Triumph News

Well they are certainly doing better than KTM, especially in Europe. Could be much worse

 

Do believe it is going to be a hard year for most brands. People can't really afford the bikes any longer. Ninety per cent of the time the bike is a toy other than the car.

 

@stollydriver: I hope you are not right!

 

Makes sense with all the speed restrictions being brought in around the country, unfortunately.

 

So in summary then…. Buy Big, Buy Now, Enjoy it whilst you can and have no regrets

 

I remember Mark Williams saying exactly this in Bike magazine. I think it was 1975.....

 

Thinking about the demographic of motorcycle riders it likely that bike manufacturers will find it hard to maintain their current levels of large capacity bikes, so a move to smaller and cheaper bikes is likely to happen. If they cannot attract younger riders to these machines I do fear for the future of biking as we know it.

 

There is a house building boom at the moment so Bloor Homes will be doing well and should be able to support Triumph as they did in the early days.

 

Looking at the figures Triumph sold almost 20,000 more bikes last year than the year before but turnover was down. That is due to the large number of sales of the 400 models where the profit margin must be less than with the larger models.

I would say that the figures were quite encouraging given the general economic climate - at least the overall profit increased, albeit very slightly, which is more than can be said for a number of other manufacturers.

 

That's my motto, @Boothman! Another reason to "enjoy it whilst you can" has to do with the fact that I'm (we're?!) not getting any younger. It's not only about the motorcycle market and manufacturers. "Buy Big, Buy Now". I like it.

 

I've seen reduced prices in the last few months for tiger 900 and 1200 models as well as other models in fact a 900 gtpro is available at less than I paid 3 years ago....

 

Sign of the times and only the start. Companies are shutting up and jumping abroad. Not bike related but Haleon in Maidenhead are as we speak running down their factory and jumping abroad. Once was the great McLeans. And many others. Yes there are some great deals out there as motorcycle shops struggle to stay afloat. With rents and overhead costs you will see the manufactures reducing their holdings here in the UK. Unless the sun comes out and shines all year round.

 

Yep, Joe, things they are a-changin'. And other than good deals for consumers at the moment, there are changes afoot that don't bode so well for the motorcycle industry overall. I suspect that even in places where the sun does come and shine all year round (like Arizona where I live!), manufacturers will still reduce their holdings.

 

Not too bad, given the circumstances. You have dealerships built on cheap credit having their loans called in. Less passing trade. Serious competition snapping at their heels from China. General economic woes, and to cap it all off, fewer bikers coming through due in part to an expensive and convoluted licensing system. Oh, and government obsession with net zero and stupid and unnecessary speed restrictions everywhere. What did I miss?

 

Often prohibitory cost of insurance - particularly for new/young riders. Think you missed that one.

 

Our risk averse UK society combined with the fact you can get a car licence a lot quicker than a "full" bike licence doesn't do motorbike sales any favours. Average UK motorcyclist age? 54 years old..... and rising.

Car - 17 years old - provisional licence, theory test, practical test, drive any car

Motorcycle - here is a link to the government flow chart for getting a motorcycle licence.... I can't be bothered trying to describe the process and various age limitations, but you are 21 or over to be able to ride any bike!

How to get a motorcycle licence

 

It is a small wonder that there is a lack on young riders coming through.
My grandson has just turned 17 years old and has been riding a 50cc mash dirt bike for the last year, he reckons that it is dangerous as it is so slow, with average traffic so much faster around him when he was riding.
He has given up on progressing to a 125cc electing to move to getting his car license.
He was really keen on riding when he got his bike, another loss of a bike rider. I wonder how many others?

 

There certainly are many variables at work. Here in the US, we have no leveled licenses or whatever the term for that might be. You can get your license and go out and get a massive touring bike if you so desire. Even though it’s a really stupid idea. So that’s not part of our issue, but we are still seeing motorcyclist numbers dropping. An interesting additional note is that many young people don’t even seem to want to drive cars! That’s beyond my imagination quite frankly. When I was a teenager, the biggest carrot mom and dad could provide was getting our drivers license and being able to drive their car or to get a hand-me-down beater from them to tool around in. And I suspect mom and dad were pretty happy too not have to always be playing chauffeur. Nowadays lots of young folks would rather have their parents drive them or just take an Uber. in my humble opinion, they are missing out – both with cars and motorcycles!