The Powersports Industry & M/C Roadracing

That dealer sounds like a real dick. We're not all like that.

 

I'm getting really sick of the post-2008 hand-wringing - too many questions:

• 2010 STILL looks higher than, well, how many years before 1998?
• Wasn't there racing back then?
• What was sportbike sale like back in the '70's, you know, when Daytona was a huge event?
• What's the margin on all those little bikes sold in allegedly growing economies, vs. the margin on bikes sold in the "Increasingly irrelevant" USA?
• Anybody remember how many bikes HD sold a year back when Gene Church was racing Pro-Twins - and WINNING?
• If Ducati's sales numbers are so "Low" and "Irrelevent", then why are they racing and doing rather well at it?
• When was the last time you read ANYTHING enthusiastic about club racing (As in your local club or the national racing club (MA)) in Cycle World or any other "Mainstream" MC magazine (If any are left).

There are a LOT more questions - have work to do first....

 

I hope you aren’t talking about the bens pees comments. If so, I might be able to accept the term icon or champion, but, I have a little bit higher of a bar for someone to be considered a hero.

 

In 2018 US Harley sales were 132,000 units, so when you compare Ducati's 7,800 units it's clear Ducati is a niche brand. But of course it is relevant! The DNA of Ducati is the same as Ferrari, they race because that defines their brands. And their customers love it because it's the Italian passion and their way of doing things.

 

If they didn’t spend crazy money on racing and owner experiences, I’m not sure they’d still be around. The Cagiva period is not that distant of a reminder.

 

We need NASBIKE.
Pure, unadulterated asphalt oval racing on "caged" Hayabusas, ZX14s, whatever. You have to run a 200 front and a 300 rear but, otherwise, just turn left. 250mph down the straights with "OMG, they're ten wide into T1!"
Yeah, I'd drink beer and watch that from the tailgate of my bubba truck in the parking lot of all the iconic superspeedways. I got that jumbotron mounted in the bed and my Yeti fridge keepin' the Kielbasas (tryin' to accommodate the Jersey Shore crowd cuz you know they got it goin on. ) 'til my DIY split/hinged fuel drum BBQ rig comes up to temp. Mama's at the slide-out kitchen and Seamus, that's the dog, is outside the fence.

 

Sorry but no. We are talking about the classic manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer model here that everyone uses. And I don't fucking care if it's Walmart, Piggly Wiggly, or Jimmies Yamaha. The internet has changed things a bit but 30 years ago it was mail order companies advertising in enthusiast magazines. And 150 years ago it was Sears selling you a house kit then shipping on a train to your 2o acres of land in the middle of a Kansas field.

So it comes down to this. If your focus/passion is selling a product then you have trained staff, an excellent deep inventory, and you know your stuff you're SERVICING the customers and their happy, and you make a profit. It doesn't matter if its a car, a tire, or even a helmet you have to know how to engage the consumer.

 

Tires are the only thing I go to the dealer for. Even if they are a little cheaper online I still need them mounted. I don't mind paying a little more at all but it's usually not that big a difference anyway.

 

Buy a No-Mar and be done with it. I’ve saved so much money, time, and wheel scars doing my, and others’, stuff.

 

People assume because it's online it's cheaper when alot of times it's not. I priced out a set of Pilot Power 2cts this week for a guy, I quoted him $5 more than his online pricing. Told him I could eat the 5 bucks and match it.

 

Great plan, other than the fact NASCAR is declining faster than any other Motorsport at the moment...
Emulating them may not be the best plan.

 

Which is exactly why it will work, barring any actual NASCAR involvement. The NASCAR fans will be like, Whaaa!? Are those motorcycles? Sweet baby Geebus, they're going 250 mph!
Hey, mama, load the truck with vittles. We're off to Charlotte!

I'd pay to sit in the grandstands for a 33 bike field.
They could even have an exhibition class to warm up the track...unlimited, open-wheel quads. Tell me a redneck ain't gonna be all over that.

 

Holy shit it's been along time. Everybody put Seamus the dog on your music playlist and crank it loud and laugh and enjoy

 

Good catch!
Only person I could think of that woulda got that and said sumthin' was Putter. RIP

 

Chevy didn’t seem to care.

 

2. Yes, it got “fixed” but long after when it should have been. The economy is the economy but I certainly wouldn't minimize the tire issue aspect and how it played a major roll towards providing a huge advantage to the “haves”. I don’t think this can ever be overstated.

 

You’re saying MA allows amateur racers on their grid?