New Beemer

[rboe]

Wow! Wood grain, on a motorcycle! I just mentioned on another FB that you don't see that on a motorcycle. Ufdah!

[username_imp]

I wouldn't mind it if they got rid of the wood.

[JustPassinThru_imp]

Maybe I'm simple.

But...WHY...do ALL the manufacturers...wanna imitate CRUISERS!

I for one don't like them. I don't like the riding position and I don't like the style. I don't think it lends much to the riding experience...witness "cruiserface." Now, the marketing types will say, sure, look at H-D's money machine. And that's a valid argument...but BMW has its own niche.

Why this?

They're welcome to put it out. The more bikes, the better...if it takes this to draw some folks into the pastime, great.

I'll take a pass. Give me that CB1100 with the Nighthawk styling, on the other thread...and I'm a happy rider.

[Lord Popgun]

Because they are HUGE sellers right now.

[JustPassinThru_imp]

Are they?

Or is it just HARLEY-DAVIDSON cruisers which are huge sellers?

I don't know. I'm told that total motorcycle sales are about a third of what they were in 1985. And I think the cruiser market is about tapped out. Moreover...if you want a good late-model used H-D, this is the time; so many people are overextended.

[Lord Popgun]

Harley does have like 49% of the US market. So I don't think you can ignore the cruiser segment and I think they are chasing customers.

But I also think you are right and the cruiser market is either about tapped out or on the downside of the curve.

[username_imp]

People get sucked in to the "cool" factor of cruisers. I didn't start riding until I was 33, and I thought having a big cruiser was the thing. If I had it to do all over again, I would probably just bought a sport tourer and been done with it. Instead, I bought a Victory, and although a great bike, I never felt that comfortable on it. Then I made a big mistake trading it for a Fatboy.

I had never rode a motorcycle with your feet under your butt and a more aggressive riding position. To me that is much more comfortable. I never realized how bad my posture gets with feet forward controls. I ride a friend's Electra Glide sometimes and catch myself slumping.

[gossman_imp]

Are they?

Or is it just HARLEY-DAVIDSON cruisers which are huge sellers?

I don't know. I'm told that total motorcycle sales are about a third of what they were in 1985. And I think the cruiser market is about tapped out. Moreover...if you want a good late-model used H-D, this is the time; so many people are overextended.

Cruisers are still the biggest single segment of the market, baby boomers and the Gen X'ers still buying them. Yamaha Star, Suzuki, Honda, all offer clones, Polaris is going strong with the Victory and Indian lines, and Harley rules the top. They aren't going anywhere for a while. Of all the styles of motorcycles, the cruisers still draw the crowds. Just look at the popularity of Sturgis, they aren't going away anytime soon.