Yamaha Sales Predicted Down 20%

[3dogs]

Looks like Yamaha is having problems with the Yen vs. Dollar.

"Combined sales in North America and Europe may decline as much as 20 percent this year, compared with an earlier estimate for a drop of about 10 percent. Slumping demand for motorcycles in developed countries is forcing Yamaha to slash jobs and close plants. The company will shut five factories in Japan and one making boats in the U.S. by 2012, adding to the closure of a motorcycle plant in Italy last year. Yamaha will cut as many as 1,000 jobs this year after eliminating 1,100 positions in 2009."

Here is a Press Release from Yamaha.

Here is what is happening with Yamaha specifically and other motorcycle OEMs --Bloomberg News

Does this spell doom for an updated 2011/12 FJR?? Only time will tell.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Several local Yamaha shops that I used to frequent are now empty buildings.

A friend who works for Yamaha goes around the country and tends to closures of dealers and the disposition of their inventories -- a sad state of affairs, to be sure.

OTOH, "It's an ill wind that doesn't blow someone some good" -- there are really good prices on excess product.

Still..., unless the economy turns around -- it'll be 'tough sledding' for m/c dealers...

 

[Pale Rider 07]

Wow...not great news.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Not real good news...

Like all companies especially cars and bikes, they need to better control their supply. Gone are the days of flooding the market and they shall come and buy. Now with mucho excess inventory, they can't afford to over produce.

Look for these companies to only make so many, maybe under produce for a few years so they can control pricing and keep supply lower then demand.

Remember in the HD glory years, you had to order a HD and wait 6mos to a year for certain models, and they were not negotiatign on price.

Hopefully the economy will truly recover and all can get back on their feet.

BTW - I don't have many Yamaha Dealers near me, surpisingly they have always been rather thin here in OC.

 

[dcarver]

Remember in the HD glory years, you had to order a HD and wait 6mos to a year for certain models, and they were not negotiatign on price.

Kind of like the Yamaha PDP program for FJR's?

 

[RadioHowie]

This past weekend, had to go produce a "remote broadcast" at a local car dealership. Imagine my surprise when I get there and the Sales Manager is an old friend....the FORMER sales manager from our local Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha/Piaggio/KTM superstore.

I asked him why the move and he told me how 2009 sales were off 87% from 2008, which were off 68% from 07, etc. Wasn't making a decent living and had to move on.

I guess the moto-industry hasn't heard the good news about the economic recovery.

And as far as an "update" for the 2011/12 FJR? If you're perfectly honest about it, there really hasn't been an update since 06. A few minor tweaks here and there, but nothing one could really call an "update".

 

[Patriot]

Yamaha has reported they now realize the error of their ways...

All marketing research points to the current 20% downward turn in FJR sales since 2006 and the obvious plan to guarantee an upturn in sales of FJR's by 50%...

They changing all tooling and manufacturing processes and ordering all suppliers to adjust...

to the return to the superior GEN I

:yahoo:

 

[exskibum]

Remember in the HD glory years, you had to order a HD and wait 6mos to a year for certain models, and they were not negotiatign on price.

What's scary is how recently that was the case -- less than 3 years.* And I'm not seeing signs of a significant turn-around anytime soon.

[SIZE=8pt]* The first volley in this nasty recession was the first week of August 2007, though most didn't feel it or know it at the time -- the economy was apparently still steaming along, and IIRC, the highest point of the Dow was actually in October, 2007. But August is when the credit seize-up first tagged the housing market. I know, because I had a nasty, bitter, A-hole infested mess of a real estate matter destined for litigation in which I got a good resolution during the second week of July; three weeks later and my clients would've been F'ed badly. Fortunately, my sister has been in escrow for 35 years in a position to have given me a reliable heads up on some ominous indicators that helped my clients make a crucial decision. As a result, the karmic rebound for the team of uber-A-holes occurred more quickly than I have ever seen -- they got much of what they wanted, only to have the bottom subsequently drop out of its value. [/SIZE]

 

[LDRydr]

Sorry to say it, but the strong will survive. As the recent MCN sport-touring comparison article says, the FJR is now long-overdue for an update. With recent new technologies showing up, such as the "fuel-economy-assistance mode" on the 2010 Concours and optional self-leveling headlight setup on the soon-to-be-released BMW K1600 bikes, manufacturers must pay attention and keep up. While I don't think major reworks are needed every couple of years I do think something should change beside the color and EFI mapping to justify price increases.

I've said my FJR is just a tool to get a job done, whether the job is placing well in a LD rally or experiencing a memorable two-up riding vacation. Just like the tools in my toolbox I may like a particular tool but nothing says I won't swap it out for a better one should it come along (Smitty knows what I'm talking about).

 

[FJR Flyer]

I agree, the FJR needs an update to stay competitive, although my '06 is fine by me. But incorporating technology for technology's sake can have a reverse effect. The MCN comparison also stated that the 'fuel economy assist mode' on the C14 actually got worse fuel mileage than the regular mode. And the touted KIPASS was KI-Pain in the Ass.

 

[Spud]

I think Japanese bikes right now are somewhat of a victim of their own success. In a tough economy, why buy new when a few year's old bike will be utterly dependable? This spring I practically gave away my pristine Suzuki Bandit 1200 for $2700 because of this market, and with such deals on used bikes, new sales must be suffering.

 

[exskibum]

I think Japanese bikes right now are somewhat of a victim of their own success. In a tough economy, why buy new when a few year's old bike will be utterly dependable? This spring I practically gave away my pristine Suzuki Bandit 1200 for $2700 because of this market, and with such deals on used bikes, new sales must be suffering.

I agree. Some buyers may be able to afford the newest and greatest, but the large part of the market that was once able to afford a luxury purchase or two, but now cannot, has shifted to buying bikes like your Bandit at fire sale prices if they can afford one at all.

 

[Geezer]

I'm not sure we really need an update to the FJR right now, but it does annoy me that the price keeps going up for basically the same bike. I'm planning to keep my '05 for a long time.

 

[Bogey907]

One of the biggest factors is tightened credit. Many people that want to buy are unable to obtain financing approval. That won't change in the forseeable future.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Three years ago there were five moto brand dealerships (One combined Yamaha and Honda) here in a small town. Now we are down to one that sells Piaggio scooters (does that count?), and a Kawi shop. Times are very tough.

As for my '06, I doubt I'll ever sell it because I love the FJR. It is well farkled for my riding -- and I would not sell because I couldn't get a decent price for it. But at some point I could see getting another bike for touring that is comfier for the wife, and using the FJR for solo spirited rides.

There are a ton of bikes out there at firesale prices if you have the cash. This bodes ill for manufacturers for several years to come. "Bold new Graphics" only drives a few sales; serious enthusiasts look for meaningful product changes to even consider adding a new bike to the garage.

 

[Bounce]

Kind of like the Yamaha PDP program for FJR's?

that's what i was thinking.

 

[Willie]

Three years ago there were five moto brand dealerships (One combined Yamaha and Honda) here in a small town. Now we are down to one that sells Piaggio scooters (does that count?), and a Kawi shop. Times are very tough.
As for my '06, I doubt I'll ever sell it because I love the FJR. It is well farkled for my riding -- and I would not sell because I couldn't get a decent price for it. But at some point I could see getting another bike for touring that is comfier for the wife, and using the FJR for solo spirited rides.

There are a ton of bikes out there at firesale prices if you have the cash. This bodes ill for manufacturers for several years to come. "Bold new Graphics" only drives a few sales; serious enthusiasts look for meaningful product changes to even consider adding a new bike to the garage.

-- and I would not sell because I couldn't get a decent price for it.

Why I still have my 2006 Connie. With almost 50K on the Odometer who would buy it when there are plenty out there with less the 15K on the Odometer. My guess the FJR will end up in the same boat. I got my 07 FJR in Sept and by the time the end of Sept rolls round my guess will have close to 30K on it. BTW I still ride the C10 quite abit, unlike the 05 Nomad that I used as a trade in for the FJR.

Willie

 

[bikerkash]

The bad news is that it appears like Yamaha will not be revising the FJR for some time. The good news is that the bike stands tall the way it is and remains a fast, fun and dependable bike. So as many of us would like to see a revision of the bike we enjoy so much it's really not that big of deal and when they do the FJR will leapfrog the competition and by then many of us will be ready for the new bike that will blow away the competition and that will be a lot of fun.

 

[Bogey907]

As a side note, Suzuki is sucking wind even worse than Yamaha. They only produced four models with 2010 model year designation (3 dirt bikes and the GZ250), since their dealers are all still loaded with 2009 and earlier inventory that Suzuki crammed down their throats.

https://suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cy....aspx?year=2010