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Originally Posted by edteamslr
First off, sportbikers shouldn't feel uncomfortable or that anyone is pointing the finger at them. It could be argued that without them there might not be a motorcycle industry in the UK worth talking about.
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You're probably right. However, Yamaha in France sell more Fazers than the top 5 UK (125cc+) best sellers combined (4 being sportsbikes). The new reg statistics suggest we may follow that trend towards bikes with more allround abilities. The comment I made about "pointing the finger" was made in jest so don't take it too seriously.
Quote:
Originally Posted by edteamslr
The "extra 5mpg" quote is missing the point - these cheap imports will also be covered by the increased emissions regulations. As for emissions from the developing world - this will take longer but they can incorporate the current emissions technologies and take steps in the right direction. Those consumers will eventually demand it too.
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Legislation, not consumers will make that happen and will hopefully kill off all the £600 new scoots you can find on eBay. There are many reasons why they cost far less than the equivalent Piaggio, Aprilia, Yamaha, etc. Some manufacturers are improving in terms of quality of finish but the only reason they can compete is on price, not cutting edge technology.
Quote:
Originally Posted by edteamslr
"Autogearboxes", "know what gear you're in" - I thought we were grown-ups here. Sounds like a bit of biker-chauvanism here - real bikers use gears! Is this the tactic you use to sell your bikes? No wonder the motorcycle industry feel stagnant! I included that as an example of how innovation can improve accessibility for people new to biking. Without this change/innovation and others like it, motorcycling will cease to be relevant in the modern world and will die.
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Not "biker-chauvanism" at all. Autoboxes have hardly made an impact on 125cc+ motorcycles, other than maxi-scoots. You can buy a semi-automatic Yamaha FJR1300 which is very innovative and an interesting engineering exercise but do you know anyone who has stumped up the cash for one? I know of 3 FJR owners who bought new and could have gone for that option but didn't. Consumers decide what the market wants and right now, autoboxes aren't on many peoples lists. We'd all be riding Burgmans, T-Max's, etc if that were not the case. By the way, what do you ride?
Quote:
Originally Posted by edteamslr
You are spot on about the bike-buying public's habits but rather than settle on sportsbikes being the zenith of motocycling and continuing to sell people the same irrelevant over-powered plastic crap 'lifestyle' we need to start talking about the future and enthusing the public with a cleaner, more-inclusive vision of biking.
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I don't decide what people buy. I honestly wish I had that much influence. A naked SV1000 is a cracking bike but you try telling that to someone who has set their heart on an R6.
Unfortunately, people buying such "lifestyle" accessories, that includes sportsbikes and potential RTW bikes, are funding the development of what you and I will be riding in 20 years time. A necessary evil I'm afraid.
Quote:
Originally Posted by edteamslr
The car on my driveway bears no resemblance to an F1 car in the same way that I stopped believing the MotoGP/WSB are reliable/relevant enough to entrust the future of biking with.
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If you drive a car from the last 10 years, it will without exception have technology that has filtered down from F1. Highly efficient multi-valve cylinder heads are just one example, otherwise we'd all be driving Triumph Heralds and struggling to hit 30mpg.
The difference between WSB and MotoGP is WSB are bikes you can buy (near enough anyway) and MotoGP is a showcase for technology that you WILL see on future road bikes so it is very relevant. Advanced ABS systems and traction control are where manufacturers are putting their efforts and those technologies are now filtering down to the showroom.
I'm not totally sportsbike or racing biased. I honestly think that the best bike for UK roads is a Yamaha Fazer 1000. They're based on what is now very conventional technology but you can tour, scratch, commute, take a pillion and is quick enough for most riders.
But, like I said and regardless of what you, I, the magazines or anyone else thinks, consumers will always dictate what the market offers.
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