The Busine$$ of Bike$ Megathread
 

I love business. I love bikes. This is an ongoing thread to discuss the industry, market and general bike-related business news.

First up :

Yamaha sales on the rise - Common Tread - RevZilla

This probably isn't a huge surprise;

-R3 has been a hit, it's accessible (price) and the reviews have been strong
-R1 (flagship) has generated massive exposure for the brand, which has created a trickle-down effect for the R3, the (soon-to-be-refreshed) R6 and their wicked nakeds.
The FZ-07 remains one of the hottest bikes on the market

Just wished the R3 had an option for ABS like the CBR 300R and Ninja 300. Yamaha hardly has ABS on any of its models it seems.

subbed, good shit :D

Latest pics of the new Triumph Speed Triple have emerged :

Triumph gives new Speed Triple a major makeover | MCN

This bike is (supposedly) a final "refresh" before an all-new model is finally introduced.

http://images.mcn.bauercdn.com/PageF...d-triple-1.jpg

2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R coming next month ...

http://images.mcn.bauercdn.com/PageF...360/zx-10r.jpg

2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R launched next month | MCN

Not entirely sure how this bike will index against others in the same class. Will be very interesting to see.

Triumph fined almost $3-million US for breaking US recall rules

Triumph fined over recall violation

Big hit for a small producer like Triumph. Assuming they pull $1500 in average GM on each bike sold they will need to sell 2,000 units just to make up for this penalty. Completely unsubstantiated but interesting none-the-less.

BMW Motorrad August 2015 Sales up 21.5%

Probably not a surprise at all - BMW bike sales continue to surge.

https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/201...sales-up-21-5/

https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/wp-....5-percent.jpg
Sales were again positive for August 2015, but this time attribution went to the revised S1000RR superbike, which was the best-selling motorcycle of August.

to be fair, they only got fined $1.4M, have to spend at least $500k on improving safety procedures to meet requirements, and the last $1M only comes due if they fail to do this to NHTSA's satisfaction.

still not pocket change, but better than being hit with $2.9M out of the gate.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/wp-con...R-1024x682.jpg


I was going to buy a 1200S a week ago... lucky I didn't pull the trigger.....

You are as much a tease as Ducati is ....

Oo snapppp, what can it be.....

I always loved the Monster.... But my girlfriend couldn't fit the 1200 or 1200S so we ended up purchasing a 696 Monster and lowered it.... But lately I had a sudden urge again to buy a monster for myself... Right now I can get a Monster 1200S for 17500 out the door and I'm wondering how much would the Monster R be.... The panigale S and R price difference is 9500$ so I'm hoping the monster difference would be around $5000-6000 max as it has no fairings....

Around 23-24 I will probably go ahead with it.... :3

http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-global/dims...cycles-r-3.jpg

Mission Motorcycles powers down, files for bankruptcy

Based on how quiet they have been the past few years this probably does not come as a total surprise. Sad nonetheless.

http://s4.visordown.com/uploads/images/large/80919.jpg

As if the R1 was hot enough, Yamaha releases a special edition.

Speed block Yamaha R1 for 2016

http://www.motoroids.com/wp-content/...RgeDAFUn7J.jpg

Yamaha extending the production run of the R1M ... just incase you weren't able to get the money together in time ... :)

Introducing the 2016 R1M:

Yamaha announces new production run of the R1M - Motorcycle news: New bikes - Visordown

http://s4.visordown.com/uploads/images/large/80931.jpg

2016 to be a MONSTER year for Ducati

Ducati says its 2016 range ‘represents, beyond any shadow of doubt, the biggest, most decisive attack on the market ever to have been launched by Ducati.’

Ducati to show nine new models at Eicma - Motorcycle news : General news - Visordown

Kawasaki reveals heavily updated ZX-10R

Note: this is not a NEW bike

http://s4.visordown.com/uploads/images/large/81485.jpg

New Kawasaki ZX-10R

-revised engine
-new electronics
--inertial measurement unit
--traction control
--launch control
--ABS
--engine braking control
--quick shifter
-revised frame and swingarm
-new Showa gas forks
-Ohlins electronic steering daper
-Brembo brakes

Bike makes 200hp; 210hp w/ ram air. This model weights 5kg MORE than it's predecessor.

More : http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/n...-10r-unveiled/

Updated Honda CBR500R

Honda CBR500R 2016

Some cool bits here;

-completely new look
-LED lighting
-rider focused upgrades;
--front suspension with adjustable pre-load
--larger fuel tank
--adjustable brake levers
--"wave" style ignition key (I don't know what that means)
--shorter exhaust (THIS is a big win for the 500R)
--lots of new colours



http://s4.visordown.com/uploads/images/large/81476.jpg

New Triumph Speed Triple R (unofficially) revealed

http://s4.visordown.com/uploads/images/large/81379.jpg

The 2016 Triumph Speed Triple R is getting a mid-cycle refresh. The frame, introduced in 2011, is being married to some new parts, including;

-new tank
-new radiator side covers
-streamlined/smaller tail unit
-new air scoop
-new screen
-updated brakes
-updated suspension
-suspecte power bump (140hp from 133hp)
-new exhaust
-some electronic rider aids (WHAT?! On a Triumph?)

2016 Triumph Speed Triple spy shot

KTM 1290 Super Duke GT prototype tested

KTM 1290 Super Duke GT prototype tested | MCN

Details are scarce at this point but this bike reinforces KTM's commitment to building bonkers bikes.

http://images.mcn.bauercdn.com/PageF...erDukeT010.jpg

BMW bet big on going small

BMW bet big on going small | MCN

-BMW investing big in sub-500cc bikes
-provides massive opportunity to enter new markets with lower ASP bikes

http://images.mcn.bauercdn.com/PageF...dster_blue.jpg

From a business perspective this is perfectly logical;

-lower-displacement, lower-cost compact bikes enable BMW to generate unit sales in developing countries (India, for instance) where their current high-ASP lineup doesn't work
-the same bikes can be sold alongside their more premium products in developed countries as a mechanism to bring additional riders into their showrooms. This would broaden the brand's appeal to more riders and create a natural upgrade path to (eventually) get younger/newer riders into the brand's more premium products

I love this and will be watching it very closely....

Honda's CBR250RR to transform into CBR350RR?!


http://s4.visordown.com/uploads/images/large/81560.jpg

Honda's 2016 CBR250RR shown as CBR350RR

If it wasn't clear already then it is now ... KTM's RC390 was a catalyst for a nuclear arms race amongst those building sub-400cc sportbikes... wow! Ninja 300... RC390... R3... CBR350RR......

and it's not just displacement bumps... these bikes are enticing for traditional 600cc bike owners...