Why European motorcycles are doing better then the Japanese

[Brewbacca]

This is a great article I just read in, Asphalt and Rubber, (which totally sounds like a bdsm mag title). Discussing the difference between the likes of Honda and Ducati, and why Ducati and other Euro Brands have weathered the economic rescission better then their Japanese counter parts.

Personally, I believe the Japanese have traded their creativity in for sales and what market forecasting is telling them, yes the economy is crap and could effect the amount of $$ they have to develop and build a new bike, but look at Ducati and how they are releasing a brand new model for the last 3 years. Ducati's willingness to bring new models to the game has definitely driven there sales and expanded there market share.

The author of the article brought up a great point that honda could have kept producing a 1000cc v-twin and still produce there CBR range without hurting there cbr sales.
I've talked before about how several Japanese brands make really interesting motorcycles that aren't sold in the states and why is that, but I think it's time they stop telling people what they want and start listening to their Fans/customers.

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/oped/honda-rc51-concept-nicolas-petit/#more-27092

Discuss!!

 

[VicTim]

I find this topic interesting. I'm sure there are many reasons why the Japanese are losing ground to the Europeans. The people in Europe buy different types of bikes than we do in America (I think the Bay Area may be slightly different).

Btw both bikes I own were Europeon only models that were brought to America (yes my Harley was a Europe only bike too).

I'll be interested to see what others have to say on the topic.

 

[theAmazingKickstand]

I lost interest in japanese bikes since they got rid of the Superhawk and havnt updated the ST1300. Different variations of 4cyl...none of which are fun for real world use arn't appealing to me. I tried a bunch of Japanese bikes. Upright 140hp 4cyl, cramped 140hp 4cyl., underpowered 4cyl.....got bored.

 

[dammyneckhurts]

Generally speaking the economy is in the shitter, a good chunk of the population does not have the coin to buy a new bike.

In addition, people that have lots of money are not affected by the state of the economy, they are still buying bikes at close to the same rate as 5-7 years ago.

Again.. generally speaking....what kind of bikes are those that are well-off buying? They tend to go for Euro bikes.... thus the increased market share.

I wonder if the Euro bikes are actually selling more bikes than they did say 5 years ago... or are they just selling more bikes relative to what the Japanese are now selling?

 

[HIglesias]

why are BMW's (cars) selling well? because the richer get richer. and they like nice shit. period. all the "kids" that move into my building are rich chinese kids whose parents pay for EVERYTHING. they don't drive nice corollas. they drive bmw's.

us poor people, we buy the cheap jap bikes. and we be broke!

with that being said, i'm in the same camp as dammyneckhurts (first names are really nice, imo)

 

[stan23]

Considering Honda is about 5000x a bigger company than Ducati, and builds a plethora of products it doesn't surprise me that the bigger company is taking a bigger economic hit than the small euro companies.

 

[VicTim]

Considering Honda is about 5000x a bigger company than Ducati, and builds a plethora of products it doesn't surprise me that the bigger company is taking a bigger economic hit than the small euro companies.

True, and the economy still stinks.

 

[rsrider]

I like my ZX-6R, but it's the last sprotbile for me. I like my Triumph Sprint RS, and my Genuine Buddy scooter. I don't think any one of them have a soul or gives me any feeling of belonging to any group and instills any brand loyalty. I want a Piaggio MP3 500. I've never owned a Piaggio or Vespa, but I think it's cool and after having rode a 250 the only thing I felt it was lacking was power, which the 500 has. When I go to the Ducati shop in SB, I want to laugh at those Ducatistas (whatever they call themselves), just like I laugh at the RUBs who own Hardleys. It's a marketing joke, and if you fall for it you're a dupe.

 

[Beauregard]

Huh.

I wonder what a graph for US sales of 2010-2011 models for all manufacturers would look like.

 

[stangmx13]

Japan had quite a bit more to worry about in 2011 than whether or not an Asphalt&Rubber writer thought their motos have soul.

 

[theAmazingKickstand]

I like my ZX-6R, but it's the last sprotbile for me. I like my Triumph Sprint RS, and my Genuine Buddy scooter. I don't think any one of them have a soul or gives me any feeling of belonging to any group and instills any brand loyalty. I want a Piaggio MP3 500. I've never owned a Piaggio or Vespa, but I think it's cool and after having rode a 250 the only thing I felt it was lacking was power, which the 500 has. When I go to the Ducati shop in SB, I want to laugh at those Ducatistas (whatever they call themselves), just like I laugh at the RUBs who own Hardleys. It's a marketing joke, and if you fall for it you're a dupe.

I really want one of those 600cc scooters. Burgman or some grampa shit like that....srsly!!

 

[JO EBRMC]

Japan had quite a bit more to worry about in 2011 than whether or not an Asphalt&Rubber writer thought their motos have soul.

Right. Losses from the earthquake and tsunami for moto manufacturers in Japan as probably more than total sales for the Euro brands.

 

[budman]

Huh.

I wonder what a graph for US sales of 2010-2011 models for all manufacturers would look like.

Something like this..

 

[ScottRNelson]

Other than dirt bikes, the Japanese don't make any motorcycles at all that interest me. I like all of the Italian brands plus Triumph and KTM. There may be one or two BMW models that also interest me.

I don't care whether or not the motorcycle that I own is the fastest. I want the one that I enjoy riding the most. And for some reason, only the European bikes tend to make me smile when I ride them. ==>

 

[sv2007]

I wonder if the exchange rate has anything to do with it. The euro is getting cheaper relative to the yen in the last few years. My coworker thinks Europe and US are locked in a battle to see who can devalue their currency faster... If that's true, then one day we can only afford European bikes

 

[VicTim]

Something like this..

I've been studying budmans graph. It shows strongly that motorcycle sales are turning to shit. I'm thinking about using this for a new and more complex thread.

 

[protokultur]

Considering Honda is about 5000x a bigger company than Ducati, and builds a plethora of products it doesn't surprise me that the bigger company is taking a bigger economic hit than the small euro companies.

Not only this but Kawi and Yamaha are keiretsu and even if Honda isn't as big, it's horizontally integrated over many markets. When the entire world economy goes down, that is where conglomerates with factories, captive suppliers, etc. really suffer compared to small agile companies.

Duc, KTM, etc are boutique makers who OEM almost everything and have small inventories. Their only way to survive is to remain differentiated and serve their loyal (well-off) customers. Which they continue to do, quite well.

Honda could try to copy everything Duc and KTM make but it wouldn't really change their fortunes.

 

[J-Boat]

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Than-and-Then

 

[Brewbacca]

Other than dirt bikes, the Japanese don't make any motorcycles at all that interest me. I like all of the Italian brands plus Triumph and KTM. There may be one or two BMW models that also interest me.

I don't care whether or not the motorcycle that I own is the fastest. I want the one that I enjoy riding the most. And for some reason, only the European bikes tend to make me smile when I ride them. ==>

I totally agree with this statement, I don't care who makes them or if they have soul or not, I want something that is just an all around great bike. on another note I just picked up a copy of, "Bikes," new issue and they focus on great all around bikes new and old and what would be said person best 500 mile a day bike and there was a considerable praise for the FZ1 and the older vfr 750 and 800 and the gs1150r BMW, they even though the newest Mulitstarda was a great all around bike, which I think is crazy because that this is covered in carbon and would never take it off road.

Generally speaking the economy is in the shitter, a good chunk of the population does not have the coin to buy a new bike.

In addition, people that have lots of money are not affected by the state of the economy, they are still buying bikes at close to the same rate as 5-7 years ago.

Again.. generally speaking....what kind of bikes are those that are well-off buying? They tend to go for Euro bikes.... thus the increased market share.

I wonder if the Euro bikes are actually selling more bikes than they did say 5 years ago... or are they just selling more bikes relative to what the Japanese are now selling?

I don't think the that the amount of $$ is dictating the overall # of bikes people are buying. yes there is a certain group of people that have the means to purchase exotic bikes that cost a lot more then on average, but when you look at the price of a speed triple or a monster they come out just as close as buying a new gsxr750 or a cbr 1000.. which are what most people are looking at.
Also I think when people go bike shopping do they tend to go for the bike that is good all around, but just lack that little bit of bling that would make it a way better bike or would they just buy the bike that has everything you like about it and pay that extra amount.
For example, If you were going to buy a 2012 cbr 600rr and they were selling a 2012 gsxr 600 for just 500 more. wouldn't you buy the gsxr. I know I would because even thought I like honda's, I rather buy a bike that has been recently updated with better suspension, brakes, and engine.

 

[V4]

what looks good on paper of sales volume doesn't always mean they made the money if the same bikes reported are financed...