<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: rod172

Arent most of the Japanese quads built here in the states? I know Kawasaki has a plant in Nebraska, Honda in SC and Yamaha in GA...I think. Suzuki also has a plant in the southeast as well.</end quote></div>

I'm not sure on Yamaha... but yes on the others. Not "all" the parts are shipped in either.

Either way, I doubt they can be charged an "overweight" tariff on "parts for assembly".

This would explain why some of the quads from Suzuki, Honda and Kawasaki are well over 600 pounds dry. The 700 Gizz is still listed at 600 lbs.

 

I think what we are missing here is the fact that all of the above listed "imported" quads are from companies that have heavy experience in the dirt bike market where you learn how to build a durable machine as light as possible to compete in this VERY cutthroat product segment!
Racing winning dirt bikes is how you sell dirt bikes at the dealerships and that is the bottom line for these "Japanese" manufacturers and has been for a long time! It has become a certain mentally in their design process, light/fast sells!
There is no "utility segment" in dirt bikes and the Utility segment of ATVs is where Polaris and Arctic Cat make their most significant sales. There is really no big penalty to over building your quads in this market and actually to a big extent it is an advantage in a workhorse quad, so Polaris and Arctic have also developed a certain mind set when designing their ATVs, "heavy duty/dependable sells" and over design to that goal!

Basically it comes down to differing design philosophies to begin with and holds true throughout the entire manufacturing process!

 

Also what about the "fudge factor" on manufacturer's listed dry weight. Not sure about the utility classes but in the sport classes the Japanese listed weights of their sport machines (until Honda started listing ready to ride weights) were so far off it was not even funny.

 

I've always wondered about real world weight numbers. The ATV with all fluids and a tank of gas, brush guards, a winch, after market tires and the various bits and pieces that people generally put on their ATVs. I would bet that "trail weight" of the various models are very much closer than one would assume by looking at manufacturers claimed dry weights.

 

I love to know the actual weight of my quad with a tank of gas and my cooler full of pop and ice. I know it's over 1/2 ton with me on it.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Evasiveone

Also what about the "fudge factor" on manufacturer's listed dry weight. Not sure about the utility classes but in the sport classes the Japanese listed weights of their sport machines (until Honda started listing ready to ride weights) were so far off it was not even funny.</end quote></div>

The fudge factor is definitely huge, with Jap machines usually weighing a lot more than their listed weights. An interesting side note, Yamaha produces the HEAVIEST snowmobiles made, far exceeding the dry weights of any other manufacturer, with dry weights approx. 100 - 200 pounds heavier than new machines made by Ski Doo and Polaris. Recent weights arrived at through actual machine weigh-offs revealed that Yamaha also had the largets fudge factor of all manufacturers..... an average of about 40 pounds. So no one can tell me they are using advanced space-age, light-weight materials to make their quads light. Here's what makes any machine lighter.... small crap stock tires and wheels, plastic skid plates (or lack thereof), lighter (weaker) frames, smaller/lighter engines, and an overall SMALLER machine. No rocket science involved. Now, watch Dodge 57 Hemi chime in with how his Yamaha Grizzly fits all of his needs... lol.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: RticKwad

Whats up with the lead paint thing? My cuz was telling

me about that with a HUGE recall on the Jap. ATVs

can't remember if it was Honda, Suz, Kaw or Yam.

He was in a dealership a few days ago and it big

news, the dealers are up in arms about it, b/c these

are the 400 and up models and they believe it shouldn't

matter about the LEAD b/c KIDS shouldn't be riding it or

passenger, etc. etc.



There you have it!



R'</end quote></div>

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img] Yep,just pulled 20 small KTM dirt bikes off the floor! CANNOT SELL! Cant even sell parts for EXISTING machines! Law stems from lead paint in children's toys from China,spread over to small atv's and dirt bikes aimed at under 12 age group! Common sense will probably win out,but at this time there are 13,000 dealers holding 100 million dollars worth of inventory! Our government at work! Havent seen any kids chewing on their frames or battery leads yet!

 

I read that it's illegal for thrift stores to sell kids books made before 1985 because of...

you guessed it... lead in the ink.

You buy them books, send them to school and what do they do? Eat the books! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Another reason is that the big Polaris bikes and Ranger are made to military standards to carry machine guns and heavier loads. The production bike is not that different than the military version. This was told to me by a guy that helps outfit special forces.

 

im glad their heavy......i can out pull you cuz i get traction. I have a smooth azz ride and im ready for another 200 mile trip. If i hit you, thank god im king of the trail! I know for sure i can hang with you till at least 50 cuz i got a high output motor!! When your taiwan machine craps out i got parts in a heartbeat...your prayin ebay has it...lol.....i hate all this yours weighs so much....blah,blah,blah.......my wheeler owns your small azz...lol