Comments on: The Making of Motorcycles – A Six Part Series https://canadamotoguide.com/2016/01/12/the-making-of-motorcycles-a-six-part-series/ The Canadian Motorcycle Guide Tue, 18 Feb 2020 16:33:56 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 By: Christopher https://canadamotoguide.com/2016/01/12/the-making-of-motorcycles-a-six-part-series/#comment-31160 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 06:41:44 +0000 https://canadamotoguide.com/?p=91493#comment-31160 Smells like the MT that started it all. I look forward to this read. 🙂

]]> By: Brian P https://canadamotoguide.com/2016/01/12/the-making-of-motorcycles-a-six-part-series/#comment-31139 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 03:00:50 +0000 https://canadamotoguide.com/?p=91493#comment-31139 Great idea for a series. The little corner of the automotive industry that I occupy sounds like it would belong somewhere in episode 5 … someone else has designed the vehicle, now we have to figure out how to make all the bits and pieces and put them together, and this is a big job that involves lots of people to make it happen!

]]> By: TK4 https://canadamotoguide.com/2016/01/12/the-making-of-motorcycles-a-six-part-series/#comment-31123 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:22:23 +0000 https://canadamotoguide.com/?p=91493#comment-31123 In reply to Michael Uhlarik.

I look forward to that !

]]> By: Michael Uhlarik https://canadamotoguide.com/2016/01/12/the-making-of-motorcycles-a-six-part-series/#comment-31122 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 17:10:15 +0000 https://canadamotoguide.com/?p=91493#comment-31122 In reply to Jimo368.

You’ll have to wait until episodes 3 and 5 to find out.

]]> By: Jimo368 https://canadamotoguide.com/2016/01/12/the-making-of-motorcycles-a-six-part-series/#comment-31121 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 16:47:21 +0000 https://canadamotoguide.com/?p=91493#comment-31121 From a cost and ease of manufacturing perspective, why does my Honda have an endless multitude of different types of fasteners, all to do essentially the same thing? There must be five different styles of plastic push-pins alone. Errrrr!

]]> By: TK4 https://canadamotoguide.com/2016/01/12/the-making-of-motorcycles-a-six-part-series/#comment-31119 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:52:34 +0000 https://canadamotoguide.com/?p=91493#comment-31119 The quote is from a friend in the powersports business, reflecting on the values you suggest. Long term thinking seems to be (generally) a thing of the past.
I applaud Polaris for instance, for coming up with new ideas, well engineered products and after sales support – strengths the Japanese manufacturers have had in spades since day one.
Triumph and Ducati aren’t building technologically earth shattering machines, just stuff that seems to be hitting the mark (?)
I wonder what will happen once the Chinese figure that out….?

]]> By: Michael Uhlarik https://canadamotoguide.com/2016/01/12/the-making-of-motorcycles-a-six-part-series/#comment-31118 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:40:15 +0000 https://canadamotoguide.com/?p=91493#comment-31118 In reply to TK4.

Not sure what you are alluding to with your comment, TK4, as you didn’t mention what industry your friend served. You are right, businesses exist to sell goods and services, for sure. However there are different ways to come out on top.

Today’s North American business climate is focused entirely on quarterly results, with R&D, purchasing and manufacturing operations are all considered “support”, in order to win short term sales / profits. Cutting investment while boosting shipments are valued above all else, effectively making manufacturing companies into marketing companies. In the long run we see that this model results in failure. Just ask GM and Harley-Davidson circa 2009.

Once upon a time here in North America, we made many of the best manufactured goods in the world and prospered mightily because business understood that what you sell is value to customers. Values like effectiveness, quality, and reliability at a fair price. Sales come as a result because consumers are not dumb. Just ask Toyota and Honda. To your point, Eric Buell’s companies rarely possessed any of these.

]]> By: TK4 https://canadamotoguide.com/2016/01/12/the-making-of-motorcycles-a-six-part-series/#comment-31116 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 13:59:36 +0000 https://canadamotoguide.com/?p=91493#comment-31116 I was told once (by an industry insider) that “everything you’ll do in this business is sales support”.
If it don’t sell, you’ve wasted your time- just ask Eric Buell….

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