Suzuki now number 10 marque in the UK

[Rogerborg]

Nope, not a typo.

June 2012 registrations

July 2012 registrations

Same story again: sales are slightly up this year, but that's entirely due to 125s. Everything else is down.

Eye openers:
The top selling 126-650cc bike in July was... drum rolll.... the YZF R6. And July (although not the year to date) saw a surprise jump in that category from last year. Aside, the latest DVLA figures showed another rise in new licensees - maybe we're finally seeing some of the economic crisis 125 riders moving up in capacity.

And Suzuki, well... wow.

1372 Honda
1295 Yamaha
723 Triumph
600 Kawasaki
565 Piaggio
347 BMW
344 Lexmoto
338 Direct Bikes
322 KTM
319 Suzuki

Suzuki list 83 dealers. I make that fewer than 4 bikes per dealer. Not even a bike a week. Note that's for July, when Suzuki's cashback offer was still running. It's now apparently ended. Good luck in August, chaps.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[doggone]

What is 'Direct Bikes'?
Do they do a Direct Bikes 750

The total numbers are rather piddling.
No wonder bikes are often overlooked in planning and legislation.

[moppy]

Yeesh. Why are Suzuki so low though? I thought they were fairly cheap and everyone likes their bikes right? Apart from the rust special finish.

[Rogerborg]

When's the last time they released a new bike? They've got a large overlapping model range of older bikes, I can't see many people walking into a Suzuki dealer with a burning desire to buy an SV650... or maybe a Gladius... hmm, how about the Bandit...? Ah, sod it, I'll get an ER-6.

My real theory though is that they've been discounting them so hard and for so long that they've essentially devalued their own brand. The more they cut prices, the cheaper - by which I mean, less desirable - they'll make themselves look.

Pile 'em low, sell 'em at low margin... I just can't see all their dealers lasting out the year.

[Joncrete Cungle]

My brother bought a Suzuki a couple of years ago. It was the biggest pile of unreliable shite I have had the misfortune to ride.

[Barnaby]

Thoroughly well deserved, & I'm a BIG Suzuki fan.
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"I don't hate the Welsh, I pity them. Even the Scots & the Irish look down on them." Anon.

[nowhere.elysium]

Meh. My SV's been fine, as has the GS, once I got it running

You're right though - they've not done anything new in ages. I was vaguely tempted by the GSR, but given that it was just the end result of a GSXR and a GSF being coerced into making an unwanted baby, I didn't really see the point.

The sad thing is that I really, really wanted the SVthou, but they'd stopped making them, and I was determined to buy a new bike at that point.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[Kickstart]

Hi

Does make you wonder if at the moment they are worried about falling sales. After all with sales generally low at the moment it is probably likely that any large investment in a new model wouldn't generate the sales to cover the costs.

Hence possible they are just not bothering for now.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Rogerborg]

Makes sense, just batten down the hatches until the market picks up, but it's cold comfort to their dealers, and again there's that concern about damaging their perceived value in the long term.

As a bonus donkey punch, the on-again-off-again steep discounting will be screwing their dealers over big time by yo-yoing the value of their used stock.

Oh, here we go, "Suzuki Cashback" has finished, now welcome "Suzuki Money Off".

And as an example of their model mess confusion, I see there's £500 off the "SFV650/A".

Wait, the what now?

Oh... that's a Gladius.

I think.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Kickstart]

Hi

Maybe, but to an extent there are plenty more prospective dealers where the current lot came from. Far easier to set up a dealer than the factories engineering and manufacturing facilities.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Rogerborg]

Would you set up as a Suzuki dealer, given the situation that the current lot are in?
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Kickstart]

Hi

As and when things pick up there will no doubt be plenty of people who want a dealership opportunity

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Polarbear]

I'm suprised HD has dropped out of the top ten considering they have the top selling custom, although that was only 50 bikes. Same with Ducati.

That direct bikes and Lexmoto have taken their place (in numbers) I suppose shows how much cost influences people in buying commuters, 125's & mopeds.

Is Direct bikes a manufacturer though, they sound more like an importer who just badges other manufacturers. If so, should they be in that list.

And Suzuki, well, I'd be suprised if my local Suzy dealer has sold a bike in the last year as they aren't willing to negosiate at all.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Rogerborg]

HD and Ducatti have been nipping at Suzuki's heels. Maybe if they finally drop out of the top 10, the legacy media who take Suzuki's advertising money might finally comment on it.

Direct Bikes and Lexmoto are both just re-badge importers. Some Lexmoto dealers do seem to give a bit of warranty support, but I'd assume that Direct "Bikes" scooters are essentially disposable.

I'm surprised by a Suzuki dealer not budging, we're heard about some of them offering free stuff as soon as soon as you're in the door. I honestly can't figure out how they all stay in business with those sales figures.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Tomzo47]

its mostly 125s and scooters now that are selling, and because Suzuki don't make any 50-125cc's anymore they're doing shit. That and the fact that theres not enough change in their bikes to make somebody pay a few more grand to buy new.
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Ybr 125 > Bandit 650SA > GSXR 600 > Triumph Sprint St1050 > CB1300 > Z1000SX + FJ1200 (written off) > VFR750 >FJ1200

[stinkwheel]

I for one wouldn't touch a suzuki motorbike with a shitty stick.

At least if I bought a Chinese bike, in 12 months time it would be a cheap pile of rust rather than an expensive one.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Frost]

Suzuki need to lash together a solid reliable no frills scooter and 125, then make it look like the GSXR race bike. People will buy any old lump of slow shit just so long as it looks fast.

[darthbuttchin]

[LockyUK]

gixxer for 4k il buy one

[Wave2k]

Good to see Triumph doing pretty well

And yea, Suzuki really do need a good 125.

Get a cheap as chips 125, slap gsxr-esk fairings.

Kids flock
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[map]

[chris-red]

Triumph are probably doing the best, I imagine loads of the Jap bikes sales are 125's, Triumphs are all 'propa' bikes.

100% agree with Stinkwheel RE Suzuki, what a pile of dross.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Rogerborg]

Eh, workmate's 2009 Bandit is looking OK, but then he is a bit of a fair weather tart.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[map]

Suzuki clothing accessories aren't cheap either.
Although to be fair probably on par with other manufacturers.
IIRC Triumph branded stuff is sold as a premium product.
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[UnspeedySam]