Survey Reveals Cycle Trends in Japan
Motorcycle ownership in Japan among young men and women in their teens and 20s fell in 2005, whereas ownership among men and women in their 50s or older rose, said the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), which published the results of a motorcycle market trend survey it carried out in fiscal 2005.
JAMA conducts motorcycle surveys during odd-numbered years, targeting owners of newly purchased motorcycles to track changes in the market and the impact of motorcycle use-related developments. The recent survey results were based on 5,628 responses.
The survey also found:
– Replacement demand accounted for 55 percent of the total number of purchases, with first-time purchases marking a decline since the 2003 survey.
– Attitudes towards motorcycle features and use differed between owners born prior to 1970 and those born in or after 1970. Specifically, users born between 1965-70 enjoyed motorcycle touring and emphasized “good pickup, acceleration and top speed,” while users born between 1975-80 were drawn primarily by “style and design.”
– In terms of purchasing criteria, the leading criteria were “style and design” and “lower price.” “Easy handling” was the top criterion for 35 percent of the respondents, up from 32 percent in 2003.
– Average monthly mileage was 270 km, up from 250 km in 2003.
– Intended motorcycle uses were primarily “commuting to work or school” (51 percent) and “shopping” (29 percent), indicating that most motorcycles are used for daily transportation purposes.
– Cyclists born between 1965-70 particularly enjoyed motorcycle touring and emphasized the criteria of “good pickup, acceleration and top speed,” while users born a decade later, between 1975-80, leaned mostly towards visual criteria-namely, “style and design.”
– 87 percent of respondents said they wanted to continue riding motorcycles in future, indicating an overwhelming desire to maintain use. Nevertheless, this was a drop from 92 percent in 2003.
– Among owners who wanted to continue riding motorcycles, 40 percent said they would stop doing so if parking space were no longer available, or if their financial situation were to become difficult.
