JD Power discovers a distinct taste among motorcycle buyers of various segments

Three of TVS's model gets JD Power's highest ranking, while one model each from Hero and Suzuki were ranked the highest on the basis of a study conducted over segment-wise customer satisfaction

As per a study by JD Power, TVS Jupiter has garnered the highest points amongst the executive scooter models. In the motorcycle segment, TVS Star City Plus ranked highest among economy models. Hero Super Splendor scored the highest in the executive model. Suzuki Gixxer/Gixxer SF came at the top in upper executive segment and TVS Apache RTR 180 ranks highest amongst the premium models.

The 2018 India Two-Wheeler Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (2WAPEAL) Study is based on evaluations from 9,981 owners who purchased a new two-wheeler between March 2017 and October 2017. The study includes 88 two-wheeler models from 10 makes and was fielded from September-December 2017 in 45 cities across India.

Kaustav Roy, Regional Director at JD Power said,"More than three-fourths of premium motorcycle buyers are 30 years or younger."

JD Power has observed that 40 percent of buyers in the premium segment cited 'looks and styling' as the primary purchase reason as compared to only 9 percent of economic motorcycle buyers who said the same. They also drew a conclusion that premium motorcycle buyers placed more weight on looks and styling and ride and handling. Commenting on this, Roy said, " Many two-wheeler manufacturers have incorporated key styling elements into their designs, which were previously only available in the four-wheeler space."

In spite of a sharp increase in the usage of internet among premium motorcycle buyers, the frequency rates of taking a test drive before purchase are still the highest amongst these group of buyers.

The findings from JD Power drew further conclusions which stated that-

Satisfaction amongst owners who have not experienced any initial quality problems (63%) with their two-wheeler during ownership is 69 points higher—on a 1,000 point scale—than amongst those who have experienced a problem (861 vs. 792, respectively).

Overall satisfaction amongst owners who received an explanation about vehicle features and benefits during the delivery process (82%) averages 49 points higher than amongst those who did not receive such information (844 vs. 795, respectively).

Fitment rates for front disc brakes have steadily increased over the last three years to 24% of all new two-wheelers sold in 2017. The proportion of customers who are delighted (providing a rating of 10 on a 10-point scale) with the braking responsiveness/ effort of their new two-wheeler increases to 25% when a disc brake is fitted, compared with 20% in the case when drum brake is fitted.

This study by JD Power examines 34 attributes across six performance categories (in alphabetical order): control switches/ locks; engine and transmission; fuel economy; looks and styling; ride and handling; and seats.