by spaguru » Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:58 am
Kawasaki… Why is their color GREEN?
Being born, and raised, and living in Nebraska all my 39 years has been a struggle for an avid off road motorcycle/ATV enthusiast. Living in Nebraska, we all know that Kawasaki Motorcycles has a major manufacturing facility located in Lincoln. You would think that having a major motorcycle manufacturer in your town would possibly be one of the biggest influences for off road riding areas, but, with Kawasaki it has absolutely no impact what-so-ever.
As a matter of fact, Kawasaki has never done anything for our city of Lincoln, our state of Nebraska or anything to promote goodwill or support for one of the worst states for off road riding areas open to the general public for dirt bike/ATV riders. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch.
Wouldn’t it be a dream-come-true for Lincoln/Omaha Nebraska motorcyclists for Kawasaki to fund and open a public off road riding area? What a gift back to the community it would be for a state with such a poor offering of public places to ride off road motorcycles and ATV’s, one of the worst states in the US for such an activity. Keep dreaming if you think Kawasaki will make a difference for us.
The Abbott Sports Complex in Lincoln Nebraska is trying to obtain funding from both federal programs and from LOCAL sponsors to build a world class Motocross Facility. Kawasaki has not made any Tax Deductible donations for the project and I honestly don’t see them as any help with the project at all. Lancaster County has donated $50,000 for the project. Isn’t it a shame that Kawasaki does not get involved in such a community project where they are located and is exactly the kind of place their products are used? You would think Kawasaki would jump at an opportunity to help with a national track project so close to where the machines are made… Think again…
In 39 years of living in Nebraska, I have NEVER seen or heard of Kawasaki sponsoring, promoting or supporting ANY local event such as a fundraising event, community event or even a private event.
Local businesses, local manufacturing companies, local car dealers, local motorcycle shops and many others, sponsor all kinds of events to support the community such as charity golf tournaments, car shows, entertainment events, home, boat, travel and hunting shows, poker runs, charity events, etc…
On Kawasaki’s web site, they have recently done something never heard of in Nebraska – offering tours of the manufacturing facility in Lincoln Nebraska. You must, however, be a owner of a Kawasaki product, register for the tour of the plant through a Kawasaki dealer, and the tour is only available on the second Thursday of each month for an hour.
What a gift back to the community customer…
The web site goes on to say that the employees take personal responsibility for quality and feels “pride” in a job well done. I know people who work at Kawasaki (the K-Plant) and they don’t feel this way…
It is clearly evident that the bottom line for Kawasaki is making as much money as possible. I realize that this is the essence of business but I know of no other motorcycle manufacturer that does LESS for their community, or the people who buy their products. What a shame, an embarrassment for the community, sweep them under the rug…
Maybe the fact that they are located in Lincoln Nebraska conceal these observations and maybe no one has brought these facts to the light of day, or maybe no one seems to care, but I do, and I do not feel as though Kawasaki is good for our community or for motorcycling in general.
The extent of Kawasaki involvement in the motorcycle rider’s world appears to be support at some motocross and road racing events for Kawasaki motorcycle riders in the form of mechanical and parts supply. In my opinion, this is simply to promote more sales of their products and to appear as “involvement” in the industry. They also attend all the trade shows and other places to promote the sales of their machines. This is the bare minimum a manufacturer can and must do, and they probably would not even do this, if all the other manufacturers did not do it too. It is all about the money. More money. Green money. All take and no give.
They have a “Riders Club” called ROK (Riders of Kawasaki) but you have to PAY to be a member! For Kawasaki, it is all about the MONEY. Green Money.
Having formed these personal opinions many years ago, I have always decided to never buy from, or support a manufacturer that does not support the sport of motorcycling. Just like you will NEVER see Kawasaki support their local community or local customers, you will NEVER see me on a Kawasaki...
Support the sport! Ride safe. Tread Lightly and quietly.