>
Chas wrote:
> " I have been reading about a 650 replacement due for next year.
> It is
> purportedly going to have a 900cc triple and 17" wheels. I would
> dismiss what I have read as pure fiction if it weren't for the new
> Piaggio due out shortly with the 850 engine".
PNB: The Gilera GP 800 V-twin, 120mph superscooter is already out and
about and on sale throughout Europe. (Gilera is owned by Piaggio)
On 27 Mar 2008, at 03:21, Richard replied to Chas:
> I find it totally impossible to believe that Suzuki, or any company
> for that matter, would replace a reasonably popular 650 with a bike
> 50% bigger in displacement and cylinders and wheels. It would
> completely change the price point and the already well developed
> market.
PNB: Not necessarily. It doesn't necessarily cost a penny more to
produce a 900 than a 650.
>
> I can believe that they might come out with a completely new bike
> to aim at the more affluent rider who wants more power and bigger
> wheels and is ready to pay for it.
> But it wouldn't be a replacement, it would be in addition.
PNB: I agree, I think it much more likely that Suzuki will introduce
a bigger machine in addition to the well-established 650, rather than
as a replacement for it.
>
> That being said, as far as I have heard, and I have a lot of
> sources, Suzuki has not been showing a bigger scooter than the 650,
> even in concept, which would likely precede by several years any
> release to the public. Also unfortunately for those who might like
> a bigger scooter I'm not sure that there is a market. Note that
> Honda has been showing the E4-01 900cc scooter for almost three
> years and has yet to announce it's release.
> Similarly there was the G-Strider that was shown at shows for
> several years and then withdrawn due to lack of interest when the
> costs were estimated.
PNB: But the very existence of the G-Strider prototype contradicts
your statement above that "Suzuki has not been showing a bigger
scooter than the 650, even in concept",
>
> Suzuki spills more 400s off the dock than they sell 650s. In my
> time in Europe last year I saw hundreds of 400s and huge bill
> boards all over advertising them, but only one 650 and no ads. When
> I asked some locals in both Athens and Rome (some on 400s) about
> the 650 I was given the impression that it is too big, too heavy
> and too expensive for European tastes.
PNB: That's interesting. The 650 IS bloody expensive in Europe at
7,000UKP ($14,000). It is also bloody heavy. But if Suzuki put their
minds to it they could build a G-Strider 900 twin at the same price
and weight as the 650.....I wish they would!
Remember too that Honda has put the 700cc DN-01 automatic "style-
cruiser" into production - when is that going on sale in North America?
Also, Yamaha has the clutchless, semi- automatic FJR 1300 tourer on
sale, and in many ways a Burger 900 would have more in common with
that than with smaller scooters from the 400 on down.
PNB in London, UK
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