fbpx

Apparel Pro: Boots

ap_1
Photos courtesy of Bates Footwear

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n terms of motorcycle protective apparel, boots are often the least thought of apparel item. Apparel reviews abound on helmets, jackets, pants and race suits, but why is it that we never hear much about footwear given that riding shoes and boots are generally the one thing we wear all day without removing when in the saddle for long distances?

The good news is that with the right approach this often overlooked-by-consumers item represents an income opportunity for your dealership.

Shoes? Sexy? Heck yeah.

You can never have enough, even for motorcycling. Just look at any fashion magazine – men’s or women’s – and you’ll see Americans love footwear. Bring that consciousness to your displays, and sales staff, and it’s a winning combination.

After 20+ years of riding, I myself have quite the collection of boots. No longer satisfied with one pair for many purposes, I have several styles depending on the type of riding I plan on doing. Don’t think that it’s just because I’m a woman, either. My male partner has more boots than I do.

I don’t go into a dealership looking for boots, however. Boot purchases seem to find their way to me, and that’s where the careful nudges from a knowledgeable salesperson come in. Overall, I feel like I have enough boots for all my riding disciplines, but with the current advancements in materials technology and designs, there’s always an opportunity to upsell me into something I find exciting or didn’t know existed. Knowledgeable, engaged dealership personnel are the bane of my pocketbook.

ap_2I’m not talking about fashion, either. Extra padding and armor is always appealing, so is all-day comfort. Combine those with purpose-built technology, and you’ll probably get me to open my wallet.

Because I am hard on equipment, and because we use our booted feet on and off the bike, there’s always the lure of replaceable parts. Entice me with a well-constructed pair of boots with replaceable parts so I can refresh them without buying a whole new pair, and I’ll be your customer for life.

Bates Footwear recently entered the motorcycle scene. Originally a dress-shoe manufacturer, you can see elements of the company’s success since 1885 in its current designs: comfort while walking, an extension of your protection while on the bike, with a goal of looking good.

BMW Motorrad entered the marketplace a while ago with its version of “riding sneakers,” and Highway 21 is offering some standard-issue cruiser boots. If serving male or female customers, you can hardly go wrong with Joe Rocket’s lineup of footwear.

ap_3If you’re wondering what’s in my closet, right now it’s a pair of Daytona Touring Boots, Sidi Traffic Air, TCX Air Tech Gore-Tex Boots, Alpinestars SMX Plus vented boots, Forma Terrain TX boots and a pair of BMW Motorrad Enduro Boots.

To my point: Julie McCauley, marketing manager at Bates Footwear, summed it up nicely when she said, “If [dealers] have the right choices, and the salesperson knows how to sell footwear, it’s an easy add-on sale.”

 

You May Also Like

Q&A: Powersports Consumer Sentiment Forecast for 2024

Consumers aren’t delaying purchases because of the economy, but they’re still looking for deals.

motorcycle, money, wallet, consumer, customer

The economy has been a sore topic among consumers for years; with everything getting so expensive, consumers have been tightening their belts. However, according to a recent consumer sentiment survey that Cycle Trader conducted, a majority (67%) of potential powersports buyers believe the economy will improve or remain stable, and 53% feel the economic climate doesn’t influence their purchasing decisions. In fact, 65% anticipate buying a new ride by summer, with a majority confident in a swift acquisition process. To that end, while 62% of consumers prefer to pay with cash, nearly 40% still explore financing.

Men’s Valiant Jacket

This jacket features a mesh outer shell with armor and a six-point Sure Fit adjustment system.

Men's Valiant Jacket
Men’s Velocity 2 Jacket

A jacket with a mesh outer shell and CE-level armor included.

Men's Velocity2 Jacket
Gryphon Launches New 2024 Motorcycle Gear, New Styles and Cutting-Edge Features

Featuring six new jackets and four new styles of gloves for all roads, trails and conditions.

Gryphon Amazon Glove
SPIDI Unveils Race One

With Race One, heritage racing becomes aesthetic exploration.

Race One gloves

Other Posts

2024 KTM PowerWear Collection

Get ready to race with intent.

2024 KTM PowerWear
AGV’s Limited Edition Mono Ghiaccio

A 100% carbon fiber racing helmet used in MotoGP™ with GHIACCIO livery.

ADV Limited Edition Mono Ghiaccio helmet
Leatt Announces Its New Range of Adventure Gear

Explore your limits with the new Leatt adventure range.

Leatt 2024 adventure clothing range
EVS Legacy Youth Goggles

Specifically engineered to securely fit most helmets without affecting their overall fit.

EVS Legacy Youth goggles