Thu, 03 Dec 1998 11:22:39 +0900 - Message No. 4538
From: "Robert A. Pontbriand"

Subject: Business


Concerning the displacement in cc's: Its just business these companies
look at the market its only over the past 10 or yrs that bikes over 400
cc could be bought in Japan. The control is intense this past year they
(Japanese joke for the department of transportation) has deregulated the
process of getting a licience for a bike over 400 cc. I certainly don't
know about the process in Europe, but getting a bike licence here in
Japan is very very expensive and the road test is so unrealistic you
might just join a circus. For each level of riding you need to take a
test. Above 50 cc, then above 250 cc, above 400 cc, then the mother of
all road test above 400 cc. Many western's and Europeans would have
aggreed that it has been just another way to block imports. Build small
bikes for the domestic market, big ones for export, and since most of
the NonJapanese bikes are above 400 cc what a better way to keep the
sales down. In addition institute an exam and roadtest beyond your
wildest imagination so that most people won't even want to entertain the
thought of buying a big bike. Hey I could go on and on, but the bottom
line its all about business the profits. Just a thought.

Sorry for eating up the band width.




www@atic.org