For you motorcycle guys out there–or anyone who knows anything about “the Industry”…why is it that there are no models of dirt bikes out there?
There has to be a MONSTROUSLY HUGE market out there for it–imagine every guy who grew up riding an RM, YZ, CR, or KX,–or the myriad of enduro/dual sport models spawned by these base models–not to mention old Pentons, Bultaco’s, KTM’s,etc,…–building the bike that they owned or wanted to own. Or that their childhood hero rode. Or rides! (Go Ricky! Go Jeremy!)
And what a GREAT way to introduce more kids into the hobby! I race Hare Scrambles, Enduro’s and occasionaly motocross here on the East Coast, and our racing organization has over 100 kids in the “MIni’s” classes alone-that’s not counting ages 13-and-up, who number another 150-200 members. I’ll bet these kids would build every bike they ever owned, wrecked, or dreamed about! I know I would!
Does anyone know why there’s none to speak of on the market? I simply can’t believe that it’s a totally untapped market!
What’s your thoughts?
I coulds swear I used to see dirt bike/motocross bike kits not that long (less than 10 years) ago at one of my LHS. I think some of the Japanese companies made the kits. Worst case, DML/Dragon made a 1/35 scale bike used by the Army for scouts in the 80s in their US Light Infantry set. I can’t remember if it was a Kawasaki or Suzuki, but it was a standard commercial off road bike that the Army bought and made a few mods to for military purposes.
But yes, anything that would interest and bring new life to this hobby would be a good idea. Race cars (in all its forms-NASCAR, Formula, etc.) have quite a following,and their are numerous kits of those out there, so why not dirt bikes?
EDIT- Ok, I just checked Tamiya’s website and they have quite a line of 1/12 bike kits. Ducatti, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki… most appear to be race track/street bikes, but some appear to be offroad. This is way outside my area of knowledge.
Yeah, I looked at them too; they’re mostly street bikes and European tourers–some of the Europe bikes are like “Trans-Alps” style, like a cruiser on steroids, but they’re not meant for dirt…[sigh][BH]
I actually have that light infantry bike kit; it’s a KTM-250 dirt bike, but lacks the livery or any decals. It is a cool kit; I actaully forgot about it until you mentioned it. Geez, iy seems like they could just take that mold and with some extra options turn it into just about any manufacturer’s offering!
There used to be some dirt/off-road bikes but I think they never sold enough to be re-issued.
Tamiya even offered an off-road rider figure in their 1/12 scale range.
Academy used to have line of off road/dirt bikes. I remember as a child building and playing with those kits. But this is about 20+ years ago.
As far as I know, the only “New” stuff would be in die-cast. There have been a small number of Motocross bikes that were available in the past. Academy 1/12 Honda and Suzuki 250’s are still around for a reasonable price on ebuy.($10+ship.) Protar made some in 1/9 scale that are quite nice but are pricey. They made Bultaco, CZ, Maico, Montessa and others from the Golden Age of Motocross, the 60’s and 70’s. Also a few later models of Paris to Dakar type bikes.
Tamiya had some nice ones too. 1/12 scale Honda CR450, CR250 and a KTM 250. Some came with or without a rider. Or you could buy the rider separately posed in either a jumping pose or a turning pose. Tamiya also made a 1/6 Yamaha YZ that gets $100 min. most I’ve seen go for around $150 on ebuy.
Revell made a few also. A Husqvarna 400 Malcom Smith motocross version and a desert version of the same bike. They also made a Suzuki 400 in a Roger DeCoster livery and as a RM400 in a couple different scales.
Aoshima, Bandai, Fumai, Minicraft and Nagano also made dirt bikes( Enduros‘) in different scales and Manufactures. Liveries. Can’t think of the company that made that Military version of a Kawasaki 400-450? That’s most of what I know about dirt bike models. Wish a few new ones would show up on the shelves myself.
Wow–the Roger Decoster model going for almost $50.00 on Ebay! There IS a market for this stuff!
It’s amazing that they haven’t come out with a Ricky Carmichael model/bike yet. I mean, he’s only the “G.O.A.T.”–“Greatest Of All Time”!![8D][yeah]
Back in the seventies, Revell had a handful of dirt bike kits. Perhaps you can look on E-bay or at a kit expo. If you’re coming to Anaheim, check out the vendor room!