November bike sales down 23%
Added on Friday, December 11th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | One Comment
November bike sales down 23%
New motorcycle and scooter sales dropped by an average of 23% in November 2009, according to the latest figures from the Motorcycle Industry Association, reports Alastair Walker.
The downward trend which has affected new motorcycle sales in 2009 accelerated in November, with some sectors seeing falls of 30% or more. Only the unfaired bikes showed an increase of 25%. Amongst the worst hit sectors were Custom ( down 29% ), Unspecified ( down 36% ) and Adventure ( down 41% ) last month, which saw record levels of rainfall across the UK – not helpful for motorbike sales.
One bright note amongst the data was the Triumph Tiger 1050 replacing the BMW R1200 GS as top Adventure Sport class machine. UK-based manufacturer Triumph have had a good year, according to feedback from their dealers. Bill Smith of Cheshire told insidebikes;
“Triumph are selling the right bikes, to mature riders, at the right price – simple formula but it works. Things aren’t so good for Suzuki and Yamaha, in fact I think that the Japanese brands are becoming rather like the old British bike industry once was; a little too slow to react to the market changes, with model ranges that don’t reflect the latest trends.”
One Honda dealer, who declined to be named comented; “I went to a dealer meeting with Honda yesterday and the general feeling amongst dealers was pretty gloomy. The margin on new motorcycle sales is being cut to the bone, you can make more on used bike sales, kit and accessories. The new VFR1200 is a definite boost for Honda dealers in 2010, but Honda has no rival to the big GS BMW and pulling out of the motorcycle show didn’t help either.”
Meanwhile, Glynn Fisher, who works for electrical accessory maker Acumen, sees a long term problem with motorcycling in Britain;
“It is becoming unusual to see anyone under 40 years old riding a motorcycle, the whole thing is turning into an old man’s hobby. That’s something the industry needs to address very quickly, we need younger bikers to feel biking is for them, not just their dads. On the upside, Acumen are seeing plenty of demand for our electrical products in 2009 and I see interest in motorcycling amongst the 40-65 years old age group staying very strong. Those who own bikes already, are still using them, and still really enthusiastic about the sport.”
What do you think can be done to life new motorcycle sales in 2010? Post your comments here.
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One Comment
don
December 15th, 2009Demand for EVERYTHING is down today. I live near Chicago, IL and nobody is buying anything. I own two motorcycles- A harley Nightster and Yamaha Virago. I paid over $10,000 for my 2008 Harley 2 years ago. I tried to sell it for $8,000 and didn’t even get a serious call. The economy is toast.
peace out
don
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