New motorcycle sales dropping - dealers shutting.

[Greeves246]

I've literally just seen that BSA are bringing out a new "Bantam". 350cc, water-cooled four stroke single, 29hp, £3,500. Has someone been watching this thread?

Posted some time ago and a review last Sunday on the bike thread

BSA Bantam First Look

The BSA brand, now owned by Indian giant Mahindra, has revived the Bantam name in an effort to go head to head with Royal Enfield’s Hunter 350.

www.cycleworld.com

 

[oldbikedavey]

Been the case for at least 30 years in the UK and for far longer than that in the US. Hence the prices, hence the extortionate workshop rates, etc. Then there's all the extra fripperies and 'lifestyle' bs.

Nostalgia money that first drove up the prices of Fizzies, then YPVSs, now it's larger engined bikes. For example, clean specimens of the GS1000 were being snatched up by Japanese buyers for re-export to nostalgia buyers ten years ago.


There has been an anti-motorcycling movement in the Civil Service in the UK for decades.

There's been an anti-everything movement in the UK Civil Service since they first walked on land.....
And probably before that.....

 

[Keithmac]

There’s a guy comes to our cafe on a 3 wheeler, I think it’s the MP3, he’s had one for many years, not sure why, never asked him. He swears by them, thinks they are great. I could see myself getting one if I start losing my sense of balance a bit.
Automatic, foot brake, heated bits and pieces, screen etc, sounds good to me.

The MP3's are a great bike, the Yorban is the smaller version, best in 300cc (HPE engine has more torque), the 500's for me are not as refined (500cc single ).

Make sure they have had the steering towers greased and pre-load set correctly.

We were main dealers but still get a lot in from all over the country for servicing etc.

The are just like riding a big scooter.

One of our customers has had 4 or 5 over the years, well into his 80's and was still riding up until a few months back.

 

[Craig-SM]

I quit biking 7 years ago due to hand locking problems and lack of use. I miss it but everytime I think of getting another it doesn’t take much dismissed the idea and the itch is gone for a while. The joys of being alone on your bike enjoying the contours of the road when you’re in that perfect flow are far outweighed by everything else of owning a bike and attitudes towards bikers

 

[GRW]

I quit biking 7 years ago due to hand locking problems and lack of use. I miss it but everytime I think of getting another it doesn’t take much dismissed the idea and the itch is gone for a while. The joys of being alone on your bike enjoying the contours of the road when you’re in that perfect flow are far outweighed by everything else of owning a bike and attitudes towards bikers

I stopped because I felt all the joy & sense of freedom had been sucked out of riding on the road - replaced by a feeling of oppression & the need to be in high alert constantly (not for idiot drivers, that was natural & normal - but for Scamera Vans, Radar Hairdryers, some Entitled type that writes to their MP with a Dashcam reporting you for something innocuous etc etc).
It stopped being enjoyable - which is why I took up MTB instead.

 

[Craig-SM]

I stopped because I felt all the joy & sense of freedom had been sucked out of riding on the road - replaced by a feeling of oppression & the need to be in high alert constantly (not for idiot drivers, that was natural & normal - but for Scamera Vans, Radar Hairdryers, some Entitled type that writes to their MP with a Dashcam reporting you for something innocuous etc etc).
It stopped being enjoyable - which is why I took up MTB instead.

I was pulled over on the M62 doing 78mph in the early hours. Fair enough I was speeding but so had the car and caravan that I’d been following since getting off the ferry at Hull. Pointing this out to the copper I was only greeted with we're targeting bikers as they’re more dangerous.
Numerous times I had gaps closed by laughing van drivers as I filtered in stationary traffic. The fun of 2 wheels was sucked out of it for me. I imagine now it would just enrage me instead of any kind of enjoyment.

 

[Domdom]

Oh, except roundabouts. The law says you cannot exit a roundabout from anything except the right lane, so they all just use the right lane even if going all the way round. And the right lane has priority over others.

Here you go chaps. Just for laughs, this happens every day. May need a faceache account to view. I guarantee the light coloured car has gone at least 3 exits in the right hand lane.

54K views · 349 reactions | ️ This video shows a typical roundabout accident , where a vehicle traveling in the inner or left lane hits another vehicle in the right lane while trying to exit the roundabout. ⚠️ Remember: when exiting a roundabout fr

️ This video shows a typical roundabout accident , where a vehicle traveling in the inner or left lane hits another vehicle in the right lane while trying to exit the roundabout. ⚠️ Remember:...

www.facebook.com

The narrative:
This video shows a typical roundabout accident

, where a vehicle traveling in the inner or left lane hits another vehicle in the right lane while trying to exit the roundabout.

Remember: when exiting a roundabout from a left-side lane, you must cross the right lane to leave. That means any vehicle already in the right lane has the right of way. If you hit it, you will be at fault

**Tip** to avoid roundabout accidents — or at least not be held responsible:
**ALWAYS exit the roundabout from the RIGHT LANE**.

 

[Morrisman]

I quit biking 7 years ago due to hand locking problems and lack of use. I miss it but everytime I think of getting another it doesn’t take much dismissed the idea and the itch is gone for a while. The joys of being alone on your bike enjoying the contours of the road when you’re in that perfect flow are far outweighed by everything else of owning a bike and attitudes towards bikers

No matter how miserable I may feel in the morning, at home, and some days I’m damn near suicidal, with depression anxiety and worry, once I can drag myself out of the house and onto the bike and get trundling down the road it usually all goes away and my head clears again.

I don’t race, don’t ride fast, and I make a ‘game’ of trying to be as careful and correct in my ridecraft as possible. The very last thing I need right now is an accident of any sort.

 

[Morrisman]

I've literally just seen that BSA are bringing out a new "Bantam". 350cc, water-cooled four stroke single, 29hp, £3,500. Has someone been watching this thread?

We’re all talking about the Bantam down the bike cafe, seems a lot of bike for the money.

 

[premmington]

No matter how miserable I may feel in the morning, at home, and some days I’m damn near suicidal, with depression anxiety and worry, once I can drag myself out of the house and onto the bike and get trundling down the road it usually all goes away and my head clears again.

I don’t race, don’t ride fast, and I make a ‘game’ of trying to be as careful and correct in my ridecraft as possible. The very last thing I need right now is an accident of any sort.

People go cold water swimming to improve mood.

"Cold water swimming offers a range of physical and mental health benefits, including boosting the immune system, improving circulation, reducing stress, and enhancing mood. It can also contribute to weight management, increased metabolism, and a natural "high" due to the release of endorphins."


I think there some hidden benefit from the cold air on a motorbike...?

Not such a stupid suggestion....?

 

[8ob]

I think there some hidden benefit from the cold air on a motorbike...?

Not such a stupid suggestion....?

A witch and her tit would disagree

Bob

 

[Beanwood]

We’re all talking about the Bantam down the bike cafe, seems a lot of bike for the money.

Agreed - the 650 scrambler looks cool (To me at least) as well..

 

[Craig-SM]

No matter how miserable I may feel in the morning, at home, and some days I’m damn near suicidal, with depression anxiety and worry, once I can drag myself out of the house and onto the bike and get trundling down the road it usually all goes away and my head clears again.

I don’t race, don’t ride fast, and I make a ‘game’ of trying to be as careful and correct in my ridecraft as possible. The very last thing I need right now is an accident of any sort.

That's how I felt but still had to deal with the morons who shouldn't have a licence and probably don't whilst the police treated you as an ATM or Public Enemy No1. Walking the dog became more favourable and a lot less idiots to deal with plus the bonus of not having to get all the gear on

 

[pod70]

I don't think it's all doom & gloom as I'm involved with motorcycles (mainly 90's sportsbikes). On the business front I have seen a decline in parts sales as there has been a big drop in values on these and owners aren't throwing the money at them anymore as they are realising that a quick tart up & some Chinese fairings isn't going to give them the profits on the bike that we saw just after covid when prices went a bit crazy.

Myself and a few mates usually try to go out for an evening ride on a Thursday and last week met up at a petrol station on the outskirts of town and there was a group of about 10, 18 - 25 year olds with a few girlfriends all on bikes (mainly newer Yamahas 125cc - 700cc) sitting around laughing, joking & vaping. I assume they just meet up there as there is a fast food place and some benches to sit on. It was good to see a youngish group on bikes so they must be out there somewhere.

In the middle of July, I was involved in the Malle Mille and there were a few 1000 people of all ages (male & female) having a great time playing on their bikes around the grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle. Probably due to the type of event it is, most riders were on old trails bikes or retro styled Enfields & Triumphs.

 

[pod70]

We’re all talking about the Bantam down the bike cafe, seems a lot of bike for the money.

The problem I have with these cheaper Indian bikes (Enfield & BSA) is that they are obviously built to a price which reflects the materials used and the engine performance is pretty woeful compared even to bikes from the mid 80's. I get that we now have catalytic converters & ABS etc. which only adds to the weight but even so...

If we do a quick comparison with my 1997 NTV650 (which is a bit of a bus in bike terms), the NTV is a 650cc V twin with about 55- 57hp and weighs in at 188kg. The Bantam 350 is 27hp and weights almost the same (185kg)!

I've also seen these bikes after a year of ownership and the finish is falling off. I also own a 350 Bullet with a Hardtail conversion, so I'm not anti Indian built bikes - honest

 

[Keithmac]

The problem I have with these cheaper Indian bikes (Enfield & BSA) is that they are obviously built to a price which reflects the materials used and the engine performance is pretty woeful compared even to bikes from the mid 80's. I get that we now have catalytic converters & ABS etc. which only adds to the weight but even so...

If we do a quick comparison with my 1997 NTV650 (which is a bit of a bus in bike terms), the NTV is a 650cc V twin with about 55- 57hp and weighs in at 188kg. The Bantam 350 is 27hp and weights almost the same (185kg)!

I've also seen these bikes after a year of ownership and the finish is falling off. I also own a 350 Bullet with a Hardtail conversion, so I'm not anti Indian built bikes - honest

Royal Enfield have gone down hill a bit recently quality wise. Their older Unit Constitution 500's and 535's were better built.

They did a Clubman with hand made polished aluminium fuel tank that looked excellent.

That was when Watsonian Squire were main importers.

 

[Ruffian]

£245 in 1976 is equivalent in purchasing power to about £2,253.62 today, an increase of £2,008.62 over 49 years. The pound had an average inflation rate of 4.63% per year between 1976 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 819.85%. (Google BOT numbers)

No you can't buy a 50mph moped for 2.2k in the year 2025

Lexmoto ocr 125,
Cheapest in their range
Does 53mph.
£1699 brand new with 2 year warranty.

Yes it is not a branded bike but to get from a to b, is transport.

Model | Lexmoto Motorcycles and Scooters

www.lexmoto.com

Its just people want big name brands.

 

[Beanwood]

Its just people want big name brands.

I just want to spend money on something I can get spares for in 10 years time…

 

[Keithmac]

I just want to spend money on something I can get spares for in 10 years time…

We've seen 1 year old bikes with no spares availability..

 

[Domdom]

Lexmoto ocr 125,
Cheapest in their range
Does 53mph.
£1699 brand new with 2 year warranty.

Yes it is not a branded bike but to get from a to b, is transport.

Model | Lexmoto Motorcycles and Scooters

www.lexmoto.com

Its just people want big name brands.

That price needs a decimal point in there somewhere. I’ve ridden one, which, in fairness, was a riding school machine, but hideous, nasty, clunky, and a few expletives in there are about right.

My wife’s Honda 125 (with a 150 kit) is vastly superior in every respect. Yes, it costs a bit more, and it’s worth every penny of the difference. Whilst I appreciate not everyone can afford such a difference, I really couldn’t part with my hard earned cash on the cheap junk. They just strike me as being throwaway.