Superbike Planet Blasts KTM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jan 29 2009, 05:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>No, people shouldn't accept privileges from KTM. KTM and Red Bull are giving everything and getting nothing in hopes that the racing series will build brand awareness and help sell bikes/drinks. If you promise to make a donation to charity, then you decide the charity isn't a good use of your money and it would be better spent elsewhere, are you an amoral person?

I agree that's why they are doing it. Unfortunately, what they have been doing the past few years with that brand awareness is showing that they don't follow through on commitments. If you keep doing that, people will not want to do business with you. And to answer that question, yes. If you make a promise, you keep it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>The contract is the only reason KTM/Red Bull should have any consideration for any parties involved in the series.

Agreed. That's my point

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>KTM should reimburse only the direct expenses related to running the series and reimbursement should be in accordance with any contractual obligations. At this point, I doubt there is much to reimburse, and I doubt any of it would be going to the kids or any of the people who wrench for them or manage them.

Agreed.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cankles @ Jan 29 2009, 10:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I agree that's why they are doing it. Unfortunately, what they have been doing the past few years with that brand awareness is showing that they don't follow through on commitments. If you keep doing that, people will not want to do business with you. And to answer that question, yes. If you make a promise, you keep it.

Well, I can't argue with that. KTM need to follow through so their non-customers will have faith in the commitments they make i.e. warranties, guarantees, etc. and do business with them.

I think our understanding is a far cry from the article written to shame them. The kids don't matter, nor do the promoters, or anybody else. The only thing that matters is KTM's relationship with it's customers and the people who own KTM bikes or are looking to buy KTM bikes.

Are you looking to purchase a KTM? I'm not. Maybe this move is smarter than we know?

To an extent. Anybody that would look to do business with KTM will think twice. Whether it be promotors, customers, or anybody else for that matter. If you get sponsored by them, will they pull your support mid season? If you buy a bike, will they honor the warranty? If you race their bike, will they be able to provide support? Will promotors trust them to follow through on paying to sponsor an event? If I don't trust somebody, I won't do business with them. That will limit how much they can get their name out there via title sponsorship.

All of this leads to bad business for KTM, followed by them going out of business.

And I would go with a Yamaha as I have seen what they do to support the sport. Especially here in America. Just look at what they have done with Laguna, if nothing else.

That was good business, IMO. I am looking to get one of those new R1's