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Main Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: RIDEMYST on September 14, 2018, 05:35:20 PM

Title: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: RIDEMYST on September 14, 2018, 05:35:20 PM
The sales don’t look good for Yamaha! -JEP-

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/yamaha-500cc-sales-catastrophe/


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Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: HawkGTRider on September 15, 2018, 11:59:48 PM
That's a real shame. If I were to be going out to spend money on a new bike, I'd still have to put the FJ-09 near the top of my list. It's a bike that really trips my trigger.
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: brider on September 16, 2018, 07:23:53 AM
[font=]Geoffrey, I afraid if the new bike market depends on you and me they are all in trouble... :helpme: [/font]
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: HawkGTRider on September 16, 2018, 07:46:38 AM
I'll just say that I "appreciate the depreciation" that comes when someone decides to part company with a bike. It's allowed me to add some low mileage bikes, as well as higher mileage and well used bikes, to the garage.
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: Patmo on September 16, 2018, 09:11:04 AM
And therein lies the problem for the manufacturers.  As the market ages, the “need” for a NEW bike wans.  Most of us are very happy picking up a bike that is a couple of years old, but with almost no use on it.  The need for a warranty that a new bike offers, or the need for the bling that a new bike offers, is not enough incentive for us to spend the extra money that the new bike costs.  We don’t need the low payments financing either because we more often pay cash.  We aren’t in need of all the bells and whistles because we can’t figure out how to use it all anyway. 

And the younger folks that might be tempted to buy the new bikes, with their warranties and bling, are so burdened down with debt, they can’t take on the financial burden that doing so would entail.
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: DirtFlier on September 17, 2018, 08:14:57 AM
Yes, it's certainly a dilemma for all the motorcycle makers and not just Yamaha.  Some makers are offering "lower priced" bikes in the 300-500 cc range but sales have been anything but brisk.  The X and Y generation kids are not really gearheads, although I'm sure there are a few exceptions.
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: RIDEMYST on September 17, 2018, 08:47:11 AM
A nearly 20% drop in sales is huge for any corporation! If you read the related articles Yamaha is moving their US operation to the Atlanta area to help control costs.
I hope they offer plant tours! -JEP-


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Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: NinjaBob on September 17, 2018, 09:21:10 AM
The times they are a changin'. Interesting to me that Saturday's track day at NOLA Motorsports had a near record turnout with a huge novice group with lots of females and couples. In my track days it was almost exclusively male.
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: Bermuda Ron on September 17, 2018, 02:23:03 PM
Yamaha product line is the real problem. Hot selling category is "Dual Sport" right now, and what do they offer you ask?  WR250, XT250, and TW200  :-\ . 


Why do they hold on to the VMax? Basically an outboard motor based hot-rod that has the reputation of only being able to be driven in a straight line at speeds that will cost you your license.  The rest of the "Sport Heritage" line-up is a styling disaster designed by committee - "gee lets do something old but new - or is that new but old?"  And the SR400 is less road worthy than bikes coming out of Korea, India, or even Malayasia.


No 750, 650, or 500 in the Cruiser line (think Virago), and the 250 is basically an MSF trainer.


In touring, the Venture and Eluder will get blown away by the all new Goldwing (OMG what a wonderful bike!).  The Super-T is nice, but top-heavy compared to the competition.


I rode one of their "hyper naked" MT-07s through the Swiss and French Alps, and while the roads and scenery were the best ever, the bike was just "meh".


The sport-touring line-up is maybe the strongest of any manufacturer (although I have not seen the Tracer in the flesh)[/size][size=78%], [/size][/size]and the super-sport as always is robust, but I know a dealer who will not even talk to a new rider looking at a liter bike.  Mama Yama needs a 500 with sexy tupperware.[size=78%]


The scooters are just too expensive (and I've owned a LOT of scooters).  What, no 500 or 650 scooter for the US market - are you kidding? Easy to do on the XMAX frame.


So that's my rant . . . but I would not want to be a Yama-dealer right now.
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: DirtFlier on September 17, 2018, 04:33:35 PM
[..If you read the related articles Yamaha is moving their US operation to the Atlanta area to help control costs. I hope they offer plant tours!.. ]

They've never had production facilities in the states, just sales/service offices and parts warehouses.
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: stevegrab on September 19, 2018, 05:43:38 PM
Yes, it's certainly a dilemma for all the motorcycle makers and not just Yamaha.  Some makers are offering "lower priced" bikes in the 300-500 cc range but sales have been anything but brisk.  The X and Y generation kids are not really gearheads, although I'm sure there are a few exceptions.
Many of the young people don't even drive, far more than I recall hearing about when I was growing up back before the dinosaurs were wiped out.


I've got one nephew who doesn't drive, know a couple of co workers with kids in their 20s who don't drive. And I hear others talking about their kids, or somebody they know like that. It just they don't like driving or rarely do, they don't even have a license or any desire to get one.


I tried to help sagging sales this year, but I doubt that half price 2014 VFR really helped much  ;)
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: Ride4MS on September 19, 2018, 08:08:03 PM
AutoWeek magazine had an article a few years ago about the younger generation.  I had just read it, when my brother in law was upset that his daughter, at age 18 was not interested in learning to drive.  I informed him and my sister that AutoWeek stated that, if I remember correctly, less than 60% of 21 year old and younger have a drivers license.  The article did not even talk about cycle licenses.


She is now a senior in college and still no license or desire to drive.


You should have heard the screams from my sister and husband back then when I offered to take her to a Ford sponsored teen driving seminar with SCCA and use Denise's '06 Mustang GT with 5 speed.  They thought I was going to try to kill her.  I informed them it was safer than their Saturn as the Mustang has ABS and traction control and will shut down if things get too crazy.  And, I would be in the pass seat also.



Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: stevegrab on September 20, 2018, 10:24:29 AM
AutoWeek magazine had an article a few years ago about the younger generation.  I had just read it, when my brother in law was upset that his daughter, at age 18 was not interested in learning to drive.  I informed him and my sister that AutoWeek stated that, if I remember correctly, less than 60% of 21 year old and younger have a drivers license.  The article did not even talk about cycle licenses.


She is now a senior in college and still no license or desire to drive.


You should have heard the screams from my sister and husband back then when I offered to take her to a Ford sponsored teen driving seminar with SCCA and use Denise's '06 Mustang GT with 5 speed.  They thought I was going to try to kill her.  I informed them it was safer than their Saturn as the Mustang has ABS and traction control and will shut down if things get too crazy.  And, I would be in the pass seat also.




And no idiots on their cell phones on the track  :) (closed course or wherever this event was held)
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: DirtFlier on September 20, 2018, 11:29:23 AM
It's obviously more than a motorcycle-only thing because auto manufacturers face the same dilemma with driving age kids not at all interested in driving.  A good friend who teaches at OSU said a lot of her students hope to secure employment in a city with good public transportation, extensive bicycle lanes, etc.  It's one of the criteria they use for job hunting. 
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: naustin on September 20, 2018, 11:55:35 AM
Why should they drive when mommy and daddy tote them around everywhere until they are 30 years old. 😂😂
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: NinjaBob on September 20, 2018, 12:09:35 PM
Me and my friends grew up riding home made mini bikes. It was nothing for us to move up to a motorcycle when we got licenses. Our kids grew up riding 3 and 4 wheelers. Many of these these kids lack two wheel skills and  are scared of bikes.

Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: stevegrab on September 21, 2018, 12:27:05 PM
Why should they drive when mommy and daddy tote them around everywhere until they are 30 years old. 😂😂
My 21 year old nephew is a senior at OSU, doesn't drive my sister and her husband go get him and take him back any time he wants. He took a bus once and said never again. (My dad would ask, who's in charge the kid or the parent  ;)  )


He wants to move to San Diego, and won't drive, not sure how well that works out, a few people with experience there say it can be done. But I still consider SoCal the land of cars, few don't drive and traveling an hour away for work is nothing.
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: naustin on September 21, 2018, 02:14:27 PM
Well, I think its fine, actually that kids don't want to drive.   


Let them all live in their tiny apartments in huge congested cities, and they can commute on their sardine cans on rails - or in their self-driving elevator cars, or just work from home in their closets, or do whatever it is they think is trendy or prestigious.   I hope they live their entire lives without leaving the shelter of their glass skyscrapers, or their online gaming universe.   If they like the Matrix so much, they are more than welcome to live in it!!


That means the real world and the back roads are ours to enjoy in peace. 
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: STLTHMSTA on September 21, 2018, 06:09:04 PM
Now THAT's making lemonade.  I think there is something to that.  :)  TM
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: stevegrab on September 25, 2018, 01:04:11 PM
Good point Nick, but out in the country on good back roads where I ride, its a different culture and different young people, they grew up in the country, on farms driving the pickup at 5. They're driving on the roads, and think they are future NASCAR stars based on their driving habits.
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: BMWKeith on October 09, 2018, 11:51:03 PM

But if they really think they are budding NASCAR stars they shouldn't be in my way...
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: Rayk86ss on October 10, 2018, 10:28:56 AM
Maybe the style is more like Bobby Unser than Nascar.  Use most of the apron, a bit of the grass, go within a half inch of a cliff, etc.  Whatever it takes.  The difference is that Bobby was actually fast. 
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: stevegrab on October 17, 2018, 12:28:49 PM
The thing that bugs me is the traffic in front of you that goes slow in the corners (or on hills) but then gas it and go 10-15MPH over the limit on every straight. And after watching them drift across the center line regularly I have no faith they won't run me off the road when I try to pass.

I usually just hang back and wait for a better/safer chance. But I have followed some locals on mountain roads that were running a fun spirited pace, I don't feel the need to pass every vehicle that is in front of me ;)
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: Brick on October 18, 2018, 06:29:32 AM
Back to Yamaha sales down... I stoped in a local Yamaha dealer yesterday and they had the new Tracer 900 no not the GT just the 900 an well it really looked great. I should have taken a picture. The gray color is sharp. I own a 2015 so love the FJ/Tracer.
Anyway that particular dealer said they have been selling quit a few Yamaha’s. No notic of sales decline.
FWIW. Western North Carolina
Brick


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Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: DirtFlier on October 18, 2018, 08:07:28 AM
Local sales can be all over the map so it's difficult to get a objective view after visiting a dealer or two. 
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: stevegrab on October 23, 2018, 04:31:23 PM
One of our large area dealers (State 8 in Cuyahoga Falls) who carries all 4 Japanese brands recently expanded and built a large facility next door to handle their ATV sales, which are a large part of business for most power sports businesses in this area, even moreso when you get into the more rural areas. They also do a ton of internet sales, I've been told to ask a salesman about used vehicles, because many sell before hitting the floor.

Some can thrive, but others are not so lucky. Have seen more than a few area dealers close (some newer, others long established).
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: DirtFlier on October 24, 2018, 04:35:00 AM
I heard through a friend that longtime local icon, Joe's Yamaha in Dayton will be dropping Yamaha  soon and they recently lost Triumph.  As far as I know, they don't have a 3rd major brand but they do carry Benelli's small bikes/scooters which are made in Asia and not Italy. 

Production in China or Thailand is pretty common these days and even used by BMW and KTM for their smaller models.  SE Asia is a HUGE market for small bikes/scooters so having production there makes sense.
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: bcd on October 24, 2018, 08:41:54 AM
That's too bad about Joe's. They also carry SSR and Zero; SSR products seem to be Chinese, and SSR is the distributor for Benelli. While I really like where Zero seems to be going, I can't imagine they sell a ton of them.

Their used inventory on the web page consists of a Wee-Strom and a Ninja 500R.
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: stevegrab on October 25, 2018, 01:14:30 PM
That's a pretty small dealership. Our local Duc/Truimph shop in Akron is similar, using a small portion of a strip mall. State 8 that I mentioned is easily twice their size just with the original building (now double that).
Title: Re: Yamaha Sales Down
Post by: normkern on October 27, 2018, 11:51:29 AM
Joe's Cycle started in an old gas station in North Dayton in the early 1960s and has always been a locksmith shop combined with motorcycle shop. In the early days they had Bultaco and used Brit bikes imported from UK. They moved to their current location in the early 70s and got a Yamaha dealership. They never had a large showroom but they stocked a lot of parts and had a real service department.

Joe's has always been a family business- I know the owners and they are good, honest people. Unfortunately, they never grew the business other than taking on different brands over the years, especially Triumph. The small showroom was cramped and did not meet Yamaha and Triumph standards. Another problem that I saw was failure to modernize and keep inventory up to date. When I was last there in 2014, there were items in showcases that had been there for 40+ years.

Given all the requirements that OEMs place on their franchises these days, it's impossible for a small mom and pop operation to meet them and survive. Very sad.

Norm Kern