Forgotten Failures & Flops

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Gummiente · Thu Sep 22, 2005 1:28 pm

Anybody remember the Suzuki Madura?

ZooTech · #32 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 1:33 pm

Gummiente wrote:Anybody remember the Suzuki Madura?

1200cc V4 from the Venture mounted in a Sportster-like chassis?

moshee · #33 Unread post by **moshee** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:10 pm

Presenting, the Suzuki Madura.

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/suzuki ... a_1985.php

Any history or problems with this bike? Was it a success or failure? I don't know anything about the bike outside of recalling the name.
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oldnslo · #34 Unread post by **oldnslo** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:21 pm

I remember that one--never heard of any real issues with it except its ugliness.

High_Side · Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:58 pm

moshee wrote:Presenting, the Suzuki Madura.

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/suzuki ... a_1985.php

Any history or problems with this bike? Was it a success or failure? I don't know anything about the bike outside of recalling the name.

A coworker of mine still has one and it runs well.....still ugly though...

TechTMW · #36 Unread post by **TechTMW** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 8:14 pm

moshee wrote:
TechBMW wrote: The Yamaha GTS1000 ... Wonderful Idea, crappy execution.
Is this the bike?

http://www.ozebook.com/yamaha/yam5.htm

What was wrong with it in its execution?

That's the bike .. http://www.ladj.com/gtsrally/thegts.php

A completely innovative, state of the art machine that should have made it but didn't. Fuel Injection, ABS, a front swingarm and 20-valve head in 1993

The problem is they were selling the bike based on its superior handling - At 560 lbs, this bike was no sportbike - it was a sport tourer.

Let's picture the average sport-tourer - typically buys older technology in a competant frame - They certainly don't go out of their way for new technology, and this proved it. (Actually, the old bmw k1000's sorta proved that)

A sport tourer with an Outrageous price tag, A Chain Drive, and No Luggage option. What was Yamaha Thinking !?!?

If they'd have made the same bike but shortened the wheelbase a bit and made it 50 lbs lighter, I bet they would have sold alot more.

moshee · #37 Unread post by **moshee** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:23 am

That GTS 1000 front swingarm suspension is something else. Sorta reminds me of Bimota designs. I agree, its a pity they didn't incorporate the technology on a lighter (sportbike) chassis.
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moshee · #38 Unread post by **moshee** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 2:23 am

We've highlighted less than stellar or successful bikes from most all of the major manufacturers, covering 3 decades of motorcycles. Harley Davidson, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Norton, BSA, and Triumph....... Whoa, what about Honda?

Anyone remember the NR500? The NR500 was not a bike for the masses but was rather, a race bike intended to contest the 500cc GP Championship. It was an utter failure as a race bike and failed to win a single race, even though it was ridden by the likes of Fast Freddie Spencer. While a failure as a race bike, it was a winner in pushing the frontiers of technology.

By the late 1970s, 2-stroke bikes from the other Japanese manufacturers were dominating the race circuits. Soichiro Honda loathed 2-strokes and instead tried to develope a competitive 4-stroke. Presenting the 1979 Honda NR500:

http://www.micapeak.com/DPG/racing/gran ... /nr500.jpg

Here was an audacious short stroke V4 engine with 32 valves (no misprint here, 8 per cylinder), magnesium carbs, 2-plugs/cylinder, and oval pistons (no misprint here either). The engine could rev to 20000 rpm.

While the bike failed to garner a single GP point, the technology eventually showed up in the more successful 80000 dollar 130 hp NR750 endurance racer of the late 80s.
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LoneWolf · Thu Sep 29, 2005 10:43 am

What about the Honda NR750 (I think it was produced in the early 90's)? I read that bike was a loser on the sales floor.

moshee · #40 Unread post by **moshee** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 2:23 pm

LoneWolf wrote:What about the Honda NR750 (I think it was produced in the early 90's)? I read that bike was a loser on the sales floor.

Presenting the NR750.

http://www.improvelife.info/v65/special/nr/

Apparently you could recently buy one for 55000-65000 dollars. I read that it sold for 80000 dollars new. For chump change like that, I can understand why it wasn't a big seller. Hell, that would be the price of seconds at OCC, right? If it ain't in the six figured bracket, there must be something wrong with it.
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