For those with an inflated sense of self worth.

[SCQTT]

Originally Posted by No False Enthusiasm

Would the mythic WR450R address a market niche any smaller than Honda's Rune?

NFE

Funny, usually Texans get it.

[Ceri JC]

I'm surprised by how many Quads were sold.

[SCQTT]

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

I'm surprised by how many Quads were sold.

Yes, they had been growing by leaps and bounds, but still had the same general peak and decline that bikes have had in the last 7 or so years.

Snowmobiles were very popular here with annual sales topping 300,000 units (more than 20 years ago) Less snow, and new technology of the ATVs, have ushered in a new "farm vehicle" to get around in almost any conditions.

Snowmobile sales are (I think) less than 75,000 units.

Not nearly as good, fun or versitile in the snow, ATVs have stolen a lot of the snowmobiles sales because they do work in some (most) snow conditions and can continue to be used throughout the year.

The ATV category once very simple, has during its growth, become very fragmented. The newest segment, side by sides, are more like little jeeps or trucks & are where all the new growth has been in the ATV side of the market.....because boys will be boys and we wish to go fast this has spawned a new segmenst of side by sides that are basically dune buggies.

It is interesting.

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by SCQTT

Not trying to be a jerk, but want to illustrate to the armchair product development people on here the size of their market.

Is the a MOTUS bashing thread?

[tvpierce]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

Also, more riders mean more power to change the laws to make riding safer...

Jim

Everyone drives a car... how's that workin' out for us in terms of controlling legislation?

Could you imagine a car in which you could turn off the ABS? The manufacturer would be driven out of business by lawsuits from people who forgot to turn it back on.

As it stands now, the perceived danger of motorcycling keeps the dim-wits out. The more mainstream it becomes, the more bikes will have to be dumbed down to suit the lowest common denominator.

Same goes for off road/adventure riding and land use: a few people riding responsibly doesn't attract any attention. A hundred people -- with a few of them acting like asshats -- gets land shut down to riding.

Just my 2 cents.

[tvpierce]

Originally Posted by Ginger Beard

I was in agreement right up until that bit. While it may be cruisers in your area it seems to be the sport bikes with race exhaust that are the worst offenders here in SFL.

Yeah, around here it's pretty much just the cruisers. An excessively loud sport bike would be unusual.