until I saw they were blowing out the 450's, I couldn't go wrong.

[DC323]

This is where I buy my new bikes, if I buy new...

http://www.abernathycycles.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=04309046X6K3K2008J3I37I 46JPMQ1205R0&veh=54003&CatDesc=Motorcycles&ModelYear=2008

$5400 for a brand new 08 YZ450F

[offspring22]

Motocross is dying. I expect it to be dead relatively soon. If there are any mini-bike dad's on this forum, I suggest pushing your children into something else, maybe road racing or cars.

Regarding the prices: yes. Everything is going up exponentially. You'll all be priced out of the sport.

[devindavis410]

Motocross is dying. I expect it to be dead relatively soon. If there are any mini-bike dad's on this forum, I suggest pushing your children into something else, maybe road racing or cars.

Regarding the prices: yes. Everything is going up exponentially. You'll all be priced out of the sport.

intresting that you mention that, when i was like 5-9 years old i raced quarter midgets and raced all over california, broke a few track records, won quite a bit of races.. had quick time at the Western Grands in Madera in pratice but my dad changed the car's settings and i qualified 36th when it counted:frown: cars is just as much work at motocross though, i quit racing cars because my mom and dad both started having back problems from lifting the cars up...

this is the kid who ended up winning that year haha
http://www.geocities.com/~tgolobic/2004-grands/ryanbernal-lt-b_01.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/~tgolobic/2004-grands/ryanbernal-lt-b_02.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/~tgolobic/2004-grands/ryanbernal-lt-b_03.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/~tgolobic/2004-grands/ryanbernal-lt-b_04.jpg

[chinese dragon]

ive picked up skating and surfing and rarely ride track now...

[O'Brien#12]

complaining about fuel prices, try living in the UK with our fuel prices

Exactamondo!!! :frown:

[Demon]

All you guys saying "buy a two stroke or a used bike" there is going to come a time when that is not a viable option especially if your serious about racing.

[O'Brien#12]

Unfortunatly i don't see much light at the end of the tunnel for anything......the more i understand the less i look forward to getting old. Sucks major dong!! I will however always ride if ican......it's the only thing in life which isn't variable, if i am on a bike i enjoy it. 2 or 4 stroke, full size or pit bike. Who cares about being competitive if you are only doing it for fun? If you do want to be competitive...... be ready to stump up the greenbacks!!

I do see your point though demon as always

signed :obrien:

[YamahaRacin27]

complaining about fuel prices, try living in the UK with our fuel prices

complaining about UK fuel prices, try living in the US with all of our retards

[O'Brien#12]

complaining about UK fuel prices, try living in the US with all of our retards

Again good point.....you both make convincing arguements.

[mxdad172]

You guys are right the manufactors are pricing people out of the sport. With 7K 450s and 1500 rebuilds it is getting to expensive. I know the prices above are inflated but thats where it is going. I am looking for a 05 or newer 250 smoker for Jordan to keep time off the 450s. I can rebuild the smoker in a little time for under 200 cant do that with teh thumpers.
Frankly I wished the manufactors had their thumper up their butts

[Flesh206]

You guys are right the manufactors are pricing people out of the sport. With 7K 450s and 1500 rebuilds it is getting to expensive. I know the prices above are inflated but thats where it is going. I am looking for a 05 or newer 250 smoker for Jordan to keep time off the 450s. I can rebuild the smoker in a little time for under 200 cant do that with teh thumpers.
Frankly I wished the manufactors had their thumper up their butts


4 strokes are the devil! By the way I just rebuilt my sx250 for 150 bucks and time for an Emril finsih BAM!

[motogrady]

What would wong wei do?

Cheap as chips Chinese dirt bikes and Aussie manufacturing at Larvatus Prodeo (http://larvatusprodeo.net/2007/07/24/cheap-as-chips-chinese-dirt-bikes-and-aussie-manufacturing/)

[Dudley]

complaining about UK fuel prices, try living in the US with all of our retards

Good post. Really adds to the subject of expensive bikes.

[offspring22]

Good post. Really adds to the subject of expensive bikes.

InB4 thread hijack.



Back on topic: I think you should look at other variables, too. Inflation is going to drive a stake through motocross' heart, but environmental lobbyists and increased injuries are going to help get it there.

[Demon]

Enviromentalist shenviromentalists personally I have seen more prime riding areas gone to housing developments more than anything else. Odds are you can buy a cookie cutter mcmansion were your favorite Crusty Demons of Dirt scene was shot.

[Aus_Rider_22]

Good post. Really adds to the subject of expensive bikes.

And yours does? :-/

First post and you're off to a great start.

[cam-1]

I agree. Yeah, I haven't owned a bike for nearly a year and I may have had another if the prices were a bit lower. Best yet if four strokes weren't peaking! I have never had much spare cash, however I used to keep with the sport by buying 12 month old used bikes.

[IGASAURUS]

Odds are you can buy a cookie cutter mcmansion were your favorite Crusty Demons of Dirt scene was shot.

I can live where Seth launched himself 150+ feet and flat landed in the dunes? :rockon:
Maybe I can dig up some spokes.

[F4CTRY]

My KXF was 11g retail

[Falcon991]

Bikes will cost $10,000 someday, and gas will be $7.00 per gallon. Most of you will also be making ten to fifteen thousand dollars more each year by then. Inflation happens, guys. Live with it or sit around and whine about the good old days when bikes were cheap and gas was $2.00. As for me, I'm going to live with it (and whine about the good old days when everyone rode 2-strokes!!!)

[Demon]

Bikes will cost $10,000 someday, and gas will be $7.00 per gallon. Most of you will also be making ten to fifteen thousand dollars more each year by then. Inflation happens, guys. Live with it or sit around and whine about the good old days when bikes were cheap and gas was $2.00. As for me, I'm going to live with it (and whine about the good old days when everyone rode 2-strokes!!!)Well talk is the 10g bikes are right around the corner due to R&D costs not inflation, inflation doesn't happen that quickly, I won't be making 10-15gs more next year unless you know something I don't :rockon:
by someday I mean 2010

[Falcon991]

450s will not cost $10,000 in 2010. ;-)

I'd believe $7500 or even $8G, but not $10G.

All the manufacturers have to pay for R&D, and they have been doing it for decades, yet you have never seen a 40% increase in prices from one year to the next... not even over ten years. ($7199 to $10,000 is nearly 40 %.) The R&D costs for something like EFI or high-performance 4-strokes are not significantly greter than what the OEMs paid in adjusted dollars for water cooling, disc brakes or upside-down forks.

Also, even though the costs are going up, no manufacturer is going to turn up the MSRP by thousands of dollars until they are DAMN sure all the other OEMs will do it. Manufacturers are worried that their 450s will cost $200 more than the competition.... they sure don't want to be $3,000 more.

[Falcon991]

PS- I can't tell you anything until Friday about the 2008 MSRP for Yamaha stuff, but I can give you a hint: don't worry too much.

[Demon]

Bring em down about 2gs would ya

[RideRed193]

I'm just gonna keep my two stroke. It's plenty good for what I do, paid off, and cheap to maintain.

[Falcon991]

Bring em down about 2gs would ya


:lol: I would if I could... I don't have that kind of pull at the OEM just yet!

'09 YZ450F: $7,399 for blue, $7,499 for white.

[MrGolen]

are there any dramatic changes done to the bike that would require a $200 increase?

[Tenacious K]

Because; "It looks sick bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[LEE3383]

I don't know what your talking about... Im already priced out of the sport...:-D

[Falcon991]

are there any dramatic changes done to the bike that would require a $200 increase?

Gold chain, 4-way adjustable handlebar mounts on the triple clamp, new gripper seat (think One Industries,) new swingarm and linkage, new clutch lever with position adjuster, lighter rear hub, aluminum brake hose pinch.

2009 Yamaha YZ450F Features & Benefits, model features (http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelfeatures/209/0/features.aspx)


The dramtic cost change isn't in the R&D; it's in the increasing fuel cost to ship them here and the falling dollar vs. Yen ratio.

[MrGolen]

i like the updates

[RAD]

You people are ignorant if you think it's because the bike is a 4 stroke that that is the reason the price is going up.

For one the Price of steel and aluminum has tippled in the last couple years, the price of energy gas and freight has almost doubled, not to mention the status of the us dollar.

As far as the $5 a galon gas that is what regular gas is going to cost this summer, i'm not what your point about that is.

[Demon]

Eh I was just trying to get a discussion going 4 pages is cool :thumbsup:

[Derek]

You people are ignorant if you think it's because the bike is a 4 stroke that that is the reason the price is going up.

For one the Price of steel and aluminum has tippled in the last couple years, the price of energy gas and freight has almost doubled, not to mention the status of the us dollar.

As far as the $5 a galon gas that is what regular gas is going to cost this summer, i'm not what your point about that is.

You're such a killjoy! You with your facts...

[Demon]

Yeah this is America we don't need your damn facts :neck:

[motodrew295]

I heard the oh ten yamahas are getting some drastic changes. EFI, new gas tank and air-box placement.