The news is filled with endless stories about aging boomers getting bikes. As I was breezing through one more of these articles I noticed a few more statistics than usual and they were interesting. I also noticed some generalizations that may apply to some, but not all. Trust me, I know.
Here’s one:
“Guys aren’t wanting to go 120 miles an hour,” said Gary Sipes, director of sales for Fort Worth-based American IronHorse. “They want to cruise at 65 or 70 without a helmet and look cool doing it. It [the motorcycle] also needs to look cool sitting there. That’s the whole key.”
Really? As long as you restrict yourself to the cruiser and chopper crowd, that may be true, but some of us appreciate performance and sitting around looking cool isn’t a factor, however, the following statistics mean the slow and cool market are getting the action.
Yamaha says that 63 percent of their road bike sale are cruisers. Interesting. Here’s more:
According to figures from the Motorcycle Industry Council, the median income of motorcycle owners has gone from $25,600 in 1985 to $55,850. The age has also increased from 27.1 in 1985 to 41 in 2003.
And the occupations of owners have changed to reflect the gentrification of cycling. In 1985, 23.2 percent of owners were laborers or semiskilled. That was down to 6.9 percent in 2003. In 1985, 19 percent of bike owners were professionals. That number was up to 31.2 percent in 2003.
So what does this mean? It means for now the cruiser market will get a lot of development dollars at the major manufacturers. It means you’ll see a lot of chrome accessories that have nothing to do with performance. It also means, if you want to stand out you might try something different, both as a manufacturer and as a rider. I guarantee, if you spend all of your money on a custom Harley or Big Dog or something similar, you’ll get lost in a sea of look alikes. Goldammer may be on to something with their “Trouble” custom, it dumps the chrome and fat tires for distinctive design. That, I can live with.
It will be interesting to watch these stats over the next few years. Have sportbikes become so marginal with extreme performance that they’ve become impractical? Has the market shifted for good or until the next population demographic bulge? Time will tell.
C. J. Luke, III says
I hope that I am not the exception to the rule…but I am 59 years old and have a Triumph Daytona 600 that I bought about a year ago. It is my third motorcycle (1969 BSA Firebird Scrambler–1972 BSA Rocket III) but it is the first motorcycle that I ever took to “Track Day”. My god…what a blast. I have had my bike over 135 mph and I managed to completely eliminate the “chicken strips” on my back tire and only had about 1/4 inch left on my front tire. Going fast is fun…but taking turns at speed is what I truely enjoy. If the new Daytona 675 turns out to match the hype, I will probably get one of those. I wouldn’t be caught dead on a Cruiser and was never into Touring.
kneeslider says
Thanks, C.J., I feel better already. It was seeming a little lonely out here.
Larry Wski says
I’m 50 yo & a daily rider 15,000 miles/yr not counting trips, I keep a Triumph Rocket for fun days and commute on a 1999 Valkyrie IS(bread truck). Weekend warriors on overpriced under-engineered junk have been dropping like flies here in Denver. This summer we averaged 3 fatal accients per weekend, Its not a good thing to have, new riders no matter what their age on bikes that were never designed to be ridden fast (except for in a straight line)
Remember there are stupid bikes and old bikers, but there are no Stupid Old Bikers
Ride Safe
Kerry Suche says
I would have to agree that the majority of sales are in Cruisers. I work in a large motorcycle/ATV/marine dealership and we certainly see lots of 40+ people buying cruisers. But I’m 53 and ride a 1000 V-Twin sportbike and have no interest in riding a cruiser. Having said that I think you have a point about sportbikes becoming too extreme. With the performance available and the requisite riding position you won’t find many older riders looking at a new R6 or CBR1000RR.
aaron says
just playing devil’s advocate here, but with so many “old” buyers coming from a “professional” background,do you think the lowest common denominator is comfort? (both the mental comfort of “retro” and the literal comfort involved in the seating position) or maybe the existing market demographics dictate that you buy what your peers accept. maybe the new triumph bonnie’s and ducati sportclassics will shift retro tastes toward sporting (ish) rides. I know a few “elder” friends of the family that nearly took an ad out to sell their cruisers when the new commando pics came out…
todd says
yep, the statistics tell me a few things:
in 20 years the average age of the motorcyclist has increased because there are very few new motorcyclists. manufacturers do not market to the entry level rider only to the very experienced.
The average income of motorcyclists has risen and there are fewer blue collar riders. have you looked at the price of a motorcycle lately? $10000 is a low average and as a percentage of income has increased greatly over the years. A blue collar worker might choose a low cost commuter bike when not many are available. A white collar worker would tend to buy the higher priced bike as a status symbol or “recreational vehicle”.
I’d like to see the availability of more variation in motorcycles. i’d like to see manufacturers and magazines market to the emerging rider or the daily rider and not just to the “keeping up with the Jones’s” or the weekend warrior. maybe then we’d see the numbers change for the better.
paul m says
I like all of the comments, I grew up in a ” harley only ” household and over the years have owned several with mixed results, as soon as I could, I bought my first new sportbike, a fzr600r in dec. 92, since then, I have owned both cruisers and sporting bikes, but the trend now makes my choices for a new bike slim . A buell, or the new BMW 800s ? I still like twisty roads and the GSXR 600 would do… but cruisers ? not a chance, and I am 42 ….
kneeslider says
Motorcycle manufacturers go where the money is and they’re selling lots of cruisers so we’ll see a lot more. Are they writing off a large segment of the market?
Many of us boomers love performance but someone, somewhere said we’re supposed to ride cruisers. My body might not fit the extreme ergonomics like it used to but I still want to push hard in the turns and I think I do pretty well. Sorry Harley, your bikes don’t make it.
State of mind plays a part, too. I never desired the chopper look from myself or my bike. All attitude and cool, … hell, I just want to ride. I don’t know if we’re a silent majority but we’re not an insignificant number either. Does any manufacturer recognize that?
Hanny P. says
I think I am an even bigger exception. Although, am I…? As a woman of 39 years, I am very happy with my Suzuki GSX-R 750. I have always wanted to ride a Supersport, and – if I had the money – my greatest wish is to buy a GSX-R 1000 (and, in time, a Hayabusa).
Manufacturers should – in my humble opinion – be more aware of WOMEN riding bikes! At least in my country (The Netherlands) the number of women taking driving lessons for motorcycles are growing. And I know by experience that a majority of them (want to) ride a sport/tour or a Supersport.
Oli says
In the UK we have a similar situation. Bikers are getting older. However, most are buying into the sports bike, or the sports touring bike mould. Crusiers are an american invention, so I guess you should really blame hollywood for the growth in your HD, leisure, chrome and no go, older with money, got to get a bike before I die biker!
Here the cost of bikes is cheaper than it was 10 years ago but the mix of white collar to blue collar is only based on what has happened to the individuals since they passed their test. If you want a white collar sport (?) its golf!
I think the average age is up in the mid 40’s, but I don’t think it will get much higher because over the past few years, scooters have made a big impact with the teens, so I think our next generation is safe – well, the ones that survive are anyway!
http://businessandit.co.uk
kneeslider says
The last two comments from Europe point to a difference between U.S. riders and what’s happening elsewhere. The cruisers aren’t as prominent across the pond which may very well reflect differences in geography as much as bikers. The U.S. does have huge wide open areas to which cruisers are very well suited. Europe, on average, less of that and more two lane twisties. Oli’s comment on scooters taking off over there may reflect that as well. Except in limited areas, scooters are quickly out of their element in the U.S. Interesting.
On the other hand, choppers are still well represented from countries worldwide, look at any build off competition where international entries are accepted. They come from everywhere but are they found on the roads elsewhere?
Prester John says
In the early to mid- 1990’s, conventional wisdom in moto-USA was that you couldn’t give a motor scooter away; no one in America wanted one. If the numbers I read in the enthusiasts’ press are correct, for the last couple years in the American market, scooters have out sold touring motorcycles, dual sports and super motos combined. Another example: the Yamaha Vison 550 and Honda Hawk 650 “proved” there was no market in American for a middle weight V-twin sport-standard – and the Suzuki SV650 has gone on to be a best seller. Why was conventional wisdom wrong then, and is the c.v. that today’s market is only middle aged professional guys wanting big cruisers wrong today?
Would there be any interest in a basic sport-standard built around one of the modern generation 450cc 4s motorcross bike engines? A 650cc, ~450lbs. touring bike have appeal in saleable numbers? A dual sport that 80% of the m/f adult population could flatfoot? How about a modern but modest cost 150/175cc standard? Automatic transmission motorbikes, anyone? The Super Cub style step thru motorbike is a world best seller – could a modern version sell here?
The big four could put these bikes in showrooms today, but the management of thier American branches won’t violate conventional wisdom. It will be a few more years before Hyosung, Daelim, Bajaj, TVS and Kymco will have the US dealer networks and bikes to sell, but they’re coming, and then it will be a whole new ballgame.
Tom
hoyt says
The “you-want-a-cruiser” phenomenon is puzzling.
How many of the new cruiser sales are from riders in the 50’s – 60’s getting back into after 35-40 years (now that the kids are out of the house) ?
Out of that group of riders have enough of them bothered to test ride a standard or sport tourer ? Afterall, when they were in their 20’s the Brit & Japanese bench-seat bikes were plentiful (and are now in vogue) — it wasn’t like H-D’s were the only thing around.
Sorry for stating the obvious to the Kneeslider readers, but there is an incredible difference in the riding experience between a bike with your feet, hands, shoulders, etc. in the correct postion* vs. your feet & legs way out in front of you, your arms nearly stretched out straight, your lower back rounded off, etc. And, I’m first talking about the interaction between rider & machine, not just comfort of the rider. (not to mention riding something that weighs easily 200 lbs. lighter)
*correct postion in terms of operating a motorcycle efficiently & effectively (neutral, objective perspective)
I don’t know…the number of cruiser sales is perplexing when you consider the fun quotient you get from a sport, standard, or sport tourer vs. a cruiser or chopper.
Cruiser riders out there….what is your input? Have you experienced a test ride on a bike that the “statistics” show is not what you want? If so, what did you think?
H-D – build a TRUE sport tourer with the Revolution engine. All other OEM’s continue to focus on street performance & add style to your standards & sport tourers. (no more clunky fairings or dashboards, show the engine & mechanical bits more while providing wind/weather protection, & consider lowering the seat height for the older, returning rider).
Ed Davis says
I’m a 52 year old motorcyclist that started with a Honda Sport 65 when they were new! I’ve never been wihtout a bike, and the older I get the more performance I want. I never owned a cruiser becasue they were just “obstacles” on the highway as far as I was concerned, something to pass ASAP and get back to riding. I finally relented and got a Road Star Warrior since it was the only aluminum-framed high performance V-twin on the market (Harley’s V-Rod didn’t appeal to me at all). Had to put a Corbin seat on it so I could hang on since my feet were out front (who the heck thought that made sense on a sport bike?) If that bike hadn’t been available, I’d still be strictly on sport bikes. But…I also have a Wing for those coast-to-coast trips, and ask anyone who has tried to pass me on the twisties, it’s not that easy. The bike helps, but experience helps more. Count me out of the cruiser market stats. I wear leathers and full helmet and gear on the Warrior because my main goal is NOT to be seen except from behind, and by then you dont’ ahve time to figure out what it was anyway.
Abby says
I guess I fall in with the pool. I’m 44 and ride a Softail Standard. I picked a Softail because when I was younger I always rode rigid frames. I thought it was great that Harley came out with the softail suspension so I could have the same riding position but with less stress on my back.
I love the turns. I’ve found that you can’t get the deep turns in the Fat Boy or Heritage models because of the footboards. How annoying!
I love going fast too. If I could afford it, I’d put a 6 speed tranny in my Softail. It isn’t geared for consistent higher speeds and I don’t want a touring bike. I can get everything I need to camp out for weeks on my Softail.
And nothing out there sounds as sweet as my bike with the Vance and Hines Big Shots. I don’t care what you guys say! 🙂
I don’t know if you can make sense out of the statistics. We all have our tastes – just like in everything else. I have to say that the people who drop a bunch of money on fancy bikes and then MIGHT get 500 miles on them in a season is very annoying to those of us who pinch pennies and live to ride.
Butch Lester says
Statistics are like extreme twisties you can interpret them in different ways and after you ride through them every body has a different view point. I’ve been riding for 46 years and I have ridden just about every kind of bike out there and even raced a bit, so I have wide range of experience. I never rode anything I did’nt enjoy and each type of bike gave me a different satisfaction. I just returned yesterday from North Georgia where we rode over 400 miles of extreme twisties, I did it on my 06 Fat Boy and found my companions amazed when I would arrive at a predetermined spot within minutes of them on their sport bike. No, I could’nt keep up with them but I was never far behind either, and yes I dragged my foot boards more than once. I like cruisers and they are what they are, you learn to ride within the limits of the machine your on, each type has it’s high and low points. By the way, I hate polishing chrome and have yards of it, that’s a low.
Stacey says
I am 30 years old and a FEMALE! I have a Honda Shadow (yes A CRUSIER) I love the crusier style and comfort. I know that sounds crazy. I’m not about the speed I just like to ride at a COMFORTABLE pace and enjoy the ride outdoors. My husband owns a harley-d softtail. Were both young considering… And we enjoy the cruisers. I think that people should ride what suites them. Not other people. What ever makes you happy ride it!!
Peter says
I am a 21 year old new biker, and I like the comfort of crusers (as well as the sound), but also like the speed of sport bikes. In order to get something different and unique, I have looked to the past to find a bike that has speed and comfort- notably the Honda (1988 year) Magnas, Kawasaki Eliminator 900/1000s, and the Yamaha Vmax. Ultimately though, I ended up with a somewhat rare (~5,100 units total) 1985 Suzuki Madura 1200. The V4 engine is unique, sounds great, and supplies the power to defeat any HD cruser, and challenges sportbikes while being easy to ride for hours on end with classic yet individual appearance.