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Agreed. I still think they could improve their margins by outsourcing more but that would probably imperil some of the Euro advantages they are likely afforded. Europe is a strong advantage for Stark --motorcycle culture plus wealth & advocacy. But they will need more to grow. The trick for...

The Triumphs made in Thailand have much higher margins for Triumph. It is the Nike trick, say a $200.00 running shoe made in the US costs Nike $50.00 to make in the US or Mexico, and they can outsource it to China or Vietnam and have the same shoe made for $5.00 and still charge $200.00...

It is hard to see from the visuals. Sourcing can often cover cost reductions and quality tradeoffs. But I think you are right something does not add up.

Probably losing some with wind resistance at that speed. Certainly making enough mic noise. Some road style plastics and a wind cutting front might help. I was thinking they were going to change to more road style aerodynamic positioning with the SM. I guess this is somewhat typical of dual...

Or maybe cutting costs elsewhere?

Coolants are more witchcraft than oil.You should be fine with a pink coolant that meets European/Asian automotive standards.

One thing to also consider besides the added protection, is if you ride in hot weather and the advantage of the AXP and other non-stock plates for cooling. This past summer (from late June to mid Sept) I rode on multiple days that were 85F/30C or more --this is not uncommon in New England USA...

All phones are Chinese including the iPhone.

All phone providers throughout the entirety of the foodchain from hardware, operating system, and applications collect logs (which vary in their intrusion/privacy level). And the communication systems have been doing this for a long long time. I am not saying I like it but we pretty much agree...

Yes. Bleeding is also covered in the Stark video: So it is not an unexpected operation. They use pink coolant which means a pink coolant that meets Euro/Asian vehicle standards should be fine. The only caveat in my mind is to not mix colors. There were threads on TT back in the day even the...

I wouldn't recommend mixing or using the orange Engine Ice or green Prestone. I think you would be safer with a pink marked for Euro/Asian vehicle use. Peak, Prestone, and Zerex and others all offer pink coolants for Euro/Asian vehicles. It is not about heat protection with the colors all of...

Generally I think you are safe to use a coolant of the same color. In the coolant bleed video they use pink coolant and you should be safe to top off with the same color. Typically with coolants these days it is recommended to not mix colors, mostly due to gaskets and seals rather than specific...

I bet they could sell them all quickly in India for low prices. Which is probably what Bajaj will do.

Dirtbikes have high margins because their volumes are abysmal in the US at least. Trailbikes have all but vanished for the average outdoor enthusiast in the US. They have been completely replaced by ATVs and SxSs and 4wheel OHVs. The large growth in off road motorcycles in the US (60s, 70s...

Yes agreed. My guess is the Chinese will largely take a pass on dirtbikes and dirtbike racing unless it can appeal to developing markets. They and the Indians are looking for volume sales of manufactured goods. As it is now the Japanese pretty much make offroad bikes for high priced advertising...

I think they can easily match performance the question is do they want to. Kove is ok and CFMoto competes very well in markets they go after. CFMoto was rumored to be making parts for KTM. Seems the Chinese motorcycle manufacturers are where the Japanese were 40 years ago but the market has...

I am. I slid off a highway trestle and my plastics and carbon fiber got really damaged. I had to reinforce the rear fender mounts with washers because the fender mount fasteners got pulled through the plastic. It wasn't a crash just a slide down on the plastics and then an entanglement but my...

I bought both my Starks from a local dealer who had previously sold me my KTMs. I have had bad luck with mail order on big tickets. Plus, even on little tickets I have had stuff missing or the wrong thing shows up. I wasn't taking that chance for $10,000+. Plus, on my first Stark there was a...

I would argue India and the developing world in general are the markets. Many of those countries/areas have a long history of motorcycle culture due to transportation, utilitarian use, and cost. In peculiar, North America never had that at any type of use scale and it is distinct in that even...

Dirtbikes are like flyshit to Honda though. And the only real market that matters to them is the American market and that E market is extremely limited and largely hostile to E. Honda will let others eat the cost of innovation and market establishment if there is one. My guess is that they are...