Moto Scaling Back

Hollywood007 wrote:

I work in this industry, and while we had a very good summer (2020) as far as bike sales, parts, and service.. however the last couple...

I work in this industry, and while we had a very good summer (2020) as far as bike sales, parts, and service.. however the last couple months have been very slow compared with other years. I have been in this industry 20+ years, I realize this industry depends on consumer's disposable income, and that seems to be slowing down for a lot of Americans right now.

As far as SX/MX, these events are not cheap to attend, tickets, parking fees, beverages... it can easily cost a family a few hundred bucks to attend one of these events. There seems to be a lot of questions as to TV, will it or wont it be on TV? (or will everyone just stream it illegally). Also, I haven't heard or seen any Supercross advertising, and usually my media is flooded with it this time of year.

Hollywood007 wrote:

I work in this industry, and while we had a very good summer (2020) as far as bike sales, parts, and service.. however the last couple...

I work in this industry, and while we had a very good summer (2020) as far as bike sales, parts, and service.. however the last couple months have been very slow compared with other years. I have been in this industry 20+ years, I realize this industry depends on consumer's disposable income, and that seems to be slowing down for a lot of Americans right now.

As far as SX/MX, these events are not cheap to attend, tickets, parking fees, beverages... it can easily cost a family a few hundred bucks to attend one of these events. There seems to be a lot of questions as to TV, will it or wont it be on TV? (or will everyone just stream it illegally). Also, I haven't heard or seen any Supercross advertising, and usually my media is flooded with it this time of year.

7GP wrote:

People have also been quite preoccupied for the last couple of months as it has been a very eventful time for the country...weather, politics, holidays, case...

People have also been quite preoccupied for the last couple of months as it has been a very eventful time for the country...weather, politics, holidays, case counts, vaccines, stimulus money, etc.

Hints of spring & small signs of things getting back to normal could have a big impact.

BikePilot wrote:

Imo the spectator side is what's in jepordy and is a very minor aspect of the sport. The core of the sport is the weekend racer...

Imo the spectator side is what's in jepordy and is a very minor aspect of the sport. The core of the sport is the weekend racer and families out camping and riding together. That's stronger than it's ever been. Moto was awesome before energy drinks were a thing, maybe more awesome actually. A bit of back to basics wouldn't hurt my feelings at all.

rohleder644 wrote:

I’ve often wondered, what does it look like if our already small sport is scaled back? Seems like every few months there’s a “energy drink company...

I’ve often wondered, what does it look like if our already small sport is scaled back? Seems like every few months there’s a “energy drink company pulling out” thread. The discussion always goes to how the sport is SOL without energy drink dollars. There’d be a different landscape for sure, but would it really be the end of the world for you and I? No semis, no training facilities, even fewer paying rides, all these suck for the industry. Coverage changes for sure. But it’s 2021. We’re not going back to the days of calling the results hotline and waiting for the semi-annual Cycle News. But what does it mean for the average rider?
Obviously the high dollar amateur national life gets scaled way back to follow suit. But kids have been pulled out of public school to chase the elusive pro career since well before Monster and Red Bull.
Does bike technology revert to twin shocks and *gasp* 2-strokes? Do these local track owners making millions a year decide to close up shop? Do the flavor of the week goggle companies close up shop and we’re relegated to the few quality options that have always been around?

I don’t believe I enjoy anything about the industry more now than I did in 1993. I was 5 then, so that probably plays in to it some. I know I’m a short sighted dumbass. So I guess that’s the real question. What are the tangible negatives you and I will feel if/when the energy drink companies pull out and moto plummets back to the dark ages of box vans and working class heroes?

walent215 wrote:

You know the interesting thing is the simple answer has always been right in front of all of us. Re: AMA PRO SX/MX Union needs to...

You know the interesting thing is the simple answer has always been right in front of all of us.

Re: AMA PRO SX/MX

Union needs to be formed
Racers then collectively boycott racing until the union and Feld/AMA come to an agreement to spread the wealth among the racers. Until that happens said Pros can race local events / overseas etc . Which would actually drive another element as many local or non-mainstream venues would see an increased economy in the meantime. Not just doom/ gloom because SX /MX wasn’t at the forefront. The top guys would still be rich and the “ Privateers “ would arguably make more $ not traveling and incurring the normal expenses from the SX /MX schedule . If the Pro crowd was headlining more of the Swapmoto, BIG 6 ( NGPC ) , Worcs, GNCC type events that would undoubtedly increase that particular economy . Obviously there’s a ton more involved than these “ opinions” of mine but this scenario wouldn’t be as traumatic as I’m sure many believe.

Re: Amateur Moto

There will always be plenty of enthusiasts driving our small , niche sport. Could we see the demise of industry companies etc? Of course, just as we’ve seen over the years through strong AND weak economical seasons!

C-19 didn’t kill AMA SX/MX
C-19 actually drove our local moto economy upwards

If our current economic climate is any indicator , C-19 driven , moto will survive just fine.

Hollywood007 wrote:

While I do think Covid19 did drive the boom we saw in the industry over the spring and summer it certainly tapered off in the fall...

While I do think Covid19 did drive the boom we saw in the industry over the spring and summer it certainly tapered off in the fall. In the spring and summer of 2020 people had to find new hobbies, things to spend their disposable income on, and quite a few of them were attracted to the motorcycle industry. Heading into 2021 I dont see any reason that new people would be drawn to the moto industry, and with the state of the economy fewer people have that disposable income our industry needs.

Its good that Supercross has NBC, however I know a lot of people who have cut the cord and gotten rid of cable in the last couple months (many of them moto fans), so how will rating be effected for NBCSN? We all know ratings drive advertising, media involvement, and sponsorships... all that trickles down through out the industry.