I know this is an old thread, but Im seeing this bike market for what it is now too.
Saturated, younger people no longer interested and no longer have the means or desire to purchase bikes.
Better said, growth is dead to almost dead but of course there will always be interest.
Was just in Florida, Panama City Beach, was surprised what I saw at an Indian Dealer, gosh, they must have had over a dozen 2017 bikes on the floor and the 2018s are coming out.
This in contrast to years ago where people were putting down deposits on Indians.
They have 2017 Springfields too, 3 of them, brand new model came out a year ago to be a Road King killer.
I got to admit, my wife and I really liked the Springfield, 2 of them in the color we liked, not in the market for a bike, but if there was a dealer near me for service I would have been tempted, judging by my wifes reaction, could have purchased it right there and then, but again, no dealer near me and there is one giant deal killer for me and that is those front fenders, just not for us but I am told they can change it now. I was also told they are ready to deal to clear out the bikes for the 2018s.
Anyway, also had a load of the fairing bikes on hand.
So then go down to the Harley dealer 3 blocks (at most) away. Not to much on the floor, but most of the ones they had were the "Limited" touring bikes, again, top of the line bikes just sitting there.
What Im trying to say, I think with the price of these bikes, the makers can not expect mainstream America to purchase any longer, getting to big, to heavy, too many features and way to expensive to the point where there just doesnt seem (to me) to be much value.
You used to be able to buy a bike and not take a bath in resale when you pulled out of a showroom, now, its no different for cars or bikes.
Young buyers are tapped out, tapped out because they borrow like bandits to buy cars, phones, college loans, ya da ya da, last thing on many of their minds is a motorcycle and seeing the debt they choose to start their lives with, something tells me by the time they get to the spending years for more optional luxury items they will be focusing on getting rid of debt more then buying another toy.
Time will tell, I just see a tapped out public with loans and expenses up the yazoo loans of their choosing and no way out.
AS a people, we become to immature to save money to purchase things and bikes are down on the list in relation to homes, cars, phones, TVs and electronics.
Even a home, there is no saving for, they just go for no money to very little money down now, by the time they get to their "golden" spending years, well, most never will, they will still have to much debt.
This isnt a blanket statement, but it is significant for a lot of young people.
