Have BMW really shaken off the pipe and slippers image

[fontana]

When we first moved up to the Borders there were quite a few young lads buzzing about on scoots and the odd race rep 125. That was 10 years ago. Now they are scarce, barely noticeable. Our local bike dealer/repair /mot facility Olivers at Denholm sells more quad bikes to the farmers than they do scoots to the lads. Definitely a decline in youngsters choosing two wheels as a mode of transport and I would say that may probably be mirrored by BAB`s I would agree that there is a decline in two wheel ownership. I think the main reason for it is prioritising income. I would guess that figures are in decline in other Western European economies too. I barely even read about WSB these days let alone watch it. Hardly a shop window for the manufacturers as it used to be.

Motorcycling is definitely growing old despite the fantastic machines that are rolling off the lines with amazing technology included.

Enjoy it while we can. (says me who is yet to ride my Xmas prezzie )
.

I firmly believe that the biking bubble burst a long time ago.
Yes, the media report growing sales figures, but omit the fact that even these figures are pitiful compared to where they were 20 - 30 years ago.
I'm always amazed at how the magazines these days(especially MCN), seem to be so preoccupied with promoting finance deals on new bikes.
It's almost as though they have gone hand in hand with the national Motorcycle dealers association, but then of course declining motorcycles sales inevitably hits them too, so it makes sense.

[slparry]

not so sure

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov. ... hapter.pdf

Looks like they're on the up, well usage is

Clipboard03.jpg (39.85 KiB) Viewed 2036 times

and today I've done my bit by selling 5 new bikes myself

[fontana]

not so sure

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov. ... hapter.pdf

Looks like they're on the up, well usage is

Well perhaps we need to refer back to your very words earlier on this thread

statistics are like bikinis, what they reveal is exciting, what they conceal is vital

[slparry]

not so sure

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov. ... hapter.pdf

Looks like they're on the up, well usage is

Well perhaps we need to refer back to your very words earlier on this thread

statistics are like bikinis, what they reveal is exciting, what they conceal is vital

[fontana]

There is of course a much bigger picture.
UK bike sales represent pocket change as far as the manufacturers are concerned.
We are still part of a bigger piece of the jigsaw, which is Europe.

http://www.consultancy.uk/news/2852/new ... since-2005

[boxerscott]

When we first moved up to the Borders there were quite a few young lads buzzing about on scoots and the odd race rep 125. That was 10 years ago. Now they are scarce, barely noticeable. Our local bike dealer/repair /mot facility Olivers at Denholm sells more quad bikes to the farmers than they do scoots to the lads. Definitely a decline in youngsters choosing two wheels as a mode of transport and I would say that may probably be mirrored by BAB`s I would agree that there is a decline in two wheel ownership. I think the main reason for it is prioritising income. I would guess that figures are in decline in other Western European economies too. I barely even read about WSB these days let alone watch it. Hardly a shop window for the manufacturers as it used to be.

Motorcycling is definitely growing old despite the fantastic machines that are rolling off the lines with amazing technology included.

Enjoy it while we can. (says me who is yet to ride my Xmas prezzie )
.

I firmly believe that the biking bubble burst a long time ago.
Yes, the media report growing sales figures, but omit the fact that even these figures are pitiful compared to where they were 20 - 30 years ago.
I'm always amazed at how the magazines these days(especially MCN), seem to be so preoccupied with promoting finance deals on new bikes.
It's almost as though they have gone hand in hand with the national Motorcycle dealers association, but then of course declining motorcycles sales inevitably hits them too, so it makes sense.

True. Mcn still rely on Rossi to sell. Someone who has passed the Rubicon without a force.
That publication is not worth buying. Agreed encouraging punters to go pcp. They would, they know things are in decline.

[slparry]

There is of course a much bigger picture.
UK bike sales represent pocket change as far as the manufacturers are concerned.
We are still part of a bigger piece of the jigsaw, which is Europe.

http://www.consultancy.uk/news/2852/new ... since-2005

As I read this it seems big bike sales are relatively stable it's the smaller scooter/commuter market that fluctuates and that the mini recession in 08/09 hit sales, which is understandable as many were made redundant or where in fear of redundancy

[fontana]

I believe the golden years of biking were in the late 80's, and then again (after the recession), in the 90's
The point I'm trying to make is that no matter how sales appear to be growing now, they are still well below the figures back then.
You don't have to be a statistician to see that.
Look how many dealerships have collapsed in the last 10-15 years.
That just doesn't happen in a buoyant market place.
I'm quite friendly with the owner of a large multi franchise dealership locally.
He tells me that it's much harder to stay afloat nowadays compared to 20-30 years ago.

When we first moved up to the Borders there were quite a few young lads buzzing about on scoots and the odd race rep 125. That was 10 years ago. Now they are scarce, barely noticeable. Our local bike dealer/repair /mot facility Olivers at Denholm sells more quad bikes to the farmers than they do scoots to the lads. Definitely a decline in youngsters choosing two wheels as a mode of transport and I would say that may probably be mirrored by BAB`s I would agree that there is a decline in two wheel ownership. I think the main reason for it is prioritising income. I would guess that figures are in decline in other Western European economies too. I barely even read about WSB these days let alone watch it. Hardly a shop window for the manufacturers as it used to be.

Motorcycling is definitely growing old despite the fantastic machines that are rolling off the lines with amazing technology included.

Enjoy it while we can. (says me who is yet to ride my Xmas prezzie )
.

Truer words were never spoken