Action from the Motorcycle Front, Freedom Fighter, and the Aftermarket
Hey,
I’m going to rattle down some facts here that will be shocking and revealing, but who knows if they make much sense. I had a meeting about the California Air Resources Board new motorcycle rules yesterday. The California Air Resources board is mandated (there’s that word again) by the Governor to create a state with Zero emissions by 2030.
I thought the Governor was supposed to represent the people not be a dictator. But get this. New motorcycle sales have dropped from 240,000 in 2005 (includes on-road and off-road motorcycles) to 75,000 after the recession in 2011 and now just 100,000. Since 2015 on-road sales have declined from 63,000 to 56,000 in 2017. My agent behind the lines, suggests over regulation, a changing demographic and the liberal slant in schools.
wonder how these numbers compare to other states. You should read my letter to the California Air Resources Board regarding their rules process. While they try to put us out of business, they will also try to take as much of our money as possible through product testing and fines. Some companies just won’t build compliant vehicles for California. It’s not worth it.
Our industry has other issues, like magazines. The new American Iron arrived this week at 82 pages. Even the best selling mag on the market is shrinking. The Easyriders deal seems to be at a crossroads with no solid offers on the table. And its major competitor, the HORSE was recently sold for one dollar.
