2007 Motorcycle Sales Down
U.S. Motorcycle Sales Report for 3rd Quarter 2007
October 24, 2007 - U.S. Motorcycle sales are down across the board so far this year, with one exception. The dual-sport category is up by about 4% compared to the same period in 2006. This may be due to the popularity of motorcycles like the updated KTM 990 Adventure or the popular BMW R1200GS.
The remaining categories, including off-road and street bikes, have suffered in 2007. Off-road sales are down about 15%, while street bike sales are off by nearly 5%. Even scooter sales are down by nearly 2%; the scooter market just can’t seem to gain momentum in the U.S.A., even with relatively high fuel costs persuading many to find more efficient methods of transportation.
Overall motorcycle sales, including all categories, are down by 6.4% so for the first three quarters of 2007 when compared to 2006.
I’m not surprised sales are down. Riding a motorcycle just doesn’t fit into the psyche of most Americans. Dangerous, loud, dirty, criminal, and other less than attractive ideas still largely describe how motorcycles and scooters are seen. And who really cares about gas prices yet. Maybe at 6 or 7 bucks a gallon…
The rise in the dual sport bikes you mention makes sense since they are the Hummers of the motorcycle world and would extend nicely from the desire to have something big, powerful, and way more machine than necessary for 99 percent of the owners.
If I were a dealer in motorcyles or scooters I would be worried. Especially since kids can’t easily get one anymore they aren’t creating new riders like they used to. Who wants a motorcycle when you could be playing Halo or World of Warcraft.
Steve Williams
Scooter in the Sticks
Good point! I am continually amazed at the mindset of American riders verses that of the Europeans, or those in other places around the world.
Well as a dealer I am worried. However almost every industry in this country is suffering. The times we live in are very scary. Until we keep sending jobs to China, Mexico, and India peoples wages will continue to drop. It wont matter how cheap goods are if Americans do not have the extra spending money to purchase them. American mind set has also changed. We continue to get lazy and fat. Our childerns health is suffering as they spend more time sitting on the couch in their own little virtual worlds, and less time actually learing to deal with reality. Heven help us in the next 20 years!
As you probably know, I sell cars for a living, and like you, see first hand how our industry is suffering. It is very scary!
Locating the right motorcycle shipping and transport company will be based on numerous factors. The organization must have their equipment custom meant to transport your motorcycle with the safest and secure way. Moreover, i think trailers should come equipped with e-tracking at the same time.