Wholesale sales of replacement tires from the major tire manufacturers for 2014’s Q1 fell 12.7% from the same period in 2013. Sales of 2013 Q1 were also down 15.8% from 2012 Q1.
Tire sales are a good gauge of the overall industry, because it shows how many people are riding their bikes and for how many miles. The explanation is of course the post 2008 Great Recession years with a huge drop off in motorcycle sales. Since then, new motorcycle sales have improved but it was expected that it would take a few years for motorcycle tire sales to pick up again. .
The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) said that he average annual miles ridden per motorcycle user for year 2012 (last year it was tabulated) was 3,028, up 4.3% from the 2,903 average for 2009. Fewer bikes out there, but the number of miles being put on motorcycles is increasing.
Also a possibility of Riders purchasing Tires that have a longer tread life..
Ride on
Maybe it’s the weather, flat sales, or just lack of interest. Who knows?
Marketing and R&D in tires seems to have been focusing on high-mileage rubber, couple that with the fact that over half the country hasn’t been able to do much riding this winter and this isn’t all that surprising
Could have something to do with more and more bikes being hauled around in trailers instead of actually being ridden.
Do you think it was this years weather??
Guys, you don’t understand what Cyril explained. Less new bikes sold = less tires to maintain. More new bikes sold now (but less than pre-2008) = less bikes on the road. New bikes sold = waiting 2/3 years for most bikers to change tires = less tires sold. Harsh winter this year = less miles ridden. Add all together and you will understand.
I for 1 have not recently bought any tires for the cost of them! They are more expensive than my car tires. So I will wait till I can better afford them.
“..its Bush’s fault…”
-nicker-
If the sales reports are coming from the tire manufactures and not dealers it’s probably due to major distributor changes by METZLER and big buy-ins at the end of 2013.
The decline in ties sales 1st quarter was certaily because of the record cold and rains in the East and Mid west. 2nd and 3rd quarter sales will show if it relates to few new bike sales the last 5 years, which at some point it will.
And don’t forget we also loose 5% of the riding population per year due to aging demographics and fewer new riders coming into the sport. In 20 years the sport of motorcycling will essentially be over in America.So enjoy it now.