LowRyter

It totally fits for '25

I'm remined of the guy with the new John Deere that can't work on his $500k $800k combine and moon rocket.

Yep, it's harder and harder to find someone to work on legacy bikes. There's parts support, personnel, expertise, and tech data issues. But guess what. It's going to get much harder to get independent support for new bikes too. All this computer support it about to get too expensive, even online repair manuals, given all the makes and models and separate subscriptions.

Not good if you want your crop in. When wheat harvest comes around it used to be an 18 hr day. Anymore, the folks I know with land, contract the farming out. No point owning all the equipment and using it a week a year, unless you want to be a contractor.

Yes, well I got that. That's like I wrote, "low margin" considering expenses. That's $20m after selling 12b cans of fizz and funding an F1 that's over $100m. You think that's a good deal for shareholders or maybe cutting it a little close? What would a 1% sales drop do to their margin? You think they paid dividends ?

Pretty low margin all things considered. 20m pounds? That's not enough to fund the F1 team for a year. I'm not even sure how many drivers and executive salary is pays. You might remember Red Bull had to pay off one it'd staffers a a million pounds for sexual harassment by the F1 team Principal Christian Horner? So it raises more questions than it answers.

The article doesn't say anything about profit and loss. I hope unlike KTM, they sold those 12B cans and they're not in some warehouse.

Paul, I was thinking that both KTM and Red Bull seem fishy. So tell me, how can Red Bull own a F1 team, sponsor everything from cliff diving, aerobatics, and Moto GP to tiddlywinks and full contact chess from selling crappy soda? Coke and Pepsi together don't seem to sponsor so many boondoggles. I don't get it.

My phone was telling me that KTM has a stockpiled a year's of production bikes. Something like 230,000 new bikes unsold. True or not? Dunno

My boss gave me the book when I retired 10 years ago, still never cracked it open. So far as the Superhawk, the first modern bike. A local riding buddy and restorer has all the the 305's, Scrambler, Dream and SH. According to him, for sure the Superhawk was the best of the bunch. Built with better parts like swingarm bearings but also a convertible bike that has adjustable controls, big brakes and very much a race bike that could be ridden to the track. I think Honda learned they could build a cheaper bike and still have it's famous reliability, finish and performance.

wahtever.............. (sp)

The bearing part numbers are easily traceable to bearing lingo (it was new to me since I never ordered "bearings"). Most of them have three dimensions and a type. If you look up the part numbers online, sooner or later you'll find the generic equivalent. If you want real grief, work with the Chevy Bodyshop "fixing" my 2008 Corvette and Farmer's Ins. They said no parts were available and are refusing to fix my car. I need the right rear quarter, i.e., knee. They couldn't locate one. The first salvage joint I found on the 'net can deliver it to my house for $260. Going to a new shop on Monday. Car was wrecked on 1 Oct.

The gearbox ate it's cage bearings. I was told the gearbox could've locked up on me. So we've ordered new all new bearings. Don's now a dealer and ordered them through Guzzi which pissed me since I didn't want to screw with Guzzi for generic parts. Supposed to have ordered Timkim ... but that was just an excuse to put off the job IMO. In the meantime, he diagnosed the ABS and radiator problem with my Ducati and did the desmo service. The Duc is my main ride and it's winter. I'm guessing it'll be a year once he's done with my Greenie.

The tech that hasn't got around to rebuilding my gearbox told me 4 years ago to buy the last of the rubber manifolds. Of course I didn't. But the bike isn't rideable, so there's that.

So they're a lifestyle sports/entertainment company that also sells soft drinks? At least that's what they say they are? Thanks for confirming.

sucks IH was a favorite brand. Grampa had a Farmall and a high school buddy drove his dad's Travelall. Nope don't like it. "Get'em Up Scout"

Still makes no sense, unless the $ billionaire is just spending his own money to keep all that operation afloat. Or like I said, they're making money off the sports/entertainment as "life style" brand but seems doubtful.

I've never understood either KTM or Red Bull. I assume that both companies are somehow wrapped up into some Austrian deep money pockets. Neither company seems have the sales outreach to match their respective marketing budget and international presence, particularly Red Bull. Maybe I don't know "what" Red Bull actually is? But if it's a soft drink company I don't see that many customers. If it's somehow a "life style" business and all of these marketing ventures are money making, different story (I guess). F1, MotoGP, Rallying, all kinds of sports and entrainment sponsorship from kayaking to stunt airplanes, I don't how it adds up. Perhaps the mystery was some of the appeal?

Fiat Dino

Dinos were named after the Dino V6 engine. There was the Ferrari Dino and the front Engine Fiat Dino. Some say the Fiat was faster and lighter. Ferrari did build a successor. the 208/308 V8 Dino. mid engine 2+2. Gorgeous in it's own right. The prices have gone through the roof in the last couple of years. Particularly the cars with the euro bumpers.

You guys might check out the movie "Ferrari". Dino's death was the central issue in their troubled marriage. Even more so when Laura learned of Piero.

Lots of pretty Italian cars. Hard to pick one. Back to the subject, that TWR Supercat ain't gonna make anyone's pretty list. Looks like a local garage-built dirt racer stock car from the '60's. Just knock all the windows out, and it looks ready for the 3rd Heat Race. It looks like it already has a fencepost for the front bumper.

I always thought the XJS was a Brit version of '70 T-Bird but with reliable engine and auto-tranny. here's one British Racing Green (sometimes called baby shit green) (lighten up, just joking)

I know that Ducati sponsors the "Ducati Experience" at Modena. There are also Grand Prix packages and touring groups. I looked into it a few years ago.

hope you can rent a Guzzi or Ducati and have a good one.