Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128158
With the help of the new alliance with Kawasaki and a couple of new models of their own, Suzuki now has a complete line of off-road motorcycles machines designed for the kids, the entry-level rider and the experienced off-road racer. Suzuki is still offering the JR50, and now the new DR-ZllO Suzuki. Next up the ladder is the all-new (and Suzuki's very own) DR-Z125 and big-wheel DR-Z125L. Suzuki says that the DR-Z125 is designed for adult riders and for riders in the early-to-mid teens. The bike features an aircooled motor with a five-speed transmission and manual starting. It also incorporates a linkage, single-shock rear suspension and drum (rear) and disc (front) brakes. (The bike will also be in Kawasaki's '03 lineup as the KLX125.) Next in line is the DR-Z250, which is back for another year but features no changes, as is the granddaddy of the DRs, the DR-Z400. The new DRZ400 is unchanged for '03, except, of course, for the graphics. You can still purchase the DR-Z400 with either manual or electric starting. MSRP JR50 . . . . . . . • • . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . .$1099 DR-ZllO . . . . • . . • . . • . . . . . . • . . . • . • . .$1699 DR-Z125 . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . • . . . . .$2399 DR-Z125L . . . . . . • . . • . . • . . . . . . • . • . . .$2599 DR-Z250 . . . • . . . . . . • . • . . . . . . . . . . . . .$4699 So what does the Suzuki/Kawasaki alliance mean? According to American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) Vice President of Motorcycle/ATV Division Mel Harris in a press release, the alliance will bolster current ASMC growth and competitiveness and will directly benefit the Suzuki brand, growth rate, dealer network and expanding customer base. Under the alliance, according to Harris, Suzuki will sell OEM product to Kawasaki, which will market that product as Kawasaki models through the Kawasaki dealer network - much the same as certain Kawasaki OEM models will be sold by Suzuki dealers under the Suzuki brand. ·Suzuki will have more models for all types and skill levels of customers - making the Suzuki dealership a true one-stop shopping center," Harris said. Harris reiterated that remaining competitive is a primary objective of any business and Suzuki is no exception. "Part sourcing will allow us to update models with enhanced features and quality like never before," Harris said. "In addition, an increase in buying power should help with production components and replacement parts, as well as help us counter the volatility of currency with competitive pricing amid dollar/yen turmoil. Suzuki has always had economies-of-scale opportunities for parts with autos, marine outboards and motorcycles/ATVs. Now, with the addition of the Kawasaki alliance, our buying power has been magnified to enable us to secure the highest-quality parts at the most competitive prices. For the Suzuki dealer, the result is more product updates and features than ever before." Harris explained that one of the most important benefits of the alliance is the long-term co-development of new models. "More production and more parts sourcing will lead to more new motorcycles and quads in the coming years." Harris says that the new joint effort between manufacturers, designers and engineers will translate into more new products and major model updates realized in a shorter time frame. Models involved in co-development include large cruisers, motocrossers, off-road and larger-displacement scooters. In addition, Harris says, the alliance will enable Suzuki to realize the competitive advantages of adding select models not currently available in its lineup - a benefit that will be especially relevant in the 2004 product line and beyond. According to Harris, one area of dealer concem has been the future of Suzuki's flagship sportbike, the GSX-R. Harris assured dealers that they - and only they - will sell DR-Z400 . • . . . . . • . . • . . • . . . • . . . . . . . .$5349 DR-Z400E . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5449 Suzuki's popular signature series. No changes here. Suzuki will be again offering the tried-and-true DR-Z400S. The bike features no mechanical changes for '03, though it does get new graphics. MSRP DR-Z400S . . . • . . . • . . • . . . . • . . . . . .$5449 "No OEM collaboration on these sport models is part of the alliance," Harris said. "The GSX-R series represent our best-selling, most prolific vehicles, and will always be a key area of company excellence and dealer performance. Likewise, many standard and onroad models will remain] OO-percent Suzuki." Harris is quick to point out that Suzuki and Kawasaki will remain competitors by maintaining separate dealer networks and by marketing the brands separately. Replacement parts for the new OEM models for retail will come from Suzuki, Harris says. Dealers will order OEM parts as part of their regular Suzuki parts order. All OEM parts will be eligible to be used with all parts allowance or return programs provided by Suzuki. Harris answers some frequently asked questions about the alliance: Q: Will a subsidiary company be established in the future? A: "Plans are to use the alliance for increased retail sales volume of each model. There are no current plans for a spin-off subsidiary company or combined brand. Q: Are there plans for unifying companies in the future? A: "There are no plans for unifying the two companies. The alliance has been established to provide a competitive product lineup to make dealers competitive." Q: Will the OEM product exchange cause a negative effect on the motorcycle business, as customers have a strong personal preference? A: "With 30 to 40 percent of Suzuki volume being sportbikes, which aren't part of the alliance, OEM product with the Suzuki identity will remain strong, as these are the flagship models. With more models, creating more sales opportunities to keep customers on Suzuki products forever, there will be a Suzuki for all riders and all skill levels." Q: Will racing activities be combined? A: "Suzuki will continue to race separately, as racing helps create a strong brand image. Racing also helps develop new technologies that can be used in future models." Q: With motocross models being part of the co-development, will Suzuki remain competitive against all other brands? A: "Motocross racing combines many factors besides the motorcycle itself. Rider techniques, tuning of bikes and management of teams all contribute to team success. Suzuki will remain competitive as racing is used to improve brand image." ONE MORE THING information about them yet. The word You might have noticed that we from Suzuki, however, is that these have not mentioned the JR80, the bikes are still in their '03 lineup but DR200S or the DR650S, but that's because Suzuki has not released any dealer show in September. won't be announced until Suzuki's Q: Will the companies advertise and promote together? A: "Both Suzuki and Kawasaki will have separate dealer networks as well as separate marketing programs. Separate branding will remain a commitment of each manufacturer." Q: Will the co-developed (or shared OEM) product offer only "color" as the main differentiating factor? A: "Each company will offer specific product differences (i.e., shape of fenders and placement of instruments, for example, in addition to the paint and decals)." l:N cue' e n e _!IS • JUNE12,200247