Motorcycle sales continue to boom
From the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries: Motorcycle sales in Australia are continuing to accelerate as riders return to public roads in record numbers.Following a record 2005, the latest figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show that motorcycle sales have grown by a further 20 per cent in the first quarter of the year.
Sales reached a record 25,512 by the end of March - up 4176 or 19.6 per cent over the same period of 2005.
While all three segments of the market - Road, Off Road and ATV - are growing, it is the Road segment that is experiencing the biggest boom.
Roads bike sales totalled 11,165 in the first quarter - an increase of 2485 or 28.6 per cent over last year.
"This is a continuation of a trend that has emerged over the last two years, driven by middle aged riders returning to two wheels and a whole new segment of customers attracted by scooters," said the Chief Executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Peter Sturrock.
Scooter sales have jumped further by 1097 or 47.3 per cent year-to-date, building on sales growth of 30 per cent during 2005.
"The scooter scene is starting to build real momentum as the appeal of simple, easy-to-park, low cost transport becomes more widely known in Australia," said Mr Sturrock.
"The more people see scooters on our roads, the more they are likely to enquire about buying one."
The Cruiser category also contributed significantly to the overall growth of the Road bike segment, sales rising by 1714 or 19.4 per cent.
"Cruiser sales are booming thanks to middle-aged customers returning to motorcycling and the buying power of wealthy baby-boomers," said Mr Sturrock.
"These people are not buying motorcycles primarily as transport, but using them mainly for recreation because they have the time and the money to do so."
The road bike sales boom means these vehicles have passed dirt bikes as the largest segment of motorcycle sales for the first time in many years.
Off Road sales grew to 10,391 - an increase of 1070 or 11.5 per cent.
The best performing Off Road categories were Motorcross and Enduro.
Honda is the best selling brand year-to-date with 6024 sales, followed by Yamaha (5532), Suzuki (2938), Kawasaki (2112) and KTM (1541). Yamaha's YZ250F (pictured) was the top-selling model.
See this link for the figures: http://www.autoindustries.com.au/files/FCAI_Motorcycle_Group_National_Sales_Report_Comparison_May_2006.pdf
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