Hey I know where you're coming from sixeven, I have been running businesses myself for a while and had a new wave of products change my industry forever and forced me out. But you can't fight these things only go with it or get out. There will be a transition period for a while where all who are happy and secure with the way things were will fight. Hence the reports of bike shops around the country being difficult to deal with. But online buying and cheap products from China have affected every industry and is only going to increase and is here to stay. The smart operators are getting on the bandwagon and making a good living. If you have already been in the industry and know it well you are one of the few positioned to actually do the best out of it if you're prepared to go with it.
There are probably 500% more minibike owners out there now and I do dissagree that they won't spend money customizing their bike. It just means there are 5000 guys (and plenty of gals) spending upwards of $500 on there china base bike, as compared to 500 guys spending $5000!This forum is full of guys asking about hop up bits and wanting shop services. They just don't want all of the already known 'name' brand stuff. They want a mix.