I believe Honda is on top of the situation. If you look at the market for entry-level machines. You have the Blaster, BearTracker, Recon, TrailBlazer, LT160, Breeze, and now the 250EX. In my personal opinion, this is a no-brainer! I think that the 250EX is going too be a big hit.

If you look at Yamaha's Raptor. It has tons of compitition. The 400EX, Banshee, DS650, and possibly the new Kawasaki? new Suzuki? Cannondale? All of these machines can steal the Raptor's thunder.

What am I getting at?
I called around looking for some release dates and info on the new 250EX from Honda. Here are some interesting facts.
My dealer (Yamaha, Honda dealership) only plans on getting 5 Raptors in the first 6-8 months. But on the other hand, the first 3-4 months of 250EX production. They are scheduled too get 40 250EX's. Does this tell you something???
Honda is going too make more money selling an entry level machine, than a High Performance quad.
You may argue that a HP machine will bring in +$7K, where a 250EX will only bring in $4k. But think of all of the acessesories, parts and service those 40 machine drum up, compared too the 5 Yamaha units.

Very smart move by Honda......

 

Good Point. with the choice of so many big bore 4 strokes. Honda will not sell as many as they would the 250ex.

 

Certainly was a smart move on Honda's part. They need to make money. Why else be in business?
If they make enough money, then they can spend more on R & D. R & D doesn't make money for the company for a long time. It pays off over the long run with new products. If they make enough money selling the new 250EX, maybe they'll be able to develop another truly great high-performance machine.

 

cstark, i was unaware of that...

good job detective...

duhhhhh... duh duh duh duhhhhh.... duh duh duh duhhhh... duhhhh...

 

Come on guys, Honda is a MULTI BILLION dollar company. IF they wanted to R&D a new high perf quad, they could easily spare the cash to do it. Honda is content to let other companies lead and stay second(third?) best...

RoostKing...

 

If my memory serves me correctly. I believe Honda is #1 in sales. And I don't see this machine hurting sales at all.
95% of machines go too recreational, farming, family, and utility work.
5% of machines go too racer's.

Guess who the target market is????????

Honda wants too make money....

 

Honda is content to let other companies lead and stay second(third?) best...

I thought Honda was first in sales, Polaris a close second and Yamaha third.

 

People are not going to line up to buy the 250EX. If they want a trail machine there are a million of them. If they want a sport machine, the 250EX is certainly not it. Honda missed the boat again like they did with the Quadzilla, no TRX500R. Only a hafta-have-a-Honda type is going to buy this thing. Otherwise a Blaster or Trailblazer offers the same thing for a lot less money. If Honda would have put their R&D into a TRX650EX, the Raptor would be a bust. Now it's a hero. Die hard Honda folks are having to buy Raptors because the 400EX got left behind. I wonder what the sales figures are on the 400EX since the DS650, and Raptor were announced?

 

Once again.....WRONG!!!!!

The Quadzilla had a very SMALL market. It was good for dunes and drag racing only. Which 95% of atver's do not do.
It was horrible on the MX track, trails and as an everyday rider. The Quadzilla was a failure!

Look at Polaris industries. They sell millions of machines a year. Very, Very popular. Yet no High Performance or Kids quads(they do now). I would list Polaris quads as trail machines. And guess what.....They outsell Yamaha.

Honda is going too sell a million 250EX's, weather High Performance folks like it or not. It is what "most" people want.

 

It's time too start using our heads here boys.

Honda is #1 in sales because they offer a wide variety of products that range from kids quads, to utility work-horses, and finaly sport machines.
Thier products are known for reliability and craftsmanship.

Polaris Industries is #2 in sales because they offer a wide varity of machines too choose from. They are known for thier user friendly trail machines. But no High Performance machine!!!

Yamaha is 3rd in sales. Also a wide varity too choose from. Even with the Banshee and now the Raptor. Yamaha will still be 3rd in sales.

Why?????
Because the High Performance market is such a small portion of the "big picture". Look at Polaris, not one "true" sport machine and no High Performance machine. But still #2 in sales.

How?
They offer machines too the general public that are easy too use and work well.
95% of atver's are trail-riders, utility workers, farmers, and family folk.
Only 5% are racers and High Performance guys.

Honda is going after the "general public" on this one for sales. They don't want too be overtaken by Polaris Industries in total sales. It's all about money now. Honda is a buisness. In order too remain profitable, you must appeal too the masses.
I introduce too you the 2001 Honda ATV lineup. Like it or not, this is what it is.