GIVI Magazine - Maggio 2019

O UTBACK BEPPEDIENA ADV www.givimoto.com Riveted loops allow for extra bags to be strapped to the lids Fully waterproof inner bag Security Lock equipped, extra tumbler for top-case included TREKKER OUTBACK is a complete range of sturdy side and top cases, crafted using aluminum walls and frames, also available in “total black” finish. Flat tops and riveted loops allow to safely and securely strap gear and extra bags with the maximum flexibility. The top cases, available in 42 and 58 ltr sizes, can be mounted on any MONOKEY® plate. 37 ltr and 48 ltr side cases use their own MONOKEY® CAM-SIDE latching system, compatible with the tubular PL___CAM and PLR___CAM side mounts. WARNING! Check givimoto.com under “Your Motorcycle” section to verify that a bike specific mounting system is available for your motorcycle model TREKKER F O C U S O N US MARKET: SORE POINTS The US motorcycle market is one of those with something new to learn about every day. It seems impossible that an area where 350 million inhabitants live has fielded an average of around 450,000 sales in the last 10 years; unfortunately, the MIC (Motorcycle Industry Council) data do not lie. At the end of 2018 these were the numbers of motorcycles/scooters sold, by category: SCOOTER - 22,613 (-7.2% compared to 2017) ON HIGHWAY - all the bikes that can be used on the road 298,094 (-5.2%) DUAL - all the models that can be used both on the road and off-road, license plates – 43,219 (+10.2%) OFF HIGHWAY - all models that cannot be used on the road, not registered – 93,247 (+1.7%) The total for 2018 is 2.7% down compared to 2017, and something concerning is that even though the “Adventure” (Dual) sector is growing, the numbers are far from saving a market in a clear crisis. Causes? The size of the North American continent, especially considering the latitude presents significant environmental differences. In the North (where snow covers everything for six months a year) many retailers have introduced snowmobiles while in the South, in the summer, there are quite a few dealers who have kept their business level thanks to ATV sales (quads and Side-by-Sides). As for the motorcycle houses, analysing the numbers in greater depth it turns out that well over 60% of the “ON HIGHWAY” models sold are cruisers, like Harley Davidson, and that the pure road market is actually even smaller than you might think. Manufacturers and distributors have been trying for years to reverse the trend, but after the worst 2008 crisis the battle seems hard to win. Young people have other priorities and above all the motorbike here is used for fun and not as an alternative to traffic. Two main factors are worth mentioning to have a broader idea of what the causes may be: up until last month only the state of California allowed the motorcycles to “filter” through traffic, bypassing cars stuck in traffic jam. It is now possible to do so legally even in Utah, but in every other American state it is still forbidden: a motorcycle is treated like a car; it queues and parks taking up the entire lot. The parking lots dedicated to motorcycles are very few and often in multi-storey structures (the only ones in the centre), motorcycles are not allowed ... fire risk - they say. Even in California, where the motorcyclist has an easier life (it is well accepted in the city centre facilities and in the airports enters and parks for free), things do not change much. It is enough to drive in the traffic that is constantly paralyzed in a metropolis like Los Angeles to understand how few motorcycles are circulating. The two wheels could solve the traffic problems of a city where public transport is non-existent, yet this hypothesis is not even taken into consideration, neither by the authorities in charge, nor by the operators and the media in the sector. THE ITALIAN MOTORCYCLE MARKET Things are better on this side of the ocean. The first part of the year shows a certain vitality (and this applies to many European countries) and Italy leads the sector in terms of number of registrations. What model the users of the Old Continent go for? A large slice of the public still prefers past lines (those trending from the 1950s to the 1980s), which we find today as the New Classic or Heritage. What is the secret of this success? Probably the models produced in that period are strongly linked to the idea of how a motorcycle should be in the collective imaginary. Here in Europe, as opposed to what Pietro Ambrosioni told us, the two wheels is a legitimate solution to the chaotic urban mobility. In any metropolitan area scooters are very common. The two-wheeler market sales numbers in Italy are stable and growing. The first two months of the year were positive in both scooter and motorcycle segments. The crisis has not yet struck the field; certainly, something will happen in the second half of the year... but at the moment the numbers are good and speak of a registration that between January and February skyrocketed some 32 thousand units: almost a +11% compared to the same period in 2018. Road Enduroes sell well (they take about a third of motorbike registrations), followed by Super-naked, and New Classic. Always with a “+” sign we find motorcycles with off-road tyres as well, followed by Naked, Custom, Tourer and Sportive (these last ones were stable compared to the same period last year). Talking about the scooter (which has achieved a growth of over 15%), the most sold are 125cc models, the best for urban riding, followed not far from the 200 to 300cc models; the maxi scooters appear in decrease above this threshold. As for the manufacturers, almost aligned are Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha... two percentage points below is BMW and then Suzuki, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Triumph ... to follow all the other brands. The most sold bikes are five maxi and medium-sized road enduro: leading the BMW R1250GS followed by the Honda Africa Twin, the Yamaha Tracer 900 and then again, the BMW in Adventure version and the Benelli TRK502. The entire Honda SH line (125,150,300) leads the scooter ranking. and in a few years a myriad of rallies dedicated to maxi enduro and dual-sport have sprung up like mushrooms. At the same time, non-profit associations such as the BDR (Backcountry Discovery Routes) have been created and they trace off-road routes throughout the USA in collaboration with local authorities, and then promote them through special events, DVDs and tailored-made maps. What is really missing in the United States is the motorcyclist we are used to seeing in Europe. The motorbike here is not used to move in traffic but almost only for leisure on the weekend. It seems incredible, but on the jammed American highways and interstates, very few motorbikes can be seen on weekdays. The reasons vary, including the lack of dedicated parking spaces, the lack of attention from motorists (not used to motorcycles) that cause many accidents, and above all the prohibition, except in California and recently in Utah, to drive through queues of cars standing in a row. A motorcycle is basically compared to a car and as such it is queuing, it pays tolls and parking lots, no matter the weather. Not one single incentive to get in the saddle every morning to go to the office... WHICH ARE GIVI ACCESSORIES MORE APPRECIATED? Each market has its own characteristics such as motorcycle park and type of use, and the US is no exception. In the first months of 2019 the list of the most sold products from our branch, GIVI USA, confirms that the leading segments is still the "Sport Touring" and the "Adventure Touring". The most successful overseas products are the Tanklock tank bag range, the V47 top cases, the E22 side cases and the Trekker, Dolomiti and Outback aluminium case range. Other marketable accessories even after years from their introduction on the market are the adjustable windshields of the AirFlow series or the Monolock E300 and Blade 37 cases. 36 Dossier