Behind the scenes

Chatty motorbike riders boost walkie-talkie sales

25.6.2024

Translation: Katherine Martin

Switzerland’s motorcyclists are increasingly going online to buy accessories such as helmets, jackets and suits. Radios for communicating with other riders on the road have seen sales growth of 70 per cent, while sales of panniers for longer trips have jumped 109 per cent since 2023.

Safety is a top priority for bikers. Given that motorcyclists live more dangerously (page in German) than other road users, it’s unsurprising that they invest so much in protecting themselves. Sales in all motorcycle accessory categories increased by over 770 per cent between 2019 and 2023. Between January and May 2024, sales grew 95 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.

Galaxus’s sales figures reveal that people who take motorbike trips with their friends or partner are increasingly using communication devices similar to hands-free systems. Between January and May this year, Galaxus sold 70 per cent more motorcycle radios and 109 per cent more motorcycle panniers than last year. Helmets also experienced a boost, with sales increasing by almost 40 per cent. The only product group losing ground is motorcycle suits. These jacket-trouser combos seem to have gone out of fashion in 2024.

Motorbike radios pull into the fast lane

There’s been a steep uptick in motorbike radio sales, with Galaxus recording product sales growth of more than 1,500 per cent. Riders clip the radios to their helmets to communicate with their friends or partner on the road. This is less about wanting to have a good old chinwag, and more to do with safety. Anthony Gullo, the Category Business Manager responsible for Galaxus’s motorcycle range, says: «Riders use radios to promptly warn their friends about upcoming potholes, tight bends or other road users. This can make them safer on the road.»

Men most likely to chat on their bikes

Galaxus’s motorbike product category is very male-dominated, with 78 per cent of orders placed by men. The products most popular with women are motorbike jackets, with female customers placing 30 per cent of orders. The least popular are motorbike radios and panniers, with women making up 14 per cent of sales for both products. Men seem to be keen to chat when travelling long distances. Anthony Gullo says: «Although the proportion of women buying motorbike products is still low, they’ve been catching up in recent years. In 2019, men still made up 87 per cent of sales.»

A glance at the age data reveals that 35 to 44-year-olds are the most frequent buyers of motorbike baggage, accounting for 24 per cent of sales. Only 11 per cent of baggage sales come from customers under 25. When it comes to radios, the exact opposite is true, with under-25s making up 28 per cent of sales. Motorcyclists aged 55 and over are decidedly less communicative on the roads, making up 15 per cent of radio sales.

Do you have a motorbike radio? Why did you buy it? What do you talk about most on your motorbike rides?

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Manuel Wenk

Communications Manager

Manuel.Wenk@digitecgalaxus.ch

As a Multimedia Producer, preparing multimedia content and knowing about cutting-edge technology is my business. My main focus at digitec is producing videos. I can’t wait to try out new products such as cameras, drones or smartphones as soon as they’re launched. This is where being at the source comes in rather handy. When I’m not working, I’m probably skiing, biking or hiking – the mountains are my place to be.

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Chatty motorbike riders boost walkie-talkie sales

Motorbike radios pull into the fast lane

Men most likely to chat on their bikes

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