What one major thing would you tell the manufacturer of ATV's (say Suzuki or Honda) if you had 10 minutes in the hot seat?

 

i would tell them to let me show them the way to make a quad better for the real world, not just the paper world....

 

I'd say, "Good job."

Today's ATVs are marvels of engineering. Compared to just 6 years ago, they are amazingly reliable, stylish, and powerful. I don't think we have anything to complain about, considering the amount of choice that is in the market today.

 

Two things:

First, there is a very high demand for a 4x4 sport type quad. A machine in that class would sell like crazy. Just watch and see how well the Renegade sells. Why have you ignored that market segment?

Second, when I buy a 700 cc machine, I expect 700 cc's of power. Not a denutted machine with the power of a 500. To date, Bombardier is the only manf that gives you the power that you pay for. The others need to step up and do the same.

 

This is just my opinion so no one take offense......also there's a bit of humor in this.
Polaris; how about some quality improvements, the Sportsman's don't need to be physically all the same size(as in large) I can't always ride the freeway ya know.
Honda; take a look outside and see what other manufacturers are building, this is almost 2007. You've done some improvements but not enough to sell me anything lately. I used to only buy Honda's but there are other better choices for me currently.
Yamaha; doing a pretty good job although you can change the front camber settings anytime now from positive to slightly negative on the utes.
CanAm; pricing is a bit out of range, match the others and you sell a lot more product but get the major bugs out (as in frame/suspension issues) before public delivery. I would love to have a Renegade but not at 9300 US.
KTM; build some quads with your name on the decals.
Suzuki; coming along nicely but you could step it up a notch. How bout some decent looking wheels on the utes? Black ain't gettin it for me.
Kawi; Brute's-- try to get the ride and handling to match the engines power. Key word; refinement....
Overall the manufacturers are greatly improving the sport but we're paying for it in the bottom line which is fine, but they need to focus more on quality so us paying customers aren't having un-needed issues on new machines.
This is just my opinion, I certainly could be wrong lol........

 

Great post powerslider. Especially about the date for Honda. Seems like more and more people are trying to remind Honda that this will be 2007, not 1977.
I agree with the pricing issue with Bomb also. Get the pricing in line or you will be in the same place that GM and Ford is right now.

 

I would tell all the ATV manufactures to do a better job in selecting and training dealers on customer relations. Seems to me every scumbag, lowlife, cheat businessman is an atv dealer-owner. Give the customer the truth about warrantys, allow the customer to read and understand the fine print and legal stuff written in a warranty, tell the customer that the extended warranties is run and operated by a private corporation thats not associated with the atv. Train the dealers to treat their customers with respect so they will continue to be future customers. All I ask for is the truth, tell me that my atv will have problems and it will break down and I will end up paying for the repairs, but tell me you will do ur best to repair it at the lowest cost possible and will be friendy and treat me with respect. When you lie, you lose.

 

I would tell all of them to make the rear axle bearings greaseable and to get better lighting for night rides

 

Hell make everything greaseable. And yes, lower the prices. Pretty soon an 800cc bike will be $12,900. Hmm..Ford ranger or big bad ATV

 

Thanks Doc,

Back when I was a kid I started out on a used CL100 then got into the 3 wheelers, I had about every model Honda trike from the ATC90 through two 85 250R's. They actually made changes every year that made me upgrade, Honda was THE brand to have until the CPSC fiasco. They have not come back to the old school mindset they had back then and it's a darned shame IMO.

Moto has a good post also about dealers, I have been lucky I guess in having good dealer relations. They have been fair and taken care of any concerns that came along. All the manufacturers need to absolutely stand behind their product especially the new first year machines, people take a chance by laying down their hard earned cash for your product so don't you dare turn your back when issues arise that need upgrading. That is how you build customer loyalty and repeat/increased business so take care of the ones that support you.