LC4 Owners Poll: Premium coolant hoses

[creeper]

SEE POST 68 FOR AN UPDATE AS OF MAY 12TH.

I've been in contact with CV4... the premium coolant hose manufacturer, about making hose sets for KTM LC4s. Adventure, Supermoto, 'E', Duke II, SMC and so on.
The fellow I've been talking with, Shane Forshee, is interested in doing it, but of course if he makes 500 sets and sells only 100, then he's hosed himself... no pun intended.
So the question is, if CV4 made hose sets for the LC4 series, and the complete set sold for say... $130 or less, would you be interested in buying a kit?

[retroone]

Count me in!

[Loadedagain]

if i still have my lc4 i will take a set

[creeper]

Originally Posted by Loadedagain

if i still have my lc4 i will take a set

I would have sworn you'd go for option 3. Mmmmmm Silicone hose.... you sure?

[Zerodog]

I was thinking of replacing all of mine. The threads weep a little coolant on my hoses so it is probably time to replace them.

[ChrisC]

For $13.00 or less, I'm in....

But seriously folks, what does an OEM set cost? A buck thirty might be pretty good by comparison, particularly if the materials are demonstrably better...

[creeper]

Originally Posted by ChrisC

For $13.00 or less, I'm in....

But seriously folks, what does an OEM set cost? A buck thirty might be pretty good by comparison, particularly if the materials are demonstrably better...

The four main hoses add up to $124 retail, $106 with a typical 15% discount.

58335026000 RADIATOR HOSE ..$50.02
56535025001 RADIATOR HOSE ..$40.54
58435025800 PREFORMED HOSE $10.25
58335024001 RADIATOR HOSE ..$24.34
...........Suggested Retail Total $125.14

[DRZmaui]

I also contacted CV4. Was tiring to get them to make hoses for the DRZ400. Got the same response, “need more interest before we make some”. I Doubt they will make hoses for the LC4, if they are reluctant to make them for the DRZ’s, I don’t think there is enough in LC4’s to make it worth their time. Too bad, I really would like to have a set for either of my bikes.



BTW, Creep, thanks for info fixing the the Cam cover .

[creeper]

Originally Posted by DRZmaui

I also contacted CV4. Was tiring to get them to make hoses for the DRZ400. Got the same response, “need more interest before we make some”. I Doubt they will make hoses for the LC4, if they are reluctant to make them for the DRZ’s, I don’t think there is enough in LC4’s to make it worth their time. Too bad, I really would like to have a set for either of my bikes.

BTW, Creep, thanks for info fixing the the Cam cover .

Don't be such a negative n00b...

I don't know... I'm not in a position to doubt just yet. I've been given nothing but positive and honest answers by CV4 so far... enough to make me want to continue on course.

The LC4 series has been around for decades with few changes to key elements of cooling system, and as they are perpetually rebuildable, rather than throw-away bikes, I believe there are at least a few thousand in the states alone... up and running.

Of those few thousand, if 10%-15% would buy premium hoses if they were available... I bet 200-300 sets would justify CV4 making them.

I believe that a good percentage LC4 owners, especially those that ride in extreme climates, would pay $130 for a premium hose kit... given the option of that or stock hoses.

Lets face it... the aftermarket for the LC4 series isn't all that good. Before the advent of the RFS series, the LC4 was KTMs top dog, and there were way more accessories than there are now.

On behalf of other LC4 aficionados, I'm tying to give some of the better aftermarket companies a good reason to support us with parts and accessories. I think any LC4 rider could appreciate that logic.
If I can demonstrate to CV4 that there is a profitable justification for making LC4 kits... and they agree to produce a quantity of kits, then we're all winners here.

C

[Odysseus]

I am definately interested in a set. Thanks for doing the leg work on this creeper!

[creeper]

Ricardo Kuhn, you wanker you... you don't even own an LC4! (Ah...do you?)

[Hammer]

Sure- count me in.
They WILL be orange/blue striped, right? Will there ba a Galouises option?

[creeper]

Originally Posted by Hammer

Sure- count me in.
They WILL be orange/blue striped, right? Will there ba a Galouises option?

I'd be happy if they were black or grey... but blue or orange is fine too. Stripped? Don't hold your breath.

[2whlrcr]

Naw, I'm to cheap to replace hoses as P.M.'s. I wait until they bust 100 miles from nowhere. Then it's only a few bucks to replace the one and the $100 tow charge.

[meat popsicle]

Is it possible to predict how long the stock hoses last? I know, too many variables... but I have an aversion to stockpiling. Just curious. Plus, how long should the premium set last in comparison?

This is what the website says about them:

Originally Posted by CV4

High Performance Silicone Radiator Hose - The next level of performance and style! These hoses feature reinforced silicone rubber specifically designed to endure extreme pressures and temperatures. Polymers are reinforced using polyester or Nomex for max durability and resistance to UV, water, ozone and oxygen. Direct replacement for your OE cooling components. Available now in Red, Blue, Yellow, Orange, Green and Black.

ps - thank you for the adequate poll.