[23063]

I think it's pretty simple really. Look at Triumph, they're a good example of how to market in the US. They came out with a pretty bland commuter and sport touring bikes that were unusual, because they were Triumphs. The big news came when they introduced the a cruiser, the Thunderbird. The magazines went nuts. And most Triumphs I saw on the road were those cruisers. Then they introduced sport bikes, Daytona, TT600, sport touring bikes, Sprint RS and ST. Sales picked up a bit especially of the Daytona, Sprint RS and Speed 3. But they still mostly sold the T-bird and it's variations. Then they introduce the Bonneville and the bike mags really went nuts, followed by a huge increase in sales of all forms of the Bonne, T100 and America. Half of all Triumphs sold are Bonnevilles. So what's next? A hot new sport bike, sport touring bike, naked bike? No! Another cruiser - the Rocket Three and the bike mags go nuts - Motorcyclist has even given it best power cruiser award, or something like that.



Get it. Cruisers out sell everything other category of bike here in the US. Your problem is you don't want a cruiser.

 

[23063]

Re: Bonnie's are cruisers

Sorry if it offends, but I have to place the current Bonne into the cruiser category.

The current Bonnie riding position is very much a copy of the last of the Meriden Bonnies. My own 1970 came with a high rise US Spec bar to appeal to the cruiser rider - that word wasn't used then.

Some of us, a small minority, replaced the high US bar with a European style low bar to return the bike to the proper riding position of the early Triumphs. To this day most old Brit bike riders retain the high US bar.

I find the Hinckley Bonnies, to ride just like the old Triumphs, very comfortable at low speeds (70 now versus 60 then). And when I'm about done riding motorcycles, I'm going to sell off all my bikes except my '70 and buy a new Hinckley Bonne.

 

[23063]

OK, fair enough. The Bonne is not a cruiser. I just never hear the name "standard" anymore.



I think the next wave in motorcycling may be streamliners - high performance scooters with motorcycle wheels and nearly completely enclosed, and maybe even air conditioning. The laid-back riding position will continue to appeal to us older guys. The problem is we can't lean forward anymore. And it isn't just the stomach that gets in the way, if you know what I mean. I'll leave it at that.