Quote:
Originally Posted by Homeslice
Because ABS, TC, and a mere 6% increase in displacement isn't enough to justify a 29% price increase........especially not in this economy.
|
It has a lot more to do with this economy than it does with improvements to the bike. When the Dollar tanks compared to the Yen and most of Kawasaki's expenses for the bike are in Yen Kawasaki is going to need more Dollars for the bike. Kawasaki now gets less than 80 Yen for every Dollar. Around a year ago they got closer to 90. Three years ago they got in the neighborhood of 110. I'd bet the exchange rate is the primary driver for the price increase.
The upside is that same change should make US manufactured goods cheaper to sell in Japan. Too bad we don't make anything anymore.