Posted by Witch Doctor on March 22, 2000 at 00:09:13:
In Reply to: Suzuki Savage posted by Larry Lierman Sr. on March 21, 2000 at 00:29:35:
The biggest reason there is not a US version is that the bike just doesn't have a lot of recognition. Big bikes are the norm here, smaller ones in the rest of the world. The Savage is not very popular here either. You have to remember, this is a SMALL, METRIC, one lunged 650. It can't safely run with the big bikes. The "big bikers" don't really want us arouond, and only tolerate our model as an intro to getting a "real" motorcycle.
I for one think the idea has merit, however, I'm not going to go through the hassle of getting a national charter, AMA recognition, designing "colors or some other sort of recognizable emblem, etc. It takes a lot of very hard work to develop an operable club, and unless the model gains more popularity stateside, I can't see any way to justify the expenditure of time, labor and resources to develop a going concern type of club. I'm quite happy with the informal family that the forum has become, and for me, for now, that is enough.
-WD
PS: If you'd like to take on the challenge of starting a club, I wish you success. I'll be more than happy to charter in if anyone gets a Savage club going in the states, and in fact offer whatever help I can give as an ex-clubber.