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... four-stroke four-cylinder engine in the 1970 s (Suzuki History). These potent machines went up to 750 cc in size; by far the largest engine Suzuki had ever manufactured. After dropping this large street bike line and introducing a turbocharged superbike, Suzuki now mainly deals in on / off road bikes (Suzuki History). Kawasaki Although not one of the biggest manufactures of motorcycles in Japan, Kawasaki has had its influence on the motorcycle industry. Kawasaki started off as Tsukiji Shipyard in Tokyo Japan, in 1878 (Fallon 9).
In the early 1900 s Kawasaki expanded into making motors, thus leading them into the production of small vehicles and airplanes (Fallon 9). At the end of World War II, Japan, like most countries hit hard from the war, had a surplus in spare parts from their airplanes and other war type vehicles (Fallon 10). With these extra parts Kawasaki thought it would be best to build motorcycles. Because of the fact that the engines put into the bikes were originally made for airplanes, they were far more powerful and speedy thus being superior motorcycles compared to the other Japanese bikes. With the success of the motorcycle industry Kawasaki decided to bring an end to its old ways of making airplanes, and decided to concentrate solely on motorcycles (Fallon 11). By 1959 the motorcycle industry had exploded.
With its expansion, many of the smaller producers of motorcycles folded (Fallon 34). Even though the market for motorcycles had expanded, many of the smaller producers of motorcycles had folded. Kawasaki, however, was one of the handfuls of companies that survived. Now Kawasaki holds a strong place in the sales of caf racers (Fallon 37). Yamaha Yamaha originally began as a reed organ production company that was founded by Torakusu Yamaha in Japan of 1887 (Yamaha History). Beginning on July 1 1955 Yamaha Motor Corporation LTD was born (Yamaha History); it is now the second largest manufacture of motorcycles in the world (Yamaha History).
Starting in 1954 the first bike made by Yamaha was a simple 125 cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine (Yamaha History). The design of their first model was a copy of the German DKV (a very popular model in both World Wars) (Yamaha History). Its name was Akatombo, or Red Dragon, and soon became known as a well-built, reliable race bike. The first Yamaha designed bike was a twin-cylinder YDI produced in 1957; it was capable of 20 bhp and won the Mount Asma Race that year (Yamaha History). After three years of exponential growth Yamaha introduced the first sport model made in a Japanese factory; the twin cylinder YDSI with a 5 -speed gearbox was introduced in 1959 (Yamaha History). By 1960 production had increased 600 % and experienced a big increase in exports occurred (Yamaha History).
Exporting had become such a big part of the company that in 1962 exports were at 12, 000 motorcycles, in 1963 it was 36, 000 and by 1964 it was at 87, 000 (Yamaha History). In 1965 exports became half of their sales. When Yamaha's first overseas factory opened in Siam in 1966 Yamaha's production surpassed that of Suzuki's. By 1970 Yamaha had 20 different models of bikes ranging from 50 cc to 350 cc (Yamaha History).
At that point Yamaha was exporting 60 % of their motorcycles (Yamaha History). In 1970 Yamaha broke out of their original routine and started making four-cylinder motorcycles but still continued to make their original two-stroke bikes (Yamaha History). 1973 marked the year where Yamaha's production broke 1 million motorcycles made per year (Yamaha History). Sales Information Obviously the main source of money making for motorcycle companies is in the sales of motorcycles, but there are other ways of taking in revenue. Harley Davidson is a good example. Not only do they sell motorcycles, they also sell cult paraphernalia.
They sell leather jackets, helmets, glasses, t-shirts and other merchandise, sporting their symbolic wings to Harley lovers everywhere. Another way that motorcycle manufacturers make money is through motorcycle rallies. On a regular basis, motorcycle manufacturers as well as manufacturers of aftermarket motorcycle parts and gear get together and put on rallies for motorcycle lovers everywhere. Attending one, you will see more motorcycles than you can imagine and a wider range of personalities than you could perceive. The government regulates the motorcycle industry similarly to the way that the automobile industry is regulated. All street bikes must meet safety, emissions and other standards put forth by the DOT such as the requirement of catalytic converters and correct signal lights to name a few (National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety).
In addition to the manufacturing of motorcycles, the riding of them is obviously regulated as well. To legally drive a motorcycle you must be at least 16 years of age and meet all other driving regulations and have an M-class license as well (National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety). Being that motorcycle riding is a recreational thing, its market can easily be teetered by the smallest of changes. For instance: any sort of major increase in gas prices would decrease motorcycle riding and probably stop many people in the market for a bike from going through with it. However, a rise in gas prices can also raise motorcycle sales. The reason behind this is due to the better gas mileage offered through the use of motorcycles.
Weather also affects the motorcycle industry; simply put the more it rains / snows /hails / freezes , the less people will ride. Motorcycles are such diverse machines. If overcrowding occurs, the motorcycles small size makes it a superior mode of transportation. If gas prices skyrocket, the motorcycles small engine and good gas mileage make it a more economical way to get around. Motorcycles also burn cleaner. On top of that, motorcycles are just plain fun whether off-roading, touring, racing or whatever.
The motorcycle industry is and always will be an undying one. Bibliography 1. Harley Davidson | Company | History: web 2. Honda History: web History / honda history. html 3.
Suzuki History: web History / suzuki history. html 4. Yamaha History: web History / yamaha history. html 5.
BMW Motorcycles: web 6. National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety: Licensing web 7. Soon R. Guggenheim Museum | The Art of the Motorcycle web exhibitions / motorcycle /motorcycle.
html 8. Harley-Davidson Inc. - 2000 Annual Report, Written by: Annual Reports, pages 24 - 28 9. The Kawasaki Story: Racing and production models from 1963 to the present day, written by Ian Fallon and forwarded by Scott Russell, published by Haynes publishing, 1999, pages 9 - 11, 34 - 37 10. Harley-Davidson, written by: Roy Bacon, Denis Chorlton, Richard Fleury, Ian Kerr, published by Thunder Bay Press. , 2001, pages 14 - 21 11. BMW Motorcycles The Complete Story, written by Bruce Preston, published by The Crowd Press. , 1996, pages 8 - 9
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Research essay sample on Harley Davidson Motorcycle Industry
