Planet Minis

Z

Kitaco Partners with BBR Motorsp

Read the above press release link. I find this interesting and this in my opinion is a slap in the face to both CHP and KingRacing (Sik50's) who have flown the Kitaco flag for a number of years.

I also don't see this as a good thing because you may very well see pricing get more expensive for this brand in the future if BBR's past business practices are any indication of future sales. Will parts availability and product knowledge get better? Who knows.

Additionally, for you people going to Indy next week, please take detailed pictures of the new Kitaco 4 valve Unicam KLX head that will most likely be in one of the kitaco distributor booths in Vegas. I think it's going to be expensive and too late to market to make a real dent on sales, but there always will be a niche market for the premium parts for the hardcore race crowd and others with deep pockets. I have a strong inkling the +R head will still rule the roost. If anyone has any current spy pics of the new unicam head, post 'em up. My guess is McGrath will be running this setup in vegas for BBR.

Other then what is posted above, I don't have any additional information on the topic so discuss amongst yourselves.

Dan

FASTFREAK693

Not very good news!

HACKMUNCH

that is why bbr jumped all over the Kitaco deal, they want the 4 valve head for there race team 4 sure.

RcWannabe

Last time I checked competition drove prices downward as each seller tries to lower their price to give themselves an advantage (in the consumers eyes)?

p3racer

I think it will be a good thing.

HACKMUNCH

i doubt your gonna see chp still selling kitaco as i have noticed them swaying heaiver toward takegawa allready.

Z

With normal pitbike companies, yes. With BBR or TwoBros? I don't see them worried about being competitive on price. If they were worried about that, they wouldn't be ridiculously priced on all of their product when other companies offer a similar product at a fraction of the cost.

As Hackmunch noted, I'm sure Kitaco wants to work with BBR for the McGrath name at minimoto running the new 4 valve head. It's a Nationally recognized name for them, but is a huge slap in the face for CHP and Sik50's.

This would be bigger news if it happened 4 years ago, but the premium parts market is getting killed in the sales department and I don't see it rebounding anytime soon. Too much cost effective competition in the market and a dying market segment for premium parts.

RcWannabe

Exactly what I am getting at CHP and King may lower their price to compete thus making us consumers

Z

Maybe if the cut out their dealer program and only sell direct to the customer. Their dealer margins are terrible to begin with and not much wiggle room to lower prices unless they would completely change the way they do business.

slowkid6

i saw that the other day thats great

JCMINIS

[quote=Z;781310
Additionally, for you people going to Indy next week, please take detailed pictures of the new Kitaco 4 valve Unicam KLX head that will most likely be in one of the kitaco distributor booths in Vegas.
Dan[/QUOTE]

I will have camera ready.I will try to get some.Last year I was nearly stoned for trying to get detailed pics of some products(not naming names).LOL

slide1in

i had a chance to talk to a certain someone and they said the dyno numbers are insane @143 for the new kitaco head 4valve

RcWannabe

It sucks for the dealers anyway because places like powersports store and minibikeoutlet xr50.com and ect get distributer cost on everything and are selling the parts regularly priced cheaper than a small dealer can even hook someone up. So at this point in the game the might as well.

50-50

BBR isn't overpriced. Their quality is just better than everybody elses...

That used to be the thinking around this site by a lot of people (not me). My how times have changed...

HACKMUNCH

Bbr Had A 4 Valve Head On One Of There Klx110s Last Year At Indy. I Have Pics Of It Somewhere I Just Have To Find Them. 143 Dohc Should Make 20hp

p3racer

ya it was a dohc head

FASTFREAK693

BBR makes great products. Everybody will agree on that. But they need to be a little more realistic on their pricing. Mini parts shouldn't cost as much, if not more than big bike parts.

RcWannabe

Cant really compare them, this is a more specialized market. Where as honda makes a zillion crf450s every year bbr make only makes 2000 perimeter frames. Same thing applies to how cheap auto parts are compared to mx bike parts. I would say everyone should count their blessing as you can get a klx perimeter for 2500 and crf for 2200 where as when they first came out they were 4500.

dood

It is a 160 and the engine model said in the neighborhood of 26 depending on cam timing.

Brandonbmw

all it seems like to me is that bbr is now a distributor for kitaco. and they will be working together. not that kitaco is going out of business..... correct me if im wrong.