State of scooter sales

[spaceprobe]

I have just come back from having my first service so while I waited I had a long chat to the sales manager. I said if was frustrating about the lack of demos in any brand. He said the market had been such that many dealers were not prepared to buy in demo. However that had seen an increase in interest in big scooters so had got in a demo Burg 400 and 650. It had paid off and they had sold three 650's this month already. based on this and how impressed that had been with mine they were going to get a 600 demo in since in his view the Burg was not worth the extra £3k and he thought they would sell well. He even said they had a lot of interest in my old 400 which he expected to go soon. So perhaps things are looking up here for the scooter market.

[michaelphillips]

im sure they get a better margin when buying in for a demo machine, as they are then the first owners, the j300 i had a ride on before my purchase the dealer said they got it 10% less than the normal buying price, so it must be correct i think

[bikerdezzie]

my local dealer would not touch scooters, but since xmas sold quite a few 650 burgmans and 400s, so now has some in the showroom and even the new 125 burg, they just have to be brave and take the plunge, just coz a dozen blokes might come in and laugh n say they aint a proper bike etc the usual shite, the odd one will come in, usually retired and may just buy on the spot, lots of older guys starting to hang up there sportsbike leathers now so I see no reason why they shouldn't sell!

[MrGrumpy]

Going off at a tangent - just got a leaflet from Suzuki through the post - what's the difference between a 400 and a 400Z Burgman? Both have ABS, though the Z seems to have a backrest. No mention of the Burgman 200 on the leaflet.

[Bluebottle]

The ZA is Limited edition

It has all the factory extras - backrest, heated grips, wood-effect dash trim, hand guards
Also special paint colours (flakes and metallics) and different coloured wheels (usually dark greymetallic) and a badge on the back saying "limited" - k9 ones had brown seats

I think they started doing them about 6 years ago.

[MrGrumpy]

The ZA is Limited edition

It has all the factory extras - backrest, heated grips, wood-effect dash trim, hand guards
Also special paint colours (flakes and metallics) and different coloured wheels (usually dark greymetallic) and a badge on the back saying "limited" - k9 ones had brown seats

I see, thanks. From your description it sounds hideous!

[gn2]

My local Honda shoppe got a Forza demonstrator in and on the back of it sold more Forzas in a few months than Xmax 250s since they launched.

[Globs]

My local Honda shoppe got a Forza demonstrator in and on the back of it sold more Forzas in a few months than Xmax 250s since they launched.

BMG has demo scooters which is why I went there. Tried out the Piaggio X10 350 and Vespa GTS300 on a nice long run. Got the X10 and am plotting for a way to get the Vespa too, at 150kg it seems to weigh nothing - huge fun I could have only guessed at without the ride.

The X10 ride taught me I needed the full Givi screen (perfect addition BTW) and the gel seat so it was very useful.

I still haven't even been able to sit on a MaxSym yet...

[neilab28]

I have had such agro trying to get a test ride of the Forza

Every dealer in Essex and London are telling me they have just sold their demo

I have found a dealer in Kent who sold their demo and said they had to pressure Honda in supplying another because they were so popular.

Just need to talk the Mrs into driving me to Kent to try it now

[SOOTYGULL]

Imagine what Car Buyers would say if they were told can't get you a test ride before you decide to buy.