You decide, what kind of FZ-07 Parts Vendors to bring on?

[Cruizin]

We have been approached by a few potential supporting Vendors and even a retailer who would like to advertise and sell on both this and the FJ-09 Forums.
 
We like to mull things over before making these decisions. I'd like to know the consensus of your opinions on specialty vendors vs motorcycle industry online retailers. Which do you prefer or do you suggest both?
 
If there is any supplier or manufacturer that you especially like, please feel free to mention them as well as I am also reaching out to certain companies for comparison sake.
 
Like always, this place is for you and we seriously value your opinions. AKA, we never want you to go away! lol
 
Thanks,
 
FZ07.org, FZ-07 Forums Staff

[cassecou]

Thanks Cruizin. I think vendors are certainly welcome here, as long as they are placed in a secluded area of the forum, and can not barge in our conversations to promote their products. But, we need to know who they are and what they have to offer. We can definitely benefit from there expertise, and I would like to see some of our members testing and reviewing our sponsor's products.
 

[hobbs]

I like specialty vendors more than motorcycle industry online retailers. The big online guys usually have good deals anyway.
 
The two things I've gotten from SV's have been great. The EJK and @Marthy 's exhaust. I'll grab @rotaryryan24 's radiator guard soon as well and expect it will be just as good.
 
It would be cool to have some shock options from a vendor. Maybe an accessory retailer or ECU specialist. Exhaust and tuning are pretty well covered.
 
 

[mjh937]

I would like to see vendors more than online sites, but having said that if an online retailer wanted to give me a deal I would not say no . I would love to see an LED headlight kit that was plug and play. I also would have bought an LED turn signal that had Yamaha connectors today. I ended up buying them separately and will get to practice my soldering skills when they arrive.

[howlinhoss]

Rearsets or Rearset Bracket adapters to move rearsets up and back for track.

[schalicke]

All suggestion seem good to me. ^^^ I like vendors and I think it gives smaller companies or backyard geniuses a platform to showcase and sell their products. (rotaryryan) I think both Online retailers, Vendors, and Local Shops all have their place when it comes to my $.

[potatochips]

Bike specific forums, you might have a seat guy, and a decal/vinyl guy. I'm sure there will be a few seat options eventually, not sure what's currently available, but the small/custom guys usually are popular on these sites. I can think of one guy that used to do bad ass custom decals, I don't think it's difficult to start on a new bike.
 
I can put you in touch with the largest Ohlins distributor in the US. I don't have any pull with them, just casually know the contact. Ohlins has lower priced shocks available, though not many in the US for the 07, that might change with interest and as the bike sells. They are currently ordered from Europe. Not sure what you're looking for from them, and I know there are a couple suspension guys already, but someone mentioned shocks.

[FZRDR]

Very glad to hear there are more sponsors lining up! The two most important criteria for me, 1.) the products are FZ specific and 2.) the sponsors are giving forum members a nice discount.  

[GAZ]

Ones that don't take all my money.. oh wait..
 
But I'd still be interested in a seat manufacture.

[qjohnson]

I think the affordable HID retrofitting guys do awesome work. I see them on the fz-09 forums. That would be cool to see them here

[Quixote]

It'd be good to have vendors that have a personal interest in the FZ-07 and FZ-09 rather than vendors that are just interested in our members as generic riders.
 
Also, if we do have the national boys on our site they should offer a member discount or some other worthwhile perk.

[Geteup]

Thanks Cruizin. I think vendors are certainly welcome here, as long as they are placed in a secluded area of the forum, and can not barge in our conversations to promote their products. But, we need to know who they are and what they have to offer. We can definitely benefit from there expertise, and I would like to see some of our members testing and reviewing our sponsor's products.

I agree

[Guru]

I'm all for supporting vendors, the more the merrier. Preferably FZ07 related items with huge discounts!

[pgeldz]

I'm all for supporting vendors, the more the merrier. Preferably FZ07 related items with huge discounts!

Ditto  
- Paulie

[fairorth]

+1 for bring 'em on, but they should provide nice discounts to members"

[fastfredyb]

IMO, it would be cool to have vendors that at the very least include -fz-07 specific parts. Otherwise, it's just mumbo jumbo that we can find through google or something like that.

[potatochips]

The best you can hope for is knowledge and service, not much in the way of discounts. Vendors on bike specific forums, read lower site traffic, rarely have good deals or discounts. Because they are usually smaller vendors, they can't match the big guys. The best discount you can hope for is a group buy, which can be really good.
 
Some are making it like this is some exclusive club and vendors better offer big discounts if they want in. I am content with a vendor that has good service, knows the bike and parts, and takes the time to help on the board here when a related problem arises. If this becomes a racer like the SV's or Ninja 250's, then the site can be more picky toward vendors. As it is, certainly being a new bike, there isn't a whole lot of money to be made right now that a vendor would be in a position to offer smashing deals, I think it's asking too much.
 
Not trying to take anything away from this site, it's a good group here, and the owners/admin are definitely cool for asking for input from the members. Just to be clear, I'm not pandering for myself or a friend to be a vendor here, I don't sell parts or anything related, and don't have close friends that do, just a fellow FZ owner.

[mjh937]

We have already had some great discounts from the vendors we have. This is not an exclusive club by any means. Anyone is free to join and is in fact welcome. This forum is a great way for someone with FZ-07 merchandise to reach a large number of owners and enthusiasts. I agree that expert help and support is fantastic. Any discount would just be a welcome bonus.

[Cruizin]

The main things that I look for in a supporting Vendor/Advertiser is Quality product, Quality Service and willingness to help/take part in the forums. We charge a small monthly fee to be a supporting Vendor, it's only fair.
 
This site doesn't get 100,000 views per day, but the views that we do get stay for an average of 9 minutes! That is freakin huge.
 
Also, everyone here is a target customer for someone who sells FZ-07 parts. Everyone.
 
Plus, we are the place to get the most info about all things FZ-07. We also have the top search results. Do a Google search for FZ-07 Suspension, Exhaust, even oil filter. We enjoy the top search results for those search terms. That means that the Vendors also enjoy the top search results, over sites like Revzilla and Motorcycle superstore. Sooo much opportunity here.
 
One of you members with metal skills should get designing FZ-07 parts. If they are quality, I could help you quit your day job.

[potatochips]

You can definitely hit a target customer, a huge plus. I really wasn't trying to take away from the site, I do like it, most forums I don't bother participating. Maybe I should have just stated my preference for smaller guys that actually know what they are selling and willing to make things right when they go wrong.

[Cruizin]

Oh, I wasn't directing that at you. And I wasn't offended at all by your comments, they were right on!
 
Truth be told, I just like to brag about this forum, our members and the many [HASH]1 search results that we have. Honestly, I came home drunk one night and got the great idea to by the domain name FZ07.org and FJ-09.org. Then, still drunk, I bought like 20 other domain names.
 
The next sober morning, I went to work building this an the FJ-09 forums. As well as a few others. I'm so thrilled that this forum is alreay hitting the 1000 member mark.

[marthy]

Well, I didn't do much bit it was something. Great little bike and I strongly considering updating the FZ6R in the next few months. Wife is getting sone seat time and if she drop it, won't hurt my feelings too much. Pound 47K miles in 4 great years so far and that little twin mumble is very addictive! Dropping 80 lbs off the bike will make her more comfy too... and I can still pound some miles on it.
 
At least there's 4 exhausts out there making beautiful noise... lol Might end up with a 5th one next year.
 
But like Popato mention, hard to compete $ with the big boys. It's all about volume...
 
Bur hey, kind of cool to pop around here once in a while. Greay group of people.

[Cruizin]

Rotary Ryan is killing the big corporate tail tidy companies by being commited to our members and I'm proud of what he is pulling off here.
 
I like the smaller shops!

[tanner68]

[HASH]2487 is the highest number in the "post your production number thread". We need to support vendors that make specialty products for us. No need to have the bar too high.