Topic: HUGE MERGER in the Bike world.

[754]

I will let more out the bag in the AM, having a bit of difficulty believing this so i wont post it YET.

 I dont think its an April fools joke as it came out later in the day..

 if its true, 2 of the biggest (well established) makers, have joined ranks..

[Frankenkit]

If it's the same two that have been talking merger/joint venture for a couple years, it's probaly no april foolery

[AHuff]

What a useless post, almost as useless as my response. Why not just wait til tomorrow to post anything at all?

[754]

Well if we waited till tommorow, I may not be first, and you not 3rd..

I want to get a little more backup on this...

[Frankenkit]

I was thinking suzi and kaw

[AHuff]

Since you said biggest (well established) manufacturers we can pretty much toss all the Italians out on the street, same for the German's. So that leaves America+Japan? Seeing how we are on a Honda board, and I am just guessing but I would imagine Honda is the largest out of Japan's big 4.

Honda Davidson?

How far off base am I?


EDIT: Hmm, 2001 there was talk about Suzuki/Kawasaki. Haven't found anything recent.

[754]

Japanese makers are newbies...

[Tim.]

Lots of talk about the two big v-twin manufacturers over the past while.  Polar opposites on the spectrum though, which could prove interesting.

[Sam Green Racing]

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article4319192.ece

Sam.

[AHuff]

Japanese makers are newbies...

Compared to what? Honda's been around for what, 60 years? Other than HD what surviving American company has been around for 60+? BMW's been in it since the 20's. But they aren't even in the same league as the Jap's in terms of production. Ducati has been around since the 20's as well.

You have got to throw us a bone here.

[AHuff]

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article4319192.ece

Sam.

Put your reading glasses on old man, July 2008.

[Sam Green Racing]

Been on going for some time young man.

Sam.

[billybobobrain]

ducati and harley or suzuki and kawasaki?
 

AHKKKKK??? Ducati and Harley do not belong in the same hemisphere! let alone the same post....... I have sinned! I need to be flogged!!!

[Duke McDukiedook]

I thought Harley and MV was old news?

[billybobobrain]

Man thats even worse!!!!! OH THE HUMANITY, IS NOTHING SACRED!

[Gordon]

Quote from the article posted by Sam:

n 2007, MV produced only 5,819 motorcycles - flashy and expensive status symbols that cost much more than their competitors without, critics say, providing particularly exciting performance.

Sounds like a match made in heaven to me. 

[billybobobrain]

That's like saying let Chevrolet make the next Ferarri, just absurd. They both have there place in society, but that place is not together.

If you think an MV Agusta is just another bike you don't know to much about them. They are the bike equivalent of a Ferarri Or Porche race car built for street use. That is somewhere Harley has no place being in.

No offence intended, but most of the decisions I make are based on racing not fashion. So I don't see how this could be a good thing.

[Sam Green Racing]

Do Harley Davidson still make any small bikes ?

Sam.

[Gordon]

That's like saying let Chevrolet make the next Ferarri, just absurd. They both have there place in society, but that place is not together.

If you think an MV Agusta is just another bike you don't know to much about them. They are the bike equivalent of a Ferarri Or Porche race car built for street use. That is somewhere Harley has no place being in.

No offence intended, but most of the decisions I make are based on racing not fashion. So I don't see how this could be a good thing.

Sorry, I forgot to include the " " at the end of that last post.  I know about MV Augusta.  I just liked that quote.

[cb750fbomb]

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article4319192.ece

Sam.

That's new?

"July 12, 2008

Harley-Davidson drives to snap up MV Augusta"

[fuzzybutt]

Do Harley Davidson still make any small bikes ?

Sam.

if wer'e talking just harley branded machines, the smallest they build is an 883cc v-twin though the buell blast has either a 250 or a 500, i cant remember which

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Do Harley Davidson still make any small bikes ?

Sam.

Yeah, the Sportie.

[FunJimmy]

if wer'e talking just harley branded machines, the smallest they build is an 883cc v-twin though the buell blast has either a 250 or a 500, i cant remember which

The Buell Blast is a 492cc single cylinder.

[tramp]

got all excited first thing in the morning
and now we are talking about what happened last year
i'm going back to bed

[lordmoonpie]

If you think an MV Agusta is just another bike you don't know to much about them. They are the bike equivalent of a Ferarri Or Porche race car built for street use. That is somewhere Harley has no place being in.

Ah - you fell for the marketing just perfectly didn't you! I'm a pious ex-victim myself. I one of the first MV F4s in the UK and sold it after 440 miles....they look beautiful but are total pants to ride. If you want a mantelpiece ornament the MV is second to none. If you want a useable, tractable, enjoyable, versatile jack of all trades road bike to enjoy the miles on, forget it!

I know Ferraris can be fragile but badly designed, surely not?

The first MV F4s could not get to full lock on the bars without trapping your thumbs - fancy a tankslapper on that? You'd better know where your nearest ER is!
The rear swingarm bulge is so big that a big road bump would have it kick my foot off the left peg - Ok so I have size 12s (47s) but even so....
The rear brake pedal couldn't go to full travel - it hit the fairing first
The screen was set so low that for a rider of my height (6'3"), it fired all the dead flies upwards into the inside of my helmet!

Maybe some of the practical design skills of Harley and the passion and finish of MV would produce a truly awesome marriage.....but then look at Aermacchi!