Motorcycle and Bicycle Manufacturers
Industry Profile Report
Dive Deep into the industry with a 25+ page industry report (pdf format) including the following chapters
Industry Overview Current Conditions, Industry Structure, How Firms Operate, Industry Trends, Credit Underwriting & Risks, and Industry Forecast.
Call Preparation Call Prep Questions, Industry Terms, and Weblinks.
Financial Insights Working Capital, Capital Financing, Business Valuation, and Financial Benchmarks.
Industry Profile Excerpts
Industry Overview
The 380 manufacturers in the US produce motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters, as well as related parts, components, accessories, and apparel. Various models of cycles, which include on-road and off-road cycles, offer different types of rides. Firms may specialize in a particular type of bike. Channels of distribution include wholesalers, distributors, dealers, and retailers. Firms may also sell products directly to riders through websites.
Competition from Foreign Manufacturers
Foreign manufacturers dominate the global and domestic motorcycle and bicycle market, due to lower material and labor costs.
Competition from Used Cycles
Demand for new motorcycles typically drops when the supply of used cycles rises or when the price of used cycles decreases.
Industry size & Structure
The average US motorcycle or bicycle manufacturer operates out of a single location, employs less than 10 workers, and generates about $17 million annually.
- The motorcycle and bicycle manufacturing industry consists of about 380 firms that employ over 9,000 workers and generate about $6.5 billion annually.
- The industry is highly concentrated; the top four companies account for almost 85% of industry revenue.
- Large motorcycle manufacturers include Harley Davidson, Indian (Polaris), Honda, and Kawasaki. The largest bicycle manufacturers started as US companies but were eventually acquired by foreign firms, such as Giant (Taiwan), United Wheels (Hong Kong), and Pon Holdings (The Netherlands). Most US firms are low-volume producers that specialize in niche products for hard-core bikers. Large domestic firms include Trek and BCA.
- The median age of a motorcyclist is 50 years old, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. Over 80% of riders are male. The median household income of motorcyclists is $62,500.
Industry Forecast
Motorcycle and Bicycle Manufacturers Industry Growth
Recent Developments
May 10, 2024 - Sales Decrease in Q1
- Sales of new motorcycles and scooters declined 5.6% in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023, while ATV sales fell nearly 5%, according to the latest Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) data in DealerNews. Motorcycles and scooters represented 76.4% of total new-unit sales in Q1 while ATVs had a 23.6% share. On a positive note, new on-highway motorcycle sales were up 2.1% in Q1 year over year. The report tracks new-motorcycle retail sales data from 14 leading manufacturers and distributors in the US.
- US manufacturing activity contracted in April 2024 after a brief expansion in March, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. The Manufacturing PMI registered 49.2% in April, down 1.1 percentage points from the 50.3% recorded in March. A reading above 50% indicates manufacturing expansion. Prior to March’s expansion, US manufacturing activity had fallen below the baseline for growth for 16 consecutive months. April’s New Orders Index was in the contraction zone at 49.1%. The April Production Index was 51.3%, a decrease from March’s 54.6%. Nine manufacturing industries tracked by the ISM reported growth in April: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Primary Metals; Textile Mills; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; and Plastics & Rubber Products. The industries reporting contraction in April were Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Machinery; Furniture & Related Products; Wood Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Paper Products.
- Consumer confidence levels fell in April 2024 from March 2024, marking a third consecutive month of weakness, according to data from The Conference Board. The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index was 97 in April 2024 from 103.1 in March 2024. According to Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board, “Confidence retreated further in April, reaching its lowest level since July 2022 as consumers became less positive about the current labor market situation, and more concerned about future business conditions, job availability, and income.” Peterson added that confidence declined among consumers of all age groups and for all income groups except those in the $25,000 to $49,999 range. Plans for vacations, home purchases, and large appliances decreased on a six-month basis.
- Motorcycle and bicycle manufacturers will have to monitor minimum wage changes, as 22 states increased their minimum wages in January 2024, according to USA Today. About half of the increases are automatic adjustments linked to inflation. States that raised their minimum wages in January 2024 include Hawaii ($14), Maryland ($15), Nebraska ($12), and Washington ($16.28). Several states are set to boost their minimum wage levels later this year, including Florida (up to $13 in September) and Nevada (up to $12 in July). According to the Economic Policy Institute, nearly 40 US cities and counties will increase their minimum wage rates above state levels at the start of the new year. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and more than 20 states, primarily located in the South and the Midwest, use the federal minimum as their wage floor.
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