Arden - I agree with everything you've said in principal. However, I believe there are cultural differences between Europe and the U.S that will prevent the scooter's popularity in certain large and important market segments. I don't think the average owner of a F-350 Ford pick-up, for example, will feel drawn to a scooter for secondary transportation. The same goes for males under 30 who aren't in college. Generally, I predict that scooters will attract mostly young females, college students and active retiree's living in small towns.
Also, it's imortant to consider that our traffic laws and highway system are designed just for trucks and automobiles. The only other form of transport that has access, in terms of speed, are motorcycles.
Arden Kysely wrote:
Scooters. That's what people will buy in droves if gas prices force
them out of their cars. There will be an increase in motorcycle
riders, but most people migrating to two wheels will feel much more
comfortable on a friendly, easy to ride scooter. Don't know why more
folks don't ride them already. Europe is packed with them, and they
ride them rain or shine. Scooters are about the most sensible vehicle
on the road for personal transportation in an urban area--great
mileage, some weather protection, storage, easy to operate. They
might not be the ticket for 50 mile commutes (though some of the big
ones could work), but you can certainly slice and dice the surface
street traffic.
__Arden DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "will gilmore"
wrote:
>
> I'm getting more comments from people who say they plan to get a
> motorcycle in order to save money on gas. That increased interest,
> spurred-on by ever-rising gas prices, makes me think Kawa and
others
> could be on the verge of a whole new generation of motorcycle
> enthusiasts. What's more, they probably won't to be attracted to
> large machines. It's difficult to justify wanting a motorcyle in
> order to save money and then spend $15-20,000 on a Harley or
Beamer.
> Given this scenerio the market for mid-sized dual-sports could
> surge. Especially if they're marketed as a kind of cross between a
> mountain bike and two-wheeled SUV. In other words, our KLR cult
> might get crowded in years to come -- forcing Kawa, because of
> increased competition, to produce an even more maiantenence free,
> better performing motorcycle.
>
> Like the VW Bug that was eventually changed into the Rabbit there
> will someday be a new version of the KLR. What will it look like
and
> when will it appear in the U.S.? Will it be the new European
version
> or will there be still another U.S. design?
>
> Just excersizing my brain for the days work ahead. Reactions?
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