I was giving my opinion of what Yamaha might do. One thing to bear in mind is
that Yamaha US and Yamaha Europe do not have to do the same thing. They are
basically set up as their own companies and can order what they want. This is
one reason you may see models here and not there or there and not here. YMUS
took a hard hit on the GTS ABS issue. Japanese do not forget that. With that
thought in mind, and having talked to some ranking Japanese people within
YMUS, it doesn't sound like they want it here. It is too big of a risk to
take. ABS is currently not a must have as dictated by consumers on the whole.
That may be an economics issue. MOST people aren't willing to spend the extra
money to get ABS. I know some people are, the ones buying the ABS equipped
bikes but it comes down to assessing how many sales they are loosing due to
non ABS equipped Vs money lost if they have another GTS ABS problem. They
know they are giving up some sales, but since it is already a small market
percentage, the actual number of sales they are giving up is even smaller.
Certain people are brand loyal and will not buy a competitors brand no matter
what. So if they like brand X and it has ABS and they want ABS, they will buy
it. If brand X doesn't have ABS but they would rather have brand X than
something else with ABS, they will still buy brand X. Some people are spec
buyers and don't place the particular brand as the number 1 deciding factor.
Sure it is high on the list, they still expect value for their money, but
perhaps they will pick the bike that best suits them out of their three
favorite brands, or more as the case may be. All I can say is from what I
heard from people who affect the decision, it doesn't look good at all.
Understand, I am guessing, but basing it on what I have heard and talked
about with the people I mentioned.
RSRBOB
