What do you think happened?

[rocketman]

 What are your thoughts concerning the end of Bridgestones motorcycle division? I'm not buying the tire argument that Bridgestone would simply cave under pressure from other manufacturers threatening to Boycott thier tires! Theres other theorys,whats yours?

[Dave K]

Only my opinion. The design of really all the BS's had not really changed since they came out with the rotary valve models. It was time for a redesign as all the manufactures had done or were doing. The hand writing was on the wall for 2 strokes, even then, unless you really went back to the drawing board and spent huge dollars in R&D. It appeared as if there was more money in the rubber industry, so cut your expenses and sell what makes you the most money and move on. JMHO

[Richard Clark BS parts]

I am with Dave K, as my opinion is, they just felt that the company could do better expanding the rubber industry further.

In hindsight, I think they were correct, as they would have dumped tons of money into the motorcycle division and have set up
a proper worldwide distribution system, as ROCKFORD MOTORS was very poor at best, please read the link below for more
information about ROCKFORD MOTORS

http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?board=33.0

All the other Japanese manufactures have diversified into other products, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki all make many different products so much
as motorcycles are not their primary business today.

Also if you downloads the PDF at bottom of this link, it gives more insight.

http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=149.0


Questions? or need Bridgestone parts? call:

Richard Clark
812-944-1643  8am-6pm EST Weekdays

[rocketman]

I'm with you so far. I guess its not really fair of me to ask others of their theory without presenting my own. Bridgestone started with rubber and ended with rubber,rubber to this day. I think we will probably all agree that there were a lot of facets of the overall picture,but I think Richard has definitely hit on the crux of the situation. Had Rockfords distribution not been so terribly inadequate,the manufacturer might have been able to realize the full potential of their own product. I place the bulk of the wieght on Rockfords shoulders. After the initial few years of increasing productivity,it just doesn't appear that there was any real push to further or improve the distribution. There was likely other reasons like the US EPA and such,but these would not stop a profitable manufacturer. And just like the other Japanese manufacturers who re-tooled and or branched out ,the factory would have surely done the same. After all,where did all their designers and staff go to end up developing the future for us?  Mark.

[Bridgestone Man]

Never really thought about the poor job Rockford Motors did, but giving dealerships to non motorcycle businesses was pretty stupid. I grew up in
Grand Rapids  MI. both the BS dealers were just part time, never has anything but a desire for you to order a bike. While as you could walk into the Honda
dealership and see a real shop.  Even the Hodaka was a real shop.

I think were were lucky they lasted as long as they did. Sad but true.

Sam Keys

[paul]

BS tire business was their specialty. The bikes were a side line. Its business , follow the money. As for Rockford, do you really want to purchase your shiney new bike from a lawn mower dealer or a dealer who's show room was his front yard.

[Toystoretom]

From the lack of any evidence on any kind of 4 stroke machine by Bridgestone, and the fact that just about everyone else had the jump on them in the 4 stroke game, I can't believe they were prepared to compete. Were there any 4 stroke prototypes around? I heard that were were a few 500 cc GTR's made but that gets them nowhere.

If you combine that with threats from other cycle makers not to buy tires the decision to quit may have not been popular but it may have been the only avenue to pursue. You never know, the other manufacturers may have put pressure on the companies that made cycle parts for Bridgestone also.

They would have had to lay out a fortune on R&D, tooling and a new factory to stay afloat. It would have been easier to just make tires.

[reed]

This will get you going
Bridgestone should have gone in with Triumph and made 650 engines that will run fast
and no oil leaks!
Thanks.
Reed.

[paul]

Millwaukee, Wisconsin would have been closer. Didn't the G in GTR stand for Glide