Dealers Demise

[@micla6221]

Nice Vid Ivan... your so right, motorbike riding is a very expencive passtime, especially if you factor in tours. BUT, they are so worth it, bike tours are somthing you will remember all your life (good or bad) my only hope is that we can encourage younger people to join our super hobby. i recon with all these cheaper Chinese bike now on the market then this will make it more affordable for young folk. All the best Lone Wolf.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@micla6221 I hope you are right mate as you know I’m a big advocate of the Chinese bikes. Just did the bike shop prices are Sky rocketing

[@borderlands6606]

Very few people ride a bike as transport to work anymore, with the exception of scooters in London. Selling and servicing commuter machines used to be a bike part of the bike trade. Now people barely get to the second service before something else catches their eye. There are lots of nearly new bikes in the shops taking up floor space. The business is run on borrowed cash, and as soon as interest rates challenge cash flow the model is no longer sustainable.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@borderlands6606 I agree with your sentiments. Please subscribe to my channel help it grow

[@nobbynesbit7964]

Another good video Ivan, good to see you at Motorcycle Live 👍🏻😀. Keep up the good work mate.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@nobbynesbit7964 Nice to meet you and your friend. Did anything take your eye at the show

[@nobbynesbit7964]

@ To be honest there wasn’t anything there that jumped out….. Maybe 2026 new models might be better 😂

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@nobbynesbit7964 True apparently 2026 Explore gets electronic suspension that would be nice Only other bike I spotted was a Zontes. 3 cylinder adventure bike with a funny fuel or some sort of tank on the rear side where a pannier would be

[@adrianwood3659]

Comments are spot on Ivan, prices keep going up on bikes, partly because they keep adding tech like Radar but do we actually NEED it, answer for most of us is no.However if they are built into the specs of the bike instead of an option we all end up paying for it. I think the fact that the majority of people riding bikes now fall into a certain age bracket where they are perceived to have more cash to spend, yes thats true but not true for all. Keep it shiny side up Ivan & enjoy!

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

Thanks mate I will stick with my CF suits my budget

[@adrianwood3659]

@@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides I had a test ride on a MotoMorini whilst my strom was being serviced last year. It was a 650 x cape with the chinese built (under license) version of the kawasaki Versys 650 engine. I must say I was well impressed with it, the bike had a more linear power output than the versys & better still there was no vibrations whatsover where the kwak does vibe a fair bit in comparision. The x cape is a damned good looking bike too, especially in red but im bound to say that I suppose.

[@Trevster65]

The only way to boost motorcycling is for manufacturers or dealers to include training in bike purchases, how they do this without prices sky rocketing I have no idea. I came back to motorcycling 5 years ago after a 10 year gap and I love it, it’s a shame more youngsters are not choosing 2 wheels instead of 4.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

I passed my test in 1969 I was 16. Quick ride around the block and an emergency stop plus a few questions on the Highway Code. Nowadays it’s a mammoth task to get a full licence. Don’t get me wrong I had a break from biking and when I came back did my IAM course and test then passed my masters and become an IAM National instructor later. So training is a must but it is made hard now for youngsters Thanks for the comment please subscribe to my channel help it grow

[@paulyflyer8154]

Great idea 💡

[@olderrider495]

Enjoyed the video as always. It has always cost for toys, I bought two items for my 70th birthday; A cruise from USA to SYD and a CF moto 800 explore. they both cost me AUD 16,500 approx.. The cruise lasted 23 days the bike is good for 365 days and (excluding fuel cost) before new rego/insurance costs' me anything, it has a residual value whilst cruise is sunk cost so to speak. My first new bike a BMW K100RS in 1985 cost me AUD10,000 my wage then was aud26,000pa( a single Age pensioner now gets more than that in OZ) so in 39 years it cost 65% more than the BMW while wage at retirement was 560% higher. Have not seen a reasonable sized bike shop in my region (Gold coast) go out of business yet but most do have a made or assembled in China brand as well as the more expensive made in Europe/USA brands. As an aside in 1985 a bungalow 4 bed house/land cost me AUD130,000(excluding interest over the 20 years it took to pay off) on canal, now you can not find one under AUD2,000,000. As far as bike service goes the only service I ever paid dealer for was first service at 1,000klm to cover warranty (cf moto aud300) and have had at least one bike since I was 17. In my street three householders over 60 have bikes( a HD, A BMW and my CF Moto) whilst three under 26 year old's all have CF moto 450 trail bikes (not same household's). I was going to get the BMW R1300GS but they wanted the same for the bike as the cf Moto and cruise cost combined.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@olderrider495 Mate I have to live on my old age pension which is pittance hence I parted with my GS in the picture and replaced it with the Explore same as yours mine is black by the way. Reason I didn’t have a healthy private pension was I was self employed most of my life and when I made some money spent it. My wife and I have done 28 cruises been most parts of the world other than the far east and ofcourse OZ. So now I enjoy the Explore even with the snatchy throttle till it gets re mapped. Please subscribe to the channel lots on about the Explore

[@volt8684]

I bought a year old v strom650 newest bike owned in 50 years. Wanted to keep the warranty ( usually spanner myself) so I went to suzuki in Halesowen ( now gone bust). Need to have these services to maintain the warranty. Interim service 4k miles, oil changed every 2k general check over, check bolt tightness and balance throttle bodies. £425 plus vat. Then 8k mile service is £650+ vat. Needless to say I ignored the dealer and serviced it myself. Cost £40. I think these Chinese motorcycles will trounce the existing expensive bikes. I really don’t like RE but the value is undeniable. When I asked the dealer how much the labour for the service was they said they are just fixed prices. Am I surprised they are going to the wall -NO not at all. I have serviced my bikes and cars all my life and my families. I reckon have saved thousands. My dad was a mechanic and taught me the rudimentary tasks. Then my own interest led me to buy crashed bike and dismantle the engine. It’s served me well. When I serviced my v strom. I changed the oil and filter, stripped the front and rear brakes, torqued all the bolts and took me an hour. At least I know it’s been done. I have vacuum gauges for the carbs/ fuel injection but was running beautifully so didn’t bother. I reckon the dealer wouldn’t either. Valve adjustment can be hard on some bikes but when I see people paying £800 for a valve service it makes e cringe.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@volt8684 I totally agree with your sentiments. Servicing Costs are extortionate and as for warranty well at a drop of a hat they will make up some story as to why your warranty is invalid. I had a GS well 7 BMW bikes over the years and always felt raped when I had em serviced and got the bill. Now I’m a pensioner those days are long gone for me to pay bills like that. I’ve seen different prices for service on myCF Moto so that may well be done by me. Thanks for the comment please subscribe to my channel help it grow

[@michaelarchangel1163]

I still ride a 2004 SV thou I bought used in 2005. It has 31,000 miles on it but is SORNed until April. I'm 67 and have decided to give up riding throughout the autumn and winter months but keep the insurance going, as it only cost me £61.61p TPFT. Fully comp would be pointless, as even a minor tumble would result in the bike being written off.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@michaelarchangel1163 my friend I had a BMW K 1300S some years back wish I’d never have sold it would be perfect for me know. Please subscribe to the channel help it grow

[@fuglbird]

In my memory new motorcycles and insurance were always expensive. I bought my first used motorcycle in 1978 and could only afford third party insurance. I used it for commuting, made 350 km trips in weekends visiting family and three week camping summer holidays with my girlfriend. It was cheap transportation. You don't need a new motorcycle and comprehensive insurance. I've always ridden used motorcycles in periods where I had one. I'm 66 years now and have an inexpensive comprehensive insurance. I never rode a motorcycle as a hobby - never had a car and a motorcycle at the same time.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@fuglbird I’m retired so my bike is my outlet to keep me sane Without it I would go crazy stuck at home all day

[@maskedavenger2578]

My first brand new motorcycle cost about £6 •50 fully comp insurance around 1971 - 1972 . for a 17 year old . In comparison that was a hell of a lot cheaper than a young rider would be expected to pay today , even allowing for over 50 years inflation .

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@maskedavenger2578 True mate it’s being priced out of the normal working man’s reach Thanks for the comment please subscribe to my channel help it grow

[@alanalan3290]

The other problem is insurance with all of these expensive bikes. If we dont have fully comp and we are unfortunate to drop the bike or be involved in an accident and have to claim then it affects all of our other insurance policies for our cars etc. Years ago we would only have third party fire and theft and if we dropped our bike or had an accident we could usually repair with parts from a bike breakers!

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@alanalan3290 yes mate I remember those days. I like to mess with my bikes even though I’m fortunate to have a new cheap Chinese bike but even so I still take it apart regularly. Please subscribe to the channel help it grow

[@johnfallon6906]

Your Much More Organized Then Me= Touché

[@peter3994]

No one is talking about the fines imposed by the government if you don’t sell 20% of electric vehicles, dealers aren’t making £5,000 profit on a sale and given no Triumph dealers for instance have anything electric. So they are giving away for free a Triumph Street 400. I would like to know how they are dealing with it? I predicted the demise of motorcycles based on that, I didn’t expect it to be so soon.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

Very true and I’m not sure electric vehicles are the way forward either

[@billh5850]

A combination of sky high new bike prices, with pi55 poor p/x offers will kill the business.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@billh5850 you’re so right mat I’m at the bike show fully loads 1300GSA. £27100.00. Crazy

[@paulyflyer8154]

Motorcycling is now an expensive hobby. A hobby that the under 30s or even under 40s just don't get. I feel like it's when i was a kid in the 60s and 70s and all the men used to play bowls. None of us ever got it and so by the time I was 40 bowling greens had virtually disappeared. Most youngsters today aren't even bothered about passing their driving test and that's cheap and simple.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@paulyflyer8154 you’re probably right about that unless they are motivated and want to go forward in life. Others just depend on someone else sorting things out for them. Thanks for the comment please subscribe to my channel help it move forward

[@petermoroz6758]

Where are you riding?

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@petermoroz6758 that was the road from Eccelshall to Newport Shropshire. I stop at a place called Loynton Lakes for breakfast. Called the Tickled trout very nice it is. Roaring log fire to greet you there

[@johnfallon6906]

How do like the riding suit? Thinking of a one piece, but want to be able to rip off with out a Long Process. Came out of the womb with no patience 😉 Been going out @ 10 degrees Celsius or 50 Degrees Fahrenheit. I Find, Dress Correctly & Quite Content. Not many other Bikers out though.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@johnfallon6906 I like the Keis heated jacket the benefits of keeping warm slightly outweigh the fact under your jacket it makes you very slightly restricted. I’ve lost a few kilos this year so that has helped. With heated grips ,seat and jacket ivan ride all day comfortably

[@johnfallon6906]

@ I’ll check them out!

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

⁠try the Gilet it’s less constructive than the jacket The sleeves are the only place I feel slightly cramped using the jacket under my Rukka jacket

[@johnfallon6906]

Got It to work😅

[@wiadroman]

If you live in a place like London you face exorbitant insurance costs. It really makes me question sense of riding a motorcycle at all.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@wiadroman you really have my sympathy. I live n the West Midlands and it bad enough here Please subscribe to my channel lots more interesting content

[@leegreveson]

It doesn't have to be all that expensive, but some people aren't comfortable buying an older bike which may need more TLC, so have to buy newer and hopefully more reliable with warranty etc. You can buy cheaper protective clothing too, but it won't have that "big cool brand" name on it. As long as helmets meet the latest safety regulations they too don't need to be expensive but again, brand loyalty, or perceived superior quality. It's market forces at play. Chinese bikes won't always be the cheaper option so buy them now. It's like the Skoda/Kia story, cheap and laughable until they're just as good and as pricey as the established manufacturers who's prices didn't come down to stave off the the new competition, the new competition just got more expensive. I'm new to biking aged 50, but freely admit it's the most expensive toy I've ever owned (even 8 years old and second hand sub £4k) but I'm gonna get out there throughout the winter, with my cheaper option Chinese heated gloves, because as long as they warm my hands, i don't care that they aren't "x" branded. The price of new bikes and their depreciation is staggering. A friend bought a £17k Triumph Speed Triple RR for £12k brand new but pre registered from Triumph in autumn 2023 , they're already on the second hand market for £10k. That is horrendous 😮

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@leegreveson yea I see your point totally. I started the same way but as years went on I managed to get if you want higher priced jacket and leather trousers etc. I’ve found they are well worth the money as I’m now into the 5 th year with them all so they have worked out cost effective. I ride a Chinese bike as I sold my 70plate GS1250 this year as a replacement was going to be extortionate. I’m am IAM National Instructor so I used to ride a lot instructing. But since Covid I’ve not done much as I moved home aswell. Please subscribe to my channel help it grow. Was nice to get your thoughts

[@Geshmaal]

For me, Honda, Royal Enfield, Suzuki and Triumph are making bikes to sell to people and compete. They're releasing new models, bringing features down to lower price points and releasing bikes that undercut the competition. Honda has the new Hornets, Triumph is bringing cruise control to sub-£10k bikes and has its new 400cc models, Suzuki has its new 800cc bikes and DRZ models and Royal Enfield basically has its entire range - all of these offer great value Vs the rest of the market. Everyone else is selling toys!🎉

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@Geshmaal I do like the Suzuki GX the sports tourer when I changed my bike this year there were none available or else I may be riding one now.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

Please subscribe to my channel help it grow

[@Geshmaal]

@@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides I do like that Suzuki did a refresh of the S1000 series with the GT and GX, perhaps I'm a bit of an anorak though and I prefer the Honda NT1100 with its integrated luggage and centre stand...

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@Geshmaal that’s a good bike too but a bit heavy for a short legged old man like me 😂

[@sportsmancraft1]

Buy a ST1100 it’ll last longer than you. Been riding mine for 34 years now, still no one has touched the engine.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@sportsmancraft1 now that’s a good advert for the machine nowadays the bikes can’t be worked on too many electronics. Please subscribe to the channel help it grow

[@johnfallon6906]

Hitting Like Button Lone Wolf & Bloody Thing Won’t Register😢

[@m0rafic1]

The question is, if like myself you want a comfy seat, accommodate the occasional pillion but don't want an adventure bike what is left to choose from? An inter-galactic sports tourer seems overkill and I have no desire to emulate a superannuated Peter Fonda circa 1969 on the cheapest form of multi-cylinder engine known to man. So in search of a comfy seat and reasonable ergonomics once might be forced down the "retro" path for want of anything else to choose from. It's a shame that this in itself results in such a dearth of choice, what if one desires something a bit more exciting than a single or yet another bl**dy 270 degree parallel twin for christ's sake?

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@m0rafic1 I feel your pain. My issue is the seat heights. I’ve 29inside leg so other than the astronomical price of a bike with lowering suspension there is not much to chose from other than as you say a retro or scrambler which are not for me. I’ve just been to the bike show and everything is too high or too expensive. I think there weee only 3 bikes I could say I would be comfortable on height So for me it’s stick with what I’ve got Thanks for the comment please subscribe to the channel help it grow

[@m0rafic1]

@@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides I can appreciate your problem, as I have perhaps the opposite one. I'm neither tall (5' 10") or big (10st) but I do have a 34" inside leg. So there is no way my mid 60's legs & hips are going to fold onto an R6 or similar even if the top half feels okay. Nor do I want to wrangle some tall,wide, top heavy behemoth through the narrow doorway where my bikes live. Plus as you point out bikes are too expensive to pay for something that doesn't really meet ones needs. So instead of a modern retro pretending to be that old British bike it isn't, or a poor mans Steve McQueen knockoff, I have a couple of two stroke triples and a mid '80s sports bike that by modern standards isn't sporty but is pretty plush and comfy and 16" wheels don't half change direction quickly even if tyre choice is somewhat limited. Obviously brakes and handling aren't up to modern standards but my days of being an idiot on the road passed many decades ago. Subbed.

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

I’d love a RD350 classic

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@ I’d love an RD 350 LC

[@m0rafic1]

@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides I wouldn't say no either, I had a go on one when they first came out, great fun and if I had the spare cash who knows 😀. In the meantime I shall make do with my KH400, H1D and GPZ600r.

[@paolodechipiece1027]

Yes the next ten/fifteen years will see a big change i reckon and nothing will change the current path. You only have to look at the demographic of the current bikers and the number of bikes on the road generally. I think there are multiple reasons for this and so it will be very difficult to prevent the demise. I would list the causes as Wet uk weather Expensive bikes and insurance Theft Cotton wool generation see bikes as dangerous and are a different breed Unattractive motorcycle designs, led by adventure bikes, which are the SUV of the bike world with little excitement Bikes have lost the sexiness that attracts younger riders Bikes now only summer weekend toys and are no longer a form of transport for the masses

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@paolodechipiece1027 think you’re right on most aspects. Please subscribe to the channel help it grow

[@simtime7591]

if you look at the picture in general, ie, lack of interest in the younger generation, mainly i think, because of the hoops they have to jump through to get a full bike licence, not to mention the cost, its only the older generation holding some dealerships together, many going under now. Then we have the ban on all new fuel driven motorcycles in around 10 years time, so if you want a new bike, you will have to go electric, and they are going to be very expensive, not to mention they are rubbish. I believe this is the last decade of motorcycling as we know it. It's not so bad at the moment, but it will become the rich man's hobby. I say, make the most of it while you can, grab a cheap chinese bike, which to be fair have a bad rap from years past quality control issues, not so much now. its sad really, This is part of our heritage going down the swanny

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@simtime7591 mate I did sold my GS 1250 for a CF Moto 800MT Exlplore. Was just over £11k new 4 year warranty 9000milea service. Snatchy throttle but that is being sorted Please subscribe to the channel help it grow

[@Leonard-kd7uj]

Good vid but the thing to remember is it is the buyer that turned them into weekend and cafe meet on Sunday bikes and not the manufacturer and many of us have now also stopped rideing to work rideing in the cold rideing if there's a cloud in the sky you add any other excuses I've missed gone are the days our bikes were our commute and our weekend and holiday ride It is 18 November how many bikes are away till end of March unless the weather's crap after all it is England then it's April so a 25k+ bike for 6 months if lucky moral of the story use them cause one day you won't be Able to ride safe all oh and ride often

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@Leonard-kd7uj I do agree sir but I do still ride all year as long as the temperature is 4 degrees and above.

[@Leonard-kd7uj]

@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides hi yep me too funny enought around the same temp cut off ACF on the bike come September and if realy grubby a cold bath the bike not me and all sould be good come spring you ride safe

[@ivanrushtonthelonewolfrides]

@@Leonard-kd7uj you too sir please subscribe to the channel help it grow. It’s hard work these days getting any recognition at all on KZbin