The entire bike market in general, at least in the UK.
The traditional classic bike and car market has collapsed. The traditional 40s and 50s cars and bikes that once were a good investment has apparently dried up. Those Rover 100s, run of the mill Triumphs, BSAs ect are no longer commanding a premium price and many are not selling. I have seen post world war one bikes in fairly well restored condition fail to sell at auction for £2000.
I suppose something special like a DBD34 gold star will still sell, albeit at a lower price than previously. In my case a 1958 Plymouth Fury in red and cream will still hold a place in my heart, but everything else, even the mighty E Type, nope.
The reasoning behind this collapse is the fact that those who loved these 50s era bikes and cars in their youth are now either dead, or too infirm to drive/ ride or look after them.
Jay Leno must be seeing hundreds of dollars flying out of his museum collection door every day.
Motorcycle dealers here in the UK are struggling to sell to an aging biker population, even modern stuff like the Africa Twin, five years ago, you could not keep them on the showroom floor for more than a couple of days.
I have watched a few of these over the last couple of months on ebay classifieds, late model with low miles and hard luggage fail to sell, even after significant price reductions.
Todays youth have no interest in bikes, and are not really petrolheads at all in the traditional sense. They seem to spend their cash on " life experiences".
With a world recession yet to be announced, yet we all know it is something they are trying to hide, a sharp uptake in the cost of living and uncertain financial times ahead, it is a perfect storm for the leisure vehicle market.
It has even hit the sale of my DT175. Professionally valued at between £6950 and £7400, I advertised it at £6500 while privately willing to accept £6000. I knew £6500 was pushing it, but previously when I advertised it and subsequently pulled the advert as I could not part with it, I had three people offering £6250 a couple of years ago.
I got a couple of the usual, " " i'll give yer two grand mate", ebay idiots, one genuine guy who wanted it badly, but needed to sell his bike first and another genuine buyer who could only go up to £5750. Not going to part with her for that. I spent almost £5k in parts and paint alone.
Not disheartened though, I felt very antsy while the ad was running and it was a relief when it came to an end.
In around five years time, the lads that owned one of these 79 175s brand new as a teenager will be retiring, many with a fat pension pot and extra time on their hands. Maybe they, at the end of their career will find new interest in the work transport they had at the begining of their career and look to own one again. Or maybe they as a lifelong biker, now finding large bikes a handful, will be looking to downsize to something far lighter and easier to own with a bit of nostalgia thrown in.
So do not fear, it is a temporary blip in the market, things can only get better.
In the meantime, do pay attention to how much you are prepared to spend on another bike. At the moment it is a buyers market. I would suggest holding fast to what you have for the moment and avoid overspending on something new. Bide your time and watch the advert closely, do not rush in fearing it will sell. Unless it is a bargain, it will not.
The one serious offer (£5750) I had came as the advert was due to finish and the buyer was hoping I would be desperate to sell.
Hows things in the USA?
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