[agrippa1]

Went to a local bike shop today to browze--I'm still afoot since the accident. Asked about a sport tourer (C 14). Salesman got a blank stare then mumbled something about he hadn't seen one in months, transportation issues with Kawasaki. Finally said the tsunami had wiped out a lot of their parts production facilities.

Does this sound like a bunch of crap to you too? I thought the tsunami hit in a mostly agricultural area.

Still hoping for a new Strom, but hope is fading.

Plenty of cruisers and crotch rockets though....(no thanks)

 

[richw]

Try Motorcycles - Scooters, Dirt Bikes, Choppers, Sport Bikes, and Other Motorcycles for Sale - Cycle Trader.com

I am suspiscious that many (my local) dealers $$$ are so tight that they can't buy anything to sell

 

[dancer]

I sat on a new C14 this past Saturday in the local Kawi dealer showroom. There was another sitting right beside it. Don't know what year either one was.

I don't think the salespeople thought I was serious as I had my right arm in a sling, and really needed some help to dismount one-armed.

 

[SCraig]

... Does this sound like a bunch of crap to you too? I thought the tsunami hit in a mostly agricultural area....

Check the news for those weeks. The tsunami in Japan wasn't confined to agricultural areas by any means. Maybe a few Photographs will help. Over 10,000 were killed, over 17,000 missing and probably dead.

Yes, many Japanese manufacturers were badly damaged by the tsunami. Yes, many of them are well backed-up on deliveries. Their manufacturing facilities rely on parts from other manufacturing facilities that rely on parts from yet other manufacturing facilities.

 

[K1W1]

Yes, many Japanese manufacturers were badly damaged by the tsunami. Yes, many of them are well backed-up on deliveries. Their manufacturing facilities rely on parts from other manufacturing facilities that rely on parts from yet other manufacturing facilities.

Not only Japanese manufacturers. Many delays and shortages of products manufactured in China are now happening. Even though the base TV or stereo or camera or other electronic item may be manufactured in China a lot of them still contain integral parts that are sourced from Japan and a lot of those small specialist Japanese electronics parts manufacturers have been badly affected by the initial tsunami and the subsequent power shortages.

 

[agrippa1]

I do keep up on the news, I am absolutely aware of the devastation and the tremendous loss of life. I live in the Katrina zone--check where I live, you think I don't understand natural disasters?

However, I am unaware of any announcements by the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers that they can't deliver product. There has been a pretty large roll-out of the new C 14 with all the upgrades that have been done. They have not, to my knowledge, said they can't deliver the bikes. If they can't I don't have a problem with them.

I am doubting a salesman at a local (sorry) dealership.

 

[SCraig]

Some people on this forum who have the Yamaha Super Tenere on order have been informed not to expect them before this fall as opposed to the spring as they were promised. There were a couple of posts on that here last month.

 

[agrippa1]

SCraig and K1W1

I am aware of posts regarding delays in the delivery of the Super Tenere. I did not make the connection.

Having reread my post I realize that I did that most common of things--the tone was harsher than I realized. I apologize.

Has anyone heard of delays in bring the new C 14 to dealerships? I am tired of driving a cage!!!

 

[SCraig]

No apology necessary.

I suspect that the C-14 has or will have supply problems as well since it sounds like pretty much all of the Japanese industries were hurt. There is an office in the building where I work that is a steel supplier and I talk with one of the guys there from time to time. He told me a couple of weeks ago that there was no steel whatsoever coming out of Japan right now as all of the mills were down. That might have just been for a short time, I don't know, but it was a real problem for the car makers.

 

[agrippa1]

I feel for them having been in the same position of being decked by Mother Nature. Lost my house during Katrina but it's all good now.

'Course we didn't have to deal with radiation..........

 

[Dirt_Dad]

However, I am unaware of any announcements by the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers that they can't deliver product.

I have a letter here on my desk from Yamaha telling me that due to the tsunami devastation some of their suppliers have been impacted and they must delay the delivery of all Super Tenere bikes. They say they believe they will be able to complete delivery by November 30th. They make no mention of when delivery will start...probably because they have no idea. Original deliver was supposed to begin this month.

I'm not convinced they will meet November 30th. There is such devastation across the board over there that I'm content to wait as long as they need to get back on their feet. I'll happily take the bike when they can get it to me.

 

[agrippa1]

Thanks Dirt Dad. How's the wife? Fully recovered?

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Thanks Dirt Dad. How's the wife? Fully recovered?

Wife is improving, probably a few more weeks before she's 100%. All is going well, thanks.

Just got another letter from Yamaha today. Said they have been working with key suppliers "round the clock" to offset the impact from the tsunami. They have moved their completed delivery date to the end of August.

 

[ronin149]

Concerning looming shortages, keep in mind that Japan had an earthquake just before the tsunami.

 

[PTRider]

There were many suppliers of small specialty parts in the area hit by the earthquake. If just one minor part is unavailable, and no other adequate sources for it, the whole bike is unavailable. Also, the electricity shortages caused by the shut down nukes plus damage to the grid is causing factory shut downs and commuter worker rail problems. Honshu, the main island of Japan and the site of the damage, has 100 volt, 50 hertz power in its northeast part and 100 volt 60 hertz power in its southwest part, so the undamaged part of the island can't supply power to the damaged part.

More in the electrical problem:
HEARD ON THE STREET: Japan's Marathon Power Problem - WSJ.com

The three melted down reactors in Fukushima Daiichi are much worse than thought, other reactors at Fukishima Daini are at risk of catastrophic failure due to cooling loss after a control room fire, and many others are shut down for inspection or retrofitting.
Japan Reactor-Core Damage Is Worse Than Expected, Delaying Tepco

 

[RichDesmond]

Even before the tsunami-caused problems the Japanese manufacturers were being very cautious with their production numbers. Many dealerships are going to have shortages of bikes this year. Don't expect a lot of wiggle room on pricing.

 

[OJ650]

Went to a local bike shop today to browze--I'm still afoot since the accident. Asked about a sport tourer (C 14). Salesman got a blank stare then mumbled something about he hadn't seen one in months, transportation issues with Kawasaki. Finally said the tsunami had wiped out a lot of their parts production facilities.

Does this sound like a bunch of crap to you too? I thought the tsunami hit in a mostly agricultural area.

Still hoping for a new Strom, but hope is fading.

Plenty of cruisers and crotch rockets though....(no thanks)

Max Motorsports in Pelham, AL has a new black Wee and Big #1 in Homewood, AL has one new in silver. Both ABS bikes. MS not that far from AL and we'd appreciate the business!

I've been trying to buy a tank bra for my new Vee and have been told the same availability thing about OEM accessories. Was also told the Vee I purchased over in GA was likely the last one in the SE. I'm still having trouble convincing my wife that "we" got lucky w/ the purchase!