GB -bwahhhaaa  July 24, 2010 06:07 PM
yeah zippy, we can get all us that ride big cruisers to trade for scooters!!! only guys i see riding scooters are the ones that got busted for dui.

GP -Incentives?  July 23, 2010 05:52 AM
Whaile there have been sales declines across the baord, it is interesting to see that the Dual Sport segment has been the most stable. We have seen increasing interest in this market segment in the past few years. It seems that with road conditions deteriorating, and folks looking for adventure without spending on expensive vacations, Dual Sporting has come into its own. These days there are excellent offerings in everything from multi-cylinder behemoths, large displacement singles, and smaller models - with exciting new models on the horizon (Triumph). Even the long running, unchanged models (DR650, KLR) draw buyers to the showroom floors.
As wallets and budgets tighten up even more, DS bikes provide a way to have fun backed up with logical "commuter" utility. It seems that they just make sense in todays world.
The huge displacement cruiser market seems to be the segment that is bearing the brunt of this sales decline, along with ATV's (which makes sense, since they can not be ridden on the road in most parts).
What is missing here is the lack of Government incentive to purchase small displacement, high efficiancy commuters. A program like this would be likely to spark scooter and sub-300cc sales. Other things like convenient designated parking, and relaxing registration and inspection laws for these vehicles would go a long way towards promoting vehicles like these.