these things out yet?

[450raider]

i really wanna hear a real/normal persons review of the ds, ive seen all the mags reveiws and they all like em (except one of which had nothin to say bad about it but still managed to find something to whine about so it dont sound as good as a yami), but if they havent starting coming out somewhere yet im kinda glad i didnt wait almost half a year and since i live in moronville the 08's probably wont hit here till next august, so i just wanna hear how it really stacks up against the others.

thanks

and lastly as a little bonus question does anyone think that with canam taking so long, they just may have gave their seasons market away to ktm?

[Dan_Guetter]

Few more weeks

[ThePhantomRider]

Look, there are several things to take into consideration. First, KTM only will have a handfull out to the public, so they in no way lost any ground there. Second, Can-Am never set an actual date for release, the reason for this very well could be that they, as we know have been working on the racing aspect of this quad to get their bikes and teams set up. This would also allow them to have a extended peroid of time to work out any possible problems and have them corrected on the production run.

Remember, manufacturers may test their quads prior to release, but there are only a couple hand built test mules out during these times. To get them into a number of riders hands and let them beat the wholy hell out of them so they can see if it indeed holds up is crucial and a step most manufacturers ever take. So far as I understand there have been no consistent failures or problems, just a few scattered and random things that already have been corrected. Now that hundreds of hours have been logged they can actually get a true reading on how well they work and it looks outstanding.

They are not Yamaha or Honda and will not take a risk of a bad tranny or rear shock mounts breaking and have to then correct it at the production end and also all the consumer recalls.

They tood a dramatic step away from the norm, and that not only takes a leap of faith on behalf of the consumer, that they believe that all this new technology will work but one that must be met with with a product that will deliver the goods.

There are now 7 quads available in the 450 market, and they want to be the one that gives you everything as promised with as little downside and downtime as possible.

I don't work for Can-Am, but I do know what is at stake and they want to be damn sure that when you throw your leg over your new DS 450, you'll have somthing worth your hard earned money.

TPR

[450raider]

yeah TRP you make a lot of good points alot of what you said i was already kinda thinkin yeah maybe canam is making sure they get rid of each and every bug before the release this maybe bold but brp may very well be the "GM" of the motorsports world in a few short years, i hope to someday have a canam to see how good their product/customer care/overall service is, but back to the ds in particular, ive read somewhere that its been in the works since 2001 or 2002 and when they broke the big news of it in may they shoulda almost expected people would rave for a fall release and now we get to what i meant about ktm- didnt they announce their product after canam did, and still come out with it beforehand? thats all im gettin at

[ThePhantomRider]

Yeah, KTM announced after and released before their new quad. There are some differences though. Primarily, they have had these motors out for some time and have a proven record with them. They are also using the tried and true steel frame....true it's production chrome moly but nothing real exotic.

With the Can Am, it has been in development since 2001, but remember this, the bike you will buy today is a far cry from what would have been on the drawing board back then. At that time the target was the 400ex type sport...then we get the YFZ and the target changed. So there was several different approaches before they settled on the all or nothing go in a different direction not just to be different, but to be better and change the game in a segment they had no real exposure previously. We're talking 100% new and much of it unique so it needs to be right and getting a small hit from KTM will be a worthwile step in the long run success of the DS.


TPR

[motox450]

TPR
I think what myself and most are concerned with is the hype that was brought by Can-Am and the release of the DS. Myself including many others got updates and watched almost religously to see the model. Can-Am then showed their cards. In my belief they did so to early. If they are withholding production due real world testing they could have and should have done that well before now. I am sure Can-Am has a sercret testing facility that they could and should have beat the snot out of the quad there, doing all the torture testing known to man. The KTM quad has been in the works for 2-3 years and from my sources had logged in thousands of hours before the quad was realeased to the market. Can-Am should have had the majorityof the bugs worked out before they made the big showing on their site. Then they come with the X packages before the normal packages have hit the showroom floor. Let's also remember that even though KTM has went with some traditional materials, they have never built a quad before. Can-Am now has years of quad building experiance to rely on. Right now Can-Ams delayed release is not helping them sell quads. It is making people go out and buy what is available. The new KTM's are lasting less that 10 days on showroom floors. There are a great many people that would be swayed to buy the DS if it was on the showroom floor to buy. Can-Am dropped the ball and KTM picked it up and is dribbling it all the way to the hoop.

[Punk'd]

Originally posted by ThePhantomRider
Yeah, KTM announced after and released before their new quad. There are some differences though. Primarily, they have had these motors out for some time and have a proven record with them. They are also using the tried and true steel frame....true it's production chrome moly but nothing real exotic.

With the Can Am, it has been in development since 2001, but remember this, the bike you will buy today is a far cry from what would have been on the drawing board back then. At that time the target was the 400ex type sport...
TPR

Believe it or not the original plan was a 2 stroke. I have a dvd on the making of it from work. Im sure your local Can-Am dealer will have some to hand out as well.

[ThePhantomRider]

This is an all or nothing deal for them. Their feeling is they can take a little hit while getting everything dialed in for long term benefits. For better or worse they intend to bring the best, most dialed in and most worry free 450 on the market.


TPR

[motox450]

TPR,
I am not denying the fact that Can-Am has to get this right from the get go. I am however questioning their marketing tactics. Far too much hype and not enough to show for it. It would have been better for them to wait to show the product when it was ready. Right now people are questioning on weather the quad is as good as the original hype. If there are problems they are working out now, again that doesn't give people a warm fuzzy feeling after what was shown in all the websodes. When Cam-Am did their whole marketing speel over months, it would have been in their best interest to have the quads ready for delivery right after the full reveal. Right now they look as if they didn't have their crap together, and their original marketing plan is backfiring. Can-Am would be better off at this point to give a set date for the quad hitting the showroom floor, or announce that the quad will actually be an 09 model and fix the problems through testing. To keep people interested they could have test riding days throughout the states. This would keep people wanting the quad as it would give Can-Am real world feedback on the quad.

[ThePhantomRider]

Hey I don't disagree with you, but it's the path they chose and one they stuck with. There are a lot of factors that you and I are not privy to in regard to bringing an all new quad into production, less one that is almost entirely different from the rest of the market with more innovations than any to date.

Engage patience and you will be justly rewarded.


TPR