It's Official: Kawasaki to stop making standups

Matt_E

steals hub caps from cars
Site Supporter
Location
at peace
Repost.
:biggrin:
It'll be interesting to see where this "sport" is headed without manufacturer's support.
 
Location
PA
VOTE THEM OUT!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or sometimes USEPA) is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress. The EPA was proposed by President Richard Nixon and began operation on December 2, 1970, after Nixon submitted a reorganization plan to Congress and it was ratified by committee hearings in the House and Senate.[2] The agency is led by its Administrator, who is appointed by the president and approved by Congress. The current administrator is Lisa P. Jackson. The EPA is not a Cabinet department, but the administrator is normally given cabinet rank. The agency has approximately 18,000 full-time employees.[3]
 

OCD Solutions

Original, Clean and Dependable Solutions
Location
Rentz, GA
Whenever one door closes another opens...stay positive folks. Emissions killed the carburated motors years ago and everybody panicked...until fuel injection was revealed. Parts are still available for all the old cars and new technology is being revealed all the time.
 

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
Honestly, if I were Kawasaki and Yamaha I would pull out too. Not just becasue of the emission laws, but because they can't compete with where the sport is going these days. The first theing we all do to stock skis is to start ripping off the stock parts and replacing them with aftermarket parts to the pont where many of us have precious little OEM stuff left on our skis. Then you look at all the hull and motor companies who are making gear that the big guys could never sell and the competition looks formidable. The emission laws are a final nail in the coffin.

Here's wht I think is going to happen: I think we're going to see more and more engine builders teaming with after market hull manufacturers to sell turnkey skis just like you can buy now from Yamaha and Kawasaki.
 

BruceSki

Formerly Motoman25
Location
Long Island
Here's wht I think is going to happen: I think we're going to see more and more engine builders teaming with after market hull manufacturers to sell turnkey skis just like you can buy now from Yamaha and Kawasaki.

That would be awesome, yet I think the price is going to be way out of range for most newcomers. Although I guess a brand new stock ski would be too.
 

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
That would be awesome, yet I think the price is going to be way out of range for most newcomers. Although I guess a brand new stock ski would be too.

Precisely - what are they asking now for a new ski? $8k? How much for a hull laid up to OEM standard (not high!) with a custom motor of about the same spec as an OEM? I bet someone could do it. Here's where the real money is at though: who on earth would buy that? When I go into the store with the base model ski on display, and see the add-on options: porting, B-pipe, footholds etc. which I can buy right from new, wouldn't I try to find a bit more money to put into it? The trick will be for these small companies to put together financing packages, but that can be done at low risk through third party finance companies.
 
8,000 for a brand new sxr 800, i wouldnt be suprised if we start seeing fiberglass bob hulls and maybe a few other companies assemble a 701 ish size ski turn key under 10k, and for most of us that is a uch better starter ski. plus i gauruntee that most new people like myself will still start on a 10+ year old ski for around a grand. i dont think its killing it for the sport i just dont think manufacturers can produce such low numbers and turn a profit.

as for parts availability, there hasnt been an air cooled vw in the states in what now 30 years??? and to this day u can buy every engine part fresh cast. if there is demand someone will make it.

johnny
 

OCD Solutions

Original, Clean and Dependable Solutions
Location
Rentz, GA
That's exactly what needs to be done in my opinion.

Not to get off topic but that is precisely why the economy is in the state it is in. If you can't pay cash for your toys, you can't afford them. It took me over 30 yrs to figure that out myself but my quality of life sure has improved since. Not to mention the quality of my toys.
 

smoofers

Rockin' the SQUARE!!!!
Site Supporter
Location
Granbury, TX
Not to get off topic but that is precisely why the economy is in the state it is in. If you can't pay cash for your toys, you can't afford them. It took me over 30 yrs to figure that out myself but my quality of life sure has improved since. Not to mention the quality of my toys.

I totally agree, as I refuse to finance anything but a car or a house. But there are many willing to finance toys....
 
^amen to that....

so everyone said that 450cc 4 stroke quads would never be taken out by 450's... 450's were too underpowered and too heavy... well they are now lighter and more hp than any 250, so i say lets see so 4 stroke thumpers in a ski. hell i kinda want to put a dirtbike or sled engine in a old 440 hull see if it would even work :p

again off topic but im pretty set on letting the 2 stockers go.... i mean who that can afford a new ski would buy one instead of a rn parts ski and a bob hull????
 
Top Bottom