Try selling to them...

A few years ago, inspired by the large number of empty shops in Sydney’s CBD, I went to one of the more innovative bike importers with an idea. Why not, I suggested, set up simple displays in some of these shopfronts – just some posters and a few bikes or scooters – and use them to either actually sell bikes, or just to refer potential buyers to the nearest bike shops? It would have been an opportunity to reach potential buyers who would never think of setting foot into a suburban bike shop.

That idea now has a name, it seems. It’s called a “pop-up store” and is being used, among others, by eBay to allow shoppers to actually see and touch products before ordering them.

Nothing came of my idea at the time – another case of bears being ahead of the times – but it made me think a little bit more about a recent story we ran in Cruiser+Trike. We looked at buying your accessories on-line (usually from the US) or in a local shop, and concluded that the choice between them is a case-by-case matter. Sometimes it will be better (and possibly cheaper) to buy on-line from overseas, at other times you’d be smarter to stick to your local bike shop.

But the story in the Financial Review which tipped me off to the “pop-up store” name also noted something else that I thought worth passing on. It seems that retailers are fighting back against on-line shopping in an interesting variety of ways.
Let me quote a few sentences.

“Retailers are… trying to make shopping seem fun and exciting… The Walt Disney Company… is rumoured to be redesigning its stores to attract shoppers looking for entertainment, with new features such as magic mirrors, which allow children to play with Disney characters… Stores are also trying to lure customers by offering services that are not available online…”

Now it seems to me that motorcycle shops would be the perfect places to try this.

Apart from improving the standard of service overall (which is something I’ve been banging on about for years, and am frankly tired of pushing), how about making shopping seem fun and exciting? How about providing entertainment? And offering some services that are not available online?

Let’s see, maybe they could encourage the sales force to tell potential buyers what they can do with the bike – other than just imitating the racer du jour? Maybe a selection of pamphlets describing day tours in the general area of the shop, or some recommendations for motorcycle-friendly cafés and good roads to get there? How about a wide screen TV (even my local café has one) showing something other than last week’s racing? Or how about offering a loaner bike when customers leave theirs for service or to have accessories fitted – free of charge?

I know some bike shops already do these things and more. Funny how I hardly ever seem to encounter them, though…

The point, of course, is that these things will make it easier to sell bikes, accessories and services. And that’s something we really need to do in these rather grim days.

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming

“Please find attached a news release regarding a new road safety campaign aimed at motorcyclists and headed up by five-time 500cc MotoGP World Champion Mock (sic) Doohan,” said the press release from Hughes PR. It included this “fact sheet”. My comments are in red.


• Motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to be killed on SA roads than motorists (I’d love to see the statistics which led to that conclusion. We’ve now been told it’s six times, twenty times, thirty-four times, etc etc. None of these figures that I’ve seen have been backed by credible statistics.)

• Between 2004-2008 there were 94 fatalities, 861 serious injuries and 2826 total casualties from motorcycle crashes (I bet that smoking/drinking/football/you name it caused more fatalities.)

• In 2007 there were 10 fatalities, 174 serious injuries and 620 total casualties from motorcycle crashes (As above.)

• In 2008, motorcycle fatalities increased to 17 and motorcycle injuries accounted for 10% of all compulsory third party (CTP) claims costs (And what percentage was caused by cars?)

• So far in 2009, 12 motorcyclists have died on our roads (That’s terrible. Any death is terrible. And who caused the majority of the crashes that led to death? Drivers, that’s who. This is a checkable statistic. Why didn’t you include that – AND AIM YOUR CAMPAIGN AT THEM?)

• The fatality rate for motorcyclists has remained stable throughout the 2000s, however, total fatalities for all drivers has trended downwards, leaving motorcyclists as an increasing proportion of fatalities (The number of motorcyclists grew almost exponentially in that time, as did the distance they covered. This is a meaningless statistic.)

• In 2008, motorcycle crashes cost the CTP fund $43 million and in the five-year period between 2004-2008, motorcycle crashes cost the CTP fund $185 million (You’re saying you can’t afford to fund your own statutory authorities? Or what?)

• Males between 20 and 45 are the most vulnerable motorcyclists on the road. (Bet they’re not, especially when you include dirt “roads”. Bet the most endangered group is younger.)

• Motorcycling is increasing in popularity, with motorcycle registrations having increased significantly between 2007 and 2008, with registrations of the fuel-efficient scooter increasing by 232% in metropolitan Adelaide (And this is ... bad? By the way, it just proves my point about the increase in riders, above.)

• 35 per cent of motorcycle crashes where the motorcyclist is at fault show they hit a fixed object such as trees, stobie poles or parked vehicles. (They wouldn’t be serious crashes if they didn’t hit something.)

• 58 per cent of motorcycle crashes where the riders is not at fault occur because of collisions at t-junctions or right angle turns, indicating a need for greater vigilance on behalf of other drivers. (Hallelujah! Although of course you mean “on the part of other (?) drivers”)

• Drivers report seeing motorcyclists everyday but say they are more cautious because of the motorcyclists vulnerability and perceived sense of unpredictability. (Ha ha ha ha haa... oh, I really needed a good laugh after all that nonsense above.)

• Motorcyclists are aware of their vulnerability and claim they adhere to safe behaviour, however admit to relaxing this behaviour if they believe they are in control or because they want to experience the thrill of riding “dangerously”. (Look, I’ll wear this one. Sure.)

• Motorcyclists are aware of the needs and benefits of safety gear, however, most rarely wear the entire kit – even if they own it (Unlike you; you always wear a raincoat and take your umbrella if it looks like rain, yeah?)

Why do I even bother to read these things? Because they make the road even more dangerous for you and me, I guess...

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming

The locals fly the flag – a bit, anyway

The Milan Motorcycle show, better known as EICMA, is amazing. I don’t just say that because they fly me over here every year to enjoy the madness; it’s true. The halls are huge – in total, the floor space the bike show uses is something like six times the total hall space at Jeff’s Shed in Melbourne – but it’s not just that. There are not just one or two but four small racetracks laid out next to the halls, and instead of a few blokes jumping dirt bikes the top stunt riders in the world (including Chris Pfeiffer) amuse the punters.

I wrote about some of the headline models last time, but of course there’s always a lot more going on. Take the re-launch of Ossa – yes, the cloverleaf brand from Spain is back, albeit only with a pretty unimaginative trials bike. On of the American journalists put it into perspective when he called it another t-shirt company with a bike – like Indian…

Ooh, smacks for the Bear…

Apart from the Terblanche Guzzis, the big news from Italy was an all-new Multistrada from Ducati. It’s grown to 1200cc and puts out a most impressive 150 horses, and with upgraded suspension and a dry weight below 200kg it’s clearly meant to finally tackle BMW’s GS.

Ducati did quite a bit of upgrading on the rest of the range, too, as well as introducing the new “baby” Hypermotard 796 with 81 horses.
BMW’s satellite brand, the Swedish/Italian/German Husqvarna, launched a very sweet-looking 630 supermotard. That was matched by KTM’s Duke 690R with 72 horses and less than 150kg weight.

Benelli is taking advantage of the deep pockets of its new Chinese owner; the marquee showed the new TNT R 160 with just exactly that many horses, a dry clutch and a lot of carbon fibre.

Aprilia’s RSV4 R offers precisely the same power from only 1000cc, and presents as the people’s version of Max Biaggi’s Superbike. MV Agusta doesn’t seem unduly concerned by Harley-Davidson’s decision top put the company back on the market. It showed an upgraded F4 on a substantial stand that also included a full-on desert racing “Lucky Explorer” Cagiva.

You’ve seen most of the news from America, including the new touring Spyder from Can-Am and the upgraded Harley range, but there’s more to come. The Hammer S from Victory is a factory chopper rider’s factory chopper with 1721cc, 97 horsepower and 153Nm torque.

And of course the place is absolutely full of scooters, including a new electric-powered three wheeler from Peugeot which will remain a mystery to me (and you) because the tight-lipped girl on the desk refused to give out a press kit to anyone who wasn’t Italian…See you back in Oz!

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming

It’s cold in the motorcycle business, but not all that cloudy

The biggest motorcycle show in the world is off and running again, and there is no reason to believe that they’ll get fewer than the half million visitors they had last year. Advance bookings from punters are actually up.

It’s not looking too shabby from the exhibitors’ side either. Despite the fact that Honda and Yamaha did a no-show this year, choosing to launch their new bikes more cheaply at the Tokyo (car) show, the halls are full and buzzing. Admittedly a lot of the buzz is in Mandarin – there are lots of Chinese stands, and one of the biggest pieces of news was that the Milan show people will help the Chinese to run a show in Canton next year.

Yes, we have an invitation – that should be interesting!

Of course the main news was bikes, bikes and more bikes. But what I didn’t expect, and nobody else did either, was that the biggest news would be from one of the smaller and definitely more troubled local manufacturers. Moto Guzzi outshone even BMW’s flash new six cylinder “sports tourer” with no less than three “studies” based on the V12 and designed by no less than Pierre Terblanche. The ex-Ducati star designer outdid himself with these minimalist machines. Mind you, he was a long way from certain that the bikes would see production.

“The ways of management are inexplicable…” he said when asked, echoing the feelings of many of us moto-scribblers.

There were also a couple of V7 specials on the stand which attracted almost as much attention. On the public days it was almost impossible to see anything on the stand, the crush of fascinated punters was so solid.

I don’t mean to take anything away from BMW’s latest design study. That across-the-frame six cylinder bullet with its sobering resemblance to Star Wars bounty hunter Boba Fett would be a very welcome addition to the range from the buyer’s point of view – even though it’s hard to work out if BMW really needs another sports tourer… Nothing more was ever seen of the prototype bike that stood in the same place last year, the Lo Rider, so we can but hope that the six will fare better.

Mind you, the bike looked a runner – and the investment in the engine would have to be recovered somehow! I think they’ll build this one.
The R1200GS got a general upgrade ready for the 30th birthday of the GS (or initially G/S) sticker.

Honda’s BMW competitor, the VFR1200F, didn’t make it to the show but the Japanese didn’t exactly set the word on fire this year anyway. The upgraded ZX-10R from Kawasaki, with 188 horses and 208kg wet was welcome, certainly, but not especially different from the bike it succeeds. Suzuki’s star of the show was the GSX 1250 FA, a sports tourer that will win a lot of friends but that isn’t actually terribly… new, you know. It was flanked by the M800 cruiser and the updated GSF 1200 Bandit.

Whew! I need some sleep. More from Milan and EICMA in a couple of days!

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming

Another month as passed which means another new lot of prizes

Congratulations to Doug and Stuart who won last months giveaways

Remember anyone who leaves a comment on any blog post within the month goes into the draw.

This months freebies:
1. Charley Borman's Race to Dakar on DVD
2. A hardcover edition of Dave Nichols's One Percenter - The legend of The Outlaw Biker.

Go for it! And remember, check here every month to see what we’ve found to give away – it could well be a one-off that you’ll never find anywhere else.

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming

What if you went to the GP and couldn’t get a beer?

Here’s the letter Pat Lane wrote to the organizers of the Malaysian GP. He wanted you to see it. I sincerely hope it doesn’t cause another diplomatic incident like Paul Keating’s “recalcitrant” comment of a few years ago…

Dear Sir,

I made a mistake! Nothing new in that, I’m human I make them all the time.

However this one was monumental.

Having attended every motor cycle GP in Australia since 1989 (still got the very first Wayne Gardner T shirt to prove it) I decided for 2009 I would venture to Malaysia. Arriving Saturday, a mate and I made our way to K.L. found our hotel. Arranged and paid for A/C and towels as extras. We ate at a nearby market, had a few beers and went to bed early for a first up start on race day.

We arrived at the Sepang circuit just before 10.00am.

First issue an hour plus wait in line to purchase tickets. Those who pre booked tickets and didn’t attend on Friday or Saturday had the same wait.
Second at the entry gate we asked to surrender all bottled fluids before entry. Presumably so they could sell us more inside. Temperature at this time was about 32 degrees C.

Thirdly once inside we were asked to purchase coupons to be used to in exchange for food and drinks. Fortunately we decided not to purchase these. I saw a number of people at the end of the day with handfuls of these and nothing to spend them on.

Finally after three failed attempts to buy water or beer (we both had two goes at standing in lines that just didn’t move) at 2.30pm we were rewarded with two beers and two bottles of water from the one and only beer vender at the circuit. My mate missed the entire 250cc race while standing in line. Food outlets were either sold out or had lines that disappeared in the distance.

I brought a race program on exiting, which I read on the plane home, the foreword by the Malaysian Prime Minster had me laughing with rage when he stated Malaysians can match the world in international events and wished all fans to enjoy the 1Malaysia warm hospitality. His final comment “1 Malaysia” People First. Performance Now” may have some meaning to locals but my experience at this event would suggest the people first comment does not extend to people attending this event.

The best advice I could offer the event organizers is attend an Australian Moto GP and see first hand how its all done.

As I said at the start I made a mistake, one I won’t make in the future. From now on my Moto GP money will be spent in Australia.

Oh finally, the racing was great, Casey won, Vale is world champ and the 250’s are still alive. Great racing, but that’s put on by the FIM and Dorna isn’t it?

Pat Lane.

So… everything considered, it was a fail, right, Pat?

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming

Found a fascinating article from The Wall Street Journal that explains the way the bureaucracy keeps us in line. The Victorian crowd seems to be particularly expert at this.

“Deer Still Prisoners to Cold War Borders

“A red deer called Ahornia apparently never got the memo that the Iron Curtain doesn't exist anymore. The deer lives in the mountains that were once the site of the electric fence that stood between West Germany and Czechoslovakia. Where the fence once stood is one of Europe's largest nature sanctuaries, and while all sorts of animals have moved in, the Ahornia have mostly refused to cross the long-gone border. "The wall in the head is still there," a producer of nature films said. The amazing part is that the deer alive today were born long after the fence wasn't there anymore. Yet deer have an impressive collective memory of their trails that is passed through generations, so stopping at the border continues to be passed on. A few rebel Ahornia have made it to the other side, and experts say it's only a matter of time before adventurous young ones begin to explore beyond the imaginary fence.”

A bloke called Jim Finley explained this on the website Slatest.

“Learned helplessness, they call that. If an animal (or person) is stuck in an unpleasant situation for long enough and tries unsuccessfully to escape it enough times, they give up, and then don't escape it even if it becomes easy to do so. The original experiment was with dogs. The experimenters would put a dog in a small enclosure with a metal floor and high sides, then give it electric shocks through the floor at random intervals. At first the dogs would go into a frenzy trying to get out, but eventually they'd give up and just stand there whimpering and shivering while they got shocked. Then the high sides of the enclosure were replaced with ones low enough for the dogs to easily get over, but the dogs would still just stand there shaking and whimpering and get shocked without trying to get out. A grim experiment - I couldn't do it. Some abusive situations produce similar results in humans; I think it's related to Stockholm Syndrome.”

“Some abusive situations produce similar results in humans”, eh? See how it’s done in our case? Treat motorcyclists like outcasts, charge us “road safety levies” that nobody else has to pay, tell us porkies about how dangerous riding is, show us television commercials that misrepresent riding, demonise us as drug-selling bikies (and don’t listen to reason, because that’s not what you’re after) – and eventually we won’t even complain any more. We’ll just stand there whimpering and shivering.

Don’t put up with it. Complain to their political masters, as hard and as often as you can. Stop them!

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming

Remember Austen Tayshus’ routine? Now it’s your turn!

Yes, venting your spleen can make you feel a whole lot better. I’m going to be away for a while (EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, and then a short break in the UK to check out the rebuilt Birmingham motorcycle museum etc) so I thought I’d leave you a task while I’m gone.

Write in and tell us what you really hate about motorcycling.

I just read this morning about the criminal gang Notorious in the paper – and it was referred to as a “bikie gang” even though the members never go near bikes and there is no connection with motorcycling in the gang’s operations.

I hate that.

We just recently had someone write in to tell us that the bill for servicing his bike included a charge for checking the battery and cleaning the battery terminals. When he took a look he found a very much uncleaned battery with extremely grotty terminals. On mentioning this to the shop, he was told that the bill was computer generated and the battery must have been missed.

Ooh, he hated that!

And so on. What are your pet hates?

Maybe bloggers who ask you what your pet hates are?

Come on, write in - and tell your friends to do the same. Let’s get a really good list of motorcycling hates together. Could make a story for ARR?

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming

What will happen to printed newspapers and magazines – like ARR?

My daily update on the staggering craziness of the world is, first, my local daily paper and, second, the web feed Slatest. The paper essentially keeps me up to date with the latest moronic kneejerk reaction by my State government (no, I didn’t vote for them but I live here…) and public opinion, via the letters page. The web tells me what’s happening in the big wide world. Well, mainly in America.

Now it’s been considered a truism that we follow the Yanks – everything that happens over there, happens here a few months or a year later. Of course I’m still waiting for us to get our independence from the UK after more than two centuries, and it will be interesting to find we have a black head of state (Noel Pearson, anybody?) but in many ways that really has been true. Motorcycle fashions are a case in point.

But I wonder whether we’ll follow America in the way we deal with the print media. Here’s a short piece from this morning’s Slatest. The McArdle person appears to be a blogger, and is no apparent relation to infamous Australian BMW outfit rider Chris McArdle.

Hi, Chris.
“McArdle: The Newspaper Business is Over. Period.
“The numbers are grim: over the past six months, circulation at the top 25 newspapers has declined by more than 10 percent. The Washington Post's numbers fell by more than 6 percent, while the New York Times' dropped by more than 7 percent, making it the third most-read paper after the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. This isn't a sign that the newspaper business is changing, Megan McArdle says. It's a sign that it's over.”
US magazines, including motorcycle magazines, are in a similar position. Heck, so are most motorcycle magazines here in Australia (except ARR and C+T, phew and thanks to you) although Australian newspapers are holding up much better.

But what do you think? Is the era of the printed word really over? How are you changing your reading habits? Why are Australaian papers, and our two magazines, holding up?

I’d love to get your feedback and ideas.

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming