Dasari: Motorcycling Could Become More Popular After COVID

[advrider 0]

Some people think outside the box.  Often these types of people change the way we think about things.  And there are plenty of these types of thinkers around.   One of those persons is Vinod Dasari, the CEO of Royal Enfield motorcycles.

Dasari thinks that once the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, that worldwide sales will increase over pre-COVID levels.  And his thinking is a bit out of the box here.  He believes that the post COVID world will drive people’s desire to ride bikes.

According to Bennetts, the Royal Enfield CEO said the following during a video conference:

While there will be a down-turn for some time, I think motorcycling will come back much stronger when this is all over and people will want to avoid public transport and taxis. I believe habits will change – people will want to be alone when commuting so there could be an increase in motorcycle sales.”

That’s an interesting thought.  Riding solo on a motorcycle or scooter certainly is a way to maintain social distancing.  Dasari’s idea that post-COVID people will shy await from crowded public transport, taxis, etc. seems plausible.

Royal Enfield CEO Vinod Dasari: Photo credit: AUTOCARINDIA

Dasari theory valid?

But I have to ask myself whether people who currently take public transport be willing to ride motorcycles to stay socially distanced.  For those that already ride, Dasari’s thought seems plausible.  People who are concerned about COVID even after the pandemic may shy away from public transport.  Plus, they get an excuse to ride their bikes to work, something that they may not have considered previously.

But, will people who do not currently ride motorcycles/scooters go through the trouble of learning to ride?  Will they be willing to pay the money to purchase and maintain a motorcycle/scooter?  That’s an interesting question.

Also, while India sees motorcycles/scooters as a legitimate means of day to day transportation, other parts of the world don’t see them in the same way.  In many parts of the world, motorcycles/scooters are seen as recreation vehicles, not day to day transportation.  And in these parts of the world, will inclement weather also reduce people’s desire to ride and prompt them to return to public transportation?

So what do you think?  Is Dasari onto something, or are Desari’s comments just a CEO’s wishful thinking?  Let us know what you think in the comments below.

 

 

 

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