Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunfighter
Curiously though, the 600cc-class has remained stagnant and the industry growth in sales is coming from refreshed and new entry-level 300cc sportsbike/naked offerings and ultra high-end superbikes.
We have seen a surge in superbike development that has mirrored the explosive growth in this category (the new R1/R1M/R1S, Panigales, S1000RR, S1000R, etc.).
I guess the argument of course is always that sales are flat/soft in the 600cc-class because the offerings aren't exciting but the manufacturers won't invest in this class because they can't justifying the associated costs. In the meantime, the sub-600cc and superbike ranges continue to expand and grow.
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I think part of the problem is that people are given too many choices.
Back then, people just getting into motorcycles either bought used, or were forced to buy brand new 600cc's. As well, a lot of the >1000cc bikes were sorta widow makers. Lots of power, no electric safety nets and were heavy so they didn't handle that well. People were pulling close to similar lap times in an R6 vs an R1 at the track.
Now we have the <400cc bikes for the newbs/daily commuters and can hold their own in the corners for track guys as well as the >1000cc guys that have enough electronics that everyone is pulling Rossi/Marques type lap times.
600's are kinda like that in between, sort like what happened to the 750's when 99/2000 rolled around and the 600's became much lighter and much more powerful.