Motorcycle Market

The full thread and feedback can be found at
http://www.elmoto.net/content.php?128-Stalled-motorbike-market-looks-to-eco-models-for-kick-start

By Makoto Fukumori on Aug 17, 2010
Published on Yomiuri

With the domestic motorcycle market languishing at about 10 percent of its peak, due mainly to declining interest among young people, the industry is betting that eco-friendly innovations will rejuvenate sales.

The so-called Big Four domestic motorbike manufacturers--Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki--are introducing electric motorcycles in an effort to reinvigorate the market.

Motorcycle sales overseas have been increasing due to growing demand in Asian and other emerging economies.

Read more HERE

 My response to the article

I want to say I love E-Motorcycles Love that there is no engine heat up my ass love the quite and love the low end torque, it's just a amazing new lsenseof riding. But it is still riding a motorcycle and fact means its still a recreational product in the USA.

The motorcycle market is failing just like the boat market, Problem is people see motorcycles as a recreational item and not transportation in the USA. Electric motorcycle aren't going to change that thinking.
A good economy will help but only as far as people are buying recreational items. Changing the mindset of people to think of motorcycles as transportation, with the way people drive cars around here, well good luck. Plus motorcycles really aren't for most, I ride one 20 to 40 miles every day and I'll be the first to say it's not for most people, at least not riding the bike as everyday transportation. The focus and skills needed to stay alive on a bike on a every day basis just is not part of the skill set of most people no matter how much training you give them. A Sunday joy ride a few times a year, which is what most people use there bikes for, sure. Anyway that's my rant on selling E-Motorcycle in the USA. In Europe the picture is better maybe much better.

I want to add the big four may be getting into electric scooters for a reason us motorcyclist don't see. The growth may be in bikes that keep it slow and safe to get a new market segment riding, the scared and frightened.