Podcast 673: The Motorcycle Industry Is In Trouble

We are back from the Misfits Rally and have stories to tell. We had an amazing time, and want to thank everyone who attended and made it so much fun. Motorcycle industry veteran Michael Uhlarik joins us to talk about current state of the dealerships and manufacturers. A lot of changes have happened in the past couple decades, making it harder and harder to make a profit selling motorcycles. We learn that the USA is only 1% of the global market share, and with some of the highest standards, make it hard for manufacturers to bring their bikes here. And the dealerships are struggling with rising rents and insurance costs, making it even harder to make a profit. So what's the answer? What does the motorcycle dealership industry look like in the future? What is going to save it? Let us know what you think. With Liza, Stumpy John, Miss Emma, Naked Jim and Bagel. www.breakingawayadventures.com/ www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.breakingawayadventures.com/shop/p/mi…-rally-v4 www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop

The Misfits Rally is in the bag, and oh what a fun time we had. There were street rides, ADV rides, dirtbiking, a food tour, games and more. But the best part about the rally is all of the people who attended. There were long nights in front of the fire pit, with drinks and stories being shared. Thanks to everyone who attended for making it the best rally to date. We were also fortunate to have Rob Day from ADV Moto Pros there offering private instruction. We sat down with Rob in front of an audience and talked to him about riding technique, the pros and cons of different off road bikes, and how much fun he had at the rally. The next day Emma entertained the crowd with a recording of Ask Miss Emma live. They asked her any technical questions they had, and Emma gave thorough answers. Thanks to Breaking Away Adventures, ADV Moto Pros and all of the Misfits who attended. What a great event! https://advmotopros.com/ https://www.breakingawayadventures.com/ www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.breakingawayadventures.com/shop/p/mi…-rally-v4 www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop

Is the Suzuki Gladius a good bike? Yes. Then why did it fail so big? It was the next version of an already popular bike, the SV650. Known for being great performance at a great price, the SV650 became a hit on the road and on the track. So where did Suzuki go wrong? They marketed it to women. This backfired in 2 ways. Men labeled it a 'girls' bike, and women were insulted that they substituted aesthetics over performance. Suzuki learned their lesson, and the follow up to the Gladius was the gen 3 SV650. We go into detail about what went wrong and also talk about why the SV650 was so great (and still is). With Liza, Stumpy John, Miss Emma, Naked Jim and Bagel. www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.breakingawayadventures.com/shop/p/mi…-rally-v4 www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop www.leodescapes.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/10-days-wrwr-ada2026

It's Easter Sunday and New Bike Season! We welcome podcast newbie Yosemite Bill, and share our confessions about things motorcycle. Clothing Optional Jim solved his tailgate problem, Bill steps up his ADV game, and Neal has some thoughts about 'passengering' without drama. And lastly we read your emails. With Liza, Neal, Clothing Optional Jim, Yosemite Bill, and Naked Jim. www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.breakingawayadventures.com/shop/p/mi…-rally-v4 www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop www.leodescapes.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/10-days-wrwr-ada2026

Welcome to another rousing episode, where you get to learn all about things you didn't think you needed to know. Liza is back from her trip picking up her new bike which is not a Tracer, or is it? Hmmmm. Either way, it's a sweet triple that purrs like a kitten. This brings up some questions, like why is the gas gauge designed for maximum anxiety? And why aren't there more sweet triples on the road? In fact, this whole episode is basically Emma answering questions about all sorts of things, and continuing to wow us with her knowledge. Is there anything she doesn't know? With Liza, Neal, Miss Emma, Stumpy John, Naked Jim and Bagel. www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.breakingawayadventures.com/shop/p/mi…-rally-v4 www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop www.leodescapes.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/10-days-wrwr-ada2026

Some call it a girl bike, some call it a beginner bike, and some call it a tacky Harley wannabe. But the Honda Rebel has withstood the test of time, with many of the original 250's still rolling in motorcycle schools around the world. The Rebel has given access to riding to countless people, and with the modern versions, even more will get their start on a Honda. The Rebel has earned it's stripes and has become an icon in the motorcycle world, and with it's largest model the Rebel 1100, will continue to be a part of the Honda family for a long time. Like the Rebel, D30 armor has been a game changer in the industry. We tell you about the origins, uses, and how to tell what kind you may have in your gear. With Liza, Neal, Miss Emma and Bagel. www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.breakingawayadventures.com/shop/p/mi…-rally-v4 www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop www.leodescapes.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/10-days-wrwr-ada2026

The world would be a better place if everyone Re-Cycled. I'm not talking about cans and cardboard and stuff, I'm talking about our very own Re-Cycle Garage. A free to all, one day a week, community driven co-op garage space where anyone can work on their bike, get some free gear, grab a cold drink and a chair and swap stories. Why aren't there more like this? Fear of being sued? Not wanting people in your stuff? Don't have the time to commit? All good reasons, and maybe this isn't for everyone. But if some people were willing to forgo the risk, and give back to the world, wouldn't this be a better place? We share our stories from the garage, the risks and the rewards, and hope that someone will join us in our mission to support the motorcycle community. Also, Wendy joins us to defend her beloved FJR from last week's beating. With Liza, Neal, Miss Emma, Nak, Stumpy John, Wendy and Bagel. www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.breakingawayadventures.com/shop/p/mi…-rally-v4 www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop www.leodescapes.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/10-days-wrwr-ada2026

The NR750 was an amazing bike at the time, but at a whopping $60k in 1992, it would never be a commercial success. So what other bikes were ahead of their time? And what bikes introduced technology too soon? We discuss this, but first John and Jim give a ride report on Jawbone Canyon, John gives the news, and Liza talks about her new purchase and what the decision making process was like. With Liza, Stumpy John, Miss Emma, Naked Jim and Bagel. www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.breakingawayadventures.com/shop/p/mi…-rally-v4 www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop www.leodescapes.com/ adifferentagenda.com/products/10-days-wrwr-ada2026

Are you ready to go on an adventure with Cat & Emma? Well here's your chance. The popular Misfits trips are back with Leod Escapes, and there's even a new trip planned. Can and Emma give us the low down on everything you can expect if you choose to join them. Harley Davidson has teased out a concept bike that is sexy as all get out, but will we see it hit the showrooms? Or is this just more teasing from HD? We've been here before with the race only XG750R, and even the training school only X 350RA. Tell us what you think about this bike. With Liza, Jo, Neal, Miss Emma, Cat and Bagel. https://www.leodescapes.com/ https://adifferentagenda.com/products/10-days-wrwr-ada2026 www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.breakingawayadventures.com/shop/p/mi…-rally-v4 www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop

On today's show podcast newbies Clothing Optional Jim and UK Janet are both seeking the perfect bike for the back of their respective vans. Janet visits from the UK and shares her experience riding a rented 883 Sportster up the Pacific Coast Highway, and of being a course marshal at the Isle of Man TT. Naked Jim gives an update on recent desert riding closures. The crew gives their take on the ugliest / prettiest / most likely to... bikes, and weighs in on upcoming e-bike legislation. With Monica, Liza, Neal, Miss Emma, Clothing Optional Jim, Naked Jim and Bagel. www.motorcyclesandmisfits.com [email protected] www.breakingawayadventures.com/shop/p/mi…-rally-v4 www.patreon.com/motorcyclesandmisfits www.zazzle.com/store/recyclegarage www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wKZSP0J9FBGB79169ciew womenridersworldrelay.com/ motorcyclesandmisfits.com/shop