neils on wheels Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 We currently have 4 trials manufacturers marketing bikes (Montesa/Honda; Beta; Gas Gas & Sherco). Two more appear on the verge of relaunching (Scorpa & Xispa/XPA) Two more revived brands have new bikes that may imminently be launched (Greeves & Ossa) Can such a small sport as trials really support eight manufacturers? I suspect not and whilst I would like it to be untrue I suspect the enthusiasm and optimism of the new entrants may be clouding their commercial judgement. How many of these eight do you think will be viably making & selling bikes in two years time when the WTC next arrives in Fort William? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shercofray Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Montesa are no longer making bikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
for artie Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 (edited) Montesa are no longer making bikes. Incorrect FIM Press Release Good question Neil. The market will have to grow to support them all. Edited July 1, 2010 by for artie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shercofray Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 IncorrectFIM Press Release Good question Neil. The market will have to grow to support them all. No at this current time they aren't producing bikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telecat Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 (edited) It depends really. The main brands Gas Gas, Sherco and Beta produce bikes covering all ages and all are competitive. They have slowly developed the bikes into Trial winners at all levels. Montesa are very much in "No mans land" at the moment. The bike as it stands has not been developed since it's launch and is expensive. Bou's bike is nothing like the Pidcock bikes and would cost 6 figures to buy if Honda ever would let anybody do so. Scorpa will be an offshot of Sherco, probably producing a range of more "conventional" Trials bikes. Greeves and Ossa look like being on the cutting edge producing a limited range and trying new technology. It looks like XPA might be joining them after starting as a "cut price" maker. Hopefully at least one of them will push on and do well in the market. It has to be remembered that the UK market may be small but worldwide the market is probably in the region of 60,000 to 100,000 machines a year. Peanuts to the "big" japanese makers who look to one model doing that to be successful but still worth chasing. Edited July 1, 2010 by Telecat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonybroad Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 a rather open question - when i started trials it was montesa, bultaco, yamaha, ossa, honda, suzuki, and fantic - 25 years later - sherco, sherpa, beta - names i'd never heard of , there will always be different manufacturers appearing and disapearing - the good thing for us is it keeps the market competitive people vote with their wallets it's up to the manufacturers to remain innovative tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ham2 Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 IncorrectFIM Press Release Good question Neil. The market will have to grow to support them all. I reckon the chances of the market growing to that required level are very slim indeed. I can't forsee a price war so I think one or two manufacturers are going to go t1t5 up......call me Mr. cynical if you like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outlaw dave Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Don't know where you came up with those figures Telecat - I think you are way over the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
for artie Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 (edited) Montesa are no longer making bikes. No at this current time they aren't producing bikes. These are two different statements. Edited July 2, 2010 by for artie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofasttim Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 but worldwide the market is probably in the region of 60,000 to 100,000 machines a year. Balls! Have a look at: Gas Gas production numbers, go to 0:46 and Gassers numbers are there and they are about 4,000 - 5,000 trials bikes pa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telecat Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 Balls! Have a look at: Gas Gas production numbers, go to 0:46 and Gassers numbers are there and they are about 4,000 - 5,000 trials bikes pa. It actually varies from 5000 to nearly 9000 looking at the Bar charts. I'd say that if Gas Gas are producing that many then yes it could be 30,000 to 50,000 or even lower in the current climate. I do know that a local dealer used to sell 2,000 bikes a year back in the late 70's and early 80's. Now that can be the whole of UK sales on a bad year. The problem is simple really. Trials Motorcycles are now so specialised and competition focused they are not much use for anything else. You used to see TL125's and TY's on the road commuting during the week and out at Trials at the weekend. Now try doing that on a Raga or Evo. Not really going to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b40rt Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 It actually varies from 5000 to nearly 9000 looking at the Bar charts. I'd say that if Gas Gas are producing that many then yes it could be 30,000 to 50,000 or even lower in the current climate. I do know that a local dealer used to sell 2,000 bikes a year back in the late 70's and early 80's. Now that can be the whole of UK sales on a bad year. The problem is simple really. Trials Motorcycles are now so specialised and competition focused they are not much use for anything else. You used to see TL125's and TY's on the road commuting during the week and out at Trials at the weekend. Now try doing that on a Raga or Evo. Not really going to happen. All the pre 65's & twin shocks being recycled must also be making a dent in new sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattylad Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 I am also amazed that there is such investment in new bikes in the current financial climate. I hope the investment figures were not too optimistic otherwise there may be some short lived names. I am pesamistic about the growth in trials as youth today has so many other options for entertainment. The increasing difficulties in land access will only diminish its attractiveness unless proper facilities can be secured. This would mean clubs buying land. Once you factor in environmental issues the problem becomes worse. good luck to them all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1984 Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 i think they all ride difrently as long as they are not copying one another then it can only be a good thing for the rider and compatition is good i personaly would not buy any thing other than a montesa its also good for the prices as they should come down if there is so meany manafaturers about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofasttim Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 (edited) It actually varies from 5000 to nearly 9000 looking at the Bar charts. Yeah but that includes enduro bikes. The pie chart on the following slide shows that breakdown (55%-45% ish, enduro to trials respectively). Gasser's one of the larger manufacturers so you can extrapolate from there to 15,000/20,000 pa (ish..) I apologise if I came across too aggresively earlier. Edited July 2, 2010 by TooFastTim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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