[net.cycle] FJ1100 Obsolete?

curry@nsc.UUCP (Ray Curry) (04/12/86)

At last, something to get a heated discussion going.  Who says that
net.cycle never has anything exciting to argue about.  When I posted 
my for sale on my Yamaha, it wasn't because I felt it obsolete and
wanted the GSXR because it was a year newer.  Actually, I still think
the Yamaha is a superior overall street bike if you add in weekend or
weeklong trips.  Its high torque motor and milder riding position
make it more comfortable for the average rider and far easier to ride
than the Suzuki.  I wanted the Suzuk because I race occasionally and
even on the street, I have occasion to scrape pegs once in a while.
As I prepared to fine tune the Yamaha to fit me (raise the pegs, 
lower the clipons, etc.) the Suzuki came along a did it for me.  
 
Anyway, this wasn't what I felt was food for thought.  What if obsolescence
were the reason?  Is there a reason to say its bad.  Certainly some people
want to own something that doesn't depreciate because next years model isn't
any better.  That's why there's Harleys.  That means the person can use the
item for a low cost.  I on the other hand, tend to use up the product.  
Resale isn't a major concern and I only buy new to gain some signifcant
improvement.  Witness my 75 Van with 170000, 77 KZ1000 with 70000.  
I do have enough of the racer still in me to not mind buying the "best tire"
this year and replace it with the better next year, even though its not worn
out.  It took the Yamaha to get me off the KZ and the Suzuk for the Yamaha.
But isn't that the advantage the Japanese have in business.  They do not
tie themselves to obsolete methods just because they didn't think of it
last year, or because consumer taste changes and the market may sell different
this year.  Remember the Yamaha 750 twin.  Scrapped after one year because it
was garbage and Yamaha realized it.  Sad they were able to prove out the 
design before committing, but they could have pulled a GM and continued to
make the same garbage for years just because of the investment made.
Whats better, a Japanese consumer disposable market where everything is new
every three years, or an American one where the same item is made for 10 or
20 years?  Food for though, indeed. :-)