Motorcycle and Bicycle Manufacturers NAICS 336991

Apr 27, 2026 - Performance Gap Widens in Motorcycle Sales

• Dealer Spike's State of the Dealer: 2026 report, drawn from over 6,800 dealerships, reveals a widening performance gap in the US motorcycle and powersports sector. Top-performing dealers generate 4.5x more leads and turn inventory 54% faster than peers. With 54% of customer traffic occurring after hours, dealerships face pressure to invest in digital retailing tools to capture online shoppers. Rising cost-per-click (CPC) is squeezing acquisition budgets, while dealers conducting weekly inventory reviews show measurable gains. The report signals that US motorcycle and powersports dealerships must modernize digital experiences and leverage data-driven strategies to sustain growth amid tighter margins and increasingly demanding consumers.
• US motorcycle manufacturers face a mixed demand outlook as consumer confidence shows modest improvement but weakening expectations, according to the March Consumer Confidence Index from The Conference Board. The index rose slightly to 91.8 in March, while the Expectations Index fell to 70.9, signaling caution about future income and economic conditions. Consumers are shifting away from high-cost discretionary purchases, with more indicating “no” plans for big-ticket items in the next six months. Rising inflation concerns and interest rate expectations, up to 42.4% from 34.9%, further pressure affordability. While some spending remains resilient, the overall trend suggests softer demand for discretionary vehicles like motorcycles, particularly among price-sensitive buyers, creating near-term headwinds for motorcycle manufacturers.

• US motorcycle manufacturers are facing continued uncertainty as shifting tariff policies disrupt costs and planning, according to a recent RevZilla report. Despite a Supreme Court decision overturning earlier tariffs, a new 10% import tariff introduced in 2026 remains in place—at least temporarily—highlighting ongoing volatility. The uncertainty has already forced manufacturers like Kawasaki to seek refunds on previously paid duties, underscoring the financial impact of prior tariffs. With the current tariff set to expire July 24, 2026, unless extended, companies must plan amid unclear policy direction. For the US motorcycle industry, this fluid environment complicates pricing, sourcing, and investment decisions, increasing operational risk and making long-term strategy more difficult in an already competitive market.
• The US motorcycle and bicycle manufacturers industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.84% between 2025 and 2029, faster than the overall economy's anticipated growth, according to an updated forecast from Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. Consumer sentiment is expected to improve in the forecast period, which bodes well for the durable goods manufacturing industries including motorcycle and bicycle manufacturers. A factor that may curb consumer spending is substantially higher tariffs on consumer goods, which may be painful for households. The forecast noted that a tighter immigration policy could limit the expansion of the labor supply and job growth for durable goods manufacturing industries. However, labor productivity could still improve due to new technologies such as AI and 3-D printing as well as adjustments forced by the pandemic.