“Choppers are over.” That’s really old news, their day came and went and may, some time down the road, come again, … or maybe not. What’s interesting are comments we see on many posts here showing a cafe racer, board tracker, street tracker or some other style of motorcycle where the complaint is we’re seeing too many of those, implying that style is also too popular and reaching the end of a cycle. It makes a person wonder, what’s next?
Whenever there’s a style or trend in bike building, it means everyone is building one, or in terms of owners, everyone wants one in their garage, but, the truth is, “everyone” never wants one, some riders do, some don’t, some never will. Maybe we should stop talking about “everyone” and start concentrating on just you or me.
When choppers became popular, TV shows popped up, custom builders everywhere were turning them out, small manufacturers grew larger, they exploded in numbers and a lot of guys looking for a weekend hobby thought choppers were what motorcycles were all about. At the same time, a lot of riders never thought much of choppers and never wanted one. They continued to buy what they liked and the chopper fad faded away without affecting their riding in any way. There’s always a market for motorcycles of every type, absolutely everything has a dedicated family of followers, the problem of styles, fads or trends is manufacturers need something big to support sales in large numbers, maybe the day of any style being dominant is over and ALL styles can have their place ALL the time.
When a fad dies out, you see hundreds or thousands of those bikes for sale and it brings out comments like, “no one is buying those anymore.” It’s not true, some of those bikes for sale are snapped up by bargain hunters who still want one but couldn’t afford the hot trendy prices of the recent past. There’s always someone willing to buy because people are different in their choices, tastes and desires. When someone says too many of a certain style of bike are being built it usually means, there are a lot of bikes being built they don’t personally like and if they say too few exist, it means no one is building what they personally want.
Manufacturers selling a bike based on trends and fads, are the ones in jeopardy because when the fad dies, the numbers drop fast. If another trend doesn’t follow quickly, the company sinks. If manufacturers are selling something more utilitarian, those sales tend to be much more stable. The Japanese companies are selling far fewer sport bikes and cruisers over here in the US and probably world wide, but those same companies are selling huge numbers of 125cc bikes in Asia, hot trend versus utility transportation. Companies like Harley Davidson are looking for countries around the world where the big cruiser and Harley style still appeal to large numbers of riders with disposable income to spend, a tougher target, but that’s the narrow choice they’ve made, it’s a niche market strategy requiring mass market numbers.
Smaller builders and manufacturers appealing to solid niche markets could be in better shape than you might think as long as their success doesn’t depend on selling in big numbers and isn’t attached to a fad. A small builder trying to capitalize on sales to a larger market already served by the big guys and lots of other small builders is going to be vulnerable when the market turns.
On the other hand, if someone wants that cafe racer or street tracker or board tracker or anything else, those could be solid markets for a small builder to cater to. They may never support sales numbers the Japanese big four would like or Harley or the European builders, but they could provide a nice business and keep the riders looking for those styles happy.
A big problem in the motorcycle industry is it requires big numbers, lots of buyers after one kind of bike. Maybe that day is over, it’s now all niche, all the time and that’s not a market the big guys are comfortable serving. Maybe we should forget the next hot style or big trend, let’s think about what everyone individually wants, all of the styles, all of the applications and riding types, all of the displacements and engine types, all of the time. Small builders don’t need to start their own trend, they just need to find a small niche, probably too small for the big guys to cater to, and focus on them. Think small builder for small niche and let the big companies worry about trends and fads. Instead of selling to “everyone,” just focus on you and me and the next rider, the guys that buy and ride. If someone finds a trend in the resulting sales numbers, let them chase it.
Eric says
I’m betting on the dual-purpose bikes becoming the next trend.
Phoebe says
A return to standard motorcycles would be a nice trend. Almost all of the bikes I see on the road are cruisers, followed by faired sports bikes. Anything else is a rarity for me.
James says
The one thing all custom bikes have in common is their total impracticality. No brakes, no seat, no suspension. So there is one gaping big niche left: bikes built around comfort and rideability. In other words, standards and duals. Or do all custom bikes have to project a “mean” image, as in, “look at me I have balls of steel and therefore I don’t need no sissy seat or suspension”.
dan says
The new trend is just like the bike featured in you prior article lightweight standard that rips! If its a moto guzzi in an alloy tubular frame, an inline 4 in a modified KZ frame with fabbed steering head and modern forks, give me something gutzy fast and that features the motor! Once manufactures get back to this or if small builders mass produce a bike like this (listening Paul Jr.?) people will buy this! Too bad Highland met that fate!
Victor says
It’d be great if we could get in the US the naked (600 and 1000cc) bikes that are so popular in Europe for their practicality.
Mule says
I agree 100% with Phoebe! Although it’s sad to think of a “Standard” motorcycle as a trend instead of just a standard motorcycle. Lets go back to the days before “Trends”. Just buy a bike as an everyday platform. If you want to modify it, do so. If you want to just ride and do maintainence, then thats all you have to do.
For the custom builders, they can modify them as they wish. For the manufacturers, it would mean less models to tool up for and less manufacturing costs. Trying to chase 15 different markets with advertising and sponsored riders/events just adds cost to bikes we want to buy.
I always use the example of the late 60’s Triumph Bonneville. Buy it and ride it as is….or take off the fenders, mufflers, change the bars and go flattrack racing………or put a Bates windshield on it and some leather saddlebags and a touring you could go. Change the tires and bars again and you were off to ride the desert. Clip-ons and rear-set pegs and you were a “Cafe Racer”. Add number plates and megaphones and you could roadracing. All this with one bike. And every owner that did one or more of these things was probably happy as can be.
Now, try doing that with an R-1, BMW GS, Dyna Glide, CRF450 or Honda Fury. We have specialized ourselves into single purpose, very expensive motorcycles
Viv Collins says
Good article, with some good questions to make people think about what it is they are commenting on, from this it has to be asked is there a standard buyer for a standard bike? probably not in my experience, that means a diverse market is the best fit for manufactures and buyers alike.
JP says
never liked choppers. The only WCC bike I saw that I liked, Honda gave a VTX1800 to him and he made a naked sport bike out of it.
I always liked cafe bikes, road racers (A Bimota KB5 was my dream bike. $10,000 in 1980’s money for one, and I was never a Kawasaki fan, but gimmme!), duals/adventure, super moto/superbikers (I’m old enough to have watched it on ABC as a kid. . . I want a CR480 or 500 with lights and sticky tires, thanks), dirt trackers and good ol’ Honda Standards. (any 70’s and 80’s CB i4 and not a few of the twins).
I currently own a ST1100, and it is flippin great to ride, if a bit cramped (MCL peg drops are great except for the lost cornering) and I still got an old 1980 XL250S.
the XL is a home made Superbiker, with an extra rear rim laced onto a front hub and 18″ street tires both ends. Trends can come and go (some can stay gone for all I care), but I’ll always like those I liked when I was a kid.
hoyt says
The thought of the modular BMW boxer came to mind as I read this post.
I still like specialized genres. Having more than one bike would be fun because every time I have ridden someone else’s bike for a lengthy stint, my bike feels different in good/bad ways.
Random says
Honda is betting in a “fun to ride” trend. In the middle-of-year speech detailing plans for the next 10 years, besides eco-friendly everything the president announced the production of new middle-displacement, no war-for-horsepower bikes. Maybe the next fad are rideable, fun for (most of) everyone bikes? Is this the return of the UJM?
f0ul says
trends tend to get pushed by the media, desperate to be seen doing something exciting! It tends to be those who don’t read the mags who ride the niche, less fashionable bikes because they don’t care what some spotty hack with no real world skills thinks of their ride!
My favourite type of bike is the practical sort which goes quicker than the rest of the traffic and keeps me dry when its wet – it would be nice if it looks sexy, but I find that those sort of bikes tend to fail the practicality test!
Oh to have enough money to have every sort of bike for every sort of occasion!
akatsuki says
I like the idea of a multipurpose bike being the new standard – the Multistrada 1200 being perhaps the first of a new breed.
I’d also like Honda to get their head out of their asses and start putting V4s in more places. I’d love to see a VFR600RR race bike.
And finally, I can only hope and pray that ugly assymetrically-styled sportbikes do not take over the market.
As for standards, isn’t that basically all that factory streetfighters are?
zyxw says
I think practicality is the new trend. More UJMs, standards, scooters, smaller commuter bikes, and anything that is versatile. I see the Kawasaki Versys, the Suzuki TU250X and Burgmans, the Yamaha TMax 500, the new Honda Shadow 750, and the Honda NT700 as examples of the trend.
LordBeal says
The “naked” SV650 has always been my favorite bike here in the US for many of the reasons touched on by the other comments: a middle weight that you can leave alone, or you can make it what you want it to be.
Ed’s comment bears some thought: it’s not a trend, its a glaring omission – the mid-size dual purpose bike. Filling the gigantic gap will look like a trend. Where is the CRF350L?
LordBeal says
Sorry, it was Eric’s comment that bears some thought, not Ed’s.
fast eddie says
In any market . “There’s a seat for every ass and an ass for every seat” Reworked
yamaha 650 specials selling at 15k+ to wanna be flat trackers . there’s the proof.
The next trend for me is safety. I agree with your story, maybe we all should try to find our own “trend” . It works for me. 17,450 mi. this season . stayin alive , stayin alive
grate topic though . thanx and keep up the good work. FE
Conniggles says
Chopping’s not dead, it just sucks now.
rohorn says
If one person posted the next big thing here, the rest couldn’t post a belittling condemnation of it fast enough.
People who think that anything peaked in some previous decade are seldom experts at looking forwards.
Mark says
Too many comments on the next big trend. Hopefullly, we will see a global manufacturing base that can support enough small builders that there won’t be a trend, but there WILL be someone making ‘my’ bike.
Displaced Yankee says
I came here to say the same thing many already have – practicality is on the rise. In my case it’s partly an economic thing. Since I can only justify/afford to own one bike, I picked a ’76 BMW that I can commute on, tour with, ride to bike shows, and even enter if I feel like it. It sounds odd, but a 400-650 dual sport would be similar, only trading vintage for off-road capability.
todd says
I totally agree with Mark. Instead of hoping that the Big Few will make everything we all want let’s reduce restrictions and deregulate so that more, smaller builders can come in and fill all the gaps.
The Chopper thing did touch on this a little. Even though they were all building the same thing it spawned an industry of standardized parts that could be mixed and matched to come up with an infinite number of variations (centered around a V-twin rigid…).
Luckily, we don’t need to depend on the manufacturers to build what we want. There’s already 100+ years of used motorcycles of nearly every conceivable variation to float your boat. I think Honda knows better than to market a CB750 Standard when everyone and his mother can go out and buy one for $2,000 on Craigslist.
-todd
PeteP says
@Mule:
I can do all that with my DRZ-400!
I’ve ridden it for two days at highway speeds with bags on the back. Raced MX. Ridden Dual Sports and cross country events. Lots of trail riding. Just ripping around town is fun, too!
Of course we’ve all seen then ridden in Supermoto, and is it that far off to try some flattrack?
Not, I’m not going to win, but I sure have fun!
I am lucky enough to have a choice in my garage, and the DRZ gets ridden the most.
Mikey says
I say watch the electric market. Seriously, there’s tons of development now by manufacturers both big and small, and all of them are looking to nail down that initial lions share of the market by being the first to offer a cheap electric bike that:
(1) is not a childs toy (the scooters sold at Walmart and ToysRus)
(2) is not outrageously priced (BestBuy)
(3) is pretty simple to operate, like a golf cart.
(4) and has a service life about of several years (on the batteries).
Mule says
PeterP,
That’s what I’m talking about! I did all that with an XR650R Honda. Won flattrack races, built the crap out of the motor, others won umpteen Baja 1000’s, super popular trail bike and as a mottard/streetbike they can be a blast. Just need to wiggle through the registration quagmire. The seat is fat so you can be comfortable for long distances too. Like the Baja 1000! Mine made over 70HP at the wheel so speed was not an issue. Also bullet-proof and water cooled. Pretty good all around bike. Hmmmm? Maybe I should look for another one!
Hawk says
If I had that magic crystal ball to foresee what will sell …
I’d have a lot more money …. and it would be in Swiss bank accounts.
Nikolas says
I’ve been thinking about niche marketing a lot lately. It seems like this has invaded all aspects of life: overly specialized radio stations, restaurants, cars, motorcycles, guitars, computers, cameras… The list goes on and on.
I really like having a specialized tool for each occasion but the cost becomes unmanageable. I have a good camera for special events, a cheap camera that I keep with me a lot and a very small camera for packing light (but not for very special occasions!) When was the last concert that anyone saw (especially on tv) where the guitarist didn’t change guitars between every song?
I really hope that the next trend is towards UJMs or dual sports (by nature a multi purpose tool.) I really want a supermoto and sport bike and a cruiser but I don’t want to have to pay to have 18 different bikes in the garage.
the niche-ification of any product makes consumers unhappy with whatever “compromise” product they already have and probably promotes a lot of personal deficit spending. Sometimes choices make things worse.
But I still want a street tracker!
SteveD says
1. Touring market will stay put. E-Glides, Goldwings, Road kings, Concours, the big Stars, all flavors. Comfy and good for two people. There will always be a market for these since people are staying healthy older and have the money and desire for comfort to keep this market fairly stable. These are also the bikes for the high milers.
2. I agree about the standards, except that i have a more general definition. Versys, Bonneville, Sportster, Monsters, Gladius, er-6n, etc. are all flavors of the standard.
These bikes have one thing in common. They are all practical bikes given a particular riding style.
matt g says
Bad, indefinitly long recession with peak oil looming “sensible bike” and frugality are making a come back. It’s interesting to see everyone has the same gut feeling here.
Just got back from a road trip on a rented Road Glide. Cool bike but too much work to ride and being careful what and where I rode was limiting. Springy dual purpose bikes that aren’t dorky please.
Will_with_a_Triumph says
Someone stated earlier that the major players wouldn’t bring the standard I4 back in the U.S. because there are so many used to be had, but I disagree. I would love to have an updated version of the venerable CB, (preferably the 400), with updated ignition, fuel injection, better metallurgy for all components, and the peace of mind of knowing that it’s freshly minted, not rebuilt for the fifth time. I’m sure there are a lot of veteran riders, and scores of new and prospective, that would go in for small and medium displacement standards. Many, many more than any of the major manufacturers realize.
In tight financial times, we talk with our wallets…
Mine is asking for the return of the CB400.
Kachunk says
A good way for manufacturers to diversify their products and offer niche models is to use “platform engineering” like the automotive industry does. Take a powertrain and standardized suspension points, and proliferate different models off that architecture. That Chevy Malibu in your driveway also underpins the Equinox and GMC Terrain. It commonizes a lot of components, keeps costs down, and with some smart engineering, the adaptations are seamless.
I think a well designed, versitile “standard” motorcycle chassis could perform well in several different markets (when adapted with features to fit those markets, of course).
A mid size parallel or v-twin suits a lot of different applications….
Rich says
There are standards of every size and shape now, FZs, Monsters, VFRs, SVs Rwhatevers. Nobody buys them. And, as someone else stated, you can buy them (not much)used for cheap.
SteveD says
Nobody buys them? The 696 was Ducati’s best selling bike in North America. In general, the middleweight bikes, often the “standards” are each brand’s best sellers. Touring bikes are the best sellers for HD, but they sell a bunch of Sportsters as well. As for dual purpose bikes, I find them much too tall for my inseam. This has always been their Achilles heel in the US.
Derek Larsen says
I just ended up with a 1978 Honda CB125, after selling a ratty CB350 that, while powerful enough to go out and have fun with, was too big and heavy to be manageable in a dense urban environment, especially when you can’t even park a bike that size on the street in downtown Baltimore. It took me months to track a bike like this because it’s not very popular around here (most people want big sportbikes/cruisers or those disposable 49cc scooters coming from asia.) but it was worth the effort. Why? Because it’s my bike. It’s small, it’s sensible. It’s a just a bike. (And it’s a bike most of my girlfriends aren’t afraid of!) I’ve thought about making it a cafe or a scrambler, but aside from cleaning it up and cutting alot of the unnecessary bulk off (anybody know where I can find 3.5″ alloy fenders?) I don’t wanna change it a bit.
Al says
KS: “There’s always a market for motorcycles of every type, absolutely everything has a dedicated family of followers…
There’s always someone willing to buy…
Smaller builders and manufacturers appealing to solid niche markets could be in better shape than you might think…
Builders don’t need to start their own trend, they just need to find a small niche, probably too small for the big guys to cater to, and focus on them…”
I totally agree with your article and suggestions KS.
Small niche markets: Vintage replicas, 4 stroke motocrosser into road frame, dual (many) purpose bikes with sidecar, bikes with roofs…, Mountainbikes with motor, etc.
Chris | Bike EXIF says
I’m not actually sure that much has changed over the past quarter-century. The bikes look different, obviously, but this is mostly due to style and technological progress.
We still have the familiar mainstream manufacturers producing a range of on-road and off-road bikes, and we still have a custom industry of smaller builders (from choppers to cafe racers). OCC have taken the place of Ed Roth, and builders like Deus and the Wrenchmonkees have taken the place of the Norman Hydes of this world.
To the casual non-motorcycling observer, a 1985 Harley looks the same as a 2010 Harley. You could argue that the ‘motard’ in all its forms is an innovation, but that’s basically down to wheel size and suspension setup. And as Rich points out, we still have the UJM in the form of FZs, VFRs and SVs.
If anything’s struck me about progress in the motorcycling world, it’s that there hasn’t been much at all. And the occasional serious effort (such as the BMW C1) has not paid off.
The auto industry has made far greater progress, due to legislative pressure and the larger design slate afforded by four wheels and a cage.
william twitchel says
I guess what I’m tired of is any style bike that’s ridiculed for lack of comfort, if you want comfort get back in your Escalade, bikes should be about performance, failing that they should look good.
PeteP says
See? We all want something different.
That’s why I have more than one bike in the garage. 😀
woodco100 says
I would argue that the main problem with most modern bikes is they are so ugly! The chopper and cruiser craze of the last 15 years was driven mostly by guys buying the bikes they coveted but could not afford in their 20-30s (they bought the HDs) and mid lifers looking for something to spend thier HELOCs on. They bought the metrics by the millions. These purchases were driven by emotion (style and sound, shiny chrome and loud pipes) and cheep easy financing.
They have moved on.I agree, there is no new trend because the customers that drove the madness have gone back to watching TV.
KC says
I went to the motorcycle expo this past January and, while it was nice to see the exotic stuff, it was damned hard to find a small displacement (500cc +/-), under 400lb, standard bike. Or a bike that didn’t look completely like an insect, a race bike or a 3/4 scale Harley. I spent most of my time at the Triumph booth (almost) and looking at the small Ninjas (maybe). That was it. Hundreds of motorcycles and I walked away thinking “not quite it”. I’m looking for a good handling, good gas mileage, small displacement single or twin standard bike with sporting intentions. Something I can take to work all week and thrill myself all weekend. It’s crazy that there are more scooters than you can shake a stick at but not a small displacement standard bike.
Emmet says
@ Mule: It’s a sad truth that all we have today are specialized motorcycles marketed narrowly to fill a single aspect of motorcycling.
Choppers have been around for a while, same with cafe racers, bobbers, and whathaveyou. This scares me to think that Discovery Channel and the popular media can single out a specific motorcycle genre and dish it out to the mainstream in a scandalous form not meant to inform, but to entertain. Choppers were an unfortunate victim, it could have been any sort of motorcycle. I’ve heard some unfortunate news that Discovery will be launching a documentary series on Cafe Racers which will feature several shops in a ‘biker build off’ type contest. Say it ain’t so! Then again, it will be played on HD Theater, which will reach a smaller audience, and other HD motorcycle specials have been *somewhat neutral. Let’s hope for similar treatment here…
I pray that cable TV doesn’t prostitute the cafe racer scene. If I have to see ‘Do The Ton’ bumper stickers at the local Hot Topic, motorcycle manufacturers releasing pointless modern cafe bikes, cafe racer jackets on sale at Forever 21, or emo punks parading around in their ‘hip’ BSA shirts, I will leave this world, guns blazing. Just kidding, but you get my point.
John Mav says
if you have a passion for a ‘type’, then it’s not a trend to you, just something you hold more dear than others, & for a longer period of time.
‘Trend’ is a media made up word to push a theme of product at one point and create a temporary buzz, increase sales. The one good thing to come of it, is the sharing of the theme across a wider audience, with a couple more people will finding their new passion.
Don’t get me wrong, i’m all for trends, that’s how i found my passion for snuggies….ha! joking.
navek says
The marketing people in the motorcycle industry must laugh their collective cocks off at “opinion” columns like this. “If you just made my ideal bike every one would fall over themselves to buy it”. My money would be with a more “practical ” bent in peoples purchases. I was at Home Depot this afternoon when an older guy zips up on his Honda Ruckus. I got to talking with him and asked why he bought it. He is not a biker but bought this little runabout because it made economic sense to him. Tried to find a new TU250? Perhaps we are about to smarten up and join the rest of the world who think of motorcycles as transport not a hobby!
nortley says
Custom machines are built, not bought. As long as the manufacturers keep supplying a variety of buildable platforms, there is a possibility that most shades of cyclist have a chance of finding something to like. Will any combination of choices make everyone happy? Has it ever?
Chris R says
The days of people that buy bikes to bolster their self image is gone. That is where you see the sell off. However I don’t think basic styles and models will die off from the true blue riders which will ride whatever suites their personality. There is a reason we all choose a specific model or brand, and after all the “ego bikers”(that’s giving them credit they were bikers in the first place) move on to the next “cool” thing, the lovers of two wheels will stand and be counted. Considering the economic conditions, I see a shift towards function over fashion in the motorcycle industry. There were riders out there before it was “cool”, and there will be riders well into the future for all makes and models. Motorcycles will span the test of time.
woolyhead says
Dual-purpose ? Seems like a formula for having your cake and all……… Lower the seat below eight feet and voila……transport and fun all rolled into one! I also experienced the embarassment for asking to see a TU250 at the local Suzuki dealer….salesperson said hasn’t been one and won’t ever have one….is that a fear of having a model unsold for the next few years ? I’ve all but given up on electric bikes…..battery technology is still in the Neandertaal age and nothing new on the horizon……….
RYCA MOTORS says
“Small builders don’t need to start their own trend, they just need to find a small niche, probably too small for the big guys to cater to, and focus on them.”
Exactly. This is the same concept that small record labels use in the music industry. They can survive buy selling small numbers of records to niche markets by applying the “long tail” theory of economics.
fred harmon says
I’ve heard a lot about a lot of bikes, and its all “to each his own.” Now seriously, as a tech question, how can I gear my “84 Goldwing taller, that is to obtain a bit higher speed or cruise at a bit lower rpm at a given speed. I’m a small dude and I fly solo for the most part, it just seems like I’m romping “er pretty hard above 80-90- and I know there’s plenty of muscle left, and I would like to keep up with the 117-inch H.D. buddie just to see the look, ya know? When I was a kid I put a jap rear wheel on my flathead “45, itr took a while to get there but I could cruise at 75-80. The Wing was a gift, people cannot believe that someone gave me that bike, all the more valuable to me because of its source. Now if I could only keep up with that Monster Bagger life would be sweet….. whatdya think, fellas? Got any IDEAS??? Frantic FREDDIE
woodco100 says
“Perhaps we are about to smarten up and join the rest of the world who think of motorcycles as transport not a hobby!”
Nave, in most places people are poor, gas is $9/gal and there is no place to park. Maybe the rest of the world should smarten up and try to be like us.
Most bike purchases in the USA are as a hobby. I have a big 4 wheel drive SUV for transportation.
SteveD says
Just to make the point, I’m tired of the HP races. 150 HP vs. 130? who cares? Most folks will NEVER notice that difference. A bigger question is where the acceptable lower cutoff is. Not for an individual, but the market in general. Clearly many Americans are willing to go with 60-70. You think otherwise? Check out sales figures.
Jim says
In most parts of the world, motorcycles, specifically small-displacent bikes and scooters, are seen as logical transport where cars are expensive and impractical. They’re a step up from a bicycle and two steps up from a donkey cart. In America we abandoned motorcycles as an inexpensive alternative to cars long ago when Henry Ford sold new Model Ts for half as much as a new Harley or Indian cost.
Ever since then, motorcycles have been vehicles of choice rather than necessity, ridden by a small population of dedicated individuals who see motorcycles as a means of avoiding the standardization in thought and lifestyle that modern civilization imposes on us. This notion took hold firmly in the early 1960s, and since then the American motorcycle market has been one of trends and fads based on the whims of a few small demographics. So if they want 150 horsepower, they’ll get it whether they can use it or not. Most riders are single young men with girlfriends who think motorcycles are very cool until they marry those young men, then not so much, and the bike languishes for a while, then goes up for sale. The next crop of young men decides what they want and the manufacturers provide it, and so the cycle continues. It’s a great way to buy a good used bike that might be the last fad, but for a great price.
JCB says
It all depends on Hollywood .
SteveD says
” Most riders are single young men with girlfriends . . .”
Really? Here’s some numbers. Only 17% under 30, 39% under 40.
Demographics of a New Bike Rider
Age Gender
20 years and younger 1% Male 90%
21-25 7% Female 10%
26-30 9%
31-40 22%
41-50 30%
51-60 23%
61-70 7%
71 and older 1%
Marital Status
Married 65%
Single (never married) 17%
Widowed 2%
Divorced/separated 16% (7)
SteveD says
Here’s more numbers. Dual sports are up in sales but the biggest growing segment is scooters. The reference is: http://knol.google.com/k/the-u-s-motorcycle-market#
U.S. Motorcycle Sales 2009
———————————–
Dual Sport 26,257
Off Road 105,103
Street Bikes 357,691
Scooters 31,451
Total 520,502
rohorn says
Funny how much noise that youngest 20% makes on the internet. And how little they know about the market.
Being connected isn’t the same as being informed…
rohorn says
Whoops – I meant “17%”.
navek says
Woodco100
“maybe the rest of the world should smarten up and be like us”. What short memories we have for the $5 a gallon scenario when you could not have given away your 4wd SUV and those of us who are a little older who recall the gas lines of the seventies when you would have had to pay someone to take it away! The older guy on the Ruckus rode it because it was convenient (zips through traffic) and economic and he can see the writing on the wall. I mentioned him because he was anecdotal evidence of my point ( ie a non biker who saw the sense of this little runabout).If there were unlimited supplies of crude oil and no political/geographic restrictions, resulting in the 25c a gall. gas of my youth I am sure that I would not have sold my Honda Pilot (which I really liked by the way) and the rest of the world would be similarly profligate. Unfortunately the reality is very different and should we manage to emerge from this depression and demand picks up, so will the price of gas and then perhaps we will find ourselves trying to cope with $9 a gall. gas. To get back on topic I think the opportunities for small companies to cater for niche markets is excellent. I would like a Vento 400cc very much,
Navek
Mule says
Just thinking the other day, in the early 20th century, bikes were a popular mode of transpo and cars were expensive. Ford introduces the Model T at a price equal to or less than motorcycles. Motorcycle market takes a huge hit and dozens of manufacturers including all the small ones evaporate from the face of the earth. The market idles along supplying product primarily to hardcore enthusiasts.
In the 60’s the Japanese started marketing and supplying very affordable, quaility products. I guess they refer to that as the “Boom” years. The market grew to mammoth proportions. Now bikes have become so sophisticated, fast, superb handling, electronics, fuel injection, etc, etc, that the cost has been driven through the roof. And cars look to be a more economical option as in the early 1900’s. With the economy in the tank, motorcycles should be the new option of affordability, but are up there with big screens and powerboats. They’ll just have to wait until the recovery. Whenever that happens.
So the standard or dumbed down version of an everyday, all-person bike seems to be what’s needed. Imagine going into a big shop and never having ridden. What do you buy to drive to work? A Goldwing? Adventure bike (a motorcycle version of a Hummer)? Dirt bike, chopper, cruiser, R-1? You need to start out right from the git-go in a nitch and not gradually decide what’s best or learn how to ride safely on a totally nuetral bike.
todd says
Do those demographic statistics represent the people who make new bike purchases or all riders in general? It is labeled as “New Bike Rider”, that would suggest anyone who already rides is not represented in the stats. I wonder what the spread is for “Existing Riders”. What about “New Riders on an Old Bike”? I guess it comes down to whether these are dealer sales statistics or DMV registration statistics.
-todd
SteveD says
The stats represent the buyers. I didn’t look for the total spread. When it comes to keeping the manufacturers in business, these are the folks that control the market. The aftermarket and part makers do benefit of course. But those who don’t buy don’t control what gets made.
Fenriq says
I stopped worrying about what other people were riding years ago. Sure, I can appreciate a chopper for the hard work that went into making it but I don’t have any interest in one for myself. I like my V-Strom (the Swiss Army Knife of Motorcycles!) more than enough.
And I’m thinking the next big trend in motorcycles is going to be electrics.
Dawg says
Have just read KC’s comment about his struggle to find a bike for him at the Expo. Have you looked at the BMW F800R?
A friend of mine bought one recently and loves it. He rides it like he stole it everywhere and it can handle all types of road really well. It’s stable at speed, as well as being light and agile in the twisties and in town. He also gets amazing MPG figures too.
As far as general motorcycle trends go, here in England the Ducati Multistrada seems to be selling really well, especially to people who would normally by a sports bike, and the BMW 1200GS will keep selling for sure.
Speed restrictions and traffic congestion mean it’s more fun on riding on minor roads and once people have swapped their sports bikes for something that can handle a wider range of conditions they usually find they are going just as fast and expanding their choice of routes.
woodco100 says
Navek, I do not have a short memory. Why would I give away a truck I love to drive. We live in a free market. I chose to pay the going cost of a prodcut I needed.
I have had a drivers license for 34 years, 2 months and 18 days. I remember wel lthe gas lines of the 70s. I also remember when gas hit $4/gal (not $5) all the scooter stores that popped up in every town. Hows is that working out, all out of business.
We, USA, buy mostly big, expensive fast and/or shiny motorycles. You ride what you want, I am heading out to trade up my 1700 for a 1900, or maybe a 2300!!
navek says
Woodco100 ,
buddy, long may you be able to afford to buy and run as big and as shiny bikes and trucks as you want. I am cool with that however it is somewhat naive to assume that the rest of the world should and would want to. You keep missing my point which is that this old guy, who hadn’t ridden since he was a kid chose to buy this little runabout because it was convenient and economical (we live in a “tourist” town and summer traffic can make it quicker to walk sometimes). The point being that he would choose to go for two wheels and secondly that he had a choice of something that fitted his needs. He bought the Honda Ruckus as transport, pure and simple and given the option perhaps more people would do so. This has nothing to do with bikers/motorcyclists per se , it is to do with transport solutions for a particular set of circumstances. I doubt seriously he would have considered a Harley or 2300cc Triumph triple for this role. I have been riding for more than 50yrs and find motorcyclists/bikers to be very resistant to new concepts and change has to be incrementally slow in order for it to be accepted. Ride safe buddy,
Navek
woodco100 says
I am with you. No worries, no disrespect. Now only if all the Honda and Suzuki dealers in my city of over 1 million people had not gone out of business (they sold Honda, Suzuki, Ducati, Triumph and Victory) I could consider one of thier product.
My real point was “Dont tell me what I want, sell me what I want” And Americans want and buy Big, shiny, loud, fast, powerfull motorcycles. The very best way to sell your bike in the USA is to make it bigger, shinier, faster, louder or more powerfull than the other guy.
The best selling bikes in Europe are 125s. Sux to be them.
Jar says
Thought the point of the article was “build niche”, not define a niche.
Most of the viewpoints expressed here confirm the point of the article, which proposed that the motorcycle market was moving in a direction that would allow builder dealers to capitalize on the vast variation in desires/style/performance/function we have for our rides – that they would be better positioned to do so vs. a large corporation. Strikes me as the “coach builders” from the early automotive years – not many of those remaining…..
I like the thought, but I think the cost of pursuing something of the like would be incredibly expensive on the retail side. Cost is in direct proportion to volume, the more you make, the less cost involved. Niche, by its nature, precludes this to a significant degree.
Beyond that, to do it the “right” way (as an OEM of some nature – even a small one), a guy has to wrestle with all the certification processes, EPA, FMVSS, as well as regional DMV title restrictions. None easy, or inexpensive, nor ever truly done and done – meaning if you change a bend in your certified exhaust, get ready to re-cert….
Some of the builders featured on this site – Falcon – is one I can think of, are pursuing such a path, rebuilding existing old bikes into custom as new vehicles. Niche. Spendy units as well – beautifully worked – but spendy. Even if they decided to make the same “custom” 50 times over, she’d still be a spendy unit, and some of the beauty would likely be sacrificed.
Will I admit I love the thought of “niche” builder dealers, I think there are too many hurdles in that path to success. Of course, such a statement really depends on how you measure “success” – an entirely different discussion.
vb says
The DualSport/Motard niche is the best kept secret in motorcycling right now. I bought a ’98 DR650 to go along with my ’96 Intruder, ’83 Maxim and ’91 RM250. I wanted something for the trails that I didnt have to trailer. What I learned; the DR650 is a big pig for a MX bike, its great for exploring trails and two-track roads. It is hands down the best/funnest around -town bike I have ever ridden. The other two street bikes have an inch of dust on them since Mr. DR650 has came into town. It will do 100mph on the expressway, and the look on the faces of the bikers wearing their “costumes” as they get passed by a dirtbike is priceless.
Mule says
Jar,
I believe that Duesenbergs were an operation as you describe. They would build a roller and different “Coachbuilders” would design and fabricate a “Package” for it. I don’t think there was ever a “Standard” model.
Which takes me back to my Triumph Bonneville of the 60’s theory. A starting point for any direction the owner cared to take it. Perhaps what’s needed is an OEM nuetral chassis platform delivered to a shop where you sit down and discuss the style of ride you want with a build consultant. Order up a Cafe’ tank or a peanut chopper style tank. Choice of wheels, seat, bars and get the bike you want. An entire aftermarket could support variations on the basic bike package. As it is now, aftermarket companies have to select a nitch and hope the fad lasts long enough for them to stay in business or they have to be able to leapfrog to the next nitch. But like anything intended for the “Average” consumer, the universal bike probably wouldn’t appeal to anyone.
Definition of Average- If you have one foot in a bucket of ice water and one in a bucket of scolding hot water, then you’re comfortable.
KC says
In response to Dawg and the BMW F800R, the styling looks bizarre to me. If I could get a KTM 690 with a (lot) lower seat height I’d be all over it. Not that a KTM isn’t bizarre in its own right but at least it’s symmetrical.
I’ve petty much come to the conclusion I’ll have to find an older bike and restore it. Winter’s coming and it could be a good time to start a project.
Dawg says
KC. Shame you don’t fancy the BMW. Its a great bike.
Good luck with the winter project, look forward to seeing it.
Brian says
Reading the first paragraph, you’re right. I always wanted a modern board track racer (with brakes), even before the Goldammer bikes came out. I still want a modern cafe racer and a modern board track racer. Never really wanted a chopper.
As for the “trend”……. eh, I really don’t care. I know what I want.
VMoto55 says
I’d like to see a return to smaller, more fuel efficient 4 cylinder standards. I loved and rode the Honda 400 four “flying french horn” as well as the 500 and 550 4 cylinders.
They were great stock standards and made excellent cafe racers. No body work ~ less expensive to insure, smaller displacement ~ less expensive to insure. Smaller ~ easier to park, take up less room in the garage.
Orin says
I believe the motorcycle industry’s biggest problem in the U.S. is that a motorcycle is linked to some style or category that is all about that style or category. If anyone has ever purchased a Harley or metric bike because they’re worried about their carbon footprint, I would like to meet him/her.
Most places in the world, people ride motorcycles or scooters because they can’t afford a car, or find owning a 2-wheeler easier due to overcrowding, traffic, etc. I ended up on a scooter because of a $101 credit card statement from Shell in 2003. I went looking for a small-bore motorcycle and found none (a Suzuki TU250X would’ve been just the ticket, had it been available at the time), so I bought a Vespa ET4. This was during the height of Piaggio’s “boutique” period, where you were buying a lifestyle as much as you were buying a bike.
But that’s true of just about every segment in the motorcycle biz. The truth is, most people just want an economical way to get around. Someone will need to sell people on the idea of riding (remember “You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda”?), and especially on the idea that it’s no more dangerous than riding a bicycle, especially in traffic. Will that happen? I’m not holding my breath…
Core says
Well my first comment seems to have been swallowed by the internet gods. *Sorry if this pops up as a double post*
So long story short, I would like to see Honda bring the transalp state side. Its’ available everywhere in the world almost, except the US. I know they had trouble in 1985… but obviously a few years have passed since then. Get over Honda.
Tom Lyons says
I agree with Mule and his comments about the old Triumph standard motorcycles that you could do just about anything with. That’s right on target.
A standard bike with average technology and power, which can be customized by the user for various purposes of choice, and has an affordable price is where it is at.
I think the whole “Moto GP bike on the street” has gotten to the point where it is well beyond useful, and is primarily a marketing game to attract people who think they need titanium valves to shave off 22 grams of valvetrain weight on their street bike, and thus need to buy the newest model. Sure, it’s fine when people want that, and I’m not knocking those who think they are Valentino Rossi, and can afford to buy that kind of excess, along with the tickets and loss of license. They can buy that if they want.
I’m also tired of the Star Wars X-wing fighter look. It is not a requirement for a motorcycle to look like a science-fiction spacecraft. I have also gone to Motorcycle Expos and left there thinking there wasn’t a single solitary bike in the show that I would even consider buying. Half of the show exhibits look like a Star Trek convention, and the other half look like an homage to the Brando movie “The Wild One”.
I think the EPA has created a monster, driving everything to be more complex, heavier, and more expensive, just to meet their stupid rules. Almost everything is water-cooled anymore. The last think I want to think about is a radiator hose leak on my motorcycle. Real motorcycles are air-cooled. I’m sorry, but that’s what I think.
I don’t need 100 pounds of water pump, hoses, thermostat, water jackets, radiators, cooling fans, shrouds, temp gauge, etc, on my bike. I don’t need air pumps, PAV, EGR, 50 miles of wire, 20 pounds of connectors, sensors, black-boxes, cataclysmic converters, etc. on my bike. I don’t need EFI, fuel pumps, pressure regulators, throttle bodies, injectors, hoses, etc. on my bike.
And I don’t WANT them on my bike either.
The EPA mandates have added so much cost, weight, and complexity to the modern motorcycle, that it is horribly counter-productive the what motorcycling always was.
A nice lightweight, aircooled, low-tech, standard motorcycle that is very affordable is the heart and soul of motorcycling.
When motorcycles are costing more than cars, have engines with Ferrari Formula One technology, and and so complex that you need a pit crew instead of a tool kit, then something has gone terribly wrong.
So, what do I do?
I buy vintage. Real motorcycles. And I build them up the way I want them, and it costs me less too.
The bike manufacturers just won’t get my money until they get back to reality.
I’m just done with “X-wing fighters” with riders in Power Ranger suits, and 900-pound fake choppers with riders in pirate outfits. Maybe I’m in the minority, but it’s not my bag.