Aussie motorcycle market down 15 percent

Australians still have a strong appetite for powered two and four-wheelers, judging by the latest official retail figures collated for the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

The statistics, covering the first quarter of 2009, show that there has been an inevitable drop in sales compared to this time last year - but that only tells part of the story.

After a quiet January, when the market was down about 20 percent year-on-year, consumers have rallied, with that figure now only tracking 15.5 percent in arrears.

"There are signs that the motorcycle market has softened in the past three months, however it has to be remembered that it is being compared to the record sales result of 2008," FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said. "There are obvious financial benefits of motorcycle ownership and in these economic times people should look seriously at their transport needs."

The scooter segment has taken the biggest hit in 2009 and is off 31.1 percent, while off-road has dropped 19.6 and ATV 13.2.

The road sector has shown the most resilience, and is only 6.8 percent down year to date (YTD), thanks to some real bullocking work by the likes of Kawasaki (up 16.6 percent), BMW (up 26.7), while big guns like Suzuki, Harley-Davidson and Yamaha have only marginally lost ground.

In road, Harley-Davidson is No. 1 YTD with 1902 sales, ahead of Suzuki (1834), Honda (1775), Kawasaki (1418) and Yamaha (1207).

Triumph is the leading European brand on 911, ahead of BMW (365).

In off-road, Yamaha and Honda have both taken hits, slumping 30.2 and 32.5 percent respectively, while Kawasaki and Suzuki are up by 15. Husqvarna and KTM are also down around 20 percent YTD.

But Yamaha and Honda remain the off-road juggernauts, accounting for nearly 53 percent of the total market.

In scooters, the Piaggio family (Piaggio, Vespa and Gilera) is way out in front on 778 units, ahead of SYM (517), Yamaha (353) and Honda (303).

In the total market, Yamaha leads with 5197 sales, ahead of Honda (4917), Suzuki (3763), Kawasaki (2808), Harley-Davidson (1902) and KTM (1293).

"We are confident that our remaining three quarters for the year will be stronger," Honda's General Manager, Motorcycles, Tony Hinton, said. "We have done what is necessary to stay buoyant such as focusing on inventory management and planning for a different kind of market in the coming years.

"Honda wants to ensure that our dealers remain strong, and balancing their inventory in line with market conditions is a priority. It's about responsible economic management.

"The two wheel industry can always bank on the fact that motorcycles are a fantastic option for people who are looking for an economical way to get around."

Of the five, Kawasaki is the only manufacturer to have increase sales, up 13 percent YTD.

That result is superb in the current economic climate, although there is a lot of pressure falling on the shoulders of the all-conquering Ninja 250, which accounts for nearly 20 percent of the Japanese manufacturer's total sales.

That's made the Ninja 250 easily the most top selling bike in Australia on 552 units, again proving the 250cc roadbike segment is not on its last legs despite the introduction of the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme.

Other top performers in the 250cc and under roadbike class include the Honda CBF250 (219), Hyosung GT250R (161) and Honda CBR125RW (141).

After the Ninja 250, Kawasaki's biggest seller is the KX450F on 197 units.

Meanwhile, Honda's made-to-order for Australia Post CT110 is second overall on 479 units, with seven of the next eight off-road bikes - Yamaha's YZF-R1 the lone 'dissenter'.

Harley-Davidson continues to show its might in cruisers with seven of the top 10 in that group; Suzuki is the most represented marque in sports touring; the Kawasaki KL650 and BMW F 800 GS are 1-2 in adventure touring; Triumph's Street Triple and Bonneville continue to work their magic in naked; and the YZF-R1 is mauling its opposition in supersport.

The YZF-R1 has left 296 showrooms, while the scrap for second is a beauty between the Honda CBR1000RR (138), Ducati 1098/1198 (131), Suzuki GSX-R600 (131) and Hyosung GT650R (129).

Suzuki's DR-Z400E holds all the aces in enduro, with the Honda CRF450R, Yamaha PW50 and Yamaha Ag 200 leading the motocross, fun and farm segments.

For the summary report, click here.

Pic: Yamaha's YZF-R1