Wuh-wuh.
Posted on 01/18/2009 1:17:49 PM PST by martin_fierro
Smaller models take the stage at motorcycle show
By Dan Strumpf ASSOCIATED PRESS Sunday, January 18, 2009
NEW YORK — Motorcycle makers showcased cheaper and more fuel-efficient models at the nation's premier motorcycle show Friday, as the industry tries to navigate a tough road of crippled consumer confidence and tighter access to credit that is weighing on sales.
The companies sought to drown out the gloomy news with the revved engines of 600 bikes from more than 250 exhibitors at the International Motorcycle Show, which runs through Sunday at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.
"We're definitely seeing where manufacturers are taking advantage of the smaller motorcycles in their lineup — the motorcycles that don't get the kind of attention when things are sort of economically strong," show spokesman Robert Pandya said. "We're seeing motorcycles coming in that were originally designed for other markets that, because of people's consciousness for fuel economy and ease of getting around, are all of a sudden finding a home in the U.S."
Scooter maker Vectrix Corp. unveiled two electric models, while Italy's Piaggio & C. SpA showed off its new Vespa GTS 300, which can reach 80 mph with a 278-cubic-centimeter engine. Honda Motor Co., Ducati and Kawasaki also displayed new bikes.
Vectrix said it's targeting younger, urban commuters with its electric scooters. The VX-2 will have a base price just over $5,000 and will travel 40 to 50 miles on a charge, with a top speed of 30 mph. The VX-1E will cost about $3,500 more but can reach 62 mph with a range of 55 miles.
"The benefits of these in an urban environment are vast," said Victor Pritzker, Vectrix's director of North American sales. "The first is zero hydrocarbons. It makes you a good citizen. ... The second is the cost of ownership. A tuneup on our vehicle is a computer upgrade."
Honda debuted a chopper called the Fury with a lower riding position, a single-shock rear suspension with a hard-tail look and a 1,312 cc V-twin engine. The Fury's 71-inch wheelbase makes it the longest bike in Honda's lineup.
Honda spokesman Bill Savino said the Fury will sell for about $13,000.
"No one has ever made anything this affordable for that segment of the market," Savino said.
Motorcycle sales tend to take a beating when the economy slows, and sales industrywide fell 2.2 percent in the third quarter of 2008, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. In 2007, sales ended a 14-year growth streak by falling 6 percent.
In October, the top-selling U.S. company, Harley-Davidson Inc., cut its 2008 sales forecast to between 303,500 and 306,000 motorcycles from 330,619 in 2007.
"If you already are a motorcycle enthusiast or rider, you can probably make the current one you have last longer, said Robin Diedrich, senior consumer analyst for Edward Jones. "You don't need to get that new model."
The motorcycle industry hasn't totally wiped out. One bright spot has been sales of lightweight bikes like scooters. Scooter sales in the U.S. surged 50 percent in the third quarter of 2008 compared with the previous year's quarter, said Ty van Hooydonk, spokesman for the Motorcycle Industry Council.
"You're seeing a lot of people who are looking for alternative transportation going to scooters and dual-purpose bikes," Van Hooydonk said. Scooter sales might have been even higher last year if companies could have made more of them to keep up with the spike in demand, he said.
Van Hooydonk said the summer run-up in gas prices likely contributed to the spike, along with more riders using two-wheelers to commute in addition to those who ride for pleasure. Although fuel prices have dropped more than 50 percent from the peak national average of $4.11 per gallon in July, representatives at the show said they think consumers will continue to be drawn to motorcycles for their fuel efficiency, as many bikes get 50 or more miles per gallon.
Wuh-wuh.
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I need something with a little cargo space.
“Vectrix said it’s targeting younger, urban commuters with its electric scooters. The VX-2 will have a base price just over $5,000 and will travel 40 to 50 miles on a charge, with a top speed of 30 mph. The VX-1E will cost about $3,500 more but can reach 62 mph with a range of 55 miles.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
Not quite good enough. When they can double the range for half the cost, then they got something. I could see lots of people paying $4250 for a plug-in scooter with a 110 mile range at a top speed of 62MPH. But $8500 for a 55 mile range? Nope.
And unfortunately, it’s probably even worse than it sounds. I’d bet if you tried to run it at it’s maximum 62MPH, you’d get nowhere near the advertized 55 mile range. That range is probably attainable only at very low speeds.
Smaller bikes get great gas mileage, unfortunately because they have to be run hard to get to highway speeds they dont last long. They are uncomfortable over 30 miles or so, and the maintenance makes up for whatever savings you got.
My 95ci Harley Night Train *trike* gets 45-50 mpg and has tons of cargo space.
Some little scooter should impress anybody?
[but its “top speed” is nobody’s damn business]....:))
“This actually is a biker thread” ping.
This one's purdy.
Vroom...Vroom!
The Vectrix scooters are meant for people living within downtown or the immediate area around. So that one charge would be good for a week and would never be driven on the highway. The owner would be driving on roads that are 30-35 mph.
I mean space enough to transport 4 people, or band equipment, provided I get into a band...
My 103ci Softail Custom gets 25mpg city and 40mpg highway the way I drive. Back when it was a 96ci, riding 60mph in the rain, ~400mi from Pittsburgh back to NYC, I consistently topped 50mpg. Not sure about my top speed though. Speedo runs out at 120...
Wait. Something doesn’t look right. What’s that weird thing in front of the engine?
Get yer motor runnin'
Head out on the highway...
I don’t really care. The cost is way out of line for that level of performance.
Here you go at a walmart near you soon! http://www.tradekey.com/product_view/id/305134.htm?track=kss_ptitle
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