 Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 47
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 47 |
I stopped by a Kawasaki/ Yamaha dealer today during a break at work. This was a small dealer and they had 6 leftover Vulcan 900's that they wanted to move. The salesman said that Honda reported having thousands of the '06 Honda Aero 750 bikes still in the wharehouse. I also subscribe to 4 motorcycle magazines and at least two of them reported the cruiser market is beginning to fall off. I wonder if people can expect to get some great deals on leftover '06 models of every manufacturer this year?
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,237 Likes: 63 |
Well Triumph has one thing going for it in this respect. They are DIFFERENT! That means alot. Now a days everyone wants to be Hardley. Hardley other than the name has become just another rice burner just like all the Hardley wannabes. I am afraid Triumph is heading the commercial route too. Becomming more main stream. In order to survive as a company it may be an important move. I have ridden Triumph my whole life because I was either the only guy with one or one of a select few on one. It has been great to be both different but accepted by any group.I can almost understand BIR in the wish to remain what they are....different. I think it a little narrow not to accept any "retro" Triumph but that is thier right. As for our bikes , they are not really retro. Show me any old Triumph that resembles our bikes. You won't find one.Our bikes are only retro as far as being a vertical air cooled twin with iron jugs it ends there.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
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Just wait, after Honda and the rest have been trying to copy hd, within the next two years they will start where they were 25 years ago, making... anyone guess... anyone? anyone? yes, that's right parallel twin classic cruisers and standards.
Soren
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
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Quote:
Show me any old Triumph that resembles our bikes. You won't find one.
You are 95% correct. Our bikes are different than any otehr bike out there. But there are a couple old Triumphs that were similar to ours, sort of (or at least you can see where some of the inspiration came from), the years and models I am not sure. There is a bar in downtown Portland that has a bunch of vintage Triumphs hanging from the ceiling. They have one that you can really see a lot of similarities. One of these days, I will have to stop in and ask if I can take pics.
Soren
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Probably right. I'm going to sell or give this old BA to FriarJohn, let him hack it up. Maybe move into Tiger world.
Cheers,
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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well I have been restoring and customizing antiques for almost 30 years and I can't think of any and I know every model made from 1930 on up. the closest would be mid to late 50s up until 1962 when in 1963 they went to unit construction. Only similarity I see is maybe the nacel included fork shrouds. and the shape of the heads were the same for many many years.the 30s into the 40s had a tank dash but not even close to what we have. those models had a girder front end and hard tail. I generalize because some models carried certain traits while others didn't. Take the 500cc for example kept the oil tank later than the 650s.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,237 Likes: 63 |
You can point to fork shrouds like on the pic of my 58 in the gallery but those don't resemble ours. Before you say it I already know my 58 is on a late 40s frame.The 58 T-110 was on a frame like my 54 T-110.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Ok I went back and reread what you said and I can maybe buy inspiration. But as much as I hate to say it I think our bikes have more in common with Hardleys while still keeping a distinctive Triumph flare. Have to remember I do have 18 old triumphs of my own from 1954 to 1972.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
Probably right. I'm going to sell or give this old BA to FriarJohn, let him hack it up. Maybe move into Tiger world.
Cheers,
jh
I like the sound of that. I need a backup bike.
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 130
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 130 |
Triumph losing its "uniqueness"? Eventually, yes, but when Hardly sales 200k+ units a year (coupled with the suzu/yama/kawasakis) and Triupmh only sales around 9k a year I think we will have a way to go before our "uniqueness" is gone.
I do agree that if the vertical twins get more popular, the asian bike manufacturers will start selling a cruiser that will resemble our bike. not much originality comes out of the asian bike makers.
Kevin
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 182
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Similarities ??  
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,017
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,017 |
Quote:
But as much as I hate to say it I think our bikes have more in common with Hardleys while still keeping a distinctive Triumph flare.
I agree 100%. There is no doubt that our bikes are a copy of Harleys. Why are they called Bonneville Americas? American (Harley) version of the standard Bonneville. Throw a V-twin in our bike and whatta get? A Honda.
Mark
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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The original post was the market is flooded. That may be true. For several years folks have been buying the cruisers in a frenzy. Buying them with the banks money. These folks that have bought bikes that 1. generally don't break and 2. they still owe money on, are not likely to go buy another bike quickly. Once they pay it off and they see the junk money it brings just a few years later they feel physically ill and hesitate before doing it again.
Interest rates are also going up. If I heard it once I heard a dozen times here, "Once I get this paid off I will get a". You can't keep increasing sales by 10% every year. After time you run out of customers.
The other trend is sport and sport touring. Got Torque in the mail and tried really hard to find a big picture or mention of a Speedy or America. One cover was Tiger and the back cover was Sprint. Me thinks maybe even Speedy and America sales are off.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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And don't forget that traditionally, cruiser sales go to the older population. Kids want sport bikes. The baby boomers already all own their Road Kings, Gold Wings, Fat Boys, etc...
Mark
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,540
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,540 |
I think they are just running out of customers. That and people are running low on money. The refi boom is over and gas is again 2.50 plus.
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 760
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 760 |
Great post SRS. Just quietly puts two pictures up. End of story. Don't you just love those guys from OZ, they are alot like we use to be.
Dave
04 SpeedMaster, Windvest Screen, Leatherworks Bags.
F&AM, WM 3 times
Rifle & Pistol Competitor
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
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Quote:
Got Torque in the mail and tried really hard to find a big picture or mention of a Speedy or America. One cover was Tiger and the back cover was Sprint. Me thinks maybe even Speedy and America sales are off.
Not really, it is just par for the course with Triumph to go out of their way to not mention our bikes. I was suprised a couple issues ago that they had them featured in Torque.
Soren
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I don't know what the point of the pix were but I see very little or no similarities. What you did manage to show is my all time favorite bike. My dream bike to be sure. I always wanted a 1937 Speedtwin. (same as 39) What a beautiful machine.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4 |
Quote:
Quote:
But as much as I hate to say it I think our bikes have more in common with Hardleys while still keeping a distinctive Triumph flare.
I agree 100%. There is no doubt that our bikes are a copy of Harleys. Why are they called Bonneville Americas? American (Harley) version of the standard Bonneville. Throw a V-twin in our bike and whatta get? A Honda.
What the he11 are you smokin??? 
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I can point out as many differences as similarities with Hardley. I think I was misunderstood. I was simply saying they are not ,in my opinion, really retro unless you compare to Hardley styling. They have very little in common with any old Triumph. As for having a Honda?!?!?! SIR , bite your tongue!! LOL
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
So the riding position is almost distinctly mostly American. After that, everything else on our bikes is definitley Triumph.
Soren
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 390
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Quote:
What the he11 are you smokin???
Don't sugar coat it Pat...tell him what you really think. LMAO!! 
Ezcue
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,237 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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LOL where? saddle poition? no, front end? no, rear fender? no,front fender? no ,gas tank? no handle bars? no, control levers and switches? no, gear shift and break position? no, side covers? no, oil tank? no, headlight? no ,speedometer? no, (similar to maybe Vincent) taillight? no, transmission? no ,dash? no, tool box? no , mirrors? no, carbs? no , forks? no , rear shocks? no maybe the primary cover? no, frame? not even close, OK how about timing? again no (270 deg. vs. 270 deg.),seat? no ,kick starter? no, doesn't leave much. T-100 and that line are retro. They have much more in common with the old bikes.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,237 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,237 Likes: 63 |
If it makes you feel better to think they are like the old bikes you may delude yourself all you want but when you look it simply isn't so. Internally they are even farther but I think we are talking style. They even sound different.
I feel I need to add Speedmaster and America are beautifully styled bikes and are distinctly NEW Triumph and I like them very much or I wouldn't be riding one.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,237 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,237 Likes: 63 |
Oh I thought of a similarity SM and America have with the old styling... it does have a chain! LOL even the swoop on the logo is different!
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 182
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Well the point of the pix was to show the similarities. I really find it hard to believe you can't see it.
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
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Dog your expertise may be causing you to see the forest, but not the trees. I park my two 76 Bonnies next to my Thuxton and America and I can see the similarities in styling and structure. There's not a week that goes by that someone in a parking lot or at a stop light doesn't give me thumbs up and comment on the great restoration I've done, I'm riding the America or Thruxton.
A 65 Ford Mustang isn't a 68 Ford Mustang, but they both are the same styling wise.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,026
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,026 |
It seems pretty obvious, especially with the pics next to each other, how similar they are. It is hard to believe it isnt recognized. Could it be a choice to not recognize it?
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.----Thomas Jefferson
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Posts: 3,463 |
Hey, even I can see the simularities... it's part of the reason that the America started in the retro range.
The cynic in me says that Triumph did a very clever thing by making them look like the older bikes. They appeal to those who are beyond the days of wrenching or have no idea how to wrench, but like the look of the older.
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel... 
09 America - It's very blue....
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Cracks me up sometimes when someone comes along, takes a good look at my Speedy and says, "Wow, they sure don't make 'em like this anymore". I'll respond with, "Yep, the '05s have a slightly larger motor" as they get a look of total confusion on their face. Soren
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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They stoppped making Triumphs?
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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When I told one guy mine was an 06, he asked me If I had it built special.
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I had an optician accuse me of riding a Kawasaki rip-off of a Triumph (it's even that standard Bonnie rip-off Kawi!!!) because they don't make Triumphs anymore. I told him to get his eyes checked.
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Those Kawavilles are closer to the origanals, than ours are.
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight...
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Posts: 23,237 Likes: 63 |
I see the similarities with the Thruxton yes but not SM or America they aren't even close.NOTHING is even close. I guess when ya don't know the old bikes ya can't tell. How can you comapre a hardtail to a cruiser and say they are similar? I won't say any more can't make people see what they don't want to. It is not a choice they are totally different period. If I could stand infront of you with a pinter and go back and forth between them you would see what I mean. The T-100 line and Thruxton look very retro The America and Speedmaster Other than being a vertical twin don't open your eyes and look!! I can't believe you can post those 2 pix and say they look at all alike!
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Ok, I could be wrong, saw one at a bike show, looked pretty good.
I'm more than happy with my '03 TBA, but I miss my '69 Daytona
500, and '71 750 Commando Roadster.
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I have one of each of those unclecharlie well my norton is the P-11 but has same 750 motor.I am not going to read this thread anymore...gets me aggrevated.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 441
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Alright I'll say it one more time. The reason why Triumph made the America was to honor the Old Bobbers of the 50's, 60's and 70's. Back then Triumphs were chopped, modified and straight piped to run fast. Americans recognized quality and used it to make them their own, Just like us. The reason why Triumph gained the respect of the American biker was because of the huge success in in dirt track racing. Harley dominated it in the 50's and 60's. Our bikes are a tribute to innovation and individuality. Not like a Harley at all.
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Re: Cruiser market saturated?
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Sorry Tater,
I didn't mean to aggravate you. I wish I had your stable!
Uncle Charlie
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