New Moto Guzzi Door Mats Available Now
3 wheeled cars or bikes/trikes are going way up in sales year after year. More and more people are buying them, I don't think it is a fad.Whether or not if you like them, a lot if people do and they attract a lot of buyers who wouldn't own a traditional motorcycle. The youngster crowd isn't the market, they are bottom price feeders, under 10 grand and that is where they look. Once they get into their 40s, three wheelers start to look more interesting and beyond that get downright enticing.But Honda isn't going to put out an outdated design, I think their 3 wheeler will have instant attraction for a lit of people of all ages. The lean of a bike without what many see as a hassle with motorcycles. The no feet down makes it an easy ride for just about anyone.I see a big market for them. It just takes the right design and off they go.
The youngster crowd isn't the market, they are bottom price feeders, under 10 grand and that is where they look. Once they get into their 40s, three wheelers start to look more interesting and beyond that get downright enticing.
I'm in my 40's with disposable income in excess of $10,000 and the only 3 wheeler that looks good to me is a dirt bike with a hack hanging off the side for very limited off paved riding up in them thar mountains. I see lots of 30+ something's interested in the CanAm's. I think the biggest draw is they are to lazy or afraid to try two wheels. Or they think they are safer on 3 wheels. All BS reasons. The day I can no longer ride on two wheel is the day I quit riding.
Jack~ not only are you spoiled; you are a genuine OLD FART!!!!!Also, don't you know using the front brake is dangerous!!!!
In my opinion, three wheeled vehicles are just plan dangerous. Especially, the ones with one wheel up front - two in the rear like the infamous Honda Big Red or the Robin auto. Applying the brakes in a panic condition in any situation other than a straight line stop can induce rollover PDQ. Two wheels up front is a much better, stable platform, especially during braking. Thinking in simple engineering terms, braking produces a moment arm that is induced by part of the weight of the cycle, (any weight above the wheel axles - if you use that rotational point) but all of the weight of the rider(s) and equipment. This moment arm developed during braking can place a hell of a lot of additional weight on the front wheel while reducing weight on the rear wheel. This plus the momentum of the mass being resisted (braking) largely by the relative small road contact area of the front wheel ( that is part of an unstable platform to begin with) is scary anyway you look at it.You can almost have the same sensory effect as a three wheeler by buying a convertible instead. You can have wind in you hair (if you have any), radio, heat, air, and a top when needed. Yeah, I know, I'm spoiled.
Trikes aren't taking car sales or market share, they cut into motorcycle sales and market share.
I don't think Trikes are taking motorcycle market share.The people who are buying Trikes either don't want a 2-wheeled cycle, or can't ride a 2-wheeled cycle (for whatever reason).Trikes are just bonus powersports sales.
More trikes are sold than are Moto Guzzi bikes.
A few people I know can ride a bike but choose the CanAm instead. Those are otherwise motorcycle sales. When someone makes a choice to buy a trike instead if a bike, that is taking market share. The definition.
Look at the units being sold. Going up not down. Markets take time to mature. Three wheelers like the CanAm and Honda haven't been around that long compared to motorcycles, at least not as factory supported products.
Last summer I was riding the BRP and met a couple of guys in Maggie Valley who had CanAm's and both of them couldn't ride bikes for various health reasons. When I was talking to them somebody rode by with some sort of canopy over their CanAm and they were very interested in that option. Personally, I'd rather have a two seater sports car instead of a CanAm, but to each their own.
I have a Slingshot and a piaggio MP3 250 ie in addition to my Cal II and R1150R. I can't speak for markets or niches but, If someone made a "scooter" with a 750cc engine that maneuvers as well as my MP3...I would trade all by bikes in
Meaningless comparison.In your anecdote, the only way these few purchases would be impacting motorcycle market share is if those people you know are cross-shopping motorcycles and Can-Am trikes. Something tells me they are not doing that. Just because you dream it does not make it real. Yes, the small Trike market niche is increasing volume, but so is the motorcycle market.
