[seruzawa]

No way BMW is going to clean up market share. The bikes are simply way too expensive considering especially the fears about the economy. They will be lucky to remain solvent.

The one sector that will do well is the scooter market.The industry would be well served by promoting the economical and practical faces of motorcycling as well as the fun sport it is.

 

[seruzawa]

Terrific article, boldly put, and necessary. I look forward to what else you have to say over the next few weeks on this topic.

Not sure that adventure bikes are the coming thing, though - they may already have peaked and be on their way out. The good ol' standard could be the next thing - but this time probably as a balanced twin, with fuel injection obviously, and maybe CVT transmission. Four-cylinder sportbikes are dead, too, by the way. Japan has got itself to the edge of the cliff with that one, just as H-D have with cruisers; and both are about to take a tumble.

AS for the price of BMWs, as I have said so many times before on this forum, they're competitively priced in the rest of the world - cheap even - it's just that the US expects to buy for less.

So the $5K extra that BMW charges for a liter bike and the extra $2K they charge for a 650 is a figment of our imaginations?

 

[seruzawa]

Yes, however..

Okay, one last time. BMW prices in the US are similar to their prices worldwide. Other manufacturers' prices in the US are lower than they are worldwide, making BMWs seem relatively expensive to the US buyer.

BMW prices don't SEEM relatively more expensive in the US they ARE more expensive. The US buyers... especially the younger buyers that BMW is trying to court.... don't give a flying donut hole how much BMW charges for bikes in Finland. Trust me on this. They go into the showroom floor and see a heavier slower bike than a 'Busa that costs $3K more otd and costs a LOT more in dealer maintenance costs... then you see them a few days later on a 'Busa.

 

[seruzawa]

If only Harley would make a sportbike.......sigh.....

Maybe not, but I found your new Harley Adventure tourer.

Now riding THAT to Alaska would be a real adventure. Not some poofy ride on a GS or a Tiger, nosiree.