Interesting article you may not have seen.

[rminier]

http://www.amsnow.com/reviews/vintage/2018/01/1982-kawasaki-intercepto-550-it-was-the-hottest-thing-on-snow

[Interceptor398]

Nice article!

[DougKauer]

So, is the article saying that Kawasaki got out because of lack of snow? I have heard different stories. One was that the guy at the top got promoted and his successor that took over wasn't into the winter sports and since he did not see profits in the snowmobiles, that's why the plug was pulled on the Kawasaki snowmobiles.  What a shame if this was true, because with all the other Kawasaki products like motorcycles, atv and such they sure could of made  more awesome snowmobiles.

[kawhead]

kaw replaced all 78/79 k brand tracks, with all new wheels in suspension....had to remove and re index track drivers on most 77 jets....picked up all interest on 1980 models when there was no snow, we had 29 left.....takes a lot of profit out of sleds

[Interceptor398]

I believe the biggest reason Kawasaki got out of the sled business was poor snow conditions. I have also read that when corporate did the math they were not happy with the bottom line and pulled the plug?  Many others got out about the same time.  Good for Tory getting into the article!!

[DougKauer]

I agree with that.

[mswyka]

I believe that we also had a downturn in the economy and a minor gas crisis t9 help create the perfect t storm.

[DougKauer]

Well  they should of had them in Upper Michigan, cause when I was in the service from 79-83 there was plenty of snow up there. I got my 78 invader in 1981 and had a blast with that sled. It never failed me and it was always out in the weather.

[Vader440]

Here's another article from 2017 that kind of explains things. Very unfortunate!
http://www.supertraxmag.com/article.asp?nid=3173

[DougKauer]

Ya, those damn bean counters. They are the people who cost Kawasaki to really lose out in the snowmobile business. If they just would of went a couple more year. 5 years to me is not long enough to see real profits. Thank God we on this site are keeping them alive. Maybe just one day Kawasaki will see this.

[Interceptor398]

I tried to reply to the story but it seems you need to buy a subscription to do that?? Still waiting to figure that out.