New data shows growing concerns over U.S. economy could hurt powersports sales
In its latest Ride Report, the Motorcycle Industry Council cites a University of Michigan study showing consumers’ growing caution about spending in the upcoming months, which may hurt the powersports market.
The University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers showed the Index of Consumer Sentiment falling 6.3% in August and down 11.2% from a year ago. Consumers also expressed greater concern about future business conditions and the cost of living. The Conference Board also found that year-ahead inflation expectations rose, and consumers are less optimistic about the future.
What it means
The survey results point to a declining economic environment for discretionary purchases such as powersports vehicles. MIT says that consumer attitudes don’t necessarily translate directly or immediately into purchasing behavior, but they are among the indicators MIC monitors as it tracks the market.
“Consumers are signaling more caution about the months ahead, and that’s something worth watching,” says Buckner Nesheim, MIC director of research and statistics. “The important question for our industry is whether those concerns begin to show up in actual purchasing behavior. That’s why we look at consumer attitudes alongside motorcycle sales and other market indicators rather than any one measure in isolation.”
MIC’s latest retail data showed new motorcycle sales among leading brands were up 1.9% through the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Replacement tire shipments among leading brands were also up 3.8% through the first half of the year.
MIC members can view the latest Retail Sales Report and Tire Sales Report in the Member Reports section of MIC.org.
