"Business has been good this year..."

[RedShift]

I'm sure I'm not the only one out there that, though pleased with my GS500, has other bikes catch my eye.  The "what if" thought on riding other bikes has led me to cruise several dealerships of late, and I noticed some interesting trends.

For starters, there are not many choices in the show rooms for "beginner sportbikes" -- those that are in the 650cc and smaller range (such as the Suzuki SV650, DL650, GS500, and the Kawasaki Ninja 500R and 250R).

When asked of the sales person (who invariably spots you and saunters your way with the traditional, "Can I help you?" introductory question), they remark that "Business has been very good", "Each dealership gets only two or three of those", and "Can't keep the smaller bikes in the showroom".

My survey isn't very scientific, but seem consistent around these parts.  What do you folks see when you check out the local dealerships in your neck of the woods?  I would like more data to check if Michigan is representative of the popularity of motorcycling in this $2.35US/USGallon gasoline community of mine.

Roy...

[vtlion]

here in State College (Central PA) there are two dealerships.  One carries the exoctics.. Ducati and Triumph (plus Kawis).  The other is the Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki.  It is interesting to note the differences in the personalities of the two shops.

The Honda/Yam/Suzi dealership is packed with sportbikes and usually has a single GS500F in stock.  I have seen a few around town, but in that particular dealership, the big boys are what it is all about.  I got a very perplexed look from the sales rep when I explained that I wanted to trade in an R6 for an SV650.

The Kawi/Duc/Triumph dealer also carries only a single Kawi 250 and 500.  It is a small showroom, though.  This dealership is a little lower pressure when it comes to talking customers up into bigger bikes.  I like their attitude a little better.

It should be noted that State College is a massive college town with little else than the University going for it, so the population is heavily skewed toward late teens and early twenties... the age group in which people generally let their ego do the shopping when buying a bike.

[pantablo]

the local L.A. dealerships are also that way. they get very few of the smaller bikes. I think there is a smaller market for them and surely there is a smaller profit margin for them.

[Roadstergal]

Aurora Suzuki doesn't get many GS500s in, but seems to move them fairly well.  They always have a healthy lineup of SV650s and GSX-Rs, and move those like hotcakes.

[davipu]

I went down to house of motorcycles the other day,  wanting to sit on a dl1000 they didn't have any in stock, also they only had a ninja 250 on the floor for 500 cc and below.  they had two gs's and a ex the week before.  and the place looked about half empty.  btw gas is 2.55 here.

[RedShift]

I wonder if the Quota System exists -- dealerships get only one or two of a particular model depending on size and their ability to move inventory.  I'll have to ask that next time I'm browsing.

I've learned that if you're interested in a specific model, the best thing to do is phone ahead.  All the dealers I visited admitted they could order any bike I wanted, so long as I'd put a deposit down (essentially agreeing to buy the bike).

Needless to say, this window shopper declined that invitation.

[Roadstergal]

I wonder if the Quota System exists -- dealerships get only one or two of a particular model depending on size and their ability to move inventory.

I know that's the case for BMW, at least; Ride West got the K1200S and K1200RS earlier than some other dealerships because they move a lot of K-bikes.

[fettcols]

The place I bought my F model had 19 of them. None in the showroom, I called and they assembled one from the crate before I got there...