I generally don't run with the younger crowd, but what I'm seeing out there are increasing numbers of 'snow flake" types who seem to embrace the comfort and safety aspect as apposed to the thrill of adventure. I just don't see any of those types tossing 10K at something that isn't comfortable and safe. However, looking at the spyder, it's probably the most comfortable and safest machine on the market. Maybe it's time to drop back and punt, like "you meet the nicest people on a spyder," but it just has to get below 10K or they won't even look at it. I think it has to be somewhere in the four figure realm before it will grab their attention.
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Motorcycle Industry In Trouble says Give A Shift Group
- Thread starter RinconRyder
- Start date
kbwitt
New member
If you do that you go bankrupt. Customers want it all at low low prices.
And it hasn't gotten any better with the introduction of cell phones and other distractions to cage drivers
True. I'm not sure there is anything the motorcycle industry can do to overcome that. And, it affects the safety of cagers too. Maybe you're suggesting this is an inescapable factor influencing the public's decision to avoid motorcycles? I think that would be right.
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
One upside. It is a buyers market for sure. Lot's of good stuff out there--and that includes the sub $10K market. Unfortunately, :ani29:'s not included unless you want to purchased used. :thumbup:
Actually, hipsters have been all over motorcycle ads for a while now. The resurgence of cafe bikes and scramblers are their niche market. But most hipsters with mechanical skills prefer a custom CB500 or similar old UJM, so the market for new bikes there is flat as well.
The main thing is that motorcycles here are not thought of as transportation, they are a luxury item. Most riders own a car or some other means of getting around (public transportation, ride share, etc). Flat wages and high cost of living leaves little to spend on "toys". Plus, until gas prices exceed $5/Gal again, I doubt we'll give up our gas guzzlers.
For a while, race replicas were the thing to have, but the public has found out how impractical (as well as illegal) it is to ride those at their designed speeds. And as their riders age, (those who've not crashed out of the hobby), they find the monkey humping a football position too uncomfortable.
On the cruiser side.. has anyone really come up with anything different than a rehash of some traditional design? Oh, just re-release the same old model with matte black paint, it's new again.
For a while dirt/dual sport/ADV bikes caught the industry's eye, but again, a niche market.
So it's really up to the enthusiasts to keep the industry alive. Those who are fortunate enough to own multiple bikes or ride one long enough to upgrade as time comes.
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Counterpoint
Here's a counterpoint.
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tre...-might-save-motorcycling-in-the-united-states
But dammit, I'm NOT getting a man-bun!:yikes:
Here's a counterpoint.
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tre...-might-save-motorcycling-in-the-united-states
But dammit, I'm NOT getting a man-bun!:yikes:
mark4Jesus
New member
My thoughts:
1. Boomers, of which I am at the tail-end, made up most of the sales. When I was in my 20's many of my friends had, or wanted, a motorcycle. Those are the same people riding today. Riding brought a sense of freedom that we wanted. The dangers of riding were part of it, we accepted the risk. People have always said that riding is too dangerous.
2. Too many of the offspring of Boomers were babied and, many, not allowed to experience risk. Jump homemade ramps on your 10 speed bike, No way, you could get hurt! Go hunting squirrel with your BB gun, No way, you could put your eye out kid or don't kill those pretty animals or we have plenty of meat in the fridge, there is no need to kill a squirrel for food! A 10 year old with a .22 cal rifle, how irresponsible!
3. This is perpetuated by those of us already riding: "That bike is not big enough!" When I started riding, Gold Wings had about the biggest engines because they were big touring bikes. A 750 was considered a larger bike and people were happy with it. Today, a 750 is "not big enough" compared to the gargantuan engines there are today. The "not big enough" mentality has brought much larger, higher priced, bikes that the young "entry level" rider cannot afford. My son's first bike was a Kawasaki Vulcan S, 650 that was $5400. I had friends tell me, "That's not big enough." It was plenty big. It was big enough for those nay sayers 30 years ago, what's the problem today?
There are many reasons for slumping sales. I read that the adventure bike is the most popular right now, can't remember where I read that to cite it. Don't remember who posted it earlier, but, the younger generations are stay inside, play the video games, text your friends, and watch Netflix types. Ride a motorcycle? How can I text my friends?
1. Boomers, of which I am at the tail-end, made up most of the sales. When I was in my 20's many of my friends had, or wanted, a motorcycle. Those are the same people riding today. Riding brought a sense of freedom that we wanted. The dangers of riding were part of it, we accepted the risk. People have always said that riding is too dangerous.
2. Too many of the offspring of Boomers were babied and, many, not allowed to experience risk. Jump homemade ramps on your 10 speed bike, No way, you could get hurt! Go hunting squirrel with your BB gun, No way, you could put your eye out kid or don't kill those pretty animals or we have plenty of meat in the fridge, there is no need to kill a squirrel for food! A 10 year old with a .22 cal rifle, how irresponsible!
3. This is perpetuated by those of us already riding: "That bike is not big enough!" When I started riding, Gold Wings had about the biggest engines because they were big touring bikes. A 750 was considered a larger bike and people were happy with it. Today, a 750 is "not big enough" compared to the gargantuan engines there are today. The "not big enough" mentality has brought much larger, higher priced, bikes that the young "entry level" rider cannot afford. My son's first bike was a Kawasaki Vulcan S, 650 that was $5400. I had friends tell me, "That's not big enough." It was plenty big. It was big enough for those nay sayers 30 years ago, what's the problem today?
There are many reasons for slumping sales. I read that the adventure bike is the most popular right now, can't remember where I read that to cite it. Don't remember who posted it earlier, but, the younger generations are stay inside, play the video games, text your friends, and watch Netflix types. Ride a motorcycle? How can I text my friends?
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
I bought a Kawasaki 650 four (UJM) new in 1978. About $3,600 when I got through "Vetterizing" it. Drove it many times between Ft. Wayne, IN and Duluth MN as well as many trips from Duluth MN to Rochester MN. Yes, through Chicago on the Ft Wayne trips. It was very powerful and very dependable. Wish I still had it.
RinconRyder
New member
I remember paying $1,600 for my 1978 Yamaha 650 twin. Bikes were a lot simpler and much cheaper back in the old days.
Although......$1,600 in 1978 would be about the same as $6,000 today.
Bob Denman
New member
Go ahead: ignore what the customers want, and you'll be jusat as bankrupt.
Who do you build stuff for, and sell stuff to?
Cuastomers
Who will buy your product, if it meets their needs at a pricepoint that they like?
Customers
Who will happily let you sit with a showroom full of stuff that they don't want?
Customers
Whose needs should you pay attention to?
(By now: you should know the answer!)
I think he was saying that if you give the customers what you want, including a low price, you'll go bankrupt. I agree. 95% of new small businesses are no longer in business after 5 years.
The problem is made particularly acute, the report said, because many millennial consumers were “bubble-wrapped for safety in their youth” or raised by overprotective parents who discouraged risk-taking. <-------------- That says it all to me, we have become a nation of babies
canamjhb
Well-known member
Broken dealerships and lack of marketing. Why do dealers think they must be closed on Sundays and Mondays when the rest of the world is doing business. Even banks are open 6 days a week and give you access to ATMs 24-7-365. Business model is broken.....and they don't get it.
JerryB
New member
Hi jhb,
Re: .....and they don't get it.
One week ago I sent my closest Can-Am dealer a message via his CONTACT US on his website.
I was wanting pricing on a couple of parts; I thought it would be easier for him and he could just answer when he has time rather than stopping something to get prices when I called in.
I have yet to hear from them.
Jerry Baumchen
Re: .....and they don't get it.
One week ago I sent my closest Can-Am dealer a message via his CONTACT US on his website.
I was wanting pricing on a couple of parts; I thought it would be easier for him and he could just answer when he has time rather than stopping something to get prices when I called in.
I have yet to hear from them.
Jerry Baumchen
r1100rider
New member
I think the article is right about it being a demand issue if you really want to ride there are tons of garage queens that somebody just had to have and never found the time to use several years old 400 miles on them half price or less
Bob Denman
New member
Not "giving away the store", is always assumed...
I never said a "Low" price: I believe the term that I used may have been "acceptable"...
I can attest, as a small business consultant for a couple of decades, that too many don't know the true costs of doing business and price too low while trying to provide what the customer wants. Can't assume anything.
Too often, when high quality and low price are the business strategy, the business isn't spending anything on marketing. It doesn't work in any competitive market.
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mark4Jesus
New member
The local Indian, Slingshot, used to be Victory dealer is the only one in this area open on Mondays. Surprised me when they did this.
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