On-highway Motorcycle Sales Growth

[PapaUtah]

Some of the latest industry research turned up the following little nugget...

“On-highway motorcycle sales in the US continued to grow at slower but still respectable rates over the last few years. However, we believe a substantial portion of this growth was driven by increased sport bike sales, as sport bike sales growth has significantly outpaced the cruiser sales growth over the last two years.”

Are we on the downside of the American Chopper craze?

 

[madmike2]

Overpriced custom choppers...just how large a market segment did anyone think they'd be? There will always be a segment that enjoys the lifestyle. I appreciate the engineering and custom touches of some builders (not assemblers of various ordered pieces).

It's interesting to note that sportbike sales are rising. That should bode well for the future of sport-tourers. At some point, sport riders are going to reach an age or physical comfort limit that will necessitate a "more comfortable" riding position retaining some performance (whoa and go) and handling.

Notice the wording..."sportbike sales growth has significantly outpaced cruiser sales growth..." number of sales . Still, there is only so much parking for cruisers outside the local bar. [SIZE=8pt]just kidding, sheesh! [/SIZE]

 

[radman]

Well cripes, looked at the scooter ads in the paper lately? HD's (and their clones to a degree) overwhelmingly dominate the columns, and most with 5000 miles or less. The yupsters tried it and found it wasn't all what it was cracked up to be...."my god Alison-Marie, i actually got wet riding that awful thing!!!". "Oh, poor dear, heres a Crappacino to help settle..." Twas inevitable, Beatle boots didn't last long either.....

 

[donaldb]

I agree w/Radman, ck'ing local paper here it appears the hardleys selling price are headed down, flooded market? back in Feb of this year I was looking hard at the new Vulcan Nomad, then my neighbor bought an 04 RT and let me take it for a spin. I would never be in the sport tourer class if it weren't for that short ride--I would still be lumbering down the road completely absorbed into the collective! After I rode the RT I then test rode the ST and then the FJR after considerable research and reviews found the right FJR at a price I could handle and haven't looked back--of course if I did look back, there wouldn't be anyone back there!

 

[Bounce]

"my god Alison-Marie, i actually got wet riding that awful thing!!!". "Oh, poor dear, heres a Crappacino to help settle..."

mmmm capaccino....

 

[Toecutter]

--of course if I did look back, there wouldn't be anyone back there!

It is the best way to go, straight out!

 

[CheapFZR]

Thank goodness for those cruisers. Just think what would be if not for some form of training platform for alot of riders. Most people do not need to start out on a sportbike or sport tourer. I am crazy enough as it is when I get on the FJR. Thank goodness for years of riding experience on slower bikes.

 

[PapaUtah]

More news from Milwaukee...

"H-D announced a voluntary safety recall for MY2006 Dynas built from June 9 to October 19, 2005. The recall applies to about 13,400 motorcycles (4% of C2005E production). Transmissions (new 6-speed for MY2006 Dynas) have a defect that may allow them to go into a false neutral position. :arrowhead:

Costs for this recall (including pick-up, delivery, recall kits, and dealership labor) are estimated $400 per bike.

While disappointing, recalls are not unusual for H-D. For perspective, H-D issued 18 recalls in 2002-2004." :haha:

18 recalls in 3 model years? Now I know why they chose Ford(the recall kings!) to build the H-D Edition pickup truck. :haha:

And we think we have it bad with the tick... :tease: