An unexpected side effect of Covid-19

[Jay_Benson]

I recently went for a test ride on a Royal Enfield Himalayan - see https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...b500x-100952-3 for more information.

Whilst I was in the bike shop I asked how busy they were given the Covid-19 situation. I was really surprised - and very pleased - to hear that they had been busy. Busier than they hoped for. They had sold some Royal Enfield products but the ones that really moved off the show room floor were the second hand scooters for people that needed to get to work but wanted to avoid public transport (as the UK government had been advising). Whilst I was there they sold a brand new scooter too so it isn't just cheap second hand ones that are selling. the demographic appeared to be younger people as well.

Now we, as a consumer sector both in the UK and in the USA, have seen over the last few years the number of new entrants dropping but this is a massive reversal and the question is whether, like cycling, motorcycling can ride the wave. For example, cycling are reporting that new bikes are now being ordered for January delivery. Can we convert the scooter riders into motorcyclists, that is the question and if we are to do it how will we do it?

[backofbeyond]

Not sure we need to. I was overtaken (on my 125) the other day by a two up scooter that was loaded up and doing some distance. They even had those blanket things that scooter riders use to cover their legs. Looked like it would be a good set up to use in cold / wet weather.

[brclarke]

Back in March I took my old bike into a local dealership I trust for a service. I was also pleasantly surprised that they told me they were actually busy. Using social distancing, they were doing everything by appointment only. The service tech told me that they were servicing lots of bikes for spring, and there is a big increase in the demand for cheaper used bikes. Plenty of people getting a cheap bike for a second vehicle so they don't have to use mass transit, etc.

I sold that bike and bought my TW200 at the end of May. Again, the same story. The showroom is now open, but they are limiting it to 3 customers on the floor (it's a big place). They are selling quite a few scooters, cheaper bikes, riding gear, parts, service. The larger or more expensive bikes aren't selling as well, as folks don't want to make big financial commitments, but even some of those are selling.

I suppose also that people are looking for something to do in spare time that encourages social distancing, and certainly motorcycles are good for that!

[Scrabblebiker]

Last month I took my bike to my BMW dealer in Victoria, BC and chatted with the owner. He told me that business was "solid" with service accounting for a large part of it. So it's good to see the industry holding its own.

[SeanF]

I get to visit all of the motorcycle dealerships & gear retailers in my mid-sized city in the southwestern USA for my job, and across the board, all have near record-setting sales numbers over the past couple of months.
The motorcycle riding school I work for & manage is also having a great couple of months.

[Jay_Benson]

I have to say that it is good that this is not in isolated dealership in experiencing a boom. Again, the hard part is going to make the new comers stick with bikes. I wonder if organisations like the UK’s Motorcycle Industry Association have detected the numbers and what they are doing to ride the wave.