If you're on the fence, now is the time to buy one

Po
motoring said:
Interesting, though I don't know what incentives are over that side of the 'pond' (if I said that right) :)
Sort of makes sense the base model would sell the most, maybe more so with the offers from BMW. Then the Classic as it is the next least expensive model. Though darn, now many B models sold which I thought buyers might want. And TC...that just seems really a bad buying rate number there.

Being a boxer fan, it was my first ride, I have to say I am digging those R12 model layouts on that page link. Yes I know, it is not an R18...etc etc.

What they are though is using a cruiser frame with a nice engine. Though why they would not drop a R1250 engine in it is a mystery to me (thinking those photos showed NineT engines). Water assisted cooling is the way forward on any engine put in a bike now days I feel (exception allowing for the throw back look/purpose on the R18 one figures).
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Possibly big hwy cruisers like the TC are more likely sold in big highway countries. It would be interesting to compare stats for different countries and cultures.
 
Gr8adv said:
Po

Possibly big hwy cruisers like the TC are more likely sold in big highway countries. It would be interesting to compare stats for different countries and cultures.
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I would agree on that. Our UK roads are nothing like your huge arrow straight freeways. Some have sold but not many.
 
Ouch. Those numbers don’t seem promising. Again I circle back to the fact no one knows about this bike. Here in the states I could see this bike becoming more popular after bmw axes the line if they do it in 2 years or less. Just needs time for word of mouth to spread. As someone stated earlier, HD dealers are charging over MSRP right now
 
Kawasakidj said:
Ouch. Those numbers don’t seem promising. Again I circle back to the fact no one knows about this bike. Here in the states I could see this bike becoming more popular after bmw axes the line if they do it in 2 years or less. Just needs time for word of mouth to spread. As someone stated earlier, HD dealers are charging over MSRP right now
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I personally think the R18 is here! Same thing happened with the K1600B and GA when they came out. BMW has heavily invested in the R18, even expanded the line, to cover all the bases. It sure seems like, there is more and more people, hopping on board. Only time will tell...
 
As a comparison I have copied and pasted registrations for one of our very best selling bikes, Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor and GT650. The table shows E5 models aswell as earlier Euro4 and Euro3 2018 models ( so there will be left over sales in there too (shown as 20)) so just bear it in mind. Clearly the Interceptor (or Int650 as you know it in the US) is more popular than the GT. This is in a completely different price bracket though and depending upon the R18 model variant many times over more expensive. Motorcycling in the UK is pretty niche and then slicing up the market into all the different segments means the market for an expensive big cruiser is absolutely tiny. That’s my thoughts anyway. I might try some HD stats next……..

stats.
20222021202020192018201720162015201420132012
ROYAL ENFIELDCONTINENTAL GT 650379368370256
ROYAL ENFIELDCONTINENTAL GT 650 2012912225
ROYAL ENFIELDCONTINENTAL GT 650 E5249181
ROYAL ENFIELDINTERCEPTOR INT 6502.5k2.4k2.3k1.3k
ROYAL ENFIELDINTERCEPTOR INT 650 2027526921
ROYAL ENFIELDINTERCEPTOR INT 650 E5889661
 
Ok, I did a quick search and there were 23 pages (567 entries) of various HD models listed under new registrations. Way way too many to put here so I just copied and pasted one page of the 114‘s.

A quick and dirty look across all 23 pages shows the 883 and 1200 Sportsters being consistent at about 350 sales every year (each). Road Kings around 50 a year. CVO’s around 50 a year. Street Glides around 100 a year. Sports Glide popular around 350 a year. There were still huge numbers of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 left overs in every model variant being sold alongside this years (almost identical?) model. Oversupply? Not sure what’s going on TBH. The HD brand is still very strong over here but their actual dealer footprint is not what it was and many HD dealers have closed down and gone altogether.


Vehicles licensed every year 2022-2012. Click model names for more stats.
�
20222021202020192018201720162015201420132012
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY 114 1868 1818117718621222550
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY 114 1868 1923722623424132
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY 114 1868 2011811912421
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY 114 1868 21163160
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY 114 1868 2222
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY ANV 114 1868 181819192324
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY ANV 114 1868 20656472
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY ANX 114 1868 181012101114
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLHCS HERITAGE STC 114 1868 18969886989225
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLHCS HERITAGE STC 114 1868 19858383816
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLHCS HERITAGE STC 114 1868 206462625
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLHCS HERITAGE STC 114 1868 214945
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLHCS HERITAGE STC ANV 114 182423252429
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBBS STREET BOB 114 1868 21197190
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBBS STREET BOB 114 1868 2219
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBRS BREAKOUT 114 1868 1813813914115916847
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBRS BREAKOUT 114 1868 1922122223324220
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBRS BREAKOUT 114 1868 2011011010722
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBRS BREAKOUT 114 1868 21130117
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBRS BREAKOUT 114 1868 221
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBRS BREAKOUT ANV 114 1868 1820182327312
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXDR 114 1868 1910611112010847
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXDR 114 1868 203321
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXFBS FAT BOB 114 1868 1825925528429833856
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXFBS FAT BOB 114 1868 19413414428
 
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Rufus said:
Ok, I did a quick search and there were 23 pages (567 entries) of various HD models listed under new registrations. Way way too many to put here so I just copied and pasted one page of the 114‘s.

A quick and dirty look across all 23 pages shows the 883 and 1200 Sportsters being consistent at about 350 sales every year (each). Road Kings around 50 a year. CVO’s around 50 a year. Street Glides around 100 a year. Sports Glide popular around 350 a year. There were still huge numbers of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 left overs in every model variant being sold alongside this years (almost identical?) model. Oversupply? Not sure what’s going on TBH. The HD brand is still very strong over here but their actual dealer footprint is not what it was and many HD dealers have closed down and gone altogether.


Vehicles licensed every year 2022-2012. Click model names for more stats.
�
20222021202020192018201720162015201420132012
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY 114 1868 1818117718621222550
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY 114 1868 1923722623424132
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY 114 1868 2011811912421
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY 114 1868 21163160
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY 114 1868 2222
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY ANV 114 1868 181819192324
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY ANV 114 1868 20656472
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLFBS FATBOY ANX 114 1868 181012101114
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLHCS HERITAGE STC 114 1868 18969886989225
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLHCS HERITAGE STC 114 1868 19858383816
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLHCS HERITAGE STC 114 1868 206462625
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLHCS HERITAGE STC 114 1868 214945
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFLHCS HERITAGE STC ANV 114 182423252429
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBBS STREET BOB 114 1868 21197190
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBBS STREET BOB 114 1868 2219
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBRS BREAKOUT 114 1868 1813813914115916847
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBRS BREAKOUT 114 1868 1922122223324220
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBRS BREAKOUT 114 1868 2011011010722
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBRS BREAKOUT 114 1868 21130117
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBRS BREAKOUT 114 1868 221
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXBRS BREAKOUT ANV 114 1868 1820182327312
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXDR 114 1868 1910611112010847
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXDR 114 1868 203321
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXFBS FAT BOB 114 1868 1825925528429833856
HARLEY-DAVIDSONFXFBS FAT BOB 114 1868 19413414428
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These aren’t new registrations but how many are taxed and haven’t been written off or are on SORN which is why there is consistency amongst some of the numbers 👍🏻
 
Thanks Alex. See what you mean but it’s a good indicator of how many are actually registered with the DVLA and have an actual owner.
 
The R18 is and will always be a cult motorcycle. You either appreciate it for what it is or you don't. That's neither right or wrong. It's just the way it is. I don't see the product line lasting very long. The sales aren't enough to convince BMW to keep building them. Fine with me because I'm never selling mine. I may or may not get other motorcycles but I suspect that one day a clean R18 will be a highly desirable and collectable motorcycle.

If you've ever seriously considered buying an R18 of any flavor I recommend you do it while you can. Like I said above, I doubt the product line survives much longer. Besides slow motorcycle sales the lack of progress with availability of accessories is telling. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the promised accessories aren't coming.
 
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Well, that was not a smiley message lol. Though it if turns out to be turn then good to know for anyone wanting an R18 of any trim line. Of course it would be a hell of a shocker to BMW to take such a hit. Companies do it all the time though so guess lighting can strike twice (R1200C line).
 
Caveman said:
The R18 is and will always be a cult motorcycle. You either appreciate it for what it is or you don't. That's neither right or wrong. It's just the way it is. I don't see the product line lasting very long. The sales aren't enough to convince BMW to keep building them. Fine with me because I'm never selling mine. I may or may not get other motorcycles but I suspect that one day a clean R18 will be a highly desirable and collectable motorcycle.

If you've ever seriously considered buying an R18 of any flavor I recommend you do it while you can. Like I said above, I doubt the product line survives much longer. Besides slow motorcycle sales the lack of progress with availability of accessories is telling. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the promised accessories aren't coming.
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I am saving your post for posterity. Lol
 
So the good news, if this comes to pass, is all present R18 owners of any trim will come back to post in 1, 2, or 3 years and feel they would do it all over again…maybe. For me, maybe should have looked for a good used one though with .9% finance will make due with the deal I got.

That Galaxy Dust color though is kick ass. A guy on fb was/is selling a TC with extended warranty in Florida for like 24k.
 
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