Suzuki GW250

DoubleJ

DoubleJ

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Well I see that Suzuki is stepping into the fray with their 250 naked bike. Rumour from show staff that it will be around $4000 for it. Carb'd model and no ABS. Interesting bike and should take it to the Honda as it gives the impression of a bigger bike. Now they can dump the over priced TU250 and the other ancient 250 (Maurader) in their line up!
 
I saw the bike at the show and it looked pretty good actually. I'm surprised they're bringing it in without FI though but I guess they're keeping costs down. The CBR250 made a definite dent from what I see and I think we'll see more of these smaller cc bikes around in the long term.
 
So what! Remember the Jap ****. They are improving all the time and with a bigger player behind the bike the quality can be there. Boom!
 
DoubleJ said:
So what! Remember the Jap ****. They are improving all the time and with a bigger player behind the bike the quality can be there. Boom!
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Hell even the Hyosungs have picked up in quality from what I read about them. At first it's typically garbage and they learn from it...bad quality doesn't help you stick in the market for long.
 
DoubleJ said:
So what! Remember the Jap ****. They are improving all the time and with a bigger player behind the bike the quality can be there. Boom!
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I'm not saying it's a total POS but please don't compare it to machines made in Japan. The Chinese approach to quality management is quite different than the approach Japan took post WWII. China recognizes that it's competitive advantage is cheap production and labour costs, and not necessarily producing high quality products. They make much more compromises in quality. The Chinese take a reverse engineering approach or copy cat a product and look for ways to make it cheaper by using cheaper materials, etc.

And FYI, "Jap" is considered an ethnic slur.
 
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Ummmm that's way off base as across the board comment.

a) Apple's machines are all made in China and QC is incredible.

b) BMW feels it's fine to produce their $10k GT650 in China.

You are living in the past if you think China cannot compete on engineering quality these days.

They graduate more engineers than any other nation....than most other nations combined and they are a manned space nation.

They certainly can build a quality product.
Japanese is good but China and S Korea have upped their game big time while keeping the low labour costs.
 
MacDoc said:
Ummmm that's way off base as across the board comment.

a) Apple's machines are all made in China and QC is incredible.
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The same Apple where all it's factory workers in China walked off the job to dispute increased quality standards but without receiving adequate training. Training costs time and money. It's not unheard of to find cases where Chinese management makes promises of quality assurance but skimps out on the processes and tools to get there. The same factory where the workers beat up the inspectors, staged riots, and some committed suicide.

Many users of the iPhone 5 complained about their new phones shipping with nicks and scratches. And yes, the Chinese have kept costs low but have their factory working conditions improved? You're talking about workers who work 12 - 16 hour days with little to no pay living in cramped dormitories with unfit conditions. It was also revealed that the manufacturing company had broken laws at one of their factories by employing underage workers.

Look, I'm not saying all Chinese made products are total crap. Just don't compare them to Japan at this point. Japan as a nation, took a total quality management approach and systematic approach that involved commitment to quality from the entire organization - top executives to front line worker. In China, management places all the responsibility and pressure on inspectors. If quality does not meet standards, management fires the inspector and hires a new one and hopes the quality will improve. The Chinese make more compromises like I said. For instance, Chinese built cars are crash tested with dummies 70 times while a Japanese manufacturer will crash test their car 150 times or more. Not that I'm saying Japan is perfect either (i.e. Toyota safety recalls).

b) BMW feels it's fine to produce their $10k GT650 in China.
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I'm not into scooters but just looked this up and only the engine is built in Taiwan. BMW handled the design and engineering though. It is then brought over to Germany and the rest of the bike is built at the BMW Berlin plant.
 
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I think it's a bit too late in the game bringing in a carbed mini bike in this market...may be 5 years ago yes...now no!

The only way they have a remote chance of snatching some market share is if they price the bike rediculously low.
 
I was checking out that bike at the show. And I must say I really liked it, enough to seriously consider it being my next bike at some point. Though personally I would prefer it to be fuel injected.
 
MacDoc said:
Ummmm that's way off base as across the board comment.

a) Apple's machines are all made in China and QC is incredible.

b) BMW feels it's fine to produce their $10k GT650 in China.

You are living in the past if you think China cannot compete on engineering quality these days.

They graduate more engineers than any other nation....than most other nations combined and they are a manned space nation.

They certainly can build a quality product.
Japanese is good but China and S Korea have upped their game big time while keeping the low labour costs.
Click to expand...

Most VW/Audi/Porsche parts I've received are also made in China.
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