<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sally @ Dec 15 2008, 01:49 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>
Lex, help? I thought I got it but after your post I am all confused again. Who exactly are the distributors you are talking about? Do you mean the factories?
Sort of. The AMA doesn't have direct factory support. American Honda is the distribution network, it is in no way affiliated with HRC racing teams.
However, American Honda is like HRC except it operates only in America and it has a much weaker relationship with the major bosses back in Japan. I think the American distributors probably get their racing budget from the Japanese parent, but they decide how to use it autonomously. They promote the products they want to promote. They claim the developments they make in the U.S. create different US spec products from the Japanese factories.
From what I can tell, the American distributors have only managed to obtain a smaller product lineup than is available in Europe. Then they go about the business of cramming high margin sportsbikes into everyone's garages while usable everyday bikes like motards, nakeds, and dual sports sit in the showrooms and rot.
In many ways their AMA racing philosophy and their sales philosophy are identical---market high margin products to a tiny market segment with stiff competition. It isn't working.
Edmonson is unlikeable but he has a new vision for the sport.