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 ST2
M3 / J3,
United Kingdom
Posts: 11,541
Premier Member
Speed Triple 955i (02-04)
17 Apr 2008 09:09 |
Let me explain briefly just how much the currency issue affects our competitive situation:
In the last seven years alone, the dollar and the Japanese yen have lost about 80 per cent of their value versus the euro.
That means that our main competitors are benefiting from even the slightest weakness of the dollar and the yen, from every drop in value even behind the decimal point. They are able to offer their products at lower prices in the world market and make significant profits all the same.
Obviously, we must find answers to these challenges, since we cannot pass on these cost disadvantages directly to our customers in a one-to-one process.
To remain competitive we are therefore continuing to enhance our efficiency in Development, Production and Sales, we are intensifying our international Purchasing activities, and we are creating a very attractive, innovative product portfolio.
This, Ladies and Gentlemen, takes me on to the highlight I am sure you are all looking forward to.
I stated before that we are actively looking for new options, for profitable growth and for the planned increase in volume. Precisely that is why we have decided, among other things, to take on the competition in the Supersports segment on both the road and the race track.
We naturally realise that we are taking on a great challenge. Particularly the Japanese are some 20 years ahead of us in this class and have lots of experience. But even so, the spirit of this competition alone encourages us in our efforts. From the start we wish to be on par with our well-established competitors also in the Supersports segment.
Our development team is highly motivated to achieve our goals. And I can tell you today that the status we have achieved so far is very promising.
We are confident that we will be able to start the Superbike World Championship next year with a convincing all-round package, and that our series motorcycle will be just as convincing. In both terms of both its technology and price, our Supersports will be absolutely competitive.
Dear Motorcycle friends, what motivates us to move into this segment in particular?
tbc ......
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ST2
M3 / J3,
United Kingdom
Posts: 11,541
Premier Member
Speed Triple 955i (02-04)
17 Apr 2008 09:15 |
First:
The very fascination of this motorcycle with its racing DNA expands and upgrades the brand image of ~~~~~~~~~ by offering an additional, sporting and emotional element winning over new customers for the brand.
The Superbike World Championship is becoming increasingly popular among motorcycle riders, since here, unlike the MotoGP, they are able to watch and admire their motorcycles in a direct comparison with competitors.
And they can enjoy this thrill all around the world! This year the Superbike World Championship is being held on four continents and in 13 countries.
Second:
For the first time we are demonstrating the innovative power of ~~~~~~~~~ also in the segment of the most dynamic, top-performance onroad motorcycles, since our Supersports motorcycle is an ~~~~~~~~~ development from the ground up and will be built at our plant in ~~~~~~~~
Third:
We are expanding our product portfolio also with a view to worldwide growth.
Today sales in the 1,000-cc class amount to some 100,000 units worldwide. The vast majority of these motorcycles goes to the USA and Europe. And the four large Japanese manufacturers account for about 85 per cent of the market.
~~~~~~~~~ is looking at a long-term involvement in this segment. Clearly, that means we must speak the language of the segment and follow the usual market standards. And indeed - we are confident that we will set new benchmarks in this scene, winning over an appropriate market share.
This, Ladies and Gentlemen, takes me on to the motorcycle as such.
It is our objective to offer the customer a high-performance motorcycle with absolutely outstanding qualities and features on both the road and race track in terms of rideability, performance, and ergonomics.
Since we are still in the middle of the development process, it would be too soon to mention any specific technical data. But you naturally know the usual level of performance our competitors have to offer. So with this in mind, I leave it to you today to speculate on what the specifications might be.
Our Supersports is based on a highly proven fundamental concept. Before choosing this concept, we naturally analysed the market and the appropriate technologies with utmost care and precision. And we will use the technical parameters required to develop our own solutions.
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Cantbearsed
wolverhampton,
United Kingdom
Posts: 61
Enthusiast
17 Apr 2008 09:15 |
First, WSBK, then the benelux countries, Poland....
Only kidding. Good luck to 'em i say. Just wish the engine was a V4..
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ST2
M3 / J3,
United Kingdom
Posts: 11,541
Premier Member
Speed Triple 955i (02-04)
17 Apr 2008 09:17 |
Ladies and Gentlemen,
So much on this project, the current status of the project and our preparations for entering the World Superbike Championship next year.
You have been speculating a lot on the designation of our new model. So let us put an end to this speculation today.
BMW MOTORRAD:
BMW Motorrad's first Supersports will be the "S 1000 RR".
In choosing the name and designation of BMW's new Supersports, we are consistently following our nomenclature at BMW Motorrad. In this name, the "S" stands for Supersports, marking a new class of motorcycles from BMW. The "1000" designates the size of the engine, and the "RR" naturally stands for the model itself. |
Read the full text about this and other markets / models at:-
http://www.motorcycledail.....bmwoutlines.htm
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Cantbearsed
wolverhampton,
United Kingdom
Posts: 61
Enthusiast
17 Apr 2008 09:26 |
I was talking to a mate who works at a Yamaha / Suzuki shop the other day. He reckons they still sell every R1 / R6 and GSXR that they can get their hands on. The U.K is still obsessed with sportsbikes, so i suppose BMW have a point.
Shame, that from a personal point of view, that i no longer yearn for the latest sports tackle, because there is a lot of choice.
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Rob BBTB
Birmingham,
United Kingdom
Posts: 22,339
Premier Member
Sprint ST (05->)
17 Apr 2008 10:05 |
And this thread is in 'Hinckley gossip' because..............
 
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ST2
M3 / J3,
United Kingdom
Posts: 11,541
Premier Member
Speed Triple 955i (02-04)
17 Apr 2008 10:16 |
Blizzard needs a challenge .... 
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G
Planet of the Apes,
United Kingdom
Posts: 9,057
Premier Member
Enthusiast
17 Apr 2008 11:38 |
Because Triumph are now the only mainstream manufacturer not to offer a litre sportsbike?
Am I warm?
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ST2
M3 / J3,
United Kingdom
Posts: 11,541
Premier Member
Speed Triple 955i (02-04)
17 Apr 2008 12:00 |
not as warm as I was after 2 fuckin hours in Guildford yesterday - to be told,
"Hmmm, well, dont know .... have we taken a photo ?.... come back in 6 weeks and we'll compare todays photo with what we see then... "
Sadly the Photoshop in the basement was closed, so I guess thats that
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Blizzard
Coventry,
United Kingdom
Posts: 22,142
Premier Member
Daytona 955i (04->)
17 Apr 2008 12:27 |
Quote:
Because Triumph are now the only mainstream manufacturer not to offer a litre sportsbike?
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Triumph are still way smaller than any of the rest.
Everyone else makes over 100k bikes a year and Triumph still has a way to go to get there.
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Blizzard
Coventry,
United Kingdom
Posts: 22,142
Premier Member
Daytona 955i (04->)
17 Apr 2008 12:28 |
BTW ST
why have you put up a link to a picture of a GSXR 1000 ?
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Blizzard
Coventry,
United Kingdom
Posts: 22,142
Premier Member
Daytona 955i (04->)
17 Apr 2008 12:30 |
oh sorry it IS a BMW.
but it just looks like a Jap bike and will (probably) cost a load more so I really don't see who will buy it.
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ST2
M3 / J3,
United Kingdom
Posts: 11,541
Premier Member
Speed Triple 955i (02-04)
17 Apr 2008 12:31 |
sigh .......
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G
Planet of the Apes,
United Kingdom
Posts: 9,057
Premier Member
Enthusiast
17 Apr 2008 12:44 |
[edited]:
Blizzard: [quote:
Triumph are still way smaller than any of the rest. Everyone else makes over 100k bikes a year and Triumph still has a way to go to get there. ] |
BMW only hit the 100,000 mark for the first time in 2006, and KTM hit 85,000 in 2007 (pretty impressive from an output of just 6,000 just 15 years earlier).
OK, so Triumph's annual production may have 'only' been 45,000 in 2007, but it ain't that small, and I don't think they can use that as an excuse for not producing a litre sportsbike. They certainly have the capability.
Not that they need an excuse, mind. If they don't want to build a fucker, then they won't. For many folk this (as discussed to death elsewhere) will be a real shame. But the ultimate decision will, no doubt, be based on sound business sense rather than passion, and as with all things I'm sure Triumph will "go their own way".
I know I have...
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Rob BBTB
Birmingham,
United Kingdom
Posts: 22,339
Premier Member
Sprint ST (05->)
17 Apr 2008 12:49 |
fwiw : I believe Ducati and Triumph are very similar in terms of production numbers. About 50k / year.
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Isaac Hunt
Wiltshire,
United Kingdom
Posts: 26,815
Premier Member
Speed Triple (95-96)
17 Apr 2008 12:54 |
I'm thinking about buying a new Triumph ........... will that help ???
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ST2
M3 / J3,
United Kingdom
Posts: 11,541
Premier Member
Speed Triple 955i (02-04)
17 Apr 2008 13:07 |
doubtfull - they wont want you as a customer again
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Isaac Hunt
Wiltshire,
United Kingdom
Posts: 26,815
Premier Member
Speed Triple (95-96)
17 Apr 2008 13:09 |
I think they're getting desperate 
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~Bluelabel~
The Shades, Ongar,
United Kingdom
Posts: 31,217
Premier Member
Thunderbird Sport (98-00)
17 Apr 2008 15:33 |
Not that desperate tho'......
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Blizzard
Coventry,
United Kingdom
Posts: 22,142
Premier Member
Daytona 955i (04->)
17 Apr 2008 19:42 |
The difference between 40K and 100k is huge as you only make a profit over a certain break-even number so if say 25k is the break even then Triumph are making money on only 15k bikes while BMW is making money on 75K bikes which is a huge difference in income.
The other issue is that companies such as BMW, KTM and Ducati are seen as symbols of pride in their home countries while Triumph appears to be greeted with more of a 'do they still make them ?' attitude
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Reg
Sao Paulo,
Brazil
Posts: 868
Enthusiast
18 Apr 2008 00:38 |
[edited]:
I've given up, we'll never see a New Big Daytona or a Trophy again.
Triumphs next big project is a 90cc Stepthru.
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SpondonHAT
Boabekistan,
Australia
Posts: 3,390
Enthusiast
18 Apr 2008 04:01 |
There's a big market for them
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Cantbearsed
wolverhampton,
United Kingdom
Posts: 61
Enthusiast
18 Apr 2008 15:38 |
I reckon we'll see a new Trophy before a big sports bike.
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ST2
M3 / J3,
United Kingdom
Posts: 11,541
Premier Member
Speed Triple 955i (02-04)
18 Apr 2008 16:09 |
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Tonto
Nr Scropton,
United Kingdom
Posts: 5,678
Premier Member
Speed Triple 955i (99-01)
19 Apr 2008 05:24 |
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=n4KSaJapsUE
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rat
barna,
Spain
Posts: 297
Speed Triple 955i (99-01)
28 Apr 2008 01:44 |
What I find interesting in this, is that after years of pushing the supposed advantages of Duo-Lever/Telelever front ends and Paralever single sided swing arms, their competition effort has a completely conventional Öhlins arrangement.
I was under the impression that R&D was generally done using the track as a proving ground, and eventually (if we're lucky) the successful stuff filters down to everyday road use. This suggests that BMW have:
a) done the complete opposite and used the consumer market for their R&D,
b) have no faith in their own technology to win competitions, and
c) wasted shitloads of time and money on dead end technology.
I'll bet their shareholders are just ecstatic that BMW are sinking millions into racing the same bike as everyone else...
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Rob BBTB
Birmingham,
United Kingdom
Posts: 22,339
Premier Member
Sprint ST (05->)
28 Apr 2008 10:02 |
Or maybe different designs for different applications.
What's good on the track isn't necessarily the best for the road.
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Isaac Hunt
Wiltshire,
United Kingdom
Posts: 26,815
Premier Member
Speed Triple (95-96)
28 Apr 2008 13:09 |
Wise words RB
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