Configurators Changing the Motorbike Industry

It’s no secret that the motorbike industry is changing gears. Over the last thirty years, the average age of bikers has moved from thirty to mid-forties. To keep the motorcycle industry cruising, we must enticeMillennials and techno-savvy people who speak a different language when it comes to marketing. But what is the best way to connect with Millennials when presenting your motorbike?

The best way to present a motorbike should be in keeping with the latest trends in imaging technology so customers can adapt the bike to their own preferences and visualize it in a digital space. Imaging tools that can improve motorbike visualization and customization choices include 3D configurators, renderings, and videos.

Configurators are very effective marketing tools that help customers visualize a dream motorcycle or a modification to their existing bike. Many motorcycle brands already use configurators on their websites to this end. However, combining different imaging technology when presenting your motorbike caters to different types of customers – especially those who prefer online shopping.

In2real is a studio that develops highly aesthetic and functional 3D configurators for customers of the scale of Triumph Motorcycle. With this article, we will give you the tools to delve deeper into the subject of 3D configurators for the two-wheeler industry.

Gone are the days of vehicle sales, where “You can choose any color, as long as it’s black”(cit. Henry Ford).  Instead, to connect with customers, you should offer them customization options. This is achievable through the latest imaging technologies, which allows customers to see their uniquely designed bike in various settings displayed in real time videos. These immersive experiences increase buyer’s attention span during the purchasing process.  

Technology has revolutionized every aspect of selling a motorcycle its accessories – including design, production, and marketing. Imaging technology allows customers to interact and play with the individual parts of the bike Once they have selected what they want using interactive technology, it’s so much faster to manufacture and deliver their customized product.

However, you can’t rely solely on technology to sell your motorbikes – you should still maintain a level of personal interaction with your customers. Along with an excellent online presence, you should include a customer experience that is second to none. Customers will be more inclined to buy a product from you if they are positively influenced by what they see and what you can offer them.

From your digital platform, you must aim to impress and gain the trust of interested buyers. That means employing top-notch, mobile-friendly technology on your site, offering unique and affordable customizations, and answering queries in a short turnaround time in a friendly and helpful manner.

Using digital interaction as a means of engaging your audience could make you stand out from your competitors and strengthen your customer relationships.

Configurators are brilliant tools for customers to create a customized motorcycle. Many major motorcycle brands already use this facility on their websites. BMW, amongst others, uses configuration technology to render an image of a customized addition to a stock-standard motorbike. But how do configurators work, what kind of configurators exist and what should they include?

In this article we will delve into the following topics:

• – 2d Configurators & 360° turnable images
• – 3D Interactive configurators
• – Video
• – BOM & BOQ

When customers develop their own bike model  , they want to see a realistic image of the customized product. The image should be very similar to the motorbike they have imagined, e in every detail and at the highest possible resolution. 

2D rendered images, i.e. produced from a 3D model with software that translates it into images, have the task of fulfilling this requirement. They are representative  of the physical motorbike with its customized parts in every aspect. 

360° images (or rotating images), i.e. produced from an animated 3D model with software that allows it to be viewed from all angles, are photorealistic and engaging. They allow the customer to observe the motorbike from different points of view as if he were looking at it in person. Through the rotating images one can appreciate all the details of the motorbike and its customization, rotating around it like a model.

In both cases, the configured motorbike can be displayed with a neutral background or within a photorealistic setting.

For example, in a luxury garage, on the street in front of a restaurant, or in a scenic spot in the countryside. 

The rendered images showing various settings allow the customer’s imagination to go beyond the showroom. For example, the customer can imagine where he will take his new motorbike, the adventures he intends to have, and the admiration he might receive from onlookers. In this way, the customer can perceive the benefits the bike will provide him with, beyond merely acquiring the physical bike. This may make the customer more emotionally attached to the idea of buying the motorbike, and thus more inclined to do complete the purchase.

With a 3D interactive configurator, users can authorize the perfect motorbike without any restrictions. Not only are parts and accessories optimally customizable, but real-time visualization is available from any angle. To create an even more realistic experience when imagining the vehicle of one’s dreams, customers have the option of placing it in various photorealistic settings, so that they can appreciate how the final product  changes depending on the context. A perfect example is Aston Martin configurator that uses the best technology currently available.

In addition, technical documentation such as images, videos or 360° HD images of the configuration models, together with the necessary purchase orders, can be easily produced for convenience with this particular type of configuration tool: all at once and in a single tool.

In the age we live in, we know for sure that videos are more communicative and engaging than static images, at least in the sector we are interested in.

To enrich the marketing portfolio of your motorbike and its accessories, you might consider embedding short videos into your website.

An example of a short video clip may be a 360˚ walk around the idling motorbike on the shop floor. In the video, you can include a close-up of the display on start-up, or even rev the engine for a little bit of extra excitement. You could also make a short video displaying new accessories on the market, like pannier bags or a new type of exhaust system, and how it changes the sound of a given bike.

Other ideas for short video clips could include taking the bike for a spin on the open road, with the rider wearing an HD action camera, or taking excerpts from rider interviews. The idea is to appeal to as many senses as possible and confirm the credibility of your product through a virtual platform. You can aid this through the opinions and experiences of others.

Configurators can include the function of sending the technical specifications of an order directly to your purchasing department. The technical specifications are called a Bill of Materials (BOM) and a Bill of Quantity (BOQ).

The BOM and BOQ include a detailed list of the parts, their order numbers, quantities, and prices needed to complete the order. In this sense, the cost of the customized motorbike can be calculated, and a quote generated automatically. Additionally, sending the technical specifications directly from the configurator to the purchasing department reduces the risk of human error.

Including this function on your interactive website increases the chance of making a sale. You want to close the deal while you have your customer’s attention rather than making them wait while your departments estimate the cost of customizations . Customers expect a quick turnaround time and excellent service, and configurators offer just that.

In a world of digital shopping and instant gratification, configurators are the best option for companies to present their motorbikes. They provide an interactive experience for digital shoppers and speed up your products’ customizing, ordering, and purchasing processes. Ideally, your configurator should have 3D functionality, high resolution, and work seamlessly.

1. – Zoom In And View Details Of Your Product
2. – Choose Different Finishes
3. – Include Accessories In Their Order
4. – Download Important Order Documents
5. – Save Images or Video Of Their Customized Bike
6. – Compile A Wish List

Most people enjoy the option of being able to scrutinize details, and nobody wants to look at a pixelated image when making an order. With its high resolution, your configurator should make it easy for customers to zoom into the rendered images clearly. This is especially important if they want to see details on a small bike part, such as the fuel cap or the stitching of a leather accessory.

Finishes or details on motorbikes make a motorbike unique and distinguishable from others. Examples of finishes include the following: 

• – The type of paint used. Examples of paint -finishes include matte, glossy, or holographic.
• – Decals and branding on the motorbike.
• – Cast or laced wheels.
• – Chrome plating.

While a customer customizes their future motorbike on your configurator, they should also be able to add accessories. With the rendered images, they can see how the accessories look on the motorbike. Getting the accessories fitted professionally is preferable to buying and installing aftermarket accessories.

Examples of accessories that customers might want to add to their order include heated handgrips, additional software, crash bars, top boxes, and bash plates.

The customer should be able to download the relevant documents as proof of their order and the customizations they made. Your configurator should have the functionality of downloading documents such as the following:

• – The Bill of Materials sent directly to the sales department, 
• – The quote and invoice, and 
• – A wish list.

Your configurator should also allow customers to save pictures of their motorbike from one or more angles. This way, your customer can admire their purchase and anticipate its arrival. You can also include a small date stamp and logo or other personalization options on the saved rendered images.

Customers might opt to buy accessories later, so having a wish list function in your configurator is a great idea. If their details are saved, and the wish list is linked to their original order, it will make it easy for them to buy additional products later. It saves them the hassle of searching for the product, and you increase your chances of making more sales.

With more and more motorbike manufacturers starting to present their bikes and accessories on digital platforms, it has become essential to use the latest technology available in order to maximize the buyer’s experience. This is where 3D configurators come in handy, as they allow for a quick and easy customization of the desired product. Not only does this speed up the ordering process, but it also increases the likelihood of customer satisfaction. So if you’re looking for a solution that will help your company increase sales, improve customer experience and ultimately give you a competitive edge in the industry, consider investing in a 3D configurator.