1500 youth-sport off-road machine sales are likely to be achieved for the 2014 model year but bike sales, although vitally important, are just a part of the thriving multi-million pound off-road business. The kids market, particularly strong in trials and
motocross, is being boosted by the growing popularity of electric bikes. The new-for-2014
“We are at EXPO to fi nd dealers for both KTM and Husqvarna. With KTM we have exciting new road models, plus our dualsport and pure competition bikes. With certain models we need greater representation around the midlands, plus the Birmingham and Manchester areas. With Husqvarna we particularly need dealers from the midlands up and across into mid-Wales,” says Ross Walker of KTM/Husqvarna Motorcycles.
Kuberg range is to be sold through motorcycle dealerships and not the toy or cycle trade. Although not easily traceable, it’s likely as many as 3000 electric- powered kiddies motorcycles will
be sold this year, with many new road dealers coming on board – a great boost for the industry as a whole. Technically, trail riding is not an
off-road activity as green lanes are unsurfaced roads but, just like trials, motocross and enduros on private land, and irrespective of any rights, trail riding requires the goodwill of those in the countryside to carry on.
Rieju UK boss Jamie Masterman (above) is keen to talk to dealerships in the London area, along the south coast and in the north-west to increase the coverage for this quality Yamaha/Minarelli-powered range of lightweights from Spain. The high technical specifi cation and quality shines through, with 40mm USD Marzocchi forks, Galfer wavey discs and black rims fi tted across the range. With the 125 Sport starting at just £3300, and 0% fi nance available, Masterman believes the sales trend here could follow that of Europe and substantially increase Rieju’s market share.
So looking at that bigger picture and the increasing pressure on open spaces and powered activity in the countryside, the need is there for clubs and federations, plus the press, trade and industry, to work together for the future. Well ahead of his time, the late Alec Wright, the creator of Kawasaki Team Green, summed it up, talking in 1970. “We are in this business to sell but it’s not about us or the products, it’s all about land. Nobody will buy a new bike and kit to keep in a shed. If we haven’t got land we’ll never sell anything.”
A selection of the off-road exhibitors at EXPO
MOTORCYCLE TRADE EXPO 2014 25
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